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2016 Nissan Frontier Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2016 Nissan Frontier carries 1 open NHTSA recall — most recently covering front underhood. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Fuel tank spills gas during fueling.” Nissan owner's manuals split service into Schedule 1 (severe) and Schedule 2 (normal). Most US drivers fall under Schedule 1. The biggest preventable failure on Nissan vehicles is CVT transmission damage from extended fluid intervals — owners of Altima, Rogue, Sentra, Pathfinder, and Murano with CVT should not skip it.

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1 Open Recall

Source: NHTSA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

Campaign #16V181000 · Mar 31, 2016

Issue: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2016 Frontier V6 vehicles manufactured February 29, 2016, to March 7, 2016. The starter motor wire harness may have been installed in an incorrect position, allowing the starter harness terminal to contact the heat shield and result in an electrical short.

Risk: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.

Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and reposition the starter wire harness, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 13, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

Recall data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2016 Nissan Frontier.

Reported to NHTSA

Fuel tank spills gas during fueling

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

2 NHTSA complaints · 2020-12 → 2024-09

“WHILE FUELING AT DIFFERENT GAS STATIONS THE TANK SPILLS/BELCHES GAS ALL OVER. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS RECALLED. THERE ARE ENDLESS COMPLAINTS ON [XXX] OF SIMILAR ISSUES OCCURRING TO OTHER FRONTIER OWNERS. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC AND WAS QUOTED OVER $800 TO”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11614337
“WHILE FUELING AT DIFFERENT GAS STATIONS THE TANK SPILLS/BELCHES GAS ALL OVER. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS RECALLED. THERE ARE ENDLESS COMPLAINTS ON WWW.CLUBFRONTIER.ORG OF SIMILAR ISSUES OCCURRING TO OTHER FRONTIER OWNERS. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC AND WAS QUOTED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11385655

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Truck bed and frame structural failure

STRUCTURE

3 NHTSA complaints · 2016-11 → 2024-11

“A loud squeaking has developed during every day driving. After inspecting - the front right truck bed mounting location has cracked and failed”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11624547
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPOT WELDS BETWEEN THE OUTER BODY PANEL AND THE INNER BED ON THE PASSSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LIA NISSAN OF COLONIE (2233 CENTRAL AVE, SCHENECTADY, NY 12304, 518-631-2393)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11140326
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PURCHASE A CAB FOR THE VEHICLE, THE CAB WOULD NOT FIT DUE TO THE INCORRECT SIZE OF THE TRUCK BED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE MODIFICATION WOULD HAVE TO BE DONE AT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10924315

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Transmission fails to engage or shift into gear

POWER TRAIN

3 NHTSA complaints · 2015-11 → 2020-08

“TRANSMISSION AND BRAIN REPAIR BY DEALERSHIP UNDER WARRANTY 20017, AND OVERHEATING PROBLEM DUE TO RADIATOR IN 2020 AFTER EXPIRE OF WARRANTY, $1000 OUT OF POCKET REPAIRS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11349599
“WHEN I STOP AND PUT THE GAS AGAIN THE TRANSMISSION DO NOT ENGAGE, AFTER AFTER SKIPPING THE ENGAGE IT ENGAGE SUDDENLY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10929618
“THE TRANSMISSION DON'T CHANGE TO REVERSE, NEUTRAL, AND PARKING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10789715

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake pedal and ABS/ESC performance issues

SERVICE BRAKES

3 NHTSA complaints · 2018-04 → 2023-12

“My 2016 Nissan Frontier is leaking axle grease from the driver side rear tire. The grease/oil got all over the brake pads, rotor, and emergency brake. This seems to be a very common issue that was supposed to have been resolved several models prior”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11562865
“THE YAWRATE SENSOR AND ABS DIAGNOSTIC MODULE HAD TO BE REPLACED TO KEEP MY VEHICLE FROM GRABBING THE BRAKES AS I STARTED DRIVING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11328733
“THE BRAKE PEDAL IS VERY SPONGY PEDAL WILL TOUCH THE FLOOR. EVEN WHEN THE TRUCK IS EMPTY YOU WONDER IF YOU ARE GOING TO STOP. DEALER SAYS THIS IS NORMAL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11083520

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Nissan Connect hands-free calling distraction

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2 NHTSA complaints · 2017-03 → 2018-07

“VERY SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD WHEN USING "NISSAN CONNECT" HANDS-FREE SYSTEM WITH ALL CELL PHONES. "NISSAN CONNECT" DOES NOT DIFFERENTIATE THE DIFFERENCE WHEN CALLING A PERSON WITH MULTIPLE PHONE NUMBERS. INSTEAD OF ASKING "WOULD YOU LIKE TO CALL ____ ON CELL OR AT HOME"?, IT ASKS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11114333
“VERY SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD WHEN USING "NISSAN CONNECT" HANDS-FREE SYSTEM WITH ALL CELL PHONES. "NISSAN CONNECT" DOES NOT DIFFERENTIATE THE DIFFERENCE WHEN CALLING A PERSON WITH MULTIPLE PHONE NUMBERS. INSTEAD OF ASKING "WOULD YOU LIKE TO CALL ____ ON CELL OR AT HOME"?, IT ASKS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10958447

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag warning light illumination and sensor faults

AIR BAGS

7 NHTSA complaints · 2016-07 → 2024-08

“The airbag warning light is blinking and has been for approximately 9 months. I live in Salida, CO which does not have a Nissan Dealership to take my vehicle into for servicing. I recently saw an article on Fox 31 News pertaining to the same airbag malfunction and would like to”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11608384
“The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle air bags warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who determined that the air bag system was disconnected under the passenger’s side dashboard. The”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11519270
“I HAVE A 2016 NISSAN FRONTIER WITH ONLY 68,000 MILES ON IT. THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASH STARTED FLASHING. I TOOK IT TO ANY MOHR NISSAN AND THEY DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENSOR INSIDE THE PASSENGER SEAT THAT TELLS THE SYSTEM IF SOMEONE IS SITTING THERE HAS FAILED AND THAT IT IS AN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11389453

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag non-deployment in a crash

AIR BAGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

2 NHTSA complaints · 2018-03 → 2023-04

“Airbags didn’t deployed when the incident of the the truck crashed at the time. (April 05,2023)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11519626
“WE PURCHASED OUR 2016 NISSAN FRONTIER IN OCTOBER 2016. UNFORTUNATELY WE HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THREE MAJOR CAR ACCIDENTS AND TWO OUT OF THE THREE TIMES THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. EVERY ACCIDENT WE WERE INVOLVED IN COST OVER $10,000 TO REPAIR OUR VEHICLE SO WE KNOW THAT THE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11080268

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine stall or hesitation on acceleration

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

6 NHTSA complaints · 2016-06 → 2025-10

“I am experiencing a fuel pump issue that stalls the engine while driving. The issue will sometimes go away if I first loosen the fuel cap on the gas tank to relieve built up pressure but after driving for 10 to 15 minutes or so the vehicle will begin to jerk while accelerating”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11694089
“ENGINE HESITATES OR STALLS ON ACCELERATION. WHEN PULLING OUT FROM A STOP ENGINE HESITATES TO NEAR STALL NO MATTER HOW HARD OR FAR YOU PRESS GAS PEDAL. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. INTERMITTENT ISSUE, NO FAILURE CODES WHEN TESTED. IF ENGINE DOESN'T STALL, VEHICLE IS AT A STAND STILL EVEN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11373557
“THE THROTTLE ON THE TRUCK WILL FAIL TO ACCELERATE THEN WILL SURGE FORWARD. OTHER TIMES IT IS AS IF THE TRUCK ENGINE IS TRYING TO QUIT RUNNING . TODAY I STOPPED BY THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY FOUND NO DCTS ON THE COMPUTER, AFTER TEST DRIVING THE TRUCK 10 MI. NO PROBLEMS FOUND. BUT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10873982

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 5,000 mi

Replace synthetic-blend or full-synthetic oil every 5,000 miles under Schedule 1. Schedule 2: 7,500 miles. VR30DDTT (3.0L twin-turbo): full synthetic only.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 5,000 mi

Rotate tires every 5,000 miles. Front-wheel-drive Nissans (Altima, Sentra, Versa) wear front tires fast — don't skip rotations.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

CVT Fluid (NS-3)

Every 60,000 mi

Nissan officially calls CVT fluid 'lifetime,' but independent technicians and Nissan TSBs recommend replacement every 60,000 miles to prevent CVT failure. Use Nissan NS-3 fluid only — substitutes destroy the belt-and-pulley system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$360–$500

Shop

~$255–$355

DIY

~$80–$180

CVT fluid is manufacturer-specific and pricey — do NOT substitute conventional ATF.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake every 7,500 miles. Rogue and Pathfinder front pads typically last 35,000-50,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 2 years. Dark or amber fluid indicates moisture contamination.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles, sooner if driving on dusty unpaved roads.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Spark Plugs

Every 105,000 mi

Iridium-tipped spark plugs are rated 105,000 miles on QR25, MR20, and VQ35 engines. VR30DDTT: 60,000 miles due to higher cylinder pressures.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Long-Life Coolant

Every 75,000 mi

Nissan Long-Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue/green): first change at 105,000 miles, then every 75,000. Do not mix with other coolant chemistries.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Transfer Case / Rear Diff (AWD models)

Every 60,000 mi

On AWD and 4WD models, replace transfer case fluid and rear differential fluid every 60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. Located behind the glove box on Altima, Rogue, and Sentra.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

62 crashes 1990–2024

How the 62 occupant deaths break down

55

driver deaths

7

passenger deaths

62

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2016 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

3

complaints mentioning a crash

1

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2016 Nissan Frontier reflects Nissan's published service intervals and the Maintenance Reminder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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