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Nissan Frontier
Car and Driver says the Nissan Frontier takes an old-school, no-nonsense approach to mid-size trucking, simple, capable, affordable, and highly configurable, letting buyers mix and match rear- or four-wheel drive, an extended or crew cab, a five- or six-foot bed, and five distinct trim levels, though it only comes with one engine, a smooth and responsive 310-hp 3.8-liter V-6. MotorTrend says the Frontier remains a no-nonsense midsize truck built for buyers who value simplicity and durability over trendy tech, with bold styling, a user-friendly cabin, and confident towing manners, but it trails competitors like the Ford Ranger, Chevrolet Colorado, and Toyota Tacoma with underwhelming power and efficiency, a wide turning circle, and dated tech; for 2026 Nissan introduces the Frontier Pro-4X R by Roush, a new hardcore performance version developed with longtime tuner Roush.
One engine, endless configurations
Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) says the Nissan Frontier takes an old-school, no-nonsense approach to mid-size trucking, simple, capable, affordable, and highly configurable, letting buyers mix and match rear- or four-wheel drive, an extended or crew cab, a five- or six-foot bed, and five distinct trim levels, though it only comes with one engine, a smooth and responsive 310-hp 3.8-liter V-6.
Simple and durable, but trailing the pack
MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) says the Frontier remains a no-nonsense midsize truck built for buyers who value simplicity and durability over trendy tech, with bold styling, a user-friendly cabin, and confident towing manners, but it trails competitors like the Ford Ranger, Chevrolet Colorado, and Toyota Tacoma with underwhelming power and efficiency, a wide turning circle, and dated tech.
A new Roush-tuned performance truck for 2026
MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) says for 2026 Nissan introduces the Frontier Pro-4X R by Roush, a new hardcore performance version developed with longtime tuner Roush.
Questions buyers ask
How much horsepower does the Nissan Frontier have?
Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) says 310 hp from its 3.8-liter V-6, the only engine offered.
What's new on the 2026 Nissan Frontier?
MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) says the new Frontier Pro-4X R by Roush performance version.
Research map
Every major decision path.
The 2025 Nissan Frontier is built around 3.8L V6, rated at 310 horsepower across its midsize pickup body style.
Explore this topic →02Trims and equipmentThe 2025 U.S. lineup has 4 trims.
Explore this topic →03Towing and capabilityThe most the 2025 Nissan Frontier is published to tow is up to 7,150 lb.
Explore this topic →04Safety and ownershipNHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2025 Frontier.
Explore this topic →Current model year
2025 Nissan Frontier
Every 2025 Frontier uses the same 310-horsepower 3.8L V6; the four trims separate by cab configuration, technology and off-road hardware. King Cab is standard on S, Crew Cab standard from SV up.
Read specifications, trims, answers and sourcesModel-year archive
3 indexed Nissan Frontier model years.
| Model year | Trims | Open record |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 Nissan Frontier | 2027 record → | |
| 2026 Nissan Frontier | 1 | 2026 record → |
| 2025 Nissan Frontier | 2025 record → |
Background and safety record
What public sources say about the Nissan Frontier.
The Nissan Frontier is a nameplate used by Nissan in several regions as an alternative to the Navara and NP300 nameplates. In North America, the nameplate was used from the 1998 to 2021 model years, replacing the Hardbody. Since 2021, for the 2022 model year, the Frontier sold in the US and Canada has been a separate model distinct from the globally marketed Navara/Frontier.
- Safety
- The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has tested the third-generation Frontier. It received "Good" ratings in the moderate overlap front test and "Acceptable" ratings in the updated side-impact test.
- Awards
- In 2023 and 2025, Consumer Guide Automotive named the Frontier a "Best Buy" in the midsize pickup category. In 2025, Cars.com ranked the Frontier S King Cab 4×2 as the "Best Value" midsize pickup in its annual affordability report. The Frontier has been recognized by the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) at its annual Texas Truck Rodeo.
- Sales
- Sales figures for the North American Frontier are included in the chart for the main Nissan Frontier/Navara model.
Source: Nissan Frontier (North America) (Wikipedia); safety and recall figures from NHTSA.
Nissan Frontier at a glance
- Production
- 1997–present
- Class
- Compact pickup truck (1997–2005), Mid-size pickup truck (2005–present)
- Body style
- 2-door pickup truck, 4-door pickup truck
- Layout
- Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout, Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, Front-engine, four-wheel-drive layout, Front-engine, four-wheel-drive
- Predecessor
- Nissan Hardbody (D21)
- Also called
- Nissan Navara/NP300 (1997–2021)
Recent recalls (6 campaigns across the latest model years)
- January 2026, Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025 Altima, Sentra, 2025-2026 Frontier, and 2026 Kicks vehicles. The door strikers may have been improperly welded and break, allowing the door to open while moving. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with… Consequence: A door that opens unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion increases the risk of injury or a crash.
- August 2025, Exterior Lighting:Lighting Control Module:Software. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025 Nissan Frontier vehicles. Due to a software logic error, the daytime running lights may dim unexpectedly when the idle start-stop feature cycles the engine from off to on. As such, these vehicles fail… Consequence: Daytime running lights that dim unexpectedly may cause confusion to other vehicles or pedestrians, increasing the risk of a crash.
- June 2025, Back Over Prevention:Software. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025 Frontier and Kicks vehicles. The center information display unit may display a blank screen when shifted into reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number… Consequence: A rearview image that does not display can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Year by year
The Nissan Frontier across 13 model years.
| Model year | Combined MPG/MPGe | EPA annual fuel cost | EPA records | NHTSA recalls | NHTSA complaints | NHTSA overall rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Nissan Frontier | 18–21 | $3,100–$3,600 | 3 | |||
| 2026 Nissan Frontier | 18–21 | $2,950–$3,450 | 3 | 1 | 4 stars | |
| 2025 Nissan Frontier | 18–21 | $2,950–$3,450 | 3 | 3 | 4 stars | |
| 2024 Nissan Frontier | 19–21 | $2,950–$3,300 | 3 | 3 | 4 stars | |
| 2023 Nissan Frontier | 18–21 | $2,950–$3,450 | 6 | 1 | 4 stars | |
| 2022 Nissan Frontier | 19–20 | $3,100–$3,300 | 2 | 6 | 110 | 4 stars |
| 2021 Nissan Frontier | 19–20 | $3,100–$3,300 | 2 | 2 | 4 stars | |
| 2020 Nissan Frontier | 19–20 | $3,100–$3,300 | 2 | 2 | 4 stars | |
| 2019 Nissan Frontier | 17–21 | $2,950–$3,650 | 8 | 1 | 28 | 4 stars |
| 2018 Nissan Frontier | 17–21 | $2,950–$3,650 | 8 | 2 | 25 | |
| 2017 Nissan Frontier | 17–21 | $2,950–$3,650 | 8 | 1 | 38 | 4 stars |
| 2016 Nissan Frontier | 17–21 | $2,950–$3,650 | 6 | 1 | 43 | |
| 2015 Nissan Frontier | 17–21 | $2,950–$3,650 | 6 | 33 |
Year-to-year changes
What changed in the Nissan Frontier, one model year at a time.
| Step | EPA records | Combined MPG/MPGe, midpoint | Added | No longer listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 to 2025 | 20.0 to 19.5 | |||
| 2023 to 2024 | 6 to 3 | 19.5 to 20.0 | Engines: 3.8L 6-cyl SIDI; ISS and AGS | |
| 2022 to 2023 | 2 to 6 | Labels: Frontier 4WD PRO4X; Engines: 3.8L 6-cyl SIDI; ISS and AGS | ||
| 2019 to 2020 | 8 to 2 | 19.0 to 19.5 | Engines: 3.8L 6-cyl SIDI; Transmissions: Automatic (S9); Size classes: Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD | Labels: Frontier 2WD FFV, Frontier 4WD FFV; Engines: 2.5L 4-cyl, 4L 6-cyl, 4L 6-cyl FFV; Transmissions: Automatic 5-spd, Manual 5-spd, Manual 6-spd; Fuels: Gasoline or E85; Size classes: Small Pickup Trucks 2WD, Small Pickup Trucks 4WD |
| 2016 to 2017 | 6 to 8 | Labels: Frontier 2WD FFV, Frontier 4WD FFV; Engines: 4L 6-cyl FFV; Fuels: Gasoline or E85 | ||
| 2015 to 2016 | Drives: Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Drives: 4-Wheel Drive |
Buying used
What the Nissan Frontier recalls and complaints are about.
| Model year | Campaigns | Systems recalled | Warnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | latches/locks/linkages (doors) | None |
| 2025 | 3 | back over prevention (software); exterior lighting (lighting control module); latches/locks/linkages (doors) | None |
| 2024 | 3 | air bags (frontal); suspension (front); exterior lighting (headlights) | None |
| 2023 | 1 | tires (bead) | None |
| 2022 | 6 | trailer hitches; seat belts (critical fasteners); power train (automatic transmission); 2 more | 2 fixable over the air |
| 2021 | 2 | power train (automatic transmission) | None |
| 2020 | 2 | power train (automatic transmission) | None |
| 2019 | 1 | back over prevention (sensing system) | None |
| 2018 | 2 | electrical system (ignition); back over prevention (sensing system) | None |
| 2017 | 1 | electrical system (ignition) | None |
| 2016 | 1 | electrical system (wiring) | None |
| System | Complaints | Share of all complaints | Worst model year |
|---|---|---|---|
| electrical system | 49 | 18% | 2022 (30) |
| unknown or other | 48 | 17% | 2022 (20) |
| power train | 47 | 17% | 2022 (24) |
| forward collision avoidance | 33 | 12% | 2022 (33) |
| air bags | 32 | 12% | 2015 (10) |
| service brakes | 31 | 11% | 2022 (19) |
Trim by trim
Every 2026 Nissan Frontier trim side by side.
| Trim | Drive | Engine | Horsepower | Torque (lb-ft) | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Combined mpg | Base price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S (Pickup) | 4WD | 3.8-liter V6 | 310 | 281 | 4,543 | 7,000 | 19 | – |
| S (Pickup) | 4WD | 3.8-liter V6 | 310 | 281 | 4,626 | 6,960 | 19 | – |
| SV | 4WD | 3.8-liter V6 | 310 | 281 | 4,758 | 6,760 | 19 | $37,935 |
| PRO-X | 2WD | 3.8-liter V6 | 310 | 281 | 4,561 | 6,900 | 21 | $40,315 |
| PRO-4X | 4WD | 3.8-liter V6 | 310 | 281 | 4,865 | 6,310 | 18 | $43,615 |
| PRO-4X R Special Edition | 4WD | 3.8-liter V6 | 310 | 281 | 4,763 | 6,270 | 18 | $44,265 |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for the 2026 model year; base price is KBB's national base price where its list carries the trim by the same name. A dash means KBB lists no figure.
Specifications by year
Power, weight and towing for every Nissan Frontier model year.
| Model year | Trims | Engines | Horsepower | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Fuel tank (gal) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 3.8-liter V6 | 310 | 4,543–4,865 | 6,270–7,000 | 21 |
| 2025 | 5 | 3.8-liter V6 | 310 | 4,507–4,928 | 6,300–7,000 | 21 |
| 2024 | 8 | 3.8-liter V6 | 310 | 4,345–4,856 | 6,170–6,640 | 21 |
| 2023 | 14 | 3.8-liter V6 | 310 | 4,321–4,773 | 6,260–6,720 | 21 |
| 2022 | 7 | 3.8-liter V6 | 310 | – | 6,250–6,720 | 21.1 |
| 2021 | 6 | 3.8-liter V6 | 310 | 4,145–4,696 | 6,250–6,720 | 21.1 |
| 2020 | 6 | 3.8-liter V6 | 310 | 4,145–4,696 | 6,250–6,720 | 21.1 |
| 2019 | 10 | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder / 4.0-liter V6 | 152–261 | 3,797–4,624 | 3,790–6,690 | 21.1 |
| 2018 | 10 | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder / 4.0-liter V6 | 152–261 | 3,802–4,586 | 3,780–6,690 | 21.1 |
| 2017 | 17 | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder / 4.0-liter V6 | 152–261 | 3,813–4,596 | 3,760–6,710 | 21.1 |
| 2016 | 11 | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder / 4.0-liter V6 | 152–261 | 3,811–4,758 | 3,500–6,500 | 21.1 |
| 2015 | 11 | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder / 4.0-liter V6 | 152–261 | 3,760–4,711 | 3,500–6,500 | 21.1 |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for each model year. A range covers every trim KBB lists that year; a dash means KBB lists no figure.
Owning it
Oil, fluid and wheel-nut figures for the Nissan Frontier.
| Model year | Engine oil | Brake fluid | Wheel-nut torque | A/C refrigerant | Key-fob battery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | – | – | 98 lb-ft | R-1234yf | – |
| 2025 | – | – | – | R-1234yf | – |
| 2021 | – | – | – | R-134a | – |
| 2020 | – | – | – | R-134a | – |
Source: the manufacturer's owner's manual for each model year. A dash means that year's manual gave no single value for it, for instance one that lists two oil grades or two key types.
Model-year recall record
Nissan Frontier: which model years carry more or fewer federal safety recalls.
More recalls than this model’s own average
- 2022 Nissan Frontier : 6 recalls on file, most commonly affecting powertrain and backup camera.
| Model year | Federal recalls on file | Complaints on file | Recalls most commonly affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | not available | door latches |
| 2025 | 3 | not available | backup camera, exterior lighting, door latches |
| 2024 | 3 | not available | airbags, suspension, exterior lighting |
| 2023 | 1 | not available | tires |
| 2022 | 6 | 110 | powertrain, backup camera, seat belts, trailer hitch |
| 2021 | 2 | not available | powertrain |
| 2020 | 2 | not available | powertrain |
| 2019 | 1 | 28 | backup camera |
| 2018 | 2 | 25 | electrical system, backup camera |
| 2017 | 1 | 38 | electrical system |
| 2016 | 1 | 43 | electrical system |
| 2015 | 33 |
Method: recall counts and their affected components come from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: Recalls API, queried by exact make, model and model year. Complaint counts come from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: Complaints API, same query pattern. Data pulled 2026-09-04.
Known gap: the NHTSA complaints API did not return data for Nissan Frontier model years 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 when queried for this page: the request itself failed upstream, not returning a genuine zero. Those years are marked "not available" above instead of shown as clean; recall counts for those years are unaffected and come from the separate recalls API, which returned data for every year listed.
Check open recalls by VIN for one particular vehicle.
Q01Is there a best year to buy a Nissan Frontier?
Recall count alone can't answer that: it says nothing about a specific vehicle's price, mileage, accident history or maintenance record. What federal data can say: 2022 carried more. See the model-year table on this page for the exact counts and what they cover.
Q02Which Nissan Frontier model years should I watch for recalls?
The 2022 Nissan Frontier has 6 federal recalls on file, most commonly affecting powertrain, backup camera, seat belts. Always confirm the open/completed status of every campaign for the specific VIN: a recall on this list may already be repaired on the vehicle in front of you.
Q03What are common recall-related problems on the Nissan Frontier by model year?
2026: door latches. 2025: backup camera, exterior lighting, door latches. 2024: airbags, suspension, exterior lighting. 2023: tires. 2022: powertrain, backup camera, seat belts, trailer hitch. 2021: powertrain.
Q04Why do some Nissan Frontier model years show "not available" for complaints?
The NHTSA complaints API did not return data for Nissan Frontier model years 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 when queried for this page: the request itself failed upstream instead of the count genuinely being zero. Recall counts for those years are unaffected; they come from a separate NHTSA endpoint that returned data for every year listed.
Diagnosing one of these symptoms? The recalled systems above map to this site’s own ownership desks: general, evidence-first guidance that applies regardless of whether the specific vehicle in front of you was ever part of a recall campaign: Climate and electrical, Transmission and drivetrain, Buying, records and recalls, Brakes, tires and steering.
2022 Nissan Frontier owners specifically: see Transmission and drivetrain and Climate and electrical and Buying, records and recalls.
Trim ladder
1 Nissan Frontier trim, each with its own page.
Compared with
Models this Nissan Frontier is most often compared with.
Nearest Nissan models
Other Nissan models.
Frequent questions
Answers with their conditions intact.
Q01How many trims does the 2025 Frontier come in?
The 2025 Nissan Frontier (midsize pickup) comes in 4 trims: S, SV, PRO-X, PRO-4X.
Q02What are the 2025 Frontier trims?
The 2025 Nissan Frontier trims are S, SV, PRO-X, PRO-4X, listed from the entry S up to the top PRO-4X.
Q03What engine or powertrain does the 2025 Frontier use?
The 2025 Nissan Frontier is built around 3.8L V6, rated at 310 horsepower across its midsize pickup body style.
Q04How much horsepower does the 2025 Frontier have?
The 2025 Nissan Frontier is rated at 310 horsepower (3.8L V6).
Q05Is AWD or 4WD available on the 2025 Frontier?
The 2025 Nissan Frontier is offered with RWD / 4WD.