Model year 2016 · Small Pickup Trucks 2WD, Small Pickup Trucks 4WD

2016 Nissan Frontier: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings

EPA rates the 2016 Nissan Frontier at 17–21 mpg combined across 6 versions. NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 44 owner complaints for this model year.

Safety recalls

1

EPA combined mpg

17–21

NHTSA overall rating

—

Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT

Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Nissan dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.

2016 Nissan Frontier recalls

NHTSA's recall file lists 1 safety recall for the 2016 Nissan Frontier, newest first.

Electrical system: Wiring: Front underhood and 1 more component

NHTSA 16V181000 Reported Mar 31, 2016
Filed by
Nissan North America, Inc.
Components
Electrical system: Wiring: Front underhood; Electrical system: Starter assembly
Units affected
1,554 (estimate)
Problem
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.
Remedy
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.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.

2016 Nissan Frontier fuel economy by version

EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.

2016 Nissan Frontier EPA fuel economy
VersionEngineTransmissionDriveFuelCity/Hwy/CombFuel cost/yrCO2 g/mi
Frontier 2WD2.5L 4-cylAutomatic 5-spdRear-Wheel DriveRegular17/22/19 mpg$3,550462
Frontier 2WD2.5L 4-cylManual 5-spdRear-Wheel DriveRegular19/23/21 mpg$3,200426
Frontier 2WD4.0L 6-cylAutomatic 5-spdRear-Wheel DriveRegular16/22/18 mpg$3,700483
Frontier 2WD4.0L 6-cylManual 6-spdRear-Wheel DriveRegular17/22/19 mpg$3,550478
Frontier 4WD4.0L 6-cylAutomatic 5-spdPart-time 4-Wheel DriveRegular15/21/17 mpg$3,950514
Frontier 4WD4.0L 6-cylManual 6-spdPart-time 4-Wheel DriveRegular16/21/18 mpg$3,700494

Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.

EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.

2016 Nissan Frontier crash-test ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

2016 Nissan Frontier NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicleOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover riskForward collision warning
2016 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC 4WDNot ratedNot ratedNot rated4 stars19.8%No
2016 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC RWDNot ratedNot ratedNot rated3 stars21.2%No
2016 Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC 4WDNot ratedNot ratedNot rated4 stars19.8%No
2016 Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC RWDNot ratedNot ratedNot rated3 stars21.2%No

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.

Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.

2016 Nissan Frontier owner complaints

Owners have filed 44 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Nissan Frontier, most recently on Oct 25, 2026. 4 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 3 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.

Most-cited components in 2016 Nissan Frontier complaints
Component named in complaintsMentions
Air bags10
Unknown or other10
Engine8
Fuel/propulsion system8
Structure: Body4
Power train3
Service brakes3
Steering3
Electrical system2
Wheels2

Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.

Had a safety problem with your vehicle? You can report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem.

Other Nissan Frontier model years

Nissan Frontier by model year
YearCombinedRecallsComplaintsOverall rating
2027 Frontier18–21 mpg———
2026 Frontier18–21 mpg1114/5
2025 Frontier18–21 mpg394/5
2024 Frontier19–21 mpg3224/5
2023 Frontier18–21 mpg1664/5
2022 Frontier19–20 mpg61124/5
2021 Frontier19–20 mpg2204/5
2020 Frontier19–20 mpg2234/5
2019 Frontier17–21 mpg1284/5
2018 Frontier17–21 mpg225—
2017 Frontier17–21 mpg1384/5
2015 Frontier17–21 mpg033—

All Nissan Frontier years compared · Decode a VIN

Other 2016 Nissan models

2016 Nissan 370Z2016 Nissan Altima2016 Nissan GT-R2016 Nissan Juke2016 Nissan LEAF2016 Nissan Maxima2016 Nissan Murano2016 Nissan NV200 Cargo Van2016 Nissan NV200 NYC Taxi2016 Nissan Pathfinder2016 Nissan Quest2016 Nissan Rogue2016 Nissan Sentra2016 Nissan Versa

Sources

  • Recalls: NHTSA recall flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010), dated Oct 27, 2026, plus a live check of api.nhtsa.gov in your browser.
  • Complaints: NHTSA consumer complaint flat files (COMPLAINTS_RECEIVED), counts only — we do not republish complaint text.
  • Crash tests: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings API.
  • Fuel economy: FuelEconomy.gov vehicles file (U.S. DOE and EPA), dated Sep 29, 2026.
  • NHTSA, EPA and DOE do not endorse OpenVIN. Vehicle names identify vehicles only; OpenVIN is not affiliated with Nissan.