Model year 2021 · Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
2021 Nissan Frontier: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings
EPA rates the 2021 Nissan Frontier at 19–20 mpg combined across 2 versions. NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 20 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 4 out of 5 stars.
Safety recalls
2
EPA combined mpg
19–20
NHTSA overall rating
4/5
Recall file dated Oct 28, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 28, 2026, 7:36 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.
2021 Nissan Frontier recalls
NHTSA's recall file lists 2 safety recalls for the 2021 Nissan Frontier, newest first.
Power train: Automatic transmission
NHTSA 22V671000Reported Sep 7, 2022
Filed by
Nissan North America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. R22A9 R22B1/2/3)
Units affected
197,230 (estimate)
Problem
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Titan, 2020-2022 Frontier, and 2023 Z vehicles. The transmission parking pawl may not engage when the vehicle is shifted into park, which can result in a vehicle rollaway.
Risk
A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Owners are advised to apply the parking brake every time they park their vehicle. Dealers will perform the applicable repairs below, free of charge: Â Model Year 2020-2022 Frontier vehicles: reprogram Transmission Control Module (TCM) Â Model Year 2020-2022 Titan vehicles: reprogram TCM and Engine Control Module (ECM) Â Model Year 2023 Titan vehicles: reprogram TCM Â Model Year 2023 Z vehicles: reprogram TCM. Owner notification letters were mailed October 28, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
Nissan North America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. R22A1)
Units affected
180,176 (estimate)
Problem
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Frontier and Titan vehicles. The transmission parking pawl may not engage when the vehicle is shifted into park, which can result in a vehicle rollaway.
Risk
A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Owners are advised to apply the parking brake every time they park their vehicle. Dealers will replace the transmission parking pawl pin, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 2022. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R22A2 R22A3.
Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.
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2021 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.
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.
2021 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.
2021 Nissan Frontier NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicle
Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Rollover risk
Forward collision warning
2021 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC 4WD
4 stars
3 stars
5 stars
4 stars
19.8%
No
2021 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC RWD
4 stars
3 stars
5 stars
3 stars
21.2%
No
2021 Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC 4WD
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
4 stars
19.8%
No
2021 Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC RWD
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
3 stars
21.2%
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.
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2021 Nissan Frontier owner complaints
Owners have filed 20 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Nissan Frontier, most recently on Oct 13, 2026. 1 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 0 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.
Most-cited components in 2021 Nissan Frontier complaints
Component named in complaints
Mentions
Electrical system
5
Power train
5
Unknown or other
4
Fuel/propulsion system
3
Air bags
2
Engine
2
Service brakes
2
Air bags: Sensor: Occupant classification
1
Electrical system: Ignition
1
Exterior lighting
1
Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.
