Nissan Frontier 2016 recalls, problems, complaints and safety
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall issued for the Nissan Frontier 2016 and 43 complaints filed by owners. It has 11% more complaints than the average Nissan Frontier from 2016–2025 (39 per year).
These are recalls issued for this model and year, not for your specific car. A car may already be repaired or may not be included. Confirm with your VIN on NHTSA.
Own or buying a Nissan Frontier 2016? Enter its VIN to see its exact trim and engine, and confirm on NHTSA whether its recalls were repaired.
Recalls issued for the Nissan Frontier 2016
Electrical system
NHTSA campaign 16V181000 · 2016-03-31
What happens
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.
Consequence
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.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Complaints from other owners
43 complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of this model.
3 with a crash · 1 with a fire · 3 injuries
Most reported problems on the Nissan Frontier 2016
- Air bags: 10 (23% of complaints)
- Fuel and propulsion: 8 (19% of complaints)
- Engine: 8 (19% of complaints)
- Structure and body: 4 (9% of complaints)
- Powertrain and transmission: 3 (7% of complaints)
Complaints are written by owners and NHTSA doesn't verify each one. They're useful to spot trends.
What to check before buying a Nissan Frontier 2016
- Confirm by VIN on NHTSA that the recalls on this list were repaired.
- The air bag light should come on for a second at start-up and go off. Confirm by VIN that air bag recalls were done.
- Check for loss of power, stalling or uneven acceleration on the test drive.
- Start it cold, listen for noises, look for oil or coolant leaks and exhaust smoke.
- Get an inspection from an independent mechanic before paying.
Safety rating (NCAP)
| Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC 4WD | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | ★★★★☆ |
| 2016 Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC RWD | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | ★★★☆☆ |
| 2016 Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC 4WD | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | ★★★★☆ |
| 2016 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC RWD | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | ★★★☆☆ |
Nissan Frontier recalls by year
- 2016 : 1 recall · 43 complaints
- 2017 : 1 recall · 38 complaints
- 2018 : 2 recalls · 25 complaints
- 2019 : 1 recall · 28 complaints
- 2020 : 2 recalls · 23 complaints
- 2021 : 2 recalls · 20 complaints
- 2022 : 6 recalls · 112 complaints
- 2023 : 1 recall · 66 complaints
- 2024 : 3 recalls · 22 complaints
- 2025 : 3 recalls · 9 complaints
Guides for this check
Frequently asked questions
How many recalls does the Nissan Frontier 2016 have?
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall issued for the Nissan Frontier 2016. That doesn't mean every car has them open: confirm with the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The repair is free at the dealer.
What is the most common problem with the Nissan Frontier 2016?
In complaints filed with NHTSA, the most mentioned component is: air bags (10 of 43 complaints). Complaints aren't verified one by one, but they show trends.
Model-level information from official NHTSA sources. Confirm by VIN on NHTSA. Not a substitute for a mechanical inspection.
Last updated: October 15, 2026. Sources: NHTSA vPIC (decoding), NHTSA Recalls, NHTSA Complaints and NHTSA NCAP (5-Star Safety Ratings).