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2018 Nissan Frontier

Gas
Small Pickup Trucks 2WD
8 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
B
Safety Signal
89 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns2
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA25
Crash ratingNHTSA overall—
Fuel economybest combined, EPA21 mpg
20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2018 Nissan Frontier is sold in the U.S. as a gas pickup truck with 8 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Frontier 2WD, is EPA-rated at 21 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of B. Owners have filed 25 complaints, most often about the electrical system.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
Frontier 2WDGasRWD2.5L 4-cyl192321$2,950
Frontier 2WDGasRWD2.5L 4-cyl172219$3,300
Frontier 2WDGasRWD4.0L 6-cyl162319$3,300
Frontier 2WDGasRWD4.0L 6-cyl162219$3,300
Frontier 2WD FFVGasRWD4.0L 6-cyl162218$3,450
Frontier 4WDGas4WD (part-time)4.0L 6-cyl162118$3,450
Frontier 4WDGas4WD (part-time)4.0L 6-cyl152117$3,650
Frontier 4WD FFVGas4WD (part-time)4.0L 6-cyl152117$3,650

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 39510, 39509, 39511, 39512, 39513, 39515, 39514, 39516.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2018 Nissan Frontier is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (2)

Source: NHTSA recall database
○minor

Back Over Prevention

1,228,830 vehicles
ProblemNissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numRiskThe lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.FixNissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200.
NHTSA campaign 19V654000reported Sep 12, 2019Nissan North America, Inc.
▲high

Electrical System

153,047 vehicles
ProblemNissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2017 Nissan NV200, Sentra, NV3500 Van, NV3500 Bus, NV200 Taxi, NV1500, NV2500 Van, Chevrolet City Express, 2017-2018 Frontier, Versa Note, and Versa Sedan vehicles that have a mechanical (physical) key ignition system. In these models, over time, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.RiskIf the vehicle stalls, it can increase the risk of a crash.FixNissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the production information on the ignition switch, and replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
NHTSA campaign 18V551000reported Aug 21, 2018Nissan North America, Inc.

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
25complaints filed

0 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 0 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2018: 3 · 2019: 6 · 2020: 3 · 2021: 2 · 2022: 1 · 2023: 3 · 2024: 2 · 2025: 5

Most-cited components

Electrical System5
Unspecified4
Vehicle Speed Control3
Service Brakes3
Suspension3
Power Train2

What owners describe

“2018 Nissan Frontier Desert Runner... Battery inconsistently drains fast when off and while driving. Indicator lights for battery, brakes, ABS and traction control come on. Gauges malfunction. Tried another battery and still having same symptoms. Alternator and battery passed bench test. Fuses are good. Wiring harness …”Sep 2, 2025 · Electrical System · NHTSA owner report
“The passenger dashboard airbag keeps generating error codes and the airbag light continually flashes. There have been 2 costly repair attempts by a Nissan dealership, but the problem persists. The dealership stated the passenger airbag was not functioning properly. They want to try a 3rd repair attempt which is the mos…”Aug 26, 2025 · Air Bags · NHTSA owner report
“15 mph door lock system does not work. Have been in garage with truck, and heard doors lock with no one near vehicle. I understand there is a class action suit about the door lock system. Seems to me this system could malfunction and possible lock you in vehicle. This is a 2018 Nissan frontier SL. The FOB function norm…”Aug 17, 2025 · Electrical System · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
PU/CC AWDnot rated★★★☆☆not rated★★★★☆20%
PU/CC RWDnot rated★★★☆☆not rated★★★☆☆21%
PU/EC AWDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★★☆20%
PU/EC RWDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★☆☆21%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Compare the 2018 Frontier with

2018 Toyota Tacoma →

Other Frontier model years

A

2026 Nissan Frontier

1 recalls · 7 complaints

B

2025 Nissan Frontier

3 recalls · 7 complaints

C

2024 Nissan Frontier

3 recalls · 21 complaints

A

2023 Nissan Frontier

1 recalls · 64 complaints

F

2022 Nissan Frontier

6 recalls · 110 complaints

B

2021 Nissan Frontier

2 recalls · 17 complaints

B

2020 Nissan Frontier

2 recalls · 23 complaints

A

2019 Nissan Frontier

1 recalls · 28 complaints

A

2017 Nissan Frontier

1 recalls · 38 complaints

B

2016 Nissan Frontier

1 recalls · 43 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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