2023 Nissan Frontier
Gas Pickup truck
The 2023 Nissan Frontier is sold in the U.S. as a gas pickup truck with 6 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Frontier 2WD, is EPA-rated at 21 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of A. Owners have filed 64 complaints, most often about electrical system. NHTSA crash-tested it at 4 stars overall.
Specs & fuel economy (EPA)
| Configuration | Powertrain | Drive | Engine / motor | City | Hwy | Comb | Annual fuel* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frontier 2WD | Gas | RWD | 3.8L 6-cyl | 18 | 24 | 21 | $2,950 |
| Frontier 2WD | Gas | RWD | 3.8L 6-cyl | 18 | 24 | 20 | $3,100 |
| Frontier 4WD | Gas | Part-time 4WD | 3.8L 6-cyl | 18 | 22 | 20 | $3,100 |
| Frontier 4WD | Gas | Part-time 4WD | 3.8L 6-cyl | 17 | 21 | 19 | $3,300 |
| Frontier 4WD PRO4X | Gas | Part-time 4WD | 3.8L 6-cyl | 17 | 21 | 19 | $3,300 |
| Frontier 4WD PRO4X | Gas | Part-time 4WD | 3.8L 6-cyl | 16 | 21 | 18 | $3,450 |
*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year and EPA reference fuel/electricity prices. Source: fueleconomy.gov vehicle records.
Out of factory warranty soon?
The 2023 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 (1)
Tires
highProblem: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2023 Titan and Frontier vehicles. The tires may have a tear in the inner bead which can cause a rapid loss of tire pressure.
Risk: A rapid loss of tire pressure while driving can lead to a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace all four road tires, or inspect and replace the spare tire assembly, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 10, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PC973 and PC974.
Owner complaints
64 complaints filed
4 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 2 injuries, 0 deaths reported by owners.
Filed by year — 2022: 1 · 2023: 16 · 2024: 17 · 2025: 18 · 2026: 12
Most-cited components
- Electrical System — 28
- Service Brakes — 15
- Forward Collision Avoidance — 14
- Engine — 13
- Power Train — 12
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
| Configuration | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PU/CC 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | 20% |
| PU/CC RWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | 20% |
| PU/EC 4WD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★☆☆ | 20% |
| PU/EC RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★☆☆ | 20% |
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking.
Other Frontier model years
2026 Frontier
1 recalls · 7 complaints
B2025 Frontier
3 recalls · 7 complaints
C2024 Frontier
3 recalls · 21 complaints
F2022 Frontier
6 recalls · 110 complaints
B2021 Frontier
2 recalls · 17 complaints
B2020 Frontier
2 recalls · 23 complaints
A2019 Frontier
1 recalls · 28 complaints
B2018 Frontier
2 recalls · 25 complaints
A2017 Frontier
1 recalls · 38 complaints
B2016 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 (ids 46435, 45870, 46436, 45874, 46437, 45875). Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.