Nissan knows a thing or two about producing reliable midsize trucks, and the Frontier is no different. For years, the Nissan Frontier has been a popular choice for drivers who need a reliable vehicle. Check out some of the common problems that owners report and what kind of reliability score this Nissan truck received. Not to mention the fact that it landed on the list of best trucks for the money.
For reliable midsize trucks, the Nissan Frontier is a good choice
RepairPal has all Nissan Frontier reliability information based on the cost, frequency and severity of repairs performed by owners. Experts gave the Frontier an overall reliability score of four out of five, which placed it at the top of seven similar midsize trucks.
According to driver information, the average annual cost of repairing the Nissan Frontier is $470. This is lower than some of the competition, and the severity of these repairs is average, but the frequency is low. This is likely to increase over the life of the truck, but the Nissan Frontier is pretty reliable.
According to RepairPal, Nissan Frontier owners go to the repair shop an average of 0.2 times a year. That’s average for the midsize truck segment, but lower than the vehicle average.
Even if it’s a reliable mid-size truck, there are some Nissan Frontier issues here
Some of the common problems that owners report include a check engine light, a stalled engine, and just some general noise from the engine area. Two hundred and seventy-seven drivers have reported the check engine light and erratic fuel gauge problem over the years, first appearing in the 1999 Frontier.
Unfortunately, this problem caused a Nissan recall for only the 2006 to 2008 trucks. Because this erratic fuel gauge problem was present for many more years, it left many drivers without a solution. One fix for this problem was to replace the fuel pump, which can cost between $648 and $886.
Another common complaint in the realm of Nissan Frontier reliability is abnormal engine noise. Some drivers report this as a whining or buzzing sound that could be coming from the timing chain area. This can be caused by excessive slack in the secondary timing chains, and RepairPal says that both the secondary timing chains and tensioner shoes should be replaced. In addition, the engine oil and filter should also be replaced at the same time. Depending on the severity, this can cost anywhere from $462 to $607. Nissan issued a service bulletin (NTB09-128) regarding the common problem.
Nissan Frontier reliability is better than average
Even reliable trucks need repairs after a while. Another common problem in the Nissan Frontier is a faulty charcoal canister vent control valve. This can cause a check engine light and may need to be replaced. The charcoal canister is located inside the evaporative emission (EVAP) system and a diagnosis can cost between $88 and $111.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has many safety ratings and information about the Nissan Frontier. If you’re looking at a specific year, check the NHTSA list for any recalls or service bulletins that may apply. There is also a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) lookup tool to check a specific vehicle.
The Nissan Frontier is a reliable midsize truck, but all vehicles benefit from routine maintenance. The correct intervals should be described in the owner’s manual.
