FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH
2016 Nissan Frontier 2WD
The 2016 Nissan Frontier 2WD has 1 NHTSA safety recall on file, 42 owner complaints, and gets about 18 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.
SPECS
2016 Nissan Frontier 2WD at a glance
- Engine
- 6-cyl 4L
- Cylinders
- 6
- Displacement
- 4 L
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive
- Transmission
- Automatic 5-spd
- Body
- Small Pickup Trucks 2WD
- Fuel
- Regular
Source: EPA / NHTSA vPIC, as of July 13, 2026.
SAFETY RECALLS · NHTSA
1 openElectrical System
31/03/2016
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.
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.
NHTSA has opened one or more investigations covering this model. Recalls can follow an investigation, so check NHTSA for the latest before you buy.
Open safety recalls are free to fix at any franchised dealer. What recalls mean → Source: NHTSA recalls, as of July 13, 2026. Recalls can be issued any time, confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.
OWNER COMPLAINTS · NHTSA
42 filed- 10
AIR BAGS
The airbag warning light is blinking and has been for approximately 9 months. I live in Salida, CO which does not have a Nissan Dealership to take my vehicle into for servicing. I recently saw an article on Fox 31 News pertaining to the sam
- 6
ENGINE
Head gasket blew and it warped the heads at 98,000 miles Replace motor with a 51,000 mile motor and less than 2 months later, motor is knocking inside with broken peices of the motor. I have to replace it again.
- 6
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MY VEHICLE WAS BURGLARIZED. THE THIEVES GOT IN THROUGH THE REAR SLIDING GLASS. THE LATCH DOES NOT LOCK AND IS FAULTY. IF THE LATCH WAS FULLY FUNCTIONAL, NOBODY WOULD HAVE GONE IN AND STOLEN EVERYTHING I OWNED.
- 5
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I am experiencing a fuel pump issue that stalls the engine while driving. The issue will sometimes go away if I first loosen the fuel cap on the gas tank to relieve built up pressure but after driving for 10 to 15 minutes or so the vehicle
- 3
STRUCTURE
A loud squeaking has developed during every day driving. After inspecting - the front right truck bed mounting location has cracked and failed.
- 3
POWER TRAIN
My 2016 Nissan Frontier is leaking axle grease from the driver side rear tire. The grease/oil got all over the brake pads, rotor, and emergency brake. This seems to be a very common issue that was supposed to have been resolved several mo
Problems owners reported to the government, useful for spotting patterns, not proof any one car has them. What complaints mean → Source: NHTSA complaints, as of July 13, 2026. Owner-submitted reports, not verified diagnoses.
CRASH-TEST RATINGS · NHTSA NCAP
- Overall
- —
- Frontal
- —
- Side
- —
- Rollover
- ★★★★☆
Government crash tests of this model; not every trim or year is tested. Source: NHTSA NCAP, as of July 13, 2026.
FUEL & RUNNING COST · U.S. EPA
- Combined
- 18 mpg
- City / Hwy
- 16 / 22
- Est. fuel / yr
- $3,450
- CO₂ / mi
- 483 g
EPA lab estimates; real mpg varies by how you drive. Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov, as of July 13, 2026. Annual cost assumes 15,000 mi/yr at EPA's reference price.
All figures above come from free U.S. government sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, investigations, crash tests) and the EPA (fuel economy and specs). We don't show market price, insurance cost, or proprietary reliability scores, because there's no free, reliable public source for them. For a verdict on a specific listing, with a fair-offer number and what to ask the seller, that's the VINly app.
BEFORE YOU BUY
What to check on this car
Confirm the recall was fixed
This model has 1 open NHTSA recall (including the electrical system). Recall repairs are free at the dealer, so ask the seller for proof the remedy was performed, or verify by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.
Have a mechanic check the air bags
Owners report problems with the air bags more than anything else on this model. Call it out specifically during a pre-purchase inspection.
Watch for a pending investigation
NHTSA has an open investigation covering this model. A recall can follow an investigation, so check nhtsa.gov for the latest before you commit.
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Test-drive the basics
Cold start, full-lock steering both ways, firm brakes with no pulsing, smooth shifts, and every electronic feature. Warning lights should come on at key-on, then go out.
-
Check the title and the VIN
Confirm the title status in hand matches the listing, and that the VIN matches across the dash, door jamb, and title. VINly does not show ownership or accident history, for that, run a paid report like Carfax.
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Ask the seller the right questions
Why they are selling, any service records, accident or panel-repaint history, how many owners, and whether any open recalls were completed.
See the full used-car inspection checklist. None of this replaces a hands-on inspection by a mechanic.
Quick answers
What is recalled on the 2016 Nissan Frontier 2WD? +
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for the 2016 Nissan Frontier 2WD, including the electrical system. See the full list above, and confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Nissan Frontier 2WD get? +
The EPA rates the 2016 Nissan Frontier 2WD at 18 mpg combined (16 city / 22 highway), about $3,450 a year in fuel.
What do owners complain about on the 2016 Nissan Frontier 2WD? +
Owners have filed 42 complaints with NHTSA for the 2016 Nissan Frontier 2WD, including 3 involving a crash. The most-reported area is air bags.
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