FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH
2020 Nissan Frontier 2WD
The 2020 Nissan Frontier 2WD has no open NHTSA safety recalls on file, 22 owner complaints, and gets about 20 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.
SPECS
2020 Nissan Frontier 2WD at a glance
- Engine
- 6-cyl 3.8L
- Cylinders
- 6
- Displacement
- 3.8 L
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive
- Transmission
- Automatic (S9)
- Body
- Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD
- Fuel
- Regular
Source: EPA / NHTSA vPIC, as of July 13, 2026.
SAFETY RECALLS · NHTSA
No safety recalls on file with NHTSA for this year and model. That's a good sign.
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
22 filed- 11
POWER TRAIN
The 9 speed automatic transmission suffered a catastrophic internal failure (codes PO893 and PO876), forcing the vehicle into limp mode. The vehicle loses propulsion unexpectedly in traffic, and the transmission risk complete mechanical lo
- 3
SERVICE BRAKES
Nissan Frontier won’t engage into park parking prowl issue I’ve looked it up on google but my vin doesn't say there is a recall for my truck. Can we get a full recall for the 2020’s ?
- 2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The truck will not start due to it thinking it’s not in park when it is in park and has slipped out of park but I had my e brake on
- 2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Vehicle alternator failed at 79,000 miles. Instead of shutting off, vehicle disabled the cooling fans but kept the engine and fuel supply systems running leading to the vehicle overheating during diagnostics which require the engine to rev
- 1
ENGINE
UNKNOWNI want to report my repossessed car and hold Santander Consumer USA responsible because they sold my car without my consent and not only that, report the fraud of the sale of the same car that I bought and that neither the DMV Nissan
- 1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and coming to a stop, the brake pedal was depressed, and the contact became aware that the brake lights were inoperable. There was no warning
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
- 20 mpg
- City / Hwy
- 18 / 24
- Est. fuel / yr
- $3,100
- CO₂ / mi
- 445 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
Have a mechanic check the power train
Owners report problems with the power train 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
Are there any recalls on the 2020 Nissan Frontier 2WD? +
No open NHTSA safety recalls are on file for the 2020 Nissan Frontier 2WD. Recalls can be issued at any time, so confirm with the VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.
What gas mileage does the 2020 Nissan Frontier 2WD get? +
The EPA rates the 2020 Nissan Frontier 2WD at 20 mpg combined (18 city / 24 highway), about $3,100 a year in fuel.
How safe is the 2020 Nissan Frontier 2WD? +
NHTSA's NCAP program gives the 2020 Nissan Frontier 2WD 4 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for rollover resistance.
What do owners complain about on the 2020 Nissan Frontier 2WD? +
Owners have filed 22 complaints with NHTSA for the 2020 Nissan Frontier 2WD, including 3 involving a crash. The most-reported area is power train.
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