Are there open safety recalls?
2 open
Ask the seller for proof each was fixed. Repairs are free — and there’s also an open investigation.
FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH
The 2021 Nissan Frontier has 2 NHTSA safety recalls on file, 17 owner complaints, and gets about 19 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.
FREE PUBLIC RECORD · U.S. GOVERNMENT DATA
2021 Nissan Frontier
- Engine 6-cyl 3.8L
- Drive Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
- Fuel Regular
- Body Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
Should you worry?
Look closer
Something in the public record needs a closer look before you buy.
What do owners report?
17 complaints
1 of 17 reports mentioned a crash. Look for patterns below.
How did it score in crash tests?
4 out of 5 stars
5 is best. This model scored well in government crash tests.
Open recalls · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2021.
- 20191recall
- 20202recalls
- 2021 · this car2recalls
- 20226recalls
Based on free U.S. government safety data · checked August 23, 2026.
SAFETY
Will it protect people in a crash?
These are government crash-test scores. 5 stars is best. They rate this year and model, not your exact car.
- Overall
- 4 / 5 stars
- Frontal
- 3 / 5 stars
- Side
- 5 / 5 stars
- Side pole
- 5 / 5 stars
- Rollover
- 4 / 5 stars
Factory safety & driver-assist equipment
- Stability control
- Standard
Tested as: 2021 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC 4WD · 2 versions tested
Open safety recalls
2 openA recall means the manufacturer must fix a safety problem for free at a dealer. Ask the seller for proof the work was done.
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Power Train
24/06/2022
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Frontier and Titan vehicles. The transmission parking pawl may not engage when the vehicle is shifted into park, which can result in a vehicle rollaway.
How they fix it: Owners are advised to apply the parking brake every time they park their vehicle. Dealers will replace the transmission parking pawl pin, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 2022. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R22A2 R22A3.
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Power Train
07/09/2022
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Titan, 2020-2022 Frontier, and 2023 Z vehicles. The transmission parking pawl may not engage when the vehicle is shifted into park, which can result in a vehicle rollaway.
How they fix it: Owners are advised to apply the parking brake every time they park their vehicle. Dealers will perform the applicable repairs below, free of charge: Model Year 2020-2022 Frontier vehicles: reprogram Transmission Control Module (TCM) Model Year 2020-2022 Titan vehicles: reprogram TCM and Engine Control Module (ECM) Model Year 2023 Titan vehicles: reprogram TCM Model Year 2023 Z vehicles: reprogram TCM. Owner notification letters were mailed October 28, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
The government also has an open investigation on this model. Look it up on nhtsa.gov before you buy.
From NHTSA (U.S. safety agency) · checked August 23, 2026.
OWNERS
What problems do owners report?
People file these with the government when something goes wrong. They show patterns, not a diagnosis of any one car for sale.
Owner reports · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2021.
- 201928reports
- 202023reports
- 2021 · this car17reports
- 2022110reports
17 owner reports on file
1 crash mentions
Parts mentioned most often. Longer bar = more reports. Counts are out of 17 total reports.
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 4 of 17
I [XXX] PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM DAYTONA, NISSAN ON [XXX] ON THE MORNING OF [XXX], THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. AND WAS FLASHING. I TOOK VIDEOS OF ALL THE DIFFERENT OCCURRENCES.I WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND TALKED TO THE SALESMAN THAT S
- POWER TRAIN 4 of 17
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that an independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic wh
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER 3 of 17
Recall R22A1 has not been repaired by the dealership. Riverside Nissan in Rome, GA held the truck for twelve (12) weeks and was unable to repair the truck. They claim the part is not available. Another repair was subsequently requested at T
- AIR BAGS 2 of 17
When someone is sitting in passenger seat the light for their airbag blinks, is on or off. So we are unsure if the airbag would in fact deploy if we were to be in a collision.
- ENGINE 1 of 17
Numerous complaints of problems with bad/defective engine mounts .
- SEAT BELTS 1 of 17
have gone to Nissan for excessive rattle noise in passenger footwell would sound louder as i gave it gas they concluded that the heater core bracket was loose and tighten but sound did no go away took it in again heater core bracket not go
Bars are sized relative to the most-mentioned part on this list, not to 100% of all cars.
From NHTSA owner complaints · checked August 23, 2026. Anyone can file a report; they are not verified repairs.
FUEL COST
What does it cost to drive?
EPA estimates for this year and model. Your real cost depends on gas prices, how you drive, and how far you go.
Combined MPG · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2021.
- 201919mpg
- 202020mpg
- 2021 · this car19mpg
- 202220mpg
$3,250
estimated fuel cost per year if you drive about 15,000 miles
Miles per gallon. Higher is cheaper to drive.
City driving 17 mpg
Highway driving 23 mpg
Combined (typical mix) 19 mpg
Over 5 years, compared to an average new car
This model is estimated to cost about $5,250 more on fuel.
Spends more Saves more
From EPA fueleconomy.gov · checked August 23, 2026.
HOW IT WAS BUILT
Factory details
What’s on the build record for this VIN or model.
Engine
6-cyl 3.8L
Drivetrain
Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Automatic (S9)
Fuel
Regular
See all factory details (7)
- Engine
- 6-cyl 3.8L
- Cylinders
- 6
- Displacement
- 3.8 L
- Drivetrain
- Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
- Transmission
- Automatic (S9)
- Body
- Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
- Fuel
- Regular
From EPA and NHTSA vehicle records · checked August 23, 2026.
What this free check does not include
We only show free U.S. government data: safety recalls, owner reports, crash tests, and fuel economy. We do not show prior accidents, flood or salvage titles, odometer rollback, insurance history, or a “should you buy” verdict on a specific listing. For that kind of check on one car for sale, use the VINly app.
BEFORE YOU BUY
What to check on this car
Confirm the recalls were fixed
This model has 2 open NHTSA recalls (including the power train). 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.
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.
FOR SALE NEAR YOU
2021 Nissan Frontier listings
Quick answers
What is recalled on the 2021 Nissan Frontier? +
NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2021 Nissan Frontier, including the power train. See the full list above, and confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Nissan Frontier get? +
The EPA rates the 2021 Nissan Frontier at 19 mpg combined (17 city / 23 highway), about $3,250 a year in fuel.
How safe is the 2021 Nissan Frontier? +
NHTSA's NCAP program gives the 2021 Nissan Frontier 4 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for rollover resistance.
What do owners complain about on the 2021 Nissan Frontier? +
Owners have filed 17 complaints with NHTSA for the 2021 Nissan Frontier, including 1 involving a crash. The most-reported area is electrical system.
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