2021 NISSAN Frontier

Recalls, Specs & Safety Report

2RecallsNHTSA Verified17ComplaintsNHTSA Data0InvestigationsNHTSA Data
Expert Verdict
✓Good Reliability

This 2021 model shows good reliability, primarily driven by a below-average recall rate for the NISSAN brand.

Key Factor:below-average recall rate

📋Why This Matters

Understanding recall history helps predict future ownership costs. Each unaddressed issue represents potential repair expenses.

Insurance companies review vehicle reliability data when setting premiums. Models with elevated recall rates often see adjusted pricing.

Focus Area:general reliability
📊

Expert Analysis

  • 📈
    Recall Trend:No Change in recalls
  • ⚠️
    Primary Risk Area:Warning
  • ⚖️
    Vs Brand: Worse than avg (1.3)
    📝
    Summary:
Critical Component: Warning

Safety & Reliability Score

83/100
Very Good

Score Breakdown

Recall Impact-16
Complaint Impact-0.85
Investigation Impact-0

Technical Specifications

Key specifications for the 2021 NISSAN Frontier

Model Year2021
MakeNISSAN
ModelFrontier
Fuel TypeGasoline
Body ClassPassenger Vehicle

Safety History Timeline

Jan21
NEWProduction
Jan21
RECALLRecall Issued
Aug21
ISSUEFirst Report
Jul22
RECALLRecall Issued

Consumer Complaint Analysis

⚠️

Most Reported Issue

6 complaints (35% of total)
➡️

Complaint Trend

Stable
No trend data
✅

Safety Incidents

No critical incidents

Complaint Severity Distribution

Breakdown of 17 consumer complaints by severity level.

🟠High
1(6%)
🟡Medium
3(18%)
🟢Low
13(76%)

Mileage Failure Analysis

⚙️Engineering Insight

Based on consumer reports, issues for this vehicle tend to peak around the 0-20k mileage range. The average reported failure mileage is 35,034 miles.

📊 Mileage data extracted from 5 of 17 complaints (29% coverage)
0-20k
2 reports (40%)
20k-40k
2 reports (40%)
40k-60k
0 reports (0%)
60k-80k
0 reports (0%)
80k-100k
1 reports (20%)
100k+
0 reports (0%)
* Analysis based on mileage data extracted from consumer complaint descriptions. Actual failure rates may vary.

🛠️ DIY Diagnosis Center

Experiencing an issue? Select a symptom to find official manufacturer solutions (TSBs).

Primary Risk Areas

POWER TRAIN

Official Safety Recalls (2)

Campaign: 22V457000

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Summary

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.

Consequence

A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.

Campaign: 22V671000

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Summary

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.

Consequence

A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.

NHTSA Investigations

0 investigations
✓

No active investigations for this vehicle.

Consumer Complaints

17 total complaints

Consumer-reported issues submitted to NHTSA for 2021 Frontier.

Common Reported SymptomsAI Analysis

Warning35%
Fire6%
Stall6%
Jerk6%
Battery6%
Crash/Accident6%
Hesitate6%
Noise6%
Rattle6%
Check Engine Light6%
Engine/Powertrain⚠️ High
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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 SOLD IT TO US.HIS NAME WAS SIMON.AND HE BROUGHT US IN, AND WE WERE TALKING TO A MANAGER THEY DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AND TRY TO RESET IT AS WE WERE LEAVING, THE SALESMAN WALKED US OUT.WHEN WE FIRED UP THE VEHICLE, THE WHOLE DASH FLASHED AND WENT BLACK IN FRONT OF THE SALESMAN.A DAY LATER, WE BROKE DOWN IN THE TRUCK AND HAD TO BE JUMPED.WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY PUT A NEW BATTERY IN AND A COUPLE DAYS LATER, IT CAME ON AGAIN.BUT TOOK IT IN AGAIN, AND THEY PUT US IN A RENTAL CAR FOR A WEEK THEY TOLD US WHEN WE GOT THE TRUCK BACK THAT THEY CHANGED A AIRBAG SENSOR AND THEN A COUPLE WEEKS LATER, MY SON WAS DRIVING AND THE VEHICLE STALLED ON HIM WHILE DRIVING IT TOOK HIM 4X TO FIRE IT BACK UP. WHEN IT DID FIRE BACK UP, IT WOULD ONLY GO 7 MILE AN HOUR. AND IT WAS JERKING FORWARD. HE TOOK IT DIRECTLY TO NISSAN. THEY RAN SOME DIAGNOSTIC ON IT. AND DISCONNECT THE BATTERY AGAIN, BUT THEY COULDN'T SEE IT. DO IT AGAIN. SO ON [XXX] THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME BACK ON. AND FINALLY ON SEPTEMBER 11TH WE TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY PUT US IN A RENTAL CAR. AND THE MECHANIC TOLD US THAT HE THINKS THAT IT POSSIBLY COULD BE THE INDICATOR LIGHT. THE PARTS MANAGER AT DAYTONA NISSAN SAID HE'S LOOKED ON THE WEBSITE AND THEY SAID THAT THE PART THAT WE NEED IS ON. INDEFINITE, BACK ORDER AND PROBABLY WON'T GET IT. WE HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN CORPORATE TO TRY TO RESOLVE THE SITUATION HER NAMED IS BHAVIKA PHONE NUMBER 888-800-5139 EXT 7320456 CASE # [XXX] SHE SAYS THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE I'M HAVING TO PAY $820 A MONTH FOR A VEHICLE THAT'S UNSAFE AND NOT IN MY POSSESSION. PLEASE HELP ME! THIS IS THE FIFTH TIME ALSO TO FULL TANK 200 MILES AND AC WHISTLES. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Oct 14, 2025Open
Safety Systems🔶 Medium
AIR BAGS

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.

Jul 28, 2025Under Review
Engine/Powertrain🔵 Low
POWER TRAIN

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 where it was diagnosed with transmission control module error. The contact was informed by the mechanic to take the vehicle to a dealer to check for a recall related to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V671000 (POWER TRAIN). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 99,172.

✨ AI Insight

This complaint matches keywords from official recalls:

Recall #22V457000Recall #22V671000

*correlation estimated by AI, not an official NHTSA link.

Feb 11, 2025Under Review
Other🔵 Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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 Town Center Nissan in Kennesaw, GA. They initially reported they could get the part within two weeks but now state the part is backordered and unavailable. Vehicle is undrivable without repair.

Oct 16, 2024Resolved
Electrical🔵 Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle with the brake pedal depressed all the way to the floorboard, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment, after which, upon pressing the Push to Start button the vehicle failed to start. After several attempts, the vehicle was able to start, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 17,000.

Aug 21, 2024Resolved
Electrical🔵 Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start as intended. After several attempts, the contact was able to start the vehicle, after which the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The contact also stated that when the failure occurred, the exterior lights would not function properly. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the brake light switch. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V135000 (Exterior Lighting), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 36,000.

Aug 19, 2024Resolved
Other🔶 Medium
UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I purchased a 2021 certified preowned Nissan frontier with 21k miles and was promised it had passed a 167 point inspection and came with limited 7 year 100k power train warranty. This is addition to the factory warranty 3 year 36k and 5 year 60k mile that is still in effect. the truck has had to have several repairs upon purchasing. This includes AC line flushed because it was sloshing in the dash. A leaf in the right blower motor. And now my truck has been ins hop two weeks. Initially diagnosed as a bolt missing was causing a rattling in the dash . They said the dash would have to be broken down to find it and fix it. I ask them how they really know if they have to break down the dash. I had to get consumer affairs involved with Nissan because dealer said I would have to pay for the repair even though it is still under factory warranty and it was sold certified which means it was fully inspected for defects. A week and half later I was texted that it was a broken crash bar weld in dash. When the service tech called me and I raised safety concerns given it was broke after 27k miles. And he said it was not a major part of car and it is a bar that the dash attaches to and the steering column. But it wasn’t a major repair or concern. An additional question is what other wells were poorly done during production. Consumer affairs initially opened a case for replacement or buyback. But was denied when reviewed at corporate level. I appealed the decision. The truck is still in shop as I fear to drive a truck thats welds are breaking on crash bar at 27k miles. I have a young daughter that I travel long distances with every few weeks. The only way we know if a repair works is if we’re in a wreck. It is a little late at that point. Especially when service tech minimizes it purpose or the safety implications.

Jul 9, 2023Resolved
Engine/Powertrain🔵 Low
POWER TRAIN

The Vehicle hesitates when taking of from a stand still of from switching lanes from a stop. The Transmission is trying to switch from a stop causing the Vehicle to have no power of RPM's on the Torque Converter. Very Dangerous. Has almost caused me to have a wreck several times. Have taken the Vehicle to the Nissan Dealership 2 times . Dealership said there was a problem and Nissan has had other complaints but their Engineers does not have a fix. The first time at the Dealership they reprogramed the Transmission . Said that would fix it. The Reprogram was a Recall. Did not fix the issue. Today 06/27/2023 The said there was some complaints in Nissan's data the same as mine. Tech said he test a 2023 Nissan with same transmission ant they mine and it shifted the same. Told them they crazy my is a 2021 2 wheel drive , the one the test drove was 2023 4 wheel drive. Totally different.

✨ AI Insight

This complaint matches keywords from official recalls:

Recall #22V457000Recall #22V671000

*correlation estimated by AI, not an official NHTSA link.

Jun 27, 2023Resolved
Engine/Powertrain🔵 Low
POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Frontier. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V457000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

✨ AI Insight

This complaint matches keywords from official recalls:

Recall #22V457000Recall #22V671000

*correlation estimated by AI, not an official NHTSA link.

May 24, 2023Resolved
Engine/Powertrain🔵 Low
ENGINE

Numerous complaints of problems with bad/defective engine mounts .

Mar 14, 2023Resolved

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any recalls for the 2021 NISSAN Frontier?

Yes, the 2021 NISSAN Frontier has 2 recorded recalls from NHTSA. These recalls cover various components including POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.

Is the 2021 NISSAN Frontier safe to drive?

The 2021 NISSAN Frontier has 2 recalls. If you own this vehicle, check with your dealer to ensure all recall repairs have been completed. Most recalls have free remedies available.

Where can I check if my 2021 NISSAN Frontier has open recalls?

You can check for open recalls by visiting NHTSA.gov and entering your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), or by contacting your local NISSAN dealer.

📊Year-over-Year Context

➡️Stable Pattern

Compared to earlier years, the 2021 model shows stable reliability patterns. No meaningful structural change detected in recall frequency between adjacent model years.

🎯Risk Areas & Recommended Actions

Based on recall data, these components require verification:

1

Power train

Issue: increases crash or loss-of-control risk

✅

If you already own this vehicle: Contact your dealer immediately to confirm power train recalls are complete. Recall repairs are always free.

🔍

If you are evaluating a used example: Request VIN and verify all power train recalls are completed before purchase.

Campaigns:22V45700022V671000
💡Visit NHTSA.gov or contact your NISSAN dealer to verify recall completion status.

🧭What This Means for You

Both current owners and prospective buyers benefit from reviewing this safety analysis before making decisions.

If you're unsure, we recommend starting with a VIN check or consulting a certified mechanic.

🔑

If You Own This Vehicle

  • Verify all 2 recalls have been completed using your VIN at NHTSA.gov or through your NISSAN dealer.
  • If any recalls are open, schedule service immediately—recall repairs are always free.
  • Consider setting up VIN-specific alerts to receive notification of future recalls.
🛒

If You're Buying Used

  • Request the VIN before purchase and verify recall status at NHTSA.gov.
  • This model year shows favorable reliability metrics compared to alternatives.
⚖️

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Data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Last updated: January 10, 2026.