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EnginePart report

2016 Nissan Frontier Engine Problems

Complaints
8about this part
Share
18%of 44 total for the year
Median mileage
49,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the engine of the 2016 Nissan Frontier, 18% of the 44 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 49,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“When the throttle pedal is pressed the engine does not react immediately. Very difficult to pull out into traffic. Very dangerous pulling out into traffic. You never know how long it is going to take for the engine to respond to the throttle position sensor (tps) and accelerate. I have been to the selling dealer 2 times for this, they cannot duplicate the issue.”

NHTSA complaint #11092116, filed 2018-05, 14,000 miles

“Engine hesitates or stalls on acceleration. When pulling out from a stop engine hesitates to near stall no matter how hard or far you press gas pedal. Extremely dangerous. Intermittent issue, no failure codes when tested. If engine doesn't stall, vehicle is at a stand still even with gas pedal to floor or pumping gas pedal. Is happening all the time, extremely dangerous. Nearly hit by oncoming traffic several times. Dealership has had many reports of same issue, but no solution. I am afraid to drive vehicle.”

NHTSA complaint #11373557, filed 2020-11, 63,000 miles

“Transmission and brain repair by dealership under warranty 20017, and overheating problem due to radiator in 2020 after expire of warranty, $1000 out of pocket repairs.”

NHTSA complaint #11349599, filed 2020-08, 35,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.”

NHTSA complaint #11466030, filed 2022-05, 90,000 miles

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #11597546, filed 2024-06

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202429%
20231320%
202265%
2021210%
2020522%
201927%
201814%
2017411%
2016818%
201526%
201348%
20121316%
201146%
2010712%
200925%
20082619%
20077214%
20068213%
20058015%
200469%
200311%
200222%
200132%
200021%
199811%

Other parts of the 2016 Nissan Frontier

Air bags
10 complaints
Other or unknown
10 complaints
Fuel system
8 complaints
Body and structure
4 complaints
Brakes
3 complaints
Steering
3 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
3 complaints
Electrical system
2 complaints
Wheels
2 complaints
Electronic stability control
1 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
1 complaints
Seat belts
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2016 Nissan Frontier

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology