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Nissan FrontierModel year report

2018 Nissan Frontier Problems

Compared with other Nissan Frontier years

Fewer complaints than typical for this model

31/100 0.6× a typical year · 50 = typical

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
25filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
9,745miles, 11 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
19 mpgcombined, 2.5L 4-cyl RWD · 17 city / 22 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2018 Nissan Frontier (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 25 consumer complaints for the 2018 Nissan Frontier. The part named most often is electrical system, with 5 complaints (20% of the total), followed by other or unknown (4) and brakes (3). 11 of the complaints include a mileage, and 82% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 9,745 miles. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 73 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 33 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Other or unknown complaints overlap with 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 13 Nissan Frontier model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 31 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (fewer complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Engine (1).

Example complaints

Electrical system: “15 mph door lock system does not work. Have been in garage with truck, and heard doors lock with no one near vehicle. I understand there is a class action suit about the door lock system. Seems to me this system could malfunction and possible lock you in vehicle. This is a 2018 Nissan frontier SL. The FOB function normal locking and unlocking vehicle.”

NHTSA complaint #11681142, filed 2025-08

Other or unknown: “This truck is a 2018 Nissan Frontier that has ~10k miles and is driven daily. In the evenings it is kept outside. Recently, a horrible odor began coming from the ventilation system. I immediately started dismantling the passenger dash, removed the cabin air filters, and discovered a dead mother rat and 4 offspring in the compartment above the filters. If I had not been able to find the problem, the truck would have been completely unusable. How were they able to gain entry? I am guessing through some fresh air intake that is obviously open to the exterior. …”

NHTSA complaint #11240890, filed 2019-07, 10,000 miles

Brakes: “I own a 2018 Nissan Frontier 9745 miles. As a previous owner has explained his brake problem same as mine when you depress the brake pedal solid it almost goes to the floor also when this pedal goes low the accelerator goes down too close to each other. I have contacted 3 Nissan dealers they claim they cant duplicate the problem on a road test.. …”

NHTSA complaint #11242124, filed 2019-08, 9,745 miles

Suspension: “I have a 2018 Nissan Frontier bought it in 2019 I noticed a little vibration at first and now 2 years later it’s vibrating a lot more I took to Nissan in 2020 they said they saw nothing wrong but now I’m told that it’s my motor mounts and Nissan doesn’t want to fix cause it’s only covered by bumper to bumper and not power train warranty now I can’t drive because I’m scared for motor to break or transmission and I’ve researched and heard of people that have the same problem and can’t get any help”

NHTSA complaint #11431227, filed 2021-08

Mileage when problems were reported

82% of the 11 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 1,800 and 27,800 miles.

55%0–1018%10–259%25–5018%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (11 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 9,745 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

201820196202020212022202320242025
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2018 Nissan Frontier. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Frontier · extended cab AWDnot rated———4 · 19.8% risk
Frontier · crew cab AWDnot rated3 / 2——4 · 19.8% risk
Frontier · crew cab RWDnot rated3 / 2——3 · 21.2% risk
Frontier · extended cab RWDnot rated———3 · 21.2% risk

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2018 Nissan Frontier version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Frontier 2WD2.5L 4-cyl5-speed manual192321$3,200
Frontier 2WD2.5L 4-cyl5-speed automatic172219$3,550
Frontier 2WD4.0L 6-cyl5-speed automatic162319$3,550
Frontier 2WD4.0L 6-cyl6-speed manual162219$3,550
Frontier 4WD4.0L 6-cyl6-speed manual162118$3,700
Frontier 4WD4.0L 6-cyl5-speed automatic152117$3,950
Frontier 2WD FFV4.0L 6-cyl · flex-fuel5-speed automatic162218$3,700
Frontier 4WD FFV4.0L 6-cyl · flex-fuel5-speed automatic152117$3,950

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2018 Nissan Frontier → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 73 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 73 bulletins →

Other model years of the Nissan Frontier

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2026112,7001421—Too new
20259—3421—Too new
2024221,1003421—Too new
2023664,500142194 · MoreToo new
20221122,0006420100 · MoreRising
20212026,5002420—Rising
20202328,0002420—Rising
20192812,000141921 · FewerRising
2018259,7452—1931 · FewerRising
20173817,500141950 · TypicalStable
20164432,5001—1946 · TypicalStable
20153329,0000—1923 · FewerStable
20144235,0002—1944 · TypicalFalling
20134827,0001—1950 · TypicalStable
20128043,0003—1972 · MoreRising
20116447,8001—1949 · TypicalFalling
20105941,0004—1972 · MoreRising
20093760,0973—1956 · TypicalFalling
200813685,0005—1977 · MoreStable
200752082,0001—19Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200661780,0004—19Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200553290,0003—19Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20046661,0001—17Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20037765,5004—17Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200212469,5004—16Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200113473,8503—16Not compared (before 2008)Rising
200018988,1253—19Not compared (before 2008)Rising
19997880,0002—21Not compared (before 2008)Rising
1998129110,0002—22Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Nissan Frontier model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2018 Nissan Frontier have?

NHTSA recorded 25 consumer complaints for the 2018 Nissan Frontier as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2018 Nissan Frontier is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 5 complaints (20% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 4.

Has the 2018 Nissan Frontier been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2018 Nissan Frontier get?

The EPA rates the 2018 Nissan Frontier (Frontier 2WD, 2.5L 4-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 17 city and 22 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2018 Nissan Frontier reported?

Among the 11 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 9,745 miles and the middle half falls between 1,800 and 27,800 miles; 82% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.