2018 Nissan Frontier problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Suspension (3) · Electrical System (3) · Vehicle Speed Control (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Nissan Frontier model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (2)
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera 2019-09-12 · campaign 19V654000 · 1,228,830 vehicles
Defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible an
Risk: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200.
Electrical System:ignition 2018-08-21 · campaign 18V551000 · 153,047 vehicles
Defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2017 Nissan NV200, Sentra, NV3500 Van, NV3500 Bus, NV200 Taxi, NV1500, NV2500 Van, Chevrolet City Express, 2017-2018 Frontier, Versa Note, and Versa Sedan vehicles that have a mechanical (physical) key ignition system. In these models, over time, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.
Risk: If the vehicle stalls, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the production information on the ignition switch, and replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
Service bulletins (73)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure:body 2026-04-13 · NTB09-131C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certification label and vin plate replacement service information because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “certification label” or “vin plate/label” may be needed. hint: certification label = fmvss (federal motor vehicle safety standards) label. these items may be availabl
Structure:body 2026-04-13 · NTB09-131C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certification label and vin plate replacement service information because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “certification label” or “vin plate/label” may be needed. hint: certification label = fmvss (federal motor vehicle safety standards) label. these items may be availabl
Electrical System 2024-05-21 · NTB13-107G · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
vehicle key not detected / authenticated, engine will not start this bulletin has been amended. see amendment history on the last page. please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Electrical System 2024-05-21 · NTB13-027D · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
can communication – network diagnostic flow chart this bulletin has been amended. see amendment history on the last page. please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Electrical System 2024-05-21 · NTB10-066C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
can communication codes – diagnostic tips and guidelines this bulletin has been amended. see amendment history on the last page. please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Visibility/Wiper 2024-04-30 · NTB17-019H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
window glass warranty information this bulletin has been amended. see amendment history on the last page. please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Showing the 6 most recent of 73 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-09-02 · Electrical System“2018 nissan frontier desert runner... battery inconsistently drains fast when off and while driving. indicator lights for battery, brakes, abs and traction control come on. gauges malfunction. tried another battery and still having same symptoms. alternator and battery passed bench test. fuses are good. wiring harness appears to be in good conditio…”
2025-08-26 · Air Bags“the passenger dashboard airbag keeps generating error codes and the airbag light continually flashes. there have been 2 costly repair attempts by a nissan dealership, but the problem persists. the dealership stated the passenger airbag was not functioning properly. they want to try a 3rd repair attempt which is the most expensive yet. i have been i…”
2025-08-17 · Unknown Or Other“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 vehi…”
2025-07-13 · Engine“i bought this truck from my boss man and had it put in the shop to replace the head gasket but they ended up changing the valve cover the intake manifold gasket and putting plugs in it due to a smoking issue and skipping but after all the repairs were done it turns out that the valves are bad in the engine and they more than likely they were bad wh…”
2025-01-29 · Electrical System“jan 29 2025 vehicle failed to start . turned switch to start several times .no response at all no dash lights no starter reaction no clicking from battery, which would indicate battery problem. waited several mins approx 30 minutes. vehicle started and been ok for several more starts today. suspect ignition switch ,seems many models this vehicle ha…”
2024-11-10 · Structure:body“upon inspection found passenger side truck bed mount with a crack and portion missing from where the bed connects to the frame.…”
2024-10-16 · Unknown Or Other“paint peeling on front left finder and where both front finders connect to the cab. n/a the dealer was informed and photos sent. just the photos sent n/a…”
2023-05-04 · Air Bags“passenger airbag warning light on dashboard flashes continually. this indicates it may not deploy in accident. it was taken to a nissan dealer and mechanic inspected and stated in report, "found occupancy classification module to be installed incorrectly and non oem". warning light began flashing in february, 2023. no prior problems with airbags o…”
2023-02-24 · Back Over Prevention“the contact owns a 2014 nissan frontier. the contact stated that the back over prevention camera intermittently failed to operate. there was either a blank or foggy image on the infotainment screen. the contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was given a diagnostic test fee. the manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was given …”
2023-02-16 · Electrical System:ignition:switch · 50,260 mi“the contact owns a 2018 nissan frontier. the contact stated that upon inserting the key in the ignition switch to start the vehicle, the ignition switch was significantly loose, preventing the vehicle from starting. an independent mechanic diagnosed that the ignition switch plastic body needed to be replaced. the contact related the failure to nhts…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.