2016 Nissan Frontier Safety Report

2016 Nissan Frontier: Airbag and engine issues, plus fire risk recall, overshadow fair rollover rating.

42Complaints
1Recalls
55/100Reliability Score
3Crash Reports
1Fire Reports
3Injuries
Most reported components: Air Bags (8)Fuel/Propulsion System (5)Engine (5)Unknown Or Other (5)Structure (3)Wheels (1)Power Train,Service Brakes (1)Air Bags,Forward Collision Avoidance (1)Visibility/Wiper (1)Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System (1)

AI Safety Analysis for the 2016 Nissan Frontier

The 2016 Nissan Frontier presents a mixed safety picture, with a notable number of complaints for a vehicle of its age and a specific recall for fire risk. NHTSA has recorded 42 total complaints, including 3 crashes, 1 fire, and 3 injuries, but no fatalities. While the overall NHTSA safety rating is not available, the rollover rating is 4 stars, which is generally considered good. A significant concern is the single recall for an electrical system wiring issue in certain V6 models, where an incorrectly installed starter motor wire harness could lead to an electrical short and increase the risk of fire. This recall directly addresses a critical safety hazard. Complaint patterns reveal several recurring issues. 'AIR BAGS' is the most frequently cited component with 8 complaints, including instances where airbags failed to deploy in a crash and persistent warning lights indicating system malfunctions. The 'FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM' and 'ENGINE' components each have 5 complaints, detailing issues such as engine stalling, hesitation during acceleration, and fuel spills during refueling. These problems, particularly the engine stalling and hesitation, pose significant safety risks, especially when merging into traffic or at higher speeds. Beyond the top categories, other concerning complaints include structural failures like a cracked truck bed mounting location, issues with lug nuts expanding and preventing tire removal, and axle grease leaks affecting brakes. The recall for the electrical system wiring, while specific to a small batch of V6 vehicles, highlights a manufacturing defect with severe potential consequences. The lack of comprehensive crash test ratings from NHTSA makes it difficult to fully assess the vehicle's performance in frontal and side impacts, leaving a gap in the overall safety evaluation.

Reliability Score

The 2016 Nissan Frontier receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.

Known Issues for the 2016 Nissan Frontier

The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2016 Nissan Frontier:

IssueSeverityFrequencyTypical Mileage
Airbag System Malfunction
Airbag warning light illuminated, system disconnected, or failure to deploy in a crash, reported in 8 complaints.		 High Common variable miles
Engine Stalling/Hesitation
Engine stalls while driving or hesitates severely on acceleration, posing a significant safety risk, reported in 5 complaints related to ENGINE and FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM.		 High Common variable miles
Fuel System Spills/Pressure Issues
Fuel spills during refueling or fuel pump issues causing engine stalls due to pressure buildup, noted in FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM complaints.		 Medium Occasional variable miles
Electrical System Fire Risk (Recall)
Recall for V6 models due to incorrectly installed starter motor wire harness, increasing fire risk.		 High Rare new miles
Structural Cracking (Truck Bed)
Cracked front right truck bed mounting location reported.		 Medium Rare variable miles
Lug Nut Expansion
Lug nuts expanding, preventing tire removal for rotation or replacement.		 Medium Rare variable miles

Common Problems Reported by Owners

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2016 Nissan Frontier:

Air Bags 19% of complaints

Frequent complaints (8 total) regarding airbag warning lights, system malfunctions, and non-deployment in crashes.

Fuel/Propulsion System 12% of complaints

5 complaints detailing issues like engine stalling, fuel spills during refueling, and fuel pump problems.

Engine 12% of complaints

5 complaints including engine stalling, hesitation, vibration, and head gasket failure.

Unknown Or Other 12% of complaints

5 complaints categorized as unknown or other, indicating diverse issues not fitting specific categories.

Structure 7% of complaints

3 complaints related to structural integrity, including a cracked truck bed mounting location.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2016 Nissan Frontier

Is the 2016 Nissan Frontier safe?

Based on NHTSA data, the 2016 Nissan Frontier has a 4-star rollover rating, but lacks overall, frontal, and side crash test ratings. It has 42 total complaints, including 3 crashes, 1 fire, and 3 injuries. A significant recall exists for fire risk due to electrical wiring. Common complaints include airbag malfunctions and engine stalling, which are serious safety concerns.

What are common problems with the 2016 Nissan Frontier?

The most reported issues for the 2016 Nissan Frontier are related to the AIR BAGS (8 complaints), FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (5 complaints), and ENGINE (5 complaints). Specific problems include airbag warning lights, failure to deploy, engine stalling, hesitation during acceleration, and fuel spills during refueling. There are also reports of structural cracking and expanding lug nuts.

Was there a recall for the 2016 Nissan Frontier?

Yes, there was one recall for certain 2016 Frontier V6 vehicles. This recall (NHTSA Campaign Number 16V160000) addressed an issue where the starter motor wire harness might have been installed incorrectly, increasing the risk of an electrical short and fire.

How does the 2016 Nissan Frontier perform in crash tests?

The 2016 Nissan Frontier has a 4-star rollover rating from NHTSA. However, there are no available overall, frontal, or side crash test ratings from NHTSA for this specific model year, making a comprehensive assessment of its crashworthiness difficult.

Are there any fire risks with the 2016 Nissan Frontier?

Yes, there is a known fire risk. One complaint reported a vehicle fire, and more importantly, a recall was issued for certain 2016 Frontier V6 models due to an incorrectly installed starter motor wire harness that could cause an electrical short and increase the risk of fire.

Buyer Advice

Our recommendation: Given the recurring airbag and engine issues, along with a fire-risk recall and lack of comprehensive crash test data, potential buyers should proceed with caution and thoroughly inspect any 2016 Nissan Frontier, especially checking if the recall has been addressed.

NHTSA Data Summary for 2016 Nissan Frontier

This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2016 Nissan Frontier. The data includes 42 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 1 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 3 reported crashes, 1 fire incidents, 3 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.

All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.

Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.