VehicleVerdict

2018 Nissan Frontier problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 29 complaints on file for the 2018 Nissan Frontier — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

29

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2018 compare to other Frontier years?

Frontier NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted836 complaints1998: 146 complaints1999: 106 complaints2000: 224 complaints2001: 155 complaints2002: 152 complaints2003: 92 complaints2004: 89 complaints2005: 750 complaints2006: 836 complaints2007: 699 complaints2008: 187 complaints2009: 44 complaints2010: 76 complaints2011: 84 complaints2012: 98 complaints2013: 65 complaints2014: 50 complaints2015: 48 complaints2016: 55 complaints2017: 45 complaints2018: 29 complaints2019: 39 complaints2020: 31 complaints2021: 25 complaints2022: 192 complaints2023: 114 complaints2024: 28 complaints2025: 9 complaints2026: 5 complaints
Frontier NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Frontier years to avoid →

What are the most common 2018 Nissan Frontier problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System517%
Brakes414%
Other414%
Suspension310%
Speed Control310%
Transmission27%
Fuel System27%
Body & Structure27%
Airbags27%
Engine13%
Driver Assistance13%

Does the 2018 Nissan Frontier have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

19V654000Driver AssistanceSeptember 12, 2019 · 1,228,830 units

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 and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Consequence

The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

18V551000Electrical SystemAugust 21, 2018 · 153,047 units

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.

Consequence

If the vehicle stalls, it can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 10, 2025

“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.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · August 10, 2025

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS WERE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. WHILE BRAKING, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD ALSO DEPRESS AND THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS LOOSE AND WOULD TRAVEL ALL THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · September 20, 2018

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS WERE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. WHILE BRAKING, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD ALSO DEPRESS AND THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS LOOSE AND WOULD TRAVEL ALL THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · September 20, 2018

“2018 NISSAN FRONTIER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PROBLEM WITH ALIGNMENT.*LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER COULD NOT COMPLETE AN ALIGNMENT BEFORE REPAIRING THE VEHICLE WITH A KIT. THE MANUFACTURER ASSISTED %50 OF THE REPAIR COST. THE CONSUMER WAS DISSATISFIED DUE TO THE FAILURE BEING A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · February 27, 2020

2018 Nissan Frontier — common questions

Is the 2018 Nissan Frontier reliable?

The record is thin — 29 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2018 Frontier problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (5 complaints), other (4 complaints), brakes (4 complaints).

Does the 2018 Nissan Frontier have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2018 Nissan Frontier. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Nissan Frontier years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Frontier years to avoid are 2006, 2005, 2007, 2000, 2022, 2008, 2001, 2002, 1998. The cleanest record among Frontier years belongs to 2026.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.