VehicleVerdict

2019 Nissan Frontier problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 2019 Nissan Frontier is among the quieter years of the Frontier on NHTSA's books: 39 complaints (54% below the model's median year), a single recall, and no open investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across transmission (7), other (6), and airbags (5), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

39

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

6

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2019 compare to other Frontier years?

Frontier NHTSA complaints by model year, 2019 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, 2019 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Frontier years to avoid →

What are the most common 2019 Nissan Frontier problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission718%
Other615%
Airbags513%
Electrical System513%
Brakes38%
Seat Belts25%
Driver Assistance25%
Engine25%
Steering25%
Body & Structure25%
Tires & Wheels13%
Suspension13%
Visibility & Wipers13%

Does the 2019 Nissan Frontier have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign 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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“WHEN I STEP ON THE GAS PADLE IT GOSE IN TO LIMB MODE NOT ALL THE TIME.I PUT IN TO THE FLOOR THE MOTER DOSE NOT REVUP I ALL MOST GOT HIT 2 TIMES SCARY!!!!!! WHEN PULLING OUT IN TARFET NOT A GOOD SPELLER.SORRY”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 1, 2020

“In a no fault accident, I was passenger. When the collision happened, I was wearing seatbelt, and then I was up in the dash/ windshield, there were flames, smoke. The airbags had "exploded" The seatbelt was hanging out of the passenger door after I exited. Still dangling out the door where it did…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · September 17, 2024 · crash · fire

“There is a lot of 2019 Frontier that has problems with the radio and Bluetooth. In my truck it's the Bluetooth, it just stop working, phone activation doesn't even make a sound. Just stopped out of the blue. When backing up the beep that let you know you close to something doesn't work stop over a…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 9, 2024

“In a no fault accident, I was passenger. When the collision happened, I was wearing seatbelt, and then I was up in the dash/ windshield, there were flames, smoke. The airbags had "exploded" The seatbelt was hanging out of the passenger door after I exited. Still dangling out the door where it did…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · September 17, 2024 · crash · fire

“BRAKES ON 2019 AND EARLIER ARE "MUSHY". IN AN EMERGENCY STOP BRAKES DO NOT STOP THE VEHICLE PROPERLY. BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL IS EXCESSIVE AND PUSHING PEDAL FARTHER, WHILE IN MOTION, DOES NOT INCREASE BRAKING FORCE. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE TO NISSAN, AND UPON TAKING THE VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, IT WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · July 1, 2020

2019 Nissan Frontier — common questions

Is the 2019 Nissan Frontier reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 39 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Frontier year, with 1 recall and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2019 Frontier problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (7 complaints), other (6 complaints), airbags (5 complaints).

Does the 2019 Nissan Frontier have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2019 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.

How safe is the 2019 Nissan Frontier?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2019 Nissan Frontier earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

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.