Last updated: 2026-04-20
2021 Nissan Frontier Reliability Report
The 2021 Nissan Frontier scores 84/100 ("Excellent") with a complaint rate below the segment average. Data shows a dependable ownership experience across 0 recalls and 0 owner complaints.
Recalls
0
Complaints
0
Complaint Rate
0per 10,000 sold
Est. Repair Cost
$470
Annual Fuel Cost
$3,000–$3,150
Detailed Score Breakdown
Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume
Independent repair cost ratings
Recall count weighted by severity
Breadth of reported problem categories
The Verdict
Strong reliability record — a solid choice for buyers.
Should You Buy the 2021 Nissan Frontier?
The 2021 Nissan Frontier earns an Excellent 84/100 reliability score.
At 0 per 10,000 vehicles sold, its complaint rate sits below the Truck segment average, and most owners report a trouble-free ownership experience.
A solid choice for buyers prioritizing dependability, new or used.
Compared to the 2024 Nissan Frontier, which scored 7 points lower. See also the 2020 Nissan Frontier for an earlier comparison.
Pros
- +Strong reliability score
- +$78 cheaper to maintain than avg midsize trucks
- +Infrequent unscheduled repairs
- +Low major repair risk (12%)
- +No recalls issued
Cons
No recurring complaint themes yet.
Compare 2021 Nissan Frontier With
2021 Toyota Tacoma
Reliability: 70/100
2021 Ford Ranger
Reliability: 72/100
2021 Chevrolet Colorado
Reliability: 78/100
2021 GMC Canyon
Reliability: 68/100
2021 Jeep Gladiator
Reliability: 49/100
Recall Overview
0
recalls on record
No recalls are on record for the 2021 Nissan Frontier — uncommon, and a strong signal of manufacturing quality.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
0
per 10,000 soldSegment avg: 15.1
Safety Incidents
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
NHTSA 4/5 Stars
Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.
Buying a used 2021 Nissan Frontier? Check its history first
Every 2021 Nissan Frontier has a different past. A VIN check reveals hidden accidents, title problems, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls that reliability scores can't show you.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
2021 Nissan Frontier NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall Safety Rating
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)
Gas Powertrain
Rollover risk: 21.2%
Safety Technologies
Nissan FrontierRepair Costs & Maintenance
Maintenance Rating
4Maintenance rating: 4 out of 5Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.
Est. Annual Maintenance
$470
vs $548 avg for midsize trucks
vs $652 avg for all vehicles
Repair Frequency
0.2
unscheduled repair visits per year
Severe Repair Probability
12%
chance of a major repair
Annual Cost Comparison
Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.
Nissan Frontier Resale Value
The Nissan Frontier is estimated to retain about 82.3% of its original value after 5 years, based on observed used-car listings.
This benchmark covers the Nissan Frontier model overall and is not specific to the 2021 model year.
- Value Retained
- 82.3%
- Depreciation
- 17.7%
- Listings Analyzed
- 170
after 5 years
over the same period
U.S. used-car listings
Listings observed in . This is a historical market benchmark, not a current price quote.
Explore Nissan Frontier depreciation and resale value on CarResaleValue.comMPG & Annual Running Costs
Gas
19–20 MPG
Running cost: $3,450–$3,600/yr
Fuel + repair
17–18 city / 23–24 hwy MPG
Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2021 EPA label cycle.
Gas trims
| Trim | Drive | Trans. | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frontier 2WD 3.8L 6-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S9) | 18 | 24 | 20 | $3,000 |
| Frontier 4WD 3.8L 6-cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S9) | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,150 |
Best & Worst Nissan Frontier Years
Comprehensive reliability analysis based on NHTSA data, owner complaints, and historical performance.
Best Nissan Frontier Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreThe best Nissan Frontier year is 2025 with a reliability score of 84/100, rated excellent. Other strong picks include 2021 (84/100) and 2019 (80/100).
2025
2021
(Current Model)
2019
Nissan Frontier Years to Avoid
No Nissan Frontier years are statistical outliers in our data.
All model years score consistently well. The Nissan Frontier maintains one of the highest industry standards for long-term durability across its entire production span.
Nissan Frontier Reliability Score Trend
Nissan Frontier reliability has remained consistent across model years, averaging 80/100.
Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 79/100 | Good |
| 2019 | 80/100 | Excellent |
| 2020 | 78/100 | Good |
| 2021 | 84/100 | Excellent |
| 2024 | 77/100 | Good |
| 2025 | 84/100 | Excellent |
| 2026 | 77/100 | Good |
Nissan Frontier Reliability Compared to Other Years
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2021 Nissan Frontier reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Nissan Frontier?
How many recalls does the 2021 Nissan Frontier have?
Is the 2021 Nissan Frontier expensive to maintain?
Don’t buy a 2021 Nissan Frontier without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no cost to you.
How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
Get notified when new recalls or reliability data is added for the Nissan Frontier.
No spam. Only data updates for this model.
Browse More Nissan Models
Nissan Altima
Score: 88/100
Nissan Kicks
Score: 83/100
Nissan Murano
Score: 82/100
Nissan Pathfinder
Score: 82/100
Nissan Rogue
Score: 83/100
Nissan Sentra
Score: 88/100
Browse More 2021 Vehicles
2021 KIA Sedona
Score: 88/100
2021 Lexus ES
Score: 88/100
2021 Lexus RX
Score: 86/100
2021 Honda HR-V
Score: 86/100
2021 Lexus IS
Score: 83/100
2021 Toyota Corolla
Score: 83/100
See incorrect data? Report an issue