Last updated: 2026-10-10

RELIABILITY SCORE: 84/100 (EXCELLENT)

2021 Nissan Frontier Reliability Report

The 2021 Nissan Frontier has an excellent reliability standing, with no owner complaints and no recalls on file.

Full Breakdown Compare Models

Recalls

Complaints

Complaint Rate

0per 10,000 sold

Est. Repair Cost

$470

Annual Fuel Cost

$3,000–$3,150

Detailed Score Breakdown

Complaint Severity70/100

Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume

Repair Costs80/100

Independent repair cost ratings

Recall Impact100/100

Recall count weighted by severity

Issue Diversity100/100

Breadth of reported problem categories

The Verdict

Buy

The top-rated of the seven scored Frontier years, with no owner complaints or recalls on file, unlike the 2020 model.

Should You Buy the 2021 Nissan Frontier?

Yes, this is one of the safer bets among used midsize trucks. Its reliability standing is excellent, well above average for 2021 trucks, and it ranks first among the seven Frontier model years we score. Federal recall records list no recalls, and owners have filed no complaints. Independent repair-cost data puts yearly repairs for the Frontier at about $470, against $548 for its class.

Owners have reported no problems for this year, so there is no symptom or mileage pattern to describe. The federal crash-test rating is 4 of 5 stars. An empty complaint record is good news, but it does not prove that a given truck has been trouble free.

The 2020 model is the nearest alternative. Its reliability is good, but it rates worse, with 20 complaints and 2 recalls. Whichever year you pick, ask for the truck's service records.

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

Good

2021 Ford Ranger

Reliability: 72/100

Good

2021 Chevrolet Colorado

Reliability: 78/100

Good

2021 GMC Canyon

Reliability: 68/100

Good

2021 Jeep Gladiator

Reliability: 49/100

Mixed

Recall Overview

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

per 10,000 sold

Segment avg: 15.1

LowAvgHigh

Very Low

Safety Incidents

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

★★★★★

NHTSA 4/5 Stars

Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.

VIN History Report

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

Driver: 3/5Passenger: 2/5

Rollover risk: 21.2%

Safety Technologies

Dynamic Head Restraints (Driver, Front Passenger)Head Restraint (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Advanced Belt Feature (Standard)Adjustable Upper Belt Anchorage (Driver, Front Passenger)Seat Belt Reminder System (Driver, Front Passenger)Frontal Air Bag (Driver, Front Passenger)Curtain (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Torso/Pelvis (Driver, Front Passenger)Torso/Pelvis (Driver, Front Passenger)Knee (Not Available)Additional Air Bags (N/A)Meets Side Air Bag Out-of-Position Requirements (Yes)LATCH Locations (Rear Seat)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) (None)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) locations (Not Available)

View full safety data on NHTSA.gov →

Nissan FrontierRepair Costs & Maintenance

Maintenance Rating

Based 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

Frontier

$470

Category Avg

$548

All Vehicles

$652

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

Listings observed in May 2021. This is a historical market benchmark, not a current price quote.

Explore Nissan Frontier depreciation and resale value on CarResaleValue.com

MPG & 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

Best Nissan Frontier Years to Buy

Based on reliability index score

Top Pick

Excellent

2021

(Current Model)

0Recalls

0Complaints

Excellent

2019

1Recalls

31Complaints

Good

2018

2Recalls

25Complaints

Nissan Frontier Years to Avoid

No Nissan Frontier years are statistical outliers in our data.

Scores stay between 77 and 84 across 7 scored model years.

See full Nissan Frontier years-to-avoid analysis

Nissan Frontier Reliability Score Trend

Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.

Nissan Frontier reliability scores by year
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

Reliability scores compared across model years
Year	Score	vs Prior Year	Rating	Recalls	Complaints
2026	77/100	-7	Good	1	2
2025	84/100	+7	Excellent	0	0
2024	77/100	-7	Good	3	14
2021(selected)	84/100	+6	Excellent	0	0
2020	78/100	-2	Good	2	20
2019	80/100	+1	Excellent	1	31
2018	79/100	—	Good	2	25

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2021 Nissan Frontier reliable?

Yes. Its reliability standing is excellent and well above average among 2021 trucks. It is also the best of the seven Frontier model years we score. Owners have filed no complaints, and federal recall records show no recalls for this year.

What are the most common problems with the 2021 Nissan Frontier?

No common problems appear in the data. Owners have filed no complaints for this model year, so there is no repeated symptom to report. That does not guarantee any single truck is free of faults, so a service history is still worth requesting.

Does the 2021 Nissan Frontier have any recalls?

No. Federal recall records list zero recalls for the 2021 model year. The 2020 Frontier, by comparison, has 2 recalls on file. Still, ask for the specific truck's recall history before you buy, since records belong to each vehicle.

How much does the 2021 Nissan Frontier cost to repair?

Independent repair-cost data estimates about $470 a year for the Frontier. That figure covers the model as a whole, not just 2021. It sits below the $548 estimated for its class, so the Frontier tends to cost less to keep running than typical midsize trucks.

Is the 2021 Nissan Frontier more reliable than the 2020?

Yes. The 2021 has an excellent standing, while the 2020 is rated good and rates worse. The 2020 has 20 owner complaints and 2 recalls. The 2021 has none of either, which makes it the stronger pick of the two.

Don’t buy a 2021 Nissan Frontier without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.

Look Up a VIN →

How we score the 2021 Nissan Frontier

Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2021 Nissan Frontier does best on recall impact (100/100) and worst on complaint severity (70/100). Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.

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