Best Pre-Owned Nissan Frontier To Buy According To Reliability Ratings

The Nissan Frontier has been a staple pickup truck in the US automotive market. Since its debut in 1998, it only had a significant redesign back in 2005. The Nissan Frontier was able to stand the test of time and prove its worth as a reliable choice for a pickup truck. It aims at the dollar-conscious consumers who want a vehicle for both utility and personal use.

Newer models offer excellent handling and ride quality, but older Frontiers are still just as capable whether you need it for off-roading or simply for daily driving. Many consider Frontiers a good investment since they hold a good resale value even after five years when properly maintained. They ensure that you can keep them running for a long time. These trucks can easily reach more than 200,000 miles with regular maintenance and servicing. It’s no wonder that many still consider buying a pre-owned Nissan Frontier. However, this depends on the year it was made since some exceed the others in terms of reliability.

If you plan to buy a used Nissan Frontier, be sure to check Nissan Frontier reliability by year. The reliability ratings and the issues frequently encountered can help you determine which model is the right one for you.

Although they didn’t receive reliability ratings, Nissan Frontiers from 1998 to 2004 caught the market’s attention for their practical features. They built the trucks larger in every dimension by making the regular-cab model 10 inches long and the King cab model even longer by another half foot.

The Nissan Frontier started with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder143-hp DOHC I-4 engine for the 1998 model. This engine was available in a five-speed manual or automatic transmission. Nissan later offered the Pathfinder’s 3.3-liter six-cylinder 170-hp SOHC V6 and roots-type supercharger 3.3-liter 210-hp SOHC SC V6 engine for the succeeding years. They also included the same five-speed manual and automatic transmission, but with the addition of four-wheel drive.

The V6 is quite popular in the secondary market. There is still a high demand for a V6 engine for those looking for a fuel-efficient, pre-owned truck. The engine is easy to drive, provides a smooth ride, and gets around 17mpg in the city and 23mpg on the highway.

Owners of the 1998 Nissan Frontier complained about minor electrical issues around the instrument cluster, air-conditioning problems, and unintentional acceleration of the engine. These issues occurred after reaching 140,000 miles. The 2001 model received complaints regarding the service engine light that indicates catalytic converter failure at 103,000 miles.

Nissan Frontier models 2005, 2006, and 2007 received the most complaints due to the recurring transmission problems. Potential buyers tend to avoid these models. The source of complaints was the radiators being more prone to rupture, leaking coolant into the transmission even before reaching 10,000 miles. The leak caused the coolant and the transmission fluid to cross-contaminate, leading to gearbox breakdown and engine failure.

Another issue with the 2005 Nissan Frontier was the faulty sending unit. Owners reported that the trucks’ gas gauge read empty at all times despite having full tanks, making it difficult and confusing to check fuel levels. The check engine light might have flashed in this case. Drivers tried to put an extra effort by tracking their mileage to determine when to refuel—the manufacturer issued no recall for this model. Most owners of this model had to replace the faulty truck parts on their own.

The Nissan Frontier models 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2015 received a reliability rating of four out of five. These models are decent choices due to their efficient engine and drivetrain. They came with either a crew cab or an extended cab with bed length options between five-foot and six-foot truck beds. Critics mentioned that the tailgates tend to be heavier with the longer beds.

These Nissan Frontier models offered a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and a 261-hp 4.0-liter V6 engine that felt almost as powerful as a V8. The trucks had either a five or six-speed manual transmission or a five-speed automatic transmission with button control for the overdrive function. The trucks also had a four-wheel-drive option.

These models continue to sell well because many find them fun to drive, mainly off-road. The trucks feel at home on dirt, and they can take a beating from the terrain. The traditional off-road hardware still attracts buyers who aren’t in favor of the complex control systems. Most owners also enjoy how convenient it is to customize for off-roading. They can easily fit their preferred truck wheels and tires and other truck accessories they need on specific terrain.

Regardless of the ratings, the 2012 Nissan Frontier may develop engine issues over time, like the 2016 model. 2012 Frontier owners reported that there are instances where their truck suddenly accelerates despite being in parking mode. It also uncontrollably accelerates until they completely turn off the engine. They also reported random engine stalling and severe vibrations when idle.

A lot of owners also complained about paint problems with their 2012 Nissan Frontier. The paint starts to chip off the hood and other body panels shortly after they purchase them. Although, some owners have reported that the paint problem starts to show once they hit the 4-year mark. Even if it is a reliable and great off-road vehicle, the body panels suffer from a quick build-up of rust from being exposed to harsh elements.

The Nissan Frontier experienced its peak with the 2013 and 2014 models. Both years received five out of five reliability ratings. Many consider them the best models to look for when buying a pre-owned Nissan Frontier. They are also the least problematic, with minor logged complaints and no recalls at all.

Both 2013 and 2014 Nissan Frontiers had two engine options: the standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 152-hp and 171 lb-ft of torque paired with a five-speed manual or automatic transmission, or a 4.0-liter V6 engine with 261-hp and 281 lb-ft of torque also came with a five-speed manual or automatic transmission and six-speed manual transmission standard for Crew Cab models and optional for King Cab models.

These Frontiers received improved fuel economy due to enhanced aerodynamics. EPA gave a rating of 19mpg city and 23mpg highway for the standard four-cylinder engine. On the other hand, the 4.0-liter V6 engine received a 15mpg city and a 21mpg highway rating for the five-speed automatic and a 16mpg city and a 21mpg highway rating for the six-speed manual transmission.

Trim and packages with more off-road-oriented features were made available for these trucks. Nissan offered the Desert Runner model with 16-inch alloy wheels, off-road tires, Bilstein off-road shocks, fog lights, and decal and badge. You can still modify and improve the setup to your liking. For example, you can easily change the tires with a set of Toyo tires whenever the stocks become worn out. You can also strengthen the protection by adding an aftermarket bumper.

Recent models of the Nissan Frontier can be enticing because of the updates and new amenities they offer. However, past models with high-reliability ratings still satisfy demand, especially for those working on a tight budget.

The Nissan Frontier might need a long-overdue redesign. Nevertheless, their tried and tested formula for decades effectively cements Frontier in the market for buyers looking for a reliable truck capable of both work and play. Like any pre-owned vehicle purchase, always check the specs, features, and issues encountered. It will give you an idea of how to make the vehicle last even longer.