Nissan · Frontier · 2021
2021 Nissan Frontier
2
Recalls
17
Complaints
4/5
Safety Rating
The 2021 Nissan Frontier has 2 recalls and 17 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 4 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: power train (4 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
Research Context
The 2021 Nissan Frontier page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is power train with 4 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to understand what owners were actually reporting instead of relying only on the raw complaint total.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2021 Nissan Frontier currently shows 2 NHTSA recalls listed on this page and 17 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 4/5 overall NHTSA safety rating.
- The most frequently reported complaint categories on this page are power train (4), unknown or other (2), air bags (2).
- Vehicle
- 2021 Nissan Frontier
- Recalls
- 2
- Complaints
- 17
- Safety Rating
- 4/5
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Crash Test Performance
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
21.2% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: NoLane Departure Warning: No
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 22V671000September 07, 2022
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Titan, 2020-2022 Frontier, and 2023 Z vehicles. The transmission parking pawl may not engage when the vehicle is shifted into park, which can result in a vehicle rollaway.
Remedy Status
Owners are advised to apply the parking brake every time they park their vehicle. Dealers will perform the applicable repairs below, free of charge: Model Year 2020-2022 Frontier vehicles: reprogram Transmission Control Module (TCM) Model Year 2020-2022 Titan vehicles: reprogram TCM and Engine Control Module (ECM) Model Year 2023 Titan vehicles: reprogram TCM Model Year 2023 Z vehicles: reprogram TCM. Owner notification letters were mailed October 28, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
NHTSA ID: 22V457000June 24, 2022
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Frontier and Titan vehicles. The transmission parking pawl may not engage when the vehicle is shifted into park, which can result in a vehicle rollaway.
Remedy Status
Owners are advised to apply the parking brake every time they park their vehicle. Dealers will replace the transmission parking pawl pin, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 2022. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R22A2 R22A3.
Owner Complaints
17 totalELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Jun 19, 2025
I [XXX] PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM DAYTONA, NISSAN ON [XXX] ON THE MORNING OF [XXX], THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. AND WAS FLASHING. I TOOK VIDEOS OF ALL THE DIFFERENT OCCURRENCES.I WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND TALKED TO THE SALESMAN THAT SOLD IT TO US.HIS NAME WAS SIMON.AND HE B...
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AIR BAGS
Feb 10, 2025
When someone is sitting in passenger seat the light for their airbag blinks, is on or off. So we are unsure if the airbag would in fact deploy if we were to be in a collision.
POWER TRAIN
Feb 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that an independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with transmission c...
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UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Oct 14, 2024
Recall R22A1 has not been repaired by the dealership. Riverside Nissan in Rome, GA held the truck for twelve (12) weeks and was unable to repair the truck. They claim the part is not available. Another repair was subsequently requested at Town Center Nissan in Kennesaw, GA. They ...
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Aug 21, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle with the brake pedal depressed all the way to the floorboard, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment, after which, upon pressing the Push to Start but...
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Aug 19, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start as intended. After several attempts, the contact was able to start the vehicle, after which the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure...
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POWER TRAIN
Jun 27, 2023
The Vehicle hesitates when taking of from a stand still of from switching lanes from a stop. The Transmission is trying to switch from a stop causing the Vehicle to have no power of RPM's on the Torque Converter. Very Dangerous. Has almost caused me to have a wreck several times....
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UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jun 15, 2023
I purchased a 2021 certified preowned Nissan frontier with 21k miles and was promised it had passed a 167 point inspection and came with limited 7 year 100k power train warranty. This is addition to the factory warranty 3 year 36k and 5 year 60k mile that is still in effect. th...
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POWER TRAIN
May 23, 2023
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Frontier. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V457000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a re...
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POWER TRAIN
Mar 10, 2023
I brought my truck in for service on 3/10/23 and they preformed the recall for the transmission. This involved reprogramming no parts were available yet. On my trip home from the shop I noticed right away my fuel economy went from 21MPG to 18 MPG (same roads I always drive) and I...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 17 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2021 Nissan models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Nissan Frontier Years
2022 Nissan FrontierCompare this year against 2021 for complaint and recall shifts.6r107c2020 Nissan FrontierCompare this year against 2021 for complaint and recall shifts.2r20c2023 Nissan FrontierCompare this year against 2021 for complaint and recall shifts.1r57c2019 Nissan FrontierCompare this year against 2021 for complaint and recall shifts.1r27c2024 Nissan FrontierCompare this year against 2021 for complaint and recall shifts.3r15c2018 Nissan FrontierCompare this year against 2021 for complaint and recall shifts.2r25c
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2021 Nissan Frontier have?
The 2021 Nissan Frontier has 2 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2021 Nissan Frontier?
NHTSA has received 17 owner-reported complaints for the 2021 Nissan Frontier.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2021 Nissan Frontier?
The 2021 Nissan Frontier received an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Nissan Frontier?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2021 Nissan Frontier are power train (4 reports), unknown or other (2 reports), air bags (2 reports).
Does the 2021 Nissan Frontier have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 2 recalls on record for the 2021 Nissan Frontier. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check Another Vehicle
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.