Is the Nissan Frontier 2nd Gen reliable?

Our reliability score for the Nissan Frontier 2nd Gen is 8.5/10 (85/100), which puts it as strongly reliable. Most owners report 200,000+ miles with proper maintenance. RepairPal rates it 4/5.

How much does it cost to own a Nissan Frontier 2nd Gen per year?

Total estimated annual ownership cost for a Nissan Frontier 2nd Gen is approximately $2,228 for a 25-year-old male driver. This includes fuel at current US average prices, insurance, scheduled maintenance, tires, and oil changes. The 40-year-old female estimate is $2,028.

What is the Nissan Frontier 2nd Gen gas mileage?

EPA combined fuel economy for the Nissan Frontier 2nd Gen is 18 MPG, with 15 MPG city and 21 MPG highway.

What years does the Nissan Frontier 2nd Gen cover?

This generation of the Nissan Frontier was sold from 2005 to 2021.

Is the Nissan Frontier 2nd Gen safe?

Our safety score for the Nissan Frontier 2nd Gen is 8/10 (80/100), which means it is reasonably safe, with most modern active safety features. IIHS rates the crash protection acceptable. NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Is the Nissan Frontier 2nd Gen a good first car?

Not according to our criteria. Good first cars need a safety score 7.5+, insurance under $2,200/yr for a 25-year-old male, repairability score 7.0+, low rollover risk, and compact dimensions. The Nissan Frontier 2nd Gen misses on at least one of these.

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Nissan Frontier 2nd Gen

05-21 · Nissan Frontier

89out of 100

The Nissan Frontier 2nd Gen is one of the most reliable trucks ever sold in the US — body-on-frame simplicity, low costs, and a 4.0L V6 that regularly hits 200k miles.

Scores last updated: January 1, 2025

Score breakdown

85/ 100Reliability×2.5 87/ 100True Annual Cost×2.0 80/ 100Safety×1.5 95/ 100Practicality×3.0 100/ 100Repairability×1.0

60/ 100Long-Distance Comfort

55/ 100Enthusiast Appeal

Exceptional reliability and repairability. Safety scores limit the composite. One of the best survival rates of any vehicle on the list.

Our take

What it really is

A mid-size body-on-frame truck with a 4.0L V6 that runs forever. Nissan barely changed it for 17 years because it did not need to change.

Why it's on this list

The Frontier has a 55% chance of reaching 250k miles — among the highest of any vehicle tracked. Sub-$500 annual repair costs and 6,500-lb tow capacity make it a compelling utility buy at any age.

The honest trade-offs

The coolant-to-transmission leak at 100k+ is the one serious issue to check. Interior quality is dated by 2015 standards. Fuel economy is below the segment average.

What to buy and what to avoid

The 2012-2019 crew cab with the 4.0L V6 and 6-speed manual or automatic. Confirm the radiator has no coolant contamination in the transmission fluid. The 2005-2006 first years had more issues.

Annual cost of ownership

Regular fuel. Body-on-frame simplicity keeps maintenance costs low.

Fuel (12k mi)

$1,840 (USD)^[5]

Maintenance

$468 (USD)^[1]

Tires (prorated)

$480 (USD)

Insurance (25yr male)

$1,200 (USD)^[8]

Insurance (40yr female)

$1,000 (USD)^[8]

Total (25yr male)

$2,228 (USD)

Total (40yr female)

$2,028 (USD)

Key specs

MPG combined

18^[5]

MPG city / hwy

15 / 21^[5]

Tank

21 gal^[5]

Engine

4.0L V6

Horsepower

261 hp

Torque

281 lb-ft

Seats

Cargo (behind 2nd row)

27.8 cu ft

Cargo max

27.8 cu ft

Tow capacity

6,500 lbs

Ground clearance

9.4"

Stock tires

265/70R16

Body

Truck

Rear seats

One-piece fold

Safety

NHTSA overall

4/5 ★^[2]

Rollover risk

24.5%^[2]

IIHS rating

Acceptable^[4]

ESC standard

Driver assists

None

Rust vulnerability

Overall severity

Low

Frame rust risk

Low

Salt belt impact

Moderate

Frame holds up well for a body-on-frame truck. Inspect bed floor and cab corners in rust belt.

Known issues by mileage

100,000-150,000 Miles (161,000-241,000 KM)

Coolant leak into transmission via radiator failureMajor$2,000 (USD)

Radiator failure at 100k+ allows coolant into auto transmission. Check trans fluid color.

60,000-100,000 Miles (97,000-161,000 KM)

Rear leaf spring bushing wearMinor$150 (USD)

Common on high-mileage examples. Clunking from rear.

Best and worst years

Best years

2012Mid-life reliability peak; all first-year issues resolved
2014Strong reliability; manual trans preferred year
2016Post-refresh; interior updates; proven drivetrain
2019Final generation refinements; lowest depreciation curve

Years to avoid

2005First year; most early-production issues; avoid
2006Second year issues still present; better options in later years

Reliability data

RepairPal annual cost

$468 (USD)^[1]

Industry avg annual cost

$652 (USD)^[1]

RepairPal rating

4/5^[1]

Unscheduled visits/yr

0.3^[1]

Severe issue probability

11%^[1]

250k-mile survival

55%^[7]

Repairability

Headlight type

Halogen

DIY replacement cost

$20 (USD)

At major retailer

Yes

Headlight benchmark

10/10

Body-on-frame simplicity and 17-year production run means parts are cheap and widely available.

References

Sources used to research and score this vehicle. Superscript numbers in the sections above link here.

[1]dataset
RepairPal
Annual maintenance cost, reliability rating, unscheduled visit frequency, severe issue probability
[2]government
NHTSA Crash Test Ratings
Overall crash test stars, rollover risk %, rollover stars, frontal and side ratings
[3]government
NHTSA Technical Service Bulletins
Manufacturer-acknowledged technical issues and dealer fixes
[4]dataset
IIHS Safety Ratings
Small overlap, side impact, overall safety rating, Top Safety Pick status
[5]government
EPA Fuel Economy Guide
MPG city/highway/combined, fuel grade required, tank size
[6]forum thread
CarComplaints
Most complained-about model years, common failure patterns by year and mileage band
[7]dataset
iSeeCars Long-Term Reliability
250k-mile survival rate, depreciation curve, best age to buy used
[8]publication
Bankrate / Insurify Insurance Estimates
Insurance cost estimates by vehicle class and driver profile

Before you buy

Looking to buy a Nissan Frontier?

Start with our fully customized pre-purchase inspection checklist for you or your mechanic. Three versions: one for buyers who are not mechanics, one for enthusiasts with tools, one for handing off to a professional. Print or save as PDF.

Get the checklist