DecodedCars2021 Nissan Frontier
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2021 models.
- Class
- Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD
- Body styles
- Crew Cab 4X4 Pro-4x, Crew Cab 4X4 Sl, Crew Cab 4X4 Sv, King Cab 4X4 Sv/Pro-4x
- Engines
- 3.8L 6-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 20 combined · 18 city / 24 hwy
- Length
- 205.5–219.3 in
- Curb weight
- 3,774–4,749 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 2 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- Few owner complaints20 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 119 for similar models.
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 4 similar 2021 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2021 Nissan Frontier is a standard pickup truck offered with a 3.8L 6-cyl engine and rear-wheel drive and part-time 4-wheel drive.
It measures about 206 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 126-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,597 lb (Crew Cab 4X4 Pro-4x).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 20 MPG combined (18 city / 24 highway), 1% better than the 2021 standard pickup truck average of 19.8 MPG, for an estimated $3,350 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 20 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.
What changed for 2021
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2020 Frontier — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2020; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2020 Frontier →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew Cab 4X4 Pro-4x | 205.5 in | 72.8 in | 70.1 in | 126 in | 61.8 / 61.8 in | 4,597 lb | 57/43 |
| Crew Cab 4X4 Sl | 219.3 in | 72.8 in | 70.1 in | 139.8 in | 61.8 / 61.8 in | 4,749 lb | 57/43 |
| Crew Cab 4X4 Sv | 219.3 in | 72.8 in | 70.1 in | 139.8 in | 61.8 / 61.8 in | 4,570 lb | 57/43 |
| King Cab 4X4 Sv/Pro-4x | 205.5 in | 72.8 in | 69.7 in | 126 in | 61.8 / 61.8 in | 4,312 lb | 57/43 |
| King Cab S/Box 4x2 S | 205.5 in | 72.8 in | 68.5 in | 126 in | 61.8 / 61.8 in | 3,774 lb | 57/43 |
| King Cab S/Box 4x2 Sv | 205.5 in | 72.8 in | 69.7 in | 126 in | 61.8 / 61.8 in | 4,145 lb | 57/43 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frontier 2WD | 3.8L 6-cyl | Automatic (S9) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 / 24 / 20 | +1% | $3,350 | 445 |
| Frontier 4WD | 3.8L 6-cyl | Automatic (S9) | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 17 / 23 / 19 | +4% | $3,550 | 469 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2021 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2021 Nissan Frontier.
Similar 2021 standard pickup trucks
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Nissan Frontier (this car) | 20 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2021 Ford F-150 | 25 MPG | Not rated | 29 |
| 2021 Toyota Tacoma | 21 MPG | ★★★★★ | 0 |
| 2021 Ford Ranger | 23 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2021 Honda Ridgeline | 21 MPG | ★★★★★ | 7 |
Recalls (2)
Power Train › Automatic Transmission · Sep 7, 2022
NHTSA campaign 22V671000 · 197,230 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Owners are advised to apply the parking brake every time they park their vehicle. Dealers will perform the applicable repairs below, free of charge: Â Model Year 2020-2022 Frontier vehicles: reprogram Transmission Control Module (TCM) Â Model Year 2020-2022 Titan vehicles: reprogram TCM and Engine Control Module (ECM) Â Model Year 2023 Titan vehicles: reprogram TCM Â 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.
Power Train › Automatic Transmission · Jun 24, 2022
NHTSA campaign 22V457000 · 180,176 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- 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.
Not every 2021 Nissan Frontier is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2021 Nissan Frontier buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Electrical System — 5 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Power Train — 5 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Fuel/Propulsion System — 3 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 36,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2021 Nissan Frontier. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Frontier years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Frontier | 21 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 Frontier | 21 | 224 in | Not rated | 1 | 11 |
| 2025 Frontier | 21 | 224 in | Not rated | 3 | 9 |
| 2024 Frontier | 21 | 224 in | Not rated | 3 | 22 |
| 2023 Frontier | 21 | 224 in | Not rated | 1 | 66 |
| 2022 Frontier | 20 | 224 in | ★★★★★ | 6 | 112 |
| 2020 Frontier | 20 | 205.5 in | Not rated | 2 | 23 |
| 2019 Frontier | 21 | 205.5 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 28 |
| 2018 Frontier | 21 | 205.5 in | Not rated | 2 | 25 |
| 2017 Frontier | 21 | 205.5 in | Not rated | 1 | 38 |
| 2016 Frontier | 21 | 205.5 in | Not rated | 1 | 44 |
| 2015 Frontier | 21 | 205.5 in | Not rated | 0 | 33 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Nissan. How we calculate this →