DecodedCars2026 Nissan Frontier
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2026 models.
- Class
- Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD
- Body styles
- Crew Cab, Crew Cab S/Box, King Cab
- Engines
- 3.8L 6-cyl
- Transmission
- 9-speed automatic
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
- Seats
- 5
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 21 combined · 19 city / 24 hwy
- Length
- 210.2–224 in
- Curb weight
- 4,550–4,806 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- Lots of standard safety tech4 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 3 similar 2026 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2026 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 224 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 140-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,806 lb (Crew Cab).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 21 MPG combined (19 city / 24 highway), 2% better than the 2026 standard pickup truck average of 20.5 MPG, for an estimated $3,200 a year in fuel.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 11 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the power train.
What changed for 2026
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2025 Frontier — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2025; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2025 Frontier →
Trims, performance & features
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Canton, Mississippi
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 3 2026 Frontier configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew Cab | 224 in | 72.8 in | 72 in | 139.8 in | 61.8 / 61.8 in | 4,806 lb | 57/43 |
| Crew Cab S/Box | 210.2 in | 72.8 in | 72 in | 126 in | 61.8 / 61.8 in | 4,720 lb | 57/43 |
| King Cab | 210.2 in | 72.8 in | 71.7 in | 126 in | 61.8 / 61.8 in | 4,550 lb | 58/42 |
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 | 19 / 24 / 21 | +2% | $3,200 | 423 |
| Frontier 4WD | 3.8L 6-cyl | Automatic (S9) | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 17 / 21 / 19 | +4% | $3,550 | 479 |
| Frontier 4WD PRO4X | 3.8L 6-cyl | Automatic (S9) | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 16 / 20 / 18 | -2% | $3,700 | 504 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2026 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2026 Nissan Frontier.
Similar 2026 standard pickup trucks
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Nissan Frontier (this car) | 21 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2026 Jeep Gladiator | 19 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2026 Ram 1500 | 22 MPG | Not rated | 9 |
| 2026 Rivian R1T | 420 mi | Not rated | 2 |
Recalls (1)
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch · Jan 20, 2026
NHTSA campaign 26V023000 · 26,432 vehicles
- Problem
- Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025 Altima, Sentra, 2025-2026 Frontier, and 2026 Kicks vehicles. The door strikers may have been improperly welded and break, allowing the door to open while moving. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 206, "Door Locks and Door Retention Components."
- Risk
- A door that opens unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion increases the risk of injury or a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the door strikers, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 17, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261. Nissan's numbers for this recall are PD185 and PMA61. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning January 28, 2026.
Not every 2026 Nissan Frontier is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Other Frontier years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Frontier | 21 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 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 |
| 2021 Frontier | 20 | 205.5 in | Not rated | 2 | 20 |
| 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 →