AI Damage2018 Nissan Frontier: common problems
Owners of the 2018 Nissan Frontier filed 25 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and suspension. The maker issued 58 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 25
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 58
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 20% of all complaints
- 2 Suspension 12% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 12% of all complaints
- 4 Vehicle speed control 12% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 8% of all complaints
- 6 Structure 8% of all complaints
- 7 Air bags 8% of all complaints
- 8 Fuel/propulsion system 8% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 5 complaints (20% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 29.
- Suspension: 3 complaints (12% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
- Service brakes: 3 complaints (12% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Vehicle speed control: 3 complaints (12% of all).
- Powertrain: 2 complaints (8% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 5.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 4 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 5-speed
- manual, 5-speed
- manual, 6-speed
Drive: RWD, 4WD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 25 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 5 | 0 | 29 |
| Suspension | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| Service brakes | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| Air bags | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Backover prevention | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Fuel system | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Visibility | 0 | 0 | 5 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The passenger dashboard airbag keeps generating error codes and the airbag light continually flashes. There have been 2 costly repair attempts by a Nissan dealership, but the problem persists. The dealership stated the passenger airbag was not functioning properly.
15 mph door lock system does not work. Have been in garage with truck, and heard doors lock with no one near vehicle. I understand there is a class action suit about the door lock system. Seems to me this system could malfunction and possible lock you in vehicle. This is a 2018 Nissan frontier SL.
I bought this truck from my boss man and had it put in the shop to replace the head gasket but they ended up changing the valve cover the intake manifold gasket and putting plugs in it due to a smoking issue and skipping but after all the repairs were done it turns out that the valves are bad in the engine and they…
Jan 29 2025 vehicle failed to start . Turned switch to start several times .no response at all no dash lights no starter reaction no clicking from battery, which would indicate battery problem. Waited several mins approx 30 minutes. Vehicle started and been ok for several more starts today.
Upon inspection found passenger side truck bed mount with a crack and portion missing from where the bed connects to the frame.
Paint peeling on front left finder and where both front finders connect to the cab. N/A The dealer was informed and photos sent. Just the photos sent N/A
Passenger airbag warning light on dashboard flashes continually. This indicates it may not deploy in accident. It was taken to a Nissan dealer and mechanic inspected and stated in report, "Found occupancy classification module to be installed incorrectly and non OEM". Warning light began flashing in February, 2023.
There was either a blank or foggy image on the infotainment screen. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was given a diagnostic test fee. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was given the same information as provided by the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 1,162 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 45% least complained about).
On average one model year of the Frontier has 22 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 25, about average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Vehicle speed control. Accelerator pedal, cruise control, throttle codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other…
CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “Certification Label” or “VIN Plate/Label” may be needed. HINT: Certification Label =…
- VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended
See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- CAN COMMUNICATION – NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended
See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- CAN COMMUNICATION CODES – DIAGNOSTIC TIPS AND GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended
See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- WINDOW GLASS WARRANTY INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended
See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- REMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended
See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- WINDSHIELD CRACKING This bulletin has been amended
See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR INFOTAINMENT ISSUES This bulletin is no longer active
To access infotainment software updates via the Infotainment Software Update Utility: Select SPECIALTY TOOLS, and then select Infotainment Software Updates on the left side of ASIST. Please discard previous versions of…
- SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR INFOTAINMENT ISSUES This bulletin is no longer active
To access infotainment software updates via the Infotainment Software Update Utility: Select SPECIALTY TOOLS, and then select Infotainment Software Updates on the left side of ASIST. HINT: Initially, the Infotainment…
- RADIO INTERMITTENTLY REBOOTS DURING AUDIO PLAYBACK VIA BLUETOOTH CONNECTED IPHONE This bulletin has been…
RADIO INTERMITTENTLY REBOOTS DURING AUDIO PLAYBACK VIA BLUETOOTH CONNECTED IPHONE This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- NISSANCONNECT NAVIGATION SYSTEM SOFTWARE UPDATE TO RESOLVE SEVERAL ISSUES This bulletin has been amended
See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended
See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
NHTSA lists 58 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Nissan Frontier?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, suspension, service brakes. Total complaints: 25. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (12%), airbag warning light (8%), airbags did not deploy (4%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2018 Nissan Frontier?
NHTSA lists 58 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2018 Nissan Frontier from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2018 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.