AI Damage2019 Nissan Frontier: common problems
Owners of the 2019 Nissan Frontier filed 28 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and electrical system. The maker issued 54 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 28
- involving a crash
- 1
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 54
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 25% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 18% of all complaints
- 3 Air bags 18% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 11% of all complaints
- 5 Structure 7% of all complaints
- 6 Steering 7% of all complaints
- 7 Backover prevention 7% of all complaints
- 8 Engine 7% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 7 complaints (25% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 5.
- Electrical system: 5 complaints (18% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 25.
- Air bags: 5 complaints (18% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Service brakes: 3 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Structure: 2 complaints (7% 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 28 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 7 | 0 | 5 |
| Electrical system | 5 | 0 | 25 |
| Air bags | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Backover prevention | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 7 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
When the collision happened, I was wearing seatbelt, and then I was up in the dash/ windshield, there were flames, smoke. The airbags had "exploded" The seatbelt was hanging out of the passenger door after I exited. Still dangling out the door where it did not retract.
I was attempting to drive my Frontier on Christmas day 2025 when several lights appeared on the dash. I also noticed my speedometer no longer functioned. I returned home immediately.
The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the rearview camera became inoperable. The contact stated that the rearview camera image was gray and then blank. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure persisted even after the rearview camera system had been replaced.
This has caused the trucks to shake, idle rough, and have loss of power while driving. Two independent mechanics have inspected the trucks and have replaced multiple parts to try and fix the problem, however, it has been recommended that all three trucks have the engine replaced.
Heater does not warm up. Ran the truck for an hour and no heat to defrost windshield. This also occurs while driving and the defroster won't clear the windshield, and have to resort to using a rag. Looked for possible causes on the internet, and found this is a common complaint.
The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.
The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the infotainment system was inoperative; the contact had to restart the infotainment system several times for the infotainment system to return to normal operation. The failure occurred on several occasions. No warning light was illuminated.
This causes me to pull over without power steering and power brakes. This could happen at any time Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? The dealer has read the code but refuses to work on it without a brand new OEM battery.
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 1,107 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 47% least complained about).
On average one model year of the Frontier has 22 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 28, above average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
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.
- 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.
- SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR INFOTAINMENT ISSUES This bulletin has been amended
See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
NHTSA lists 54 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 2019 Nissan Frontier?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, electrical system, air bags. Total complaints: 28. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (29%), infotainment or screen glitches (14%), A/C or heater (11%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2019 Nissan Frontier?
NHTSA lists 54 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 2019 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 2019 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.