DecodedCars2018 Nissan Frontier
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2018 models.
- Class
- Small 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
- 2.5L 4-cyl, 4.0L 6-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline, FFV
- MPG (best)
- 21 combined · 19 city / 23 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 complaints25 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 209 for similar models.
Watch out for
- Higher rollover riskNHTSA estimates a 21.2% chance of rollover in a single-vehicle crash.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 3 similar 2018 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2018 Nissan Frontier is a small pickup truck offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 4.0L 6-cyl) 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 21 MPG combined (19 city / 23 highway), 0% better than the 2018 small pickup truck average of 21.1 MPG, for an estimated $3,200 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 25 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the unknown or other.
What changed for 2018
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2017 Frontier — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2017; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2017 Frontier →
Trims, performance & features
Built in: Canton, Mississippi
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 1 2018 Frontier configuration; 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 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 | 2.5L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 / 23 / 21 | 0% | $3,200 | 431 |
| Frontier 2WD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 22 / 19 | -10% | $3,550 | 467 |
| Frontier 2WD | 4.0L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 23 / 19 | -10% | $3,550 | 478 |
| Frontier 2WD | 4.0L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 22 / 19 | -10% | $3,550 | 479 |
| Frontier 2WD FFV FFV | 4.0L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 22 / 18 | -15% | $3,700 | 494 |
| Frontier 4WD | 4.0L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 16 / 21 / 18 | -7% | $3,700 | 507 |
| Frontier 4WD | 4.0L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 15 / 21 / 17 | -12% | $3,950 | 519 |
| Frontier 4WD FFV FFV | 4.0L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 15 / 21 / 17 | -12% | $3,950 | 520 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2018 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC RWD | Not rated | ★★★★★ | 3★ / 2★ | Not rated | Not rated | ★★★★★ | 21.2% |
| 2018 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC AWD | Not rated | ★★★★★ | 3★ / 2★ | Not rated | Not rated | ★★★★★ | 19.8% |
| 2018 Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC AWD | Not rated | Not rated | –★ / –★ | Not rated | Not rated | ★★★★★ | 19.8% |
| 2018 Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC RWD | Not rated | Not rated | –★ / –★ | Not rated | Not rated | ★★★★★ | 21.2% |
Similar 2018 small pickup trucks
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Nissan Frontier (this car) | 21 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2018 Ford F-150 | 25 MPG | Not rated | 18 |
| 2018 Toyota Tacoma | 21 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2018 Honda Ridgeline | 22 MPG | ★★★★★ | 7 |
Recalls (2)
Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera · Sep 12, 2019
NHTSA campaign 19V654000 · 1,228,830 vehicles
- Problem
- Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
- Risk
- The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200.
Electrical System › Ignition · Aug 21, 2018
NHTSA campaign 18V551000 · 153,047 vehicles
- Problem
- Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2017 Nissan NV200, Sentra, NV3500 Van, NV3500 Bus, NV200 Taxi, NV1500, NV2500 Van, Chevrolet City Express, 2017-2018 Frontier, Versa Note, and Versa Sedan vehicles that have a mechanical (physical) key ignition system. In these models, over time, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.
- Risk
- If the vehicle stalls, it can increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the production information on the ignition switch, and replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
Not every 2018 Nissan Frontier is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2018 Nissan Frontier buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Electrical System — 4 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Service Brakes — 3 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
- Suspension — 3 owner reports. Drive over bumps and listen for clunks; look for uneven tire wear.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 9,745 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 2018 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 →