Nissan Frontier (‘16-‘19) any good?

[Lazy8s]

My trucks wiring harness is fried and…screw that.

Frontiers seem to have great reliability ratings and they fall into a more acceptable price range than other mid-size trucks. The styling is stale and dated, but they drive/handle decently and I’ve found some decent deals locally.

Any thoughts/experiences with them?

Thanks guys

[Elysian]

I liked the one I test drove before I bought my Colorado, only reason I picked the Colorado was because the interior on the Frontier felt so dated. That was when I ****ed up

[Lazy8s]

Originally Posted by Elysian

I liked the one I test drove before I bought my Colorado, only reason I picked the Colorado was because the interior on the Frontier felt so dated. That was when I ****ed up

I scratched the Colorado right off the list because of what you went through lol.

[Munkus]

I haven't read good reviews about the Frontier on the reliability front, but Japanese trucks always seem to lag behind the US in terms of in-cabin tech and comfort.

Have you thought about a Tacoma or Tundra?

[Elysian]

Originally Posted by Munkus

I haven't read good reviews about the Frontier on the reliability front, but Japanese trucks always seem to lag behind the US in terms of in-cabin tech and comfort.

Have you thought about a Tacoma or Tundra?

I haven't heard much about them about reliability, but I've had Nissans in the past that were some of the most reliable vehicles I've owned. One of my neighbors owns this year range of Frontier and it's never given him trouble, but that's also just one guy.

This year range of Frontier is incredibly affordable, where a Tundra or Tacoma isn't, so I can see why OP is looking at it. When I bought my Colorado I could have gotten one of these brand new for $20k or under.

[Munkus]

Originally Posted by Elysian

I haven't heard much about them about reliability, but I've had Nissans in the past that were some of the most reliable vehicles I've owned. One of my neighbors owns this year range of Frontier and it's never given him trouble, but that's also just one guy.

This year range of Frontier is incredibly affordable, where a Tundra or Tacoma isn't, so I can see why OP is looking at it. When I bought my Colorado I could have gotten one of these brand new for $20k or under.

Good to hear.

They don't seem to have a lot of bed space for hauling stuff, so that's a consideration. Neither does the Tacoma for that matter. I'm more of a big truck guy, so my Silverado 1500 with the 6' bed is the minimum for me. Once this dies, I'll probably get a Tundra for reliability.

[Lazy8s]

Originally Posted by Munkus

Good to hear.

They don't seem to have a lot of bed space for hauling stuff, so that's a consideration. Neither does the Tacoma for that matter. I'm more of a big truck guy, so my Silverado 1500 with the 6' bed is the minimum for me. Once this dies, I'll probably get a Tundra for reliability.

I did look at the Tacomas. We’re going mid-size because of city driving, but on the Tacoma, to get a ‘newer’ used Tacoma the mileage has to be high, really high to get the price to equal the Frontier for a given year. I can get a nicely equipped 2017 Frontier with 30k miles for $25-28k….A same year, similar mileage Tacoma here goes for $30k-$37k.

I’ve been researching consumer reports, reviews for various year models and some “In hindsight” reviews, like one from TFLT on YT - they seem to be a really solid, really boring vehicle.

Boring is good with me right now, s long as it does what I need it to.

[Nunz]

After all that work on the truck, you're gonna let a wiring harness best you?!?

FIX IT!!

[Lazy8s]

Originally Posted by Nunz

After all that work on the truck, you're gonna let a wiring harness best you?!?

FIX IT!!

My mechanic gave me a diagram showing the potential location of all the breaks. As this is stuff I never saw coming, I’m afraid of what might come next.

I’ll also be taking my Mom into Boston for chemo more regularly this next few months…so I need something as reliable as I can afford

[Nunz]

Best of luck to your mother. I know how that goes..

[Lazy8s]

Originally Posted by Nunz

Best of luck to your mother. I know how that goes..

I know you do, thanks Nunz

[Elysian]

Originally Posted by Munkus

Good to hear.

They don't seem to have a lot of bed space for hauling stuff, so that's a consideration. Neither does the Tacoma for that matter. I'm more of a big truck guy, so my Silverado 1500 with the 6' bed is the minimum for me. Once this dies, I'll probably get a Tundra for reliability.

I went from an F150 with a 6.5ft bed to my Colorado with a 6ft bed and didn't really miss the extra space. Even hauled home a bed full of decomposed granite in the Colorado and it handled it fairly well (and yeah it was over capacity, but I don't own that truck anymore ).



Obviously depends on the owner, but I was always hauling stuff with both trucks and did well with the Colorado. I wouldn't have wanted to try hauling a car with it, my F150 handled that like a champ, but the smaller bed did well for all of my needs beyond that.

edit: Biggest difference was there wasn't 4' between the wheel wells, so a 4x8 sheet wouldn't sit flat in the bed. Remedy for that is to keep the tailgate up and stack them on top of the tailgate. They still fit within the sides of the bed, and they kind of look like a spoiler when they stick over the tailgate

[Trunks0]

Careful on the Tacoma trucks. Frame Rust has been an issue.

https://carfromjapan.com/article/ind...-frame-recall/

I know, older trucks. But given the current situation where things can be hard to find, it's worth knowing about. Plus if you google about it, there are newer models with the issue.

[Lazy8s]

Originally Posted by Trunks0

Careful on the Tacoma trucks. Frame Rust has been an issue.

https://carfromjapan.com/article/ind...-frame-recall/

I know, older trucks. But given the current situation where things can be hard to find, it's worth knowing about. Plus if you google about it, there are newer models with the issue.

Thank Trunks - it’ll definitely be a Frontier. I’d like a Tacoma, but the extra $$ over the Nissan is too much.

[acroig]

Originally Posted by Nunz

Best of luck to your mother.

Seconded, all my best.

[Clockwork]

From what I know about Nissan Frontiers, they are decent (especially considering their price) but certainly not amazing trucks, and they are also severely outdated (unless you get the redesigned 2022 model). Reviews indicate those have their own issues though.

[Elysian]

Those 2022's look real sharp though, pretty surprised they made such a good looking truck, given the Titan

[Lazy8s]

Originally Posted by Clockwork

From what I know about Nissan Frontiers, they are decent (especially considering their price) but certainly not amazing trucks, and they are also severely outdated (unless you get the redesigned 2022 model). Reviews indicate those have their own issues though.

That’s exactly what I’ve been reading in almost every review. Reliable, but dated and rather boring.

[Lazy8s]

Originally Posted by Elysian

Those 2022's look real sharp though, pretty surprised they made such a good looking truck, given the Titan

True. My buddy suggested I look at the Titans…that was a nope lol.

[Elysian]

Originally Posted by Lazy8s

That’s exactly what I’ve been reading in almost every review. Reliable, but dated and rather boring.

It's a very old platform, but that is also why it's so reliable. Tried and tested. If I got one instead of the Colorado I'm about 100% certain I'd still have it.

[Lazy8s]

Originally Posted by Elysian

It's a very old platform, but that is also why it's so reliable. Tried and tested. If I got one instead of the Colorado I'm about 100% certain I'd still have it.

That’s all I want at the moment Just about everyone I know who’s buying newer always seem to run into one issue or another, so tried and tested just sounds refreshing at this point.

[Greasy]

Those are reliable trucks. I see them all over with 100K plus on them. The interior has to be better than that old dodge you had. :P

[Sasquach]

I believe the Frontiers suffer from the same issue that the Tundra suffers.....they're old as **** and feel just like they did when they first came out some 14 or so years ago before its 2022 redesign.

Which is both a boon and a bust.....boon cuz its dead reliable and just works, bust cuz it feels so old and outdated (depends on how much you care about that though)

These trucks are good cuz they're also super popular outside of the US as well (Nissan Frontier = Nissan Navara, Toyota Tacoma is sort of related to the Hilux, but the Tacoma is more "built for the US" market)

[bill dennison]

clutch plates are too small and the 4 cylinder doesn't have the power for a automatic so get a 6 cylinder automatic

on my 3rd nissan frontier 1998, 2012, 2016 and a 1986.5 hardbody

got 275000+ miles out of the 1986.5 hardbody and 185,000 out of the 1998

my 2012 was rear ended and totaled at 47,000 don't let a frontier get rear ended with a trailer hitch on it bends the frame above tha rear axal

i got 57,000 on the 2016 and it is fine 4 cylinder but it doesn't like to back up with a work trailer with weight so i don't do it
as it will burn the clutch plates if not very careful

but i don't think i would buy another one for work with gas at 4 bucks and on the way to 5 or 6 a gal
i only get about 19 miles a gal with all the tools and about 14 with the work trailer
i've been registered for a f150 ford lightning from day one but i think they will be harder to get than a 3080 strix at msrp

[pax]

As long as it doesnt have that **** jetco cvt you're good to go my sis has owned nissans and thankfully only drives stick since the day I taught her. Had a bud who had a frontier as well and he loved it. Solid little trucks as good as the tacoma imo but def not heavy duty.

[Lazy8s]

Originally Posted by Greasy

Those are reliable trucks. I see them all over with 100K plus on them. The interior has to be better than that old dodge you had. :P

That old Dodge is comfortable as heck man

I’m pretty much sold on the Frontier guys, unless another model crosses my path that’s just too good to say no too.

What I’m seeing here and literally every review I have watched or read:

1. Quite reliable
2. Very dated (but so am I lol)
3. Decent towing for what it is, just don’t overdo / overload it too often.
4. Still some decent (relative to other models) deals around that won’t wreck the bank.

I’ve got a couple picked out that I’m looking at over the next couple of days.

As always, appreciate the feedback guys

[Lazy8s]

I just test drove a 2016 with 50k miles on it, a few options, nothing special and it’s exactly what everyone says it is. Just a nice, solid, but boring and dated mid-size pickup truck.

It’s fairly comfortable, but I’m getting hung up on the size. The dealer has some deals on each of the big 3 as well, so I’ll head back tomorrow and drive some of those. It’s also supposed to be sunny, as opposed to the deluge we’re getting now. Inspecting a vehicle in the driving rain just isn’t fun.

[Lazy8s]

It’s official. Bought the one I mentioned above.

Appreciate the feedback gents

[Elysian]

Nice, can't wait for pics

[Lazy8s]

Originally Posted by Elysian

Nice, can't wait for pics

Me either lol

It’s nothing fancy…just a nice, well equipped (and almost immaculate) little truck. Just what the doctor and the bank account ordered