Are you looking for a truck but don’t know which one is better suited for you? If you are like most people, you will probably want to know whether the truck you’re considering is reliable. So let’s take a look at the 2020 Nissan Frontier reliability.
How reliable is the 2020 Nissan Frontier?
The J.D. Power 2020 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study rated the 2020 Nissan Frontier as the top-ranked midsize truck, with the Honda Ridgeline and the Toyota Tacoma also making the list.
- Owner Reviews: No reviews yet
- Expert Reviews: No reviews yet
Let’s take a closer look at this vehicle. We have compiled data from the NHTSA website, the database from Vehicle History, and other reputable sources. We will give you expert reviews, owner reviews, crash ratings, and recalls. Then we will round it out with some pros and cons.
Having all this information in one place will help you make a more informed decision about whether or not this truck is the right one for you. But first, we are going to go over a little bit of the Nissan Frontier’s history.
Looking Back at the Nissan Frontier
Nissan was founded in Japan in 1928. Nissan later expanded its market to the U.S. in 1958. But in the U.S., it was called Datsun. The first quarter-ton Datsun truck was imported to the U.S. in 1958, and it had a 37-HP 1000-cc engine. It was later changed to a 48-HP 1200-cc engine.
In 1965, the Datsun 320 was the first upgrade to their basic truck. It had a 60-HP engine, and it was Nissan’s first four-speed floor shift truck. These trucks were first showcased at the 1959 Los Angeles Auto Show.
As global demand grew, Nissan began manufacturing the brand in Mexico in 1966. In 1975, Datsun became the top U.S. vehicle importer, with Toyota not far behind. Datsun’s original production began in 1931. But from 1958 to 1986, only vehicles exported by Nissan were called Datsun.
The first American factory opened in Smyrna, Tennessee in 1983. In 1986, Nissan phased out the Datsun name. This name change for 1,100 Datsun dealerships cost the company $30 million.
Now let’s take a closer look at some other important information about the 2020 Nissan Frontier.
Expert Reviews
All the experts comment that the Frontier is an old design with a brand-new engine and transmission. The Frontier hasn’t been redesigned since 2005—that’s 15 years, which is almost unheard of in the auto industry.
The Frontier is slated to be redesigned. The redesigned model was supposed to be available sometime at the end of 2020, but that still remains to be seen. Oddly enough, though, Nissan did put a new 3.8-liter V6 engine and a nine-speed automatic transmission into the 2020 Frontier models.
So while we are waiting for the new design, if you want to buy a Frontier now, you can get one with the upgraded engine and transmission. But, if you can wait for the newly redesigned model, you should probably do so.
With that said, J.D. Power mentions that the old design has aged well and has a rugged, timeless simplicity to it. And, they love the new powertrain, stating that it’s terrific. However, they also say, overall, there isn’t much to recommend when it comes to a 2020 Frontier. This vehicle lags behind all its competitors in every key area.
Owner Reviews
Even though this truck is a bit outdated design-wise, there are plenty of positive owner reviews about it. And, according to Cars.com, owners of this truck give it 5 stars for dependability. Also, 100% of those owner reviews give it an overall 5-star rating and highly recommend it. So it just depends on your specific taste in vehicles.
Here are some of the positive and negative owner reviews about the Frontier.
Positive owner reviews:
- A proven design with an improved drivetrain.
- It has plenty of power and is a great-looking truck.
- This truck is reliable, comfortable, and safe.
- It’s good on gas, and there are no major issues.
- This is the best truck for the money.
The funny thing about these owner reviews is that what some people love about them other people hate… keep reading, and you will see what we mean.
Negative owner reviews:
- The gas mileage and range aren’t great.
- It lacks engine power.
- It is hard to get in and out of the front seats.
- It is hard to get in and out of the back seats.
- It doesn’t have a smooth running engine.
Crash Ratings and Recalls
The 2020 Nissan Frontier has an NHTSA overall four-star crash rating. The frontal crash ratings are terrible, though. The front driver’s side gets three stars, and the front passenger side only gets two stars. Yikes! And, the rollover rating is only three stars with a rollover risk of 21.20%.
But with that said, the side crash ratings are phenomenal and receive five stars across the board. This is how the Frontier averaged out at an overall four-star crash rating. So that is something to consider.
As far as recalls go, according to NHTSA, there are no current recalls, no complaints, and no investigations for this model truck.
Now to round it all out, let’s look at some of the pros and cons. This should help you make a final decision about whether or not this truck is for you.
The 2020 Nissan Frontier Pros and Cons
Here are some of the Frontier’s pros and cons, according to the experts.
Pros:
- The new powertrain with a 3.8-liter V6 engine and a nine-speed automatic transmission is a huge improvement.
- You get a lot of truck for the money with a very low starting price.
- This is a tried-and-true vehicle that has stood the test of time.
- The Frontier is easy to drive and has a smooth ride. The nine-speed automatic transmission shifts nicely.
- The ride quality is comfortable, and its motions are well-controlled.
Cons:
- The interior is outdated and is a bit noisy.
- It has lower towing and hauling capabilities than its competitors.
- The crash ratings are poor, especially the frontal and rollover ratings.
- There are absolutely no frills on this truck.
- There are no driver’s assistance features available.
Final Thoughts…
Even though the Frontier’s design is dated, the new motor and transmission make it a winner for many people. And, the very affordable price for what you get is appealing as well. The main drawbacks, aside from the outdated design, are the crash test results, especially the frontal tests.
But, if you like the older design and like having a basic truck, or, you like the cost of this truck for what you get—then perhaps this is the right truck for you.
What’s Next?
Click here now for your free Vehicle History report.
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You can use this resource to look up as many vehicle history reports as you want. You will also have access to reviews, safety records, vehicle specs, and more. This information will help you make informed decisions about which vehicle is the best possible one for you.
