NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2023 Nissan Frontier Safety Ratings
The 2023 Nissan Frontier scores 80 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Strong), with a 4-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 1 recall, and 62 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2023 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab 4WD achieves a NHTSA Safety Index of 80/100, ranking it in the Strong category. This represents a notable five-point improvement over the 2022 model, which scored 75/100 and was rated Average. The increase reflects enhanced performance across all three components of our safety index. This outcome presents a credible safety profile for a midsize truck.
The 2023 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab 4WD received a 4-out-of-5 overall NHTSA crash-test rating and a 5-star side-impact score, according to NHTSA NCAP data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 5 Trucks from 2023 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2023 Nissan Frontier ranks 3 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 80 / 100 (Strong) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 4 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 4 / 5 / 3 stars |
| Rollover risk | 20.4% |
| Recalls on file | 1 |
| Owner complaints | 62 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 3 of 5 Trucks tested for 2023 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2023 Nissan Frontier?
The 2023 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab 4WD achieved a 5-star rating for side impact protection, a genuine strength in its crashworthiness profile. This contributes to an overall NHTSA Safety Index of 80/100, an upward step from the 2022 model's 75/100, shifting it into the Strong band. The improvement is evident across all scoring pillars: crash protection rated 57 out of 70, while avoidance technology earned 8.5 out of 10. Standard forward collision warning and electronic stability control are factors in this latter score. The truck's defect record component registered 14.5 out of 20, supported by only one recall campaign. This single recall, addressing a potential tire inner-bead tear on certain 2023 Frontier and Titan units, presents a meaningful, yet contained, safety issue. The 3-star rollover rating, alongside a 20 percent rollover risk, represents a common pattern for body-on-frame trucks and provides an honest counterpoint to its side-impact performance. Owners filed 62 complaints, with concentrations in the Electrical System and Service Brakes categories. Notably, 13 of these complaints specifically concern the Forward Collision Avoidance system, despite its standard inclusion on this trim.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2023 Nissan Frontier perform in crash tests?
Rollover risk for the 2023 Frontier Crew Cab is assessed at 20 percent, resulting in a 3 out of 5 star rating from NHTSA, despite the dynamic tip test concluding with a "No Tip" result. The vehicle's overall safety rating is 4 out of 5 stars. Side-impact protection is a strong point, achieving a perfect 5 star rating, while frontal crash protection earned 4 stars.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 18397
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2023 Nissan Frontier have any recalls?
One recall campaign covers the 2023 Frontier. It targets a potential tire bead defect: the inner bead of affected tires may have a tear, which Nissan North America issued under the TIRES:BEAD category affecting certain 2023 Titan and Frontier vehicles. No park-outside or do-not-drive directive is noted in the available data, but owners should confirm remedy status by VIN.
TIRES:BEAD23V273000
Risk: A rapid loss of tire pressure while driving can lead to a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace all four road tires, or inspect and replace the spare tire assembly, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 10, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PC973 and PC974.
Reported 2023-04-17
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2023 Nissan Frontier?
NHTSA has logged 62 unverified consumer complaints for the 2023 Frontier. The top alleged problem areas are the Electrical System (27 reports), Service Brakes (15), Forward Collision Avoidance (13), and Engine (13). Reported allegations also include 4 crashes, 2 fires, and 2 injuries. These are unverified consumer allegations, not established findings.
62 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2023 Nissan Frontier?
The 2023 Frontier carries a significant open recall concerning the tire bead. Shoppers should verify that the recall remedy has been completed for any specific vehicle before purchase.
- The 2023 Frontier's Safety Index of 80/100 (Strong) is a five-point improvement over the 2022 model's 75/100 (Average), making this a notably stronger safety year for the nameplate.
- The single recall for this model year targets a potential tear in the inner tire bead on certain 2023 Frontier and Titan vehicles, a defect that owners and used-market buyers should verify as remedied via the NHTSA VIN lookup.
- The 5-star NHTSA side-impact rating is the standout crash-test result, while the 3-star rollover rating and 20 percent rollover risk figure represent the clearest crash-protection limitation documented for this year.
- Sixty-two unverified NHTSA complaints have been filed, with the Electrical System (27 alleged reports) and a notable cluster of 13 alleged Forward Collision Avoidance concerns standing out given that the system is standard equipment on this vehicle.
RANKINGSWhere the 2023 Nissan Frontier places
The 2023 Nissan Frontier qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2023 Nissan Frontier safety questions
Was the 2023 Nissan Frontier crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2023 Nissan Frontier, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 80 out of 100, placing it in the Strong band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2023 Nissan Frontier crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2023 Nissan Frontier earned 4 out of 5 stars for overall, 4 out of 5 stars for frontal, 5 out of 5 stars for side, and 3 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 20.4%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2023 Nissan Frontier have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 1 vehicle recall is on file for the 2023 Nissan Frontier. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2023 Nissan Frontier?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 62 owner complaints are on file for the 2023 Nissan Frontier. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash or a fire.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Frontier years
Rivals in Truck (2023)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Nissan Titan | 84/100 | 4 of 5 | 2 |
| 2023 Ram 1500 Classic | 82/100 | 4 of 5 | 0 |
| 2023 Ram 1500 | 70/100 | 5 of 5 | 11 |
| 2023 Ram 2500 | 69/100 | 4 of 5 | 8 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 18397), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Nissan Frontier 2023.
- SCORE The NHTSA Safety Index (0-100) weights crash protection, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the defect record. Full formula on the methodology page. It ranks 3 of 5 in the Truck class for 2023.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.