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 As a mid-size truck, the 2022 Nissan Frontier has found great success. But, not all Frontier pickups have been built equally. Although the Frontier was essentially the same truck from 2005 until the current era, the new Frontier marks a whole new pickup truck. Bringing a standard V6 engine and an updated interior, some shoppers may be looking to the old mid-size truck from Nissan. But, can you buy a used Nissan Frontier with confidence, considering some models may have transmission issues?

Is the Nissan Frontier reliable?

Generally speaking, the Nissan Frontier is a reliable truck, but there are some years that are better off avoided. When the second-generation Frontier was introduced in 2005, it did face some transmission issues. Apparently, coolant can leak into the transmission. This was caused by a radiator leak, and it affected Nissan trucks from 2005 until 2008.

A yellow Nissan Frontier sits on a beach.
Nissan Frontier | IFCAR

If your Nissan truck is impacted by this problem, its transmission can fail. And unfortunately, that is an expensive fix. Coolant will dilute transmission fluid, which means your Frontier may not be able to shift or function as it should. 

Should you buy a Nissan truck?

Nissan has a long history of producing trucks like the Frontier and Titan. Depending on your specific needs, both should be considered. The Nissan Frontier is a mid-size truck that now comes with a standard V6 engine that makes 310 horsepower. 

A green 2022 Nissan Frontier compact pickup truck parked on a grass field near a mountain range covered in forest trees
2022 Nissan Frontier | Nissan Motor Corporation

When properly equipped, the 2022 Nissan Frontier can tow 6,720 lbs. This is a reflection of Nissan’s commitment to the compact pickup segment. Additionally, the Frontier is still available in multiple trim levels. These trims range from a work spec to the off-road truck the PRO-4X. 

By far, the Nissan Frontier PRO-4X is the most expensive Frontier model. But, it is cheaper than rivals like the 2022 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro. And for some, that may make Nissan’s mid-size pickup the more attractive option.

Is the 2022 Nissan Frontier expensive?

In terms of cost, the Frontier has a starting price of $28,690. While this is more expensive than the outgoing model, it still means that you can get a new Nissan truck for less than $30,000. In terms of which Nissan Frontier is right to buy, it depends on your specific needs. 

A 2022 Nissan Frontier mid-size trucks tears up the desert.
Nissan Frontier | Nissan

According to Car and Driver, the ideal 2022 Frontier is the SV model. This truck can be had with four-wheel drive as well as the crew cab configuration. The starting MSRP of this version is $35,790. 

The PRO-4X Frontier has a cost of $38,120. That is cheaper than the Tacoma TRD Pro, but it still is not necessarily cheap. But you do get off-road equipment like Bilstein shocks, skid plates, and an aggressive design. 

Where the 2022 Frontier may fall short is its lack of manual transmission. Now, the Frontier is only available with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Unfortunately, that means you can no longer get hand-made shifts in this pickup. Still, it is worth noting that this mid-size truck is nearly all-new for 2022. Which does help to make up for that fact.

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