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2021 Nissan Frontier maintenance schedule

The 2021 Frontier is part of the D40 generation (2014-2021), sold as a pickup. Below: its service intervals with the source behind each one, the fluids it takes, and the NHTSA recalls issued for it.

Service schedule

What the 2021 Frontier needs, and when

5 of these 12 items come from Nissan's own published schedule. Manufacturer rows link to Nissan's own schedule, Independent rows to a service shop or parts retailer's published guide. Rows marked Unverified have no source Carlyle could confirm and are shown for completeness.

ServiceIntervalSource
Engine oil and filter

Primary foundational service

5,000 mi / 6 monthsIndependent
Engine air filter

Replace up to 30,000 miles

15,000 miManufacturer
Cabin air filter

Replace up to 30,000 miles

15,000 miManufacturer
Tire rotation

Perform at oil change

5,000 mi / 6 monthsManufacturer
Brake fluid

Major fluid replacement

30,000 miIndependent
Engine coolant

Major fluid replacement

30,000 miIndependent
Transmission fluid

Replacement interval for heavy load

30,000 miIndependent
Spark plugs

Major service interval

105,000 miIndependent
Serpentine belt

Inspect every 10,000 miles / 12 months

Inspect, replace as neededManufacturer
Differential and transfer case fluid (4WD)

Heavy towing lowers interval

30,000 miIndependent
PCV valveInspect, replace as neededUnverified
12V battery

Replace every 3-5 years

3 yearsManufacturer

Intervals are for normal driving; towing, short trips, extreme heat or dust shorten them.

Fluids and engines

What goes in it

Coolant
Nissan Blue Long Life Coolant
Transmission fluid
Matic S (5-AT) / Matic P (9-AT)

Powertrains in this generation

  • 2.5L 4-cyl (QR25DE), 152 hp, 5-MT / 5-AT, RWD
  • 4.0L 6-cyl (VQ40DE), 261 hp, 6-MT / 5-AT, RWD / 4WD
  • 3.8L 6-cyl (VQ38DD), 310 hp, 9-AT, RWD / 4WD

Confirm the exact spec against the owner's manual or the label under the hood; capacities vary by engine and drivetrain.

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA recalls for the 2021 Nissan Frontier

From NHTSA's recall database, matched by model and year. Recall repairs are free at Nissan dealers, and a given car may already be fixed or fall outside a campaign, so check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.

Power train

NHTSA 22V671000

September 2022

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Titan, 2020-2022 Frontier, and 2023 Z vehicles. The transmission parking pawl may not engage when the vehicle is shifted into park, which can result in a vehicle rollaway.

Remedy: Owners are advised to apply the parking brake every time they park their vehicle. Dealers will perform the applicable repairs below, free of charge: • Model Year 2020-2022 Frontier vehicles: reprogram Transmission Control Module (TCM) • Model Year 2020-2022 Titan vehicles: reprogram TCM and Engine Control Module (ECM) • Model Year 2023 Titan vehicles: reprogram TCM • Model Year 2023 Z vehicles: reprogram TCM. Owner notification letters were mailed October 28, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669.

Power train

NHTSA 22V457000

June 2022

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Frontier and Titan vehicles. The transmission parking pawl may not engage when the vehicle is shifted into park, which can result in a vehicle rollaway.

Remedy: Owners are advised to apply the parking brake every time they park their vehicle. Dealers will replace the transmission parking pawl pin, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 2022. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R22A2 R22A3.

Running costs

What maintenance typically costs

A typical year of maintenance
$470

Typical US independent-shop estimates for this generation; they vary by region and condition.

Other Frontier model years

D40 (2014-2021)

20142015201620172018201920202021

Shopping new? The Nissan Frontier guide covers the current model, with what it costs to keep for 1 to 15 years.

Sources

Researched 2026-09-16. Modeling, not mechanic advice - always confirm against your car's owner's manual and service records.

Running a Frontier for income?

Carlyle scores the exact listing on cost per remaining mile and projected Turo income, so you know what a 2021 Frontier earns before you buy it.

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