Recall 16V181 affects 1,554 2016 Nissan Frontier trucks for a misplaced starter wire harness that can short. Repair is free at any franchised Nissan dealer.
Nissan is recalling 1,554 2016 Frontier V6 trucks because the starter motor wire harness can sit in the wrong position, letting the terminal contact the heat shield and short. An electrical short increases the risk of a fire, and Nissan dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The starter motor wire harness on the 2016 Nissan Frontier carries electrical power to the starter, the motor that turns the engine when you start the truck. The harness sits in the front underhood area near metal shielding that helps protect nearby parts from heat.
In NHTSA campaign 16V181, the problem is the position of that harness. On affected Frontier trucks, the starter harness terminal was installed in the wrong orientation. That lets the terminal touch the starter heat shield, creating a path for an electrical short instead of keeping the current inside the harness.
There is no warning sign before failure. The issue comes from how the harness was positioned during assembly, so an owner is unlikely to hear, smell, or feel a clear signal before the terminal contacts the heat shield.
Who's affected?
| 2016 Nissan Frontier | electrical system |
|---|---|
| 2016 Nissan Frontier | wiring |
| Units affected | 1,554 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific pickup truck.
What's the safety risk?
An electrical short increases the risk of a fire. Because no warning sign is listed, do not wait for a dashboard light or symptom before arranging service if your VIN is included. The dealer will inspect and reposition the starter wire harness as needed. Repair is free at any franchised Nissan dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016 Nissan Frontier is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Nissan dealer to schedule the free starter-wire-harness inspection and repositioning, which keeps the harness terminal from contacting the heat shield.
- Bring the recall notice if Nissan mailed one. If not, reference recall number 16V181 when you call.
- Limit driving until the inspection is complete, because an electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
- Call Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261 with questions.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Nissan technician inspects the starter wire harness and repositions it if the harness was installed incorrectly near the heat shield. The inspection and any needed repositioning are free under the recall. Out-of-pocket repairs already paid are handled through the existing warranty, not through a separate reimbursement program, since the subject vehicles are under warranty. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| March 30, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
|---|---|
| March 30, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| March 31, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
| April 13, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V181?
Recall 16V181 covers 1,554 2016 Nissan Frontier V6 vehicles with a starter wire harness that can contact the heat shield and create an electrical short. That short increases fire risk. Nissan dealers inspect and reposition the starter wire harness for free.
What should I do if my 2016 Nissan Frontier is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Frontier is included in recall 16V181. If it is, call a franchised Nissan dealer to schedule the starter wire harness inspection and repositioning. Reference recall 16V181 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Nissan's remedy says dealers inspect and reposition the starter wire harness free of charge. Use a franchised Nissan dealer and reference recall 16V181 when you schedule.
What is the safety risk in recall 16V181?
The safety risk is fire. In affected 2016 Nissan Frontier V6 vehicles, the starter wire harness can sit in the wrong position, touch the heat shield, and create an electrical short. Nissan's remedy is a free dealer inspection and harness repositioning.
What if I bought my 2016 Nissan Frontier used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to honor the recall regardless of ownership history. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Frontier is included, then call a franchised Nissan dealer and reference recall 16V181.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V181000 |
|---|---|
| Nissan customer service | 1-800-647-7261 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V181 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V181000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →