Why Nissan Frontier Needs a Remodel Not a Change in Quality

The 2016 Nissan Frontier is the highest ranked mid-size pickup in the J.D. Power 2016 U.S. Initial Quality Study. What does this mean for mid-size truck buyers?

The 2016 Nissan Frontier pickup needs a complete remodel. It doesn’t need a change to its build quality. The Frontier mid-size pickup is tops in the J.D. Power 2016 U.S. Initial Quality Study (IQS). Frontier beats GMC Canyon (#2) and Chevy Colorado (#3). The Toyota Tacoma was number four on the list. What does the study tell mid-size truck buyers?

Nissan is doing a good job of building vehicles. They experience fewer problems than other brands. The J.D. Power IQS study examines problems experienced by vehicle owners during the first 90 days of ownership. Initial quality is determined by the number of problems experienced per 100 vehicles (PP100), with a lower score reflecting higher quality. The Nissan Frontier had the lowest score among mid-size pickups. Buyers can expect less problems in these vehicles.

How is the study conducted?

J.D Power surveyed more than 80,000 purchasers and lessees of new 2016 model-year vehicles in this year’s IQS. They ask 233 questions in eight different categories to determine the identification of problems in the vehicles. The study ran from February through May 2016. What is Nissan doing for Frontier to get the high ranking?

Nissan credits their skilled workers

Nissan credits the top Frontier pickup numbers to their skilled workers at plants around the globe. The Nissan brand also jumped 10 spots, to 10th place overall among 32 brands. This improvement moves Nissan up five positions to the sixth spot among all non-premium brands. Nissan’s 2016 results are four PP100 better than the Industry average of 105. The Nissan Frontier is manufactured at Nissan’s plant in Canton, Mississippi.

Two other top Nissan models

Two other Nissan models earned high rankings within their segments. The 2016 Altima and 2016 Murano ranked among the top three in their respective classes. Altima missed the top spot in the competitive mid-size sedan category by one point. Nissan’s Murano was three PP100 out of top spot in mid-size CUV.

The 2016 Nissan Frontier needs a remodel to stay competitive with the newly-revamped 2016 GMC Canyon, Chevy Colorado and Toyota Tacoma. What it doesn’t need is a change in quality. It gets the highest ranking in the J.D. Power 2016 U.S. Initial Quality Study.

Source: Nissan

Image source: Nissan