Buy Nissan Frontier Fender

Nissan Frontier fender (wheel-arch / mudguard / wing panel).

Summary

The fender is the sheet-metal (or composite) skin that wraps the wheel opening and shields the Frontier's body, passengers, and safety sensors from stones, water, and road debris. Nissan has built the Frontier pickup in three main generations since 1997, and every version uses bolted-on front fenders that can be swapped individually when they rust, dent, or crack. Most replacement panels are stamped from galvanized high-strength steel, install with common 10 mm fasteners, and must be painted to match. When the fender is removed, Nissan and I-CAR recommend recalibrating any radar-based driver-assist hardware that lives behind the bumper to keep features like Forward Emergency Braking working correctly. Regular washing, rust-proof coatings, and splash-shield upkeep dramatically extend fender life, while optional fender flares and liners add extra protection.

What It Does

A Frontier fender forms a rigid barrier that:

• Blocks debris so rocks and water do not strike the cabin or pedestrians.
• Supports styling parts like flares, badges, and side marker lamps.
• Directs airflow to cut drag and help engine-bay cooling.
• Houses sensors-a mis-aligned panel can nudge the radar bracket and disable driver-assist features.

Fit Years

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Always match cab style (King-Cab or Crew-Cab) because the inner mounting flange length differs.

Construction

• Metal - Most aftermarket panels list "galvanized high-strength steel," giving extra dent and rust resistance.
• Edge sealant - Factory hem seams use epoxy to keep salt out.
• Inner liner - A recyclable polypropylene splash shield clips to the fender lip to stop mud buildup.
• Finish - Replacements arrive in black E-coat primer ready for sanding and base-coat/clear-coat.

Damage Causes

• Potholes and road debris launch stones that chip paint and start corrosion.
• Low-speed parking scrapes bend the lower flange.
• Coastal salt spray or winter brine accelerates rust at the wheel-lip.

When to Replace

• Paint bubbles or orange rust flakes on the wheel arch.
• Large dents that block door opening or head-lamp alignment.
• ADAS warning lights after a collision to the front corner.

Prep & Tools

• 10 mm socket/ratchet and long extensions (all factory bolts are 10 mm).
• Plastic-clip pry tool for splash-shield pins.
• Panel stand and fender cover to avoid scratching new steel.
• Access to the Nissan collision repair portal for torque specs and corrosion-seal directions.

Install Steps

1. Disconnect negative battery (prevents air-bag or radar faults).
2. Remove wheel & liner: take out all plastic rivets and 10 mm screws around the mudguard.
3. Unbolt top rail: two 10 mm bolts under the rubber cowl strip.
4. Open door fully and undo the hinge-side bolt hidden behind the jamb.
5. Detach lower skirt: two underside bolts at the pinch weld.
6. Lift fender away, transfer any brackets and foam isolators.
7. Test-fit new panel; gap to hood ~3 mm front, 4 mm rear (factory spec).
8. Tighten bolts hand-tight, close hood & door, adjust, then torque to 9 N·m.
9. Re-install liner and wheel; road-test.

Paint & Finish

Use 400-grit for final E-coat scuff, spray base-coat within 24 hours to avoid flash rust, then apply two clear coats for chip strength. A urethane stone-guard layer on the wheel lip helps prevent future rock rash.

ADAS Calibration

Any front-corner repair that disturbs the radar bracket requires calibration with a scan tool and target board before the truck leaves the shop, per Nissan's position statement.

Safety Notes

• 2022-24 Frontier crew-cab models earn an Acceptable rear-seat safety score in IIHS testing. (IIHS)
• Pedestrian automatic braking avoided crashes at 12 mph in IIHS trials, so keep sensors aligned. (IIHS)
• Nissan's corrosion-perforation warranty covers body panels for 60 months/unlimited mileage; surface rust is 12 months/12,500 mi.

Upgrades

• Fender flares in polyurethane, thermoplastic, or fiberglass widen coverage and cut paint chips.
• Inner felt liners lower road noise and trap less salt than bare steel.
• Paint-match rock guards on the leading edge protect from tire spray and keep resale value high.

Care Tips

• Rinse wheel arches weekly and after driving on salted roads.
• Re-coat seams yearly with creeping oil or wax spray.
• Keep tire pressure correct; under-inflation lets debris strike the arch more directly.

Eco Disposal

Old steel fenders are 100 % recyclable. Ask a body shop or municipal center to place them in ferrous-metal bins; most scrap yards pay by weight. Plastic liners can be cleaned and put in #5 PP recycling streams where available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What years of Frontier use the same front fender bolt pattern?
A: 2005-2021 (D40) trucks share mounting points; 2022-present (D41) fits only within its generation.

Q: Is the fender made from aluminum?
A: No. Listings and OEM diagrams show galvanized high-strength steel, not aluminum.

Q: Do I need to remove the front bumper to change the fender?
A: No. You only unclip the bumper corner and head-lamp screws; the bumper can stay on the truck.

Q: Will replacing the fender void my corrosion warranty?
A: If you use Genuine or CAPA-certified steel and apply seam sealer plus factory primer, the rust-through warranty remains intact.

Q: How long does a DIY swap take?
A: Plan on 2-3 hours with hand tools plus extra time for paint drying.

Q: What size bolts secure the splash shield?
A: All shield screws are M6 with 10 mm heads; plastic push-pins hold the rear edge.

Q: Can I drive without the inner fender liner?
A: It is not recommended; the liner blocks water from the engine bay and slows rust, so replace any damaged liner.

Q: Does the Frontier have plastic or steel fender flares from the factory?
A: PRO-4X and Hardbody Edition trims include molded ABS flares; other trims have bare wheel arches.

Q: Will bigger tires rub the new fender?
A: A 33x11.5 in tire clears stock arches on a 2-in lift; larger diameters need a flare or inner lip trim.

Q: After a crash the radar warning light is on-can a body shop fix it?
A: Yes. Shops follow Nissan's radar recalibration procedure after any front-end panel work.

Helpful External References

• Official Frontier specifications
• IIHS crash-test results
• I-CAR Nissan repair portal
• Guide to road-hazard damage
• Rust-proofing discussion