1998 Nissan Frontier

Routine

Owners filed 129 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. It has been recalled 5 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
110,000 milesMedian miles at failure

33 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 120,000150,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System13
000
Tires11
203
Tires › Tread/Belt8
000
Suspension7
000
Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel6
000
Air Bags › Frontal6
506
Suspension › Front › Springs › Torsion Bar4
000
Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery4
000
Unknown or Other3
000
Tires › Sidewall3
000

5 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting › Headlights09E025000
Filed May 11, 200942,540 vehiclesDope, Inc.

Defect. DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Exterior Lighting09E012000
Filed Apr 7, 200916,270 vehiclesSabersport

Defect. SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Exterior Lighting06E026000
Filed Mar 23, 200661,944 vehiclesPro-A Motors, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy. PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Gear Position Indication (prndl)98V064000
Filed Mar 25, 19983,000 vehiclesNissan North America, Inc.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PASSENGER TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. A SECURING PIN INSIDE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL DEVICE ASSEMBLY CAN COME LOOSE ALLOWING THE SHIFT LEVER TO BE INADVERTENTLY MOVED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION.

Risk. THIS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH IF THE PARKING BRAKE IS NOT ENGAGED.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL DEVICE ASSEMBLY AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY.

Seat Belts › Front › Webbing98V065000
Filed Mar 25, 199820,000 vehiclesNissan North America, Inc.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PASSENGER TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH BUCKET SEATS. IN CERTAIN FRONTAL CRASHES, THE FRONT SEAT BELT CAN SLIP BETWEEN THE SEAT BOTTOM FINISHER AND THE SEAT BACK PLASTIC RECLINER HANDLE WHERE IT CAN BE CUT BY THE SHARP EDGE OF THE METAL PORTION OF THE RECLINER LEVER.

Risk. IF THE SEAT BELT IS COMPLETELY SEVERED, IT CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY TO AN OCCUPANT IN A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PLASTIC HANDLE ON THE END OF THE SEAT BACK RECLINING LEVER FWITH A DIFFERENT SHAPE HANDLE WHICH WILL PREVENT THE SEAT BELT FROM SLIPPING BETWEEN THE HANDLE AND THE SEAT.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Engine and Engine Cooling1 injured
Filed Mar 14, 2023145,000 milesNC

The contact owns a 1995 Nissan Frontier XE. The contact stated upon opening the hood to check the engine oil level at the fuel station, the radiator blew out and propelled a hot anti-freeze that burned his upper body. The contact was transported to the hospital with the assistance of a friend. The contact received medical assistance and was informed that he had sustained second and third-degree burns on the stomach and waist area. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.

Seat Belts
Filed May 17, 2022TN

Driver's side seat belt receptacle failed in fall of 2021. Nissan initially said they would replace it, but in May of 2022 reported that the part is "unavailable."

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Nov 12, 201870,000 milesNC

I WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL CRASH WHERE A VEHICLE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME. BOTH VEHICLES WERE A TOTAL LOSS RESUTING PERSONAL INJURY TO ME. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS TRAVELING 55 MPH ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY AT TIIME OF A ACCIDENT. I HAD TO HAVE BRAIN SURGERY AS A RESULT. I HAD OTHER INJURIES ALSO. THE AIR BAGS COULD HAVD LESSENING IF NOT HAVE PREVENTED THE INJURY. I WILL HAVE TO CONFIRM THE DXACT DATE BUT THE DATE I PUT IS CLOSE TO BEST OF MY MEMORY. I CAN CONFIRM EXACT DATE BUT WILL HAVE TO RESEARCH IT.

Engine
Filed Aug 30, 2018WA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE CONSTANTLY LOST POWER. THE DEALER (CAMPBELL NISSAN OF EDMONDS, 24325 WA-99, EDMONDS, WA 98026, (425) 774-2174) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A PERMANENT REMEDY TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TWO DIFFERENT INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FIRST INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REBUILT THE ENGINE, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT HAD TO GO ACROSS FOUR LANES OF TRAFFIC TO AN EXIT RAMP AS THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SECOND INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED EIGHT TSBS FOR THE ENGINE, BUT NO RECALLS FOR THE ENGINE CONCERNING THIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jun 9, 2017136,700 milesOR

DRIVING DOWN ROAD INSTRUMENT PANEL, ODOMETER, SPEEDOMETER WORK INTERMENTELY. BATTERY IS BEING OVERCHARGED. HAVE REPLACED 2 BATTERIES AND 1 ALTERNATOR AND NOW IT DOSENT CHARGE AT ALL. TRUCK LOST POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION. THIS HAS HAPPEND MORE THAN ONCE AND HAD TO PUSH IT TO SIDE OF ROAD AND GET IT TOWED.

Structure › Body
Filed Aug 10, 2016150,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLINER DISINTEGRATED AND RUBBER FOAM DEBRIS, WHICH PRODUCED A FOUL ODOR, FILLED THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Structure › Body
Filed Aug 5, 2016OH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLINER SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE AND FOAM PIECES EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INHALED ABNORMAL FUMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.

Power Train
Filed Nov 13, 2015110,323 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT TO DRIVE POSITION FROM THE PARK POSITION, THE GEAR SHIFT BECAME INOPERABLE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT BEGAN TO FUNCTION AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SENSORS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,323.

Wheels
Filed Oct 7, 201580,000 milesWA

FIRESTONE WILDERNESS TIRES SEPARATED WHILE DRIVING.

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Aug 18, 2015110,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENTAL CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. MA 10/5 THE CONSUMER STATED THE GAS GAUGE ALWAYS READ FULL, THE ODOMETER ALWAYS READ 99999.9 AND THE SPEEDOMETER ALWAYS READ ZERO. UPDATED 03/03/16*JB

Electrical System
Filed Apr 23, 201564,000 milesVA

THE DASHBOARD GIVES ERRONEOUS READINGS, THIS INCLUDES THE ODOMETER, THE SPEEDOMETER, FUEL GAUGE , HEAT GAUGE. THIS MAY CAUSE AN OVER HEATING OF VEHICLE, ERRONEOUS SPEEDS, RUNNING OUT OF FUEL, ERRONEOUS ODOMETER. NISSAN WILL NOT PAY FOR DIAGNOSIS STATING THE DEALER IS IN COMPLETE CHARGE OF PRICING FOR DIAGNOSIS OF 100.00 WITH NO GUARANTEE OF REIMBURSEMENT. THE MAKER OF VEHICLE SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE NOT THE DEALER AFTER ALL NISSAN MADE THE VEHICLE. WHILE CHECKING ONLINE IT APPEARS TO BE A PREVALENT ISSUE WITH NISSAN FRONTIERS TRUCKS. VARIOUS CALLS HAVE BEEN ON DEAF EARS. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Mar 31, 2015FL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER FLUCTUATED. IN ADDITION, AFTER THE VEHICLE EXCEEDED THE MILEAGE READING 999,999, THE FUEL GAUGE BECAME INOPERATIVE AND THE RPM READING FLUCTUATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Electrical System
Filed Jun 29, 2014CA

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED. SPEEDOMETER AND GAS GAUGE MALFUNCTIONING. INACCURATE READINGS. NO REPLACEMENT PART OR REPAIR AVAILABLE. *TR

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Jun 18, 2014MO

1998 NISSAN FRONTIER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE PLASTIC HEADLIGHTS ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE PLASTIC HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT BRIGHT. *JB

Electrical System
Filed Mar 25, 2014IN

ALL GAUGES ARE NON-RESPONSIVE. THERE IS NO WAY TO INDICATE HOW FAST YOU'RE GOING, IF YOU HAVE FUEL, WHAT THE RPM IS, WHAT THE MILEAGE IS ON THE VEHICLE, OR IF THE VEHICLE IS TOO HOT OR TOO COLD. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS IN CUSTOMER REVIEW WEBSITES THAT I HAVE READ AFTER MY VEHICLE'S PROBLEM STARTED. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THAT NISSAN SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT APPEARS TO BE FAULTY COMPONENTS IN THE INSTRUMENT GAUGE CLUSTER. THIS PROBLEM ALSO PREVENTS OWNERS TO REGISTER/PASS INSPECTION/DRIVE THEIR VEHICLE WITH STATE INSPECTION LAWS. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jul 24, 201260,000 milesTX

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STARTED TO FAIL, FIRST THE SPEEDOMETER, THEN GAS AND HEAT GAUGES, NOW EVERYTHING IS PEGGED AND SPEEDO READS 9999999. *TR

Tires
Filed Jun 29, 2012115,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN FRONTIER PICKUP, EQUIPPED WITH COOPER DISCOVERER HT TIRES, SIZE LT235/70/R15. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TREAD EXHIBITED A BULGE AND WAS CAUSING TREAD SEPARATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE TIRES WERE FOUND IN VERY BAD CONDITIONS. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE TIRES WERE NOT SAFE TO DRIVE ON. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE VEHICLE MILEAGE WAS 115,000. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE TIRES WAS 11,000.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 22, 2011127,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO READANY OF THE GAUGES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSIS THAT LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CIRCUIT BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 128,000.

Electrical System
Filed Jun 11, 2011140,000 milesTX

98 NISSAN FRONTIER INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS ARE DEFECTIVE. THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON LINE AND NO PARTS AVAILABLE. MINE STARTED FIRST BY THE SPEEDOMETER BEING OFF. THIS COST ME TWO SPEEDING TICKETS AND TWO SPEEDING WARNINGS BEFORE I REALIZED WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THEN THE SPEEDOMETER QUIT WORKING ALL TOGETHER THEN THE FUEL GAUGE NOW EVERYTHING FUEL,TEMP,SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER AND TACHOMETER ALL OF THEM QUIT WORKING. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED A LONG TIME AGO. THE PROBLEM IS NISSAN CAN'T EVEN FIX THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE AND THE COMPANY THAT MANUFACTURED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS WENT OUT OF BUSINESS. WHEN THIS PROBLEM FIRST STARTED I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW I HAD AN ISSUE BECAUSE IT WAS JUST THE SPEED OFF BY ABOUT 10 MILES PER HOUR IT SAID I WAS GOING SLOWER THEN I WAS ACTUALLY GOING. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN INVESTIGATED AND RECALLED ALONG TIME AGO. WHAT ABOUT PEOPLE DRIVING THROUGH SCHOOL ZONES WITH CHILDREN? *TR

Power Train
Filed Aug 23, 2010162,100 milesWV

I HAVE A 98 FRONTIER WHICH HAS TWICE IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS INEXPLICABLY REVED THE ENGINE, ON IT'S OWN, TO ALMOST 6000 RPMS IN CONJUNCTION WITH THIS IS AN INCREASE IN SPEED. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I HAD JUST LEFT A GARAGE FROM HAVING A TUNE-UP & OIL CHANGE. THE NEXT WAS ON A VERY NARROW COUNTRY ROAD. IT DIDN'T MATTER WHAT GEAR IT WAS IN , I HAVE A 5 SPEED, OR REVERSE. IT IS VERY FRIGHTENING WHEN THIS HAPPENS & THE MECHANIC CAN FIND NO REASON FOR IT. I WORRY ABOUT IT HAPPENING IN THE WINTER ON ICY ROADS. THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. *TR

20 of 129 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2006
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20268100Routine
20257300Routine
202422310Routine
202366130Routine
2022111630Routine
202118200Routine
202023200Routine
201928110Routine
201825200Routine
201738111Fatalities reported
201643110Routine
201533010Routine
201442210Routine
201348110Routine
201278300Routine
201164110Routine
201059600Routine
200937510Routine
2008136620Routine
2007520200Above average
2006617721Fatalities reported
2005532681Fatalities reported
200466430Routine
200377721Fatalities reported
2002124820Routine
2001134782Fatalities reported
2000189640Routine
199978500Routine
1998 — this page129500Routine

Compare every Frontier year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: May 11, 2009. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.