1999 Nissan Frontier

Routine

Owners filed 78 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the tires. It has been recalled 5 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
80,000 milesMedian miles at failure

26 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,00075,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Tires9
000
Air Bags › Frontal9
706
Tires › Tread/Belt7
000
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump5
000
Air Bags5
202
Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft3
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission3
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe3
000
Tires › Sidewall2
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip2
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.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump04V230000
Filed May 24, 2004586,196 vehiclesNissan North America, Inc.

Defect. ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SIX CYLINDER ENGINES AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FOUR OR SIX CYLINDER ENGINES, THE FUEL PUMP TERMINAL ON THE FUEL-SENDING UNIT CAN DEVELOP A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC MOLDING. THIS CAN CAUSE THE TERMINAL STRIP TO CORRODE UNDER SOME ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS.

Risk. IF CORROSION OCCURS, THE TERMINAL STRIP COULD EVENTUALLY BREAK CAUSING THE FUEL PUMP TO STOP OPERATION. THIS WILL RESULT IN NOT BEING ABLE TO START THE ENGINE OR CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy. IN THE FOLLOWING STATES, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL-SENDING UNIT. THESE STATES ARE CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, TENNESSEE, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN THE OTHER STATES, THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE FUEL PUMP TERMINAL ON THE SENDING UNIT FOR CORROSION. IF CORROSION IS PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE UNIT. IF THERE IS NOT CORROSION, THE DEALER WILL APPLY SEALANT TO THE TERMINAL HOUSING TO HELP PREVENT CORROSION IN THE FUTURE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 28, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Exterior Lighting › Tail Lights99V347002
Filed Dec 20, 199967,000 vehiclesNissan North America, Inc.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS AND LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS. THE TAIL LIGHT SOCKET MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY MOLDED, RESULTING IN THE LOCKING TAB HAVING INSUFFICIENT FORCE TO RETAIN THE BULB.

Risk. IF THE BULB FALLS OUT OF THE SOCKET, THE BRAKE OR TAIL LAMP FUNCTION CANNOT OCCUR.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TAIL LAMP SOCKETS.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Aug 7, 2023180,000 milesNY

The contact owns a 1999 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. Additionally, while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who replaced the sending unit and fuel pump. The vehicle was repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V230000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

Air BagsCrash
Filed Sep 4, 2019200,000 milesTN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS AT A STOP SIGN AND ATTEMPTING TO TURN OUT OF A PARKING LOT, ANOTHER VEHICLE SLAMMED INTO THE FRONT OF HIS VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. NEITHER OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED AND WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN HOME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED TWO DEALERS (WEAKLEY COUNTY MOTORS, 841 N LINDELL ST, MARTIN, TN 38237, 731-587-3141) AND (PREMIER NISSAN, 300 HIGHWAY 77, PARIS, TN 38242, 731-642-0601) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT END BODY DAMAGE WAS REPAIRED AT AN INDEPENDENT BODY SHOP. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Mar 30, 2019213,530 milesIN

TRUCK STARTED DYING RANDOMLY. FINALLY IT DIED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE TRUCK WAS DIAGNOSED WITH HAVING NO FUEL PRESSURE. I FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE TRUCK (NTB04-062C) THAT COULD CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO STOP WORKING. I VERIFIED WITH NISSAN OVER THE PHONE THAT THE TRUCK WAS DEFINITELY INVOLVED IN THE RECALL. I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO A LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP (SOUTHLAKE NISSAN IN MERRILLVILLE, IN). AFTER KEEPING THE TRUCK THERE FOR A WEEK AND TELLING ME THAT THEY HAD TO ORDER PARTS, THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD NOT PERFORM THE RECALL BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RUNNING. I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED HOME TODAY. THIS RECALL IS SPECIFICALLY FOR AN ISSUE THAT IS KNOWN TO CAUSE A NO START CONDITION. HOW CAN I GET THE RECALL PERFORMED IF THEY WILL NOT WORK ON IT IF IT WON'T START? I NOW HAVE PAID OVER $300 IN TOWING CHARGES AND HAVE NOT HAD ANY WORK DONE.

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Apr 21, 2010100,009 milesCA

1999 NISSAN FRONTIER PICKUP FOLLOWING DEFECTS ARE AS FOLLOWS,FRONT AIRBAGS CONTINUOUSLY FLASHES,FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT INDICATE AMOUNT OF FUEL AFTER FILLING.,SUSPENSION PROBLEM. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Mar 30, 200745,900 milesMD

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH IN DRY CONDITIONS. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER , AND DISCOVERED THAT RECALL 04V230000 WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL SENDER, BUT THE VEHICLE REMAINED INOPERABLE. WHEN THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP THE VEHICLE STARTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FUEL PUMP FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE RECALL. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT THE FAILURE, BUT A RETURN PHONE CALL WAS NEVER RECEIVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,900.*AK

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Dec 19, 200641,979 milesTX

TRAVELING SOUTH ON TX 130 NEAR MANOR AT 65 MPH. BRIGHT COOL, SUNNY WEATHER, DRY ROAD. RIGHT REAR TIRE EXPLODED. TREAD CAME OFF IN ONE LONG STRIP, WHICH THRASHED THE CAR. WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL CAR OFF ROAD, BUT DAMAGE TO RIGHT REAR PANEL, WHEEL WELL, AND FUEL FILLER ESTIMATED AT BETWEEN $1500 AND $3000. THE CAR HAD BEEN VIBRATING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS FOR A WHILE, BUT I SUSPECTED A SUSPENSION PROBLEM RATHER THAN A TIRE PROBLEM. NOW I NOTICE ALL TIRES APPEAR ROTTEN ON OUTSIDE; THEY HAD NOT BEEN HOLDING AIR WELL FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. HAVE REPLACED ALL 5 TIRES. CAR: 1999 NISSAN FRONTIER PICKUP. TIRE: WILDERNESS HT, P215/65R15 95S, DOT #W2VF NNA 129. TIRE WAS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT WITH TRUCK, 42000 MILES ON IT, TREAD WEAR MINOR. COMPLAINT FILED WITH FIRESTONE, AND TIRE SENT TO THEM AT MY EXPENSE. THEY REFUSE TO ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY, AND CLAIM LOW INFLATION AND AGE ARE THE CAUSES OF THE PROBLEM (NOT SURPRISING SINCE THE TIRE NEEDED INFLATING EVERY WEEK). THEY WANT ME TO PAY TO HAVE TIRE SENT BACK TO ME, BUT HELL WILL FREEZE OVER BEFORE THAT OR BEFORE I STOP TELLING ANYBODY WILLING TO LISTEN ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE AND FIRESTONE'S RESPONSE. *JB

Exterior Lighting › Tail Lights
Filed Oct 18, 200680,000 milesCA

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE TAIL LIGHTS BULB CONSTANTLY FELL OUT THE ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO CHECKED THE VIN # TO DETERMINE IF IT WAS UNDER ANY RECALLS. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL #99V347002 REGARDING EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER, WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Feb 22, 2006IN

1999 FRONTIER STALLED WHILE DRIVING. FUEL SENDING UNIT CORRODED. *TS ***NAR*** THE CONSUMER LEARNED THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THE PROBLEM HE EXPERIENCED. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALL WAS COMPLETED ON HIS VEHICLE IN SEPTEMEBR 2004. HOWEVER, AT THE TIME THERE WAS NO CORROSION. THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. *JB

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Switch/Wiring
Filed Sep 30, 200514 milesTN

DT: CONTACT OWNS A 1999 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY TRUCK GOT DOWN TO 30 MPH. VEHICLE KEPT GOING, ENGINE WAS RUNNING ROUGHER THAN USUAL. ONE DAY IT WILL RUN FINE AND THEN THE NEXT DAY IT WILL MESS UP AGAIN. IT WAS TAKEN 2 YEARS BEFORE BY CONSUMER'S HUSBAND PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW. CONSUMER HAD TO DRIVE ON THE SHOULDER OF ROAD TO GET HER VEHICLE HOME .CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO A TOTAL CAR CARE CENTER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CODES THAT WERE SHOWING UP WERE EGR SYSTEM PROBLEM. AFTER TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE TOTAL CAR CARE CENTER VEHICLE RAN WELL FOR AWHILE. VEHICLE HAD A NEW TUNE UP. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THE FIRST YEAR THE CUSTOMER HAD THE VEHICLE SHE HAD TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND ARM LINKAGE . NO INJURIES. NO POLICE REPORTS. WERE TAKEN. NO FIRES. NHTSA TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) 10015857 ISSUED. *AK

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Sep 6, 2005PA

1999 NISSAN FRONTIER DEVELOPED A PROBLEM WITH CHANGING GEARS.*MR THE CONSUMER STATED SOON AFTER PURCHASE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE A CLUNKING SOUND AND BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME. *JB

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Jun 10, 2005PA

1999 NISSAN FRONTIER EXPERIENCING A CLUNKING SOUND WHEN SHIFTING GEARS ON THE FIVE SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION.*MR THE TRANSMISSION ALSO PROGRESSIVLEY BECAME MORE DIFFICULT TO SHIFT. THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED TO THE MANUFACTURER THROUGH SURVIES BUT THEY NEVER REPLIED. *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed May 31, 200590,000 milesWI

EXHAUST MANAFOLD LEAK/CRACK. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC, HE STATED CRACKS EXHAUST MANAFOLDS WERE COMMON, AND HE HAS FIXED SEVERAL. I AM CONCERNED THAT THAT THAT EXHAUST GAS MAY LEAK INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.

Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module
Filed Apr 1, 200585,000 milesIL

AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON. WAS REPAIRED ONCE BUT PROBLEM HAS RETURNED. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Feb 25, 200542,600 milesCT

EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACK ON RIGHT OF THE ENGINE. LOUD CLICKING NOISES DUE TO HOLE IN EXHAUST MANIFOLD/HEADERS. I SPOKE WITH A MIDAS EMPLOYEE AND HE SAID THAT ITS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR 1999 NISSAN FRONTIER SE'S. NOT ONLY IS IT AN EMISSION PROBLEM BUT COULD VERY WELL HARM THE ENGINE. *NM

Air Bags
Filed Nov 23, 200494,000 milesMO

WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *JB *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Oct 22, 2004114,000 milesCA

EXHAUST LEAK IN THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. CAST IRON MANIFOLD IS CRACKED ON BOTH SIDES. VEHICLE IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD. NOT COVERED AS EMISIONS PROBLEM, CAST IRON MANIFOLDS ARE DEFECTIVE ON MY 1999 NISSAN FRONTIER SE-V6 TRUCK.*AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Sep 2, 2004NH

WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS REMOVED THE NIPPLE WHICH WAS WELDED TO THE TANK RUSTED THROUGH AND WAS ABOUT TO FALL OFF. *NM THE PROBLEM MAY BE DUE TO LEAKING GASOLINE. RECALL#04V230000. *SC *JB

Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control
Filed Aug 23, 200460,000 milesWI

CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. I HAD TO TURN IT OFF USING THE ROCKER SWITCH. WHEN I TURNED IT BACK ON AND TRIED TO RE-ENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL THE GREEN CRUISE LIGHT PULSED MADE LIKE A BUZZING NOISE BUT DID NOT ENGAGE. THIS ONLY HAPPENS ABOUT ONCE A MONTH. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Aug 18, 2004109,115 milesMA

I HAVE A 1999 NISSAN FRONTIER XE KING CAB 4WD WITH A 3.3L ENGINE. THE MIDDLE SPRING ON THE RIGHT REAR LEAF SPRING BROKE AND THE FORWARD PORTION (STILL ATTACHED VIA A "RIVET" TO THE OTHER TWO) PIVOTED AND UNBEKNOWST TO ME WORE A HOLE IN THE FUEL TANK. I ONLY NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WHEN I FILLED UP THE TANK AND NOTICED A STRONG ODOR. THERE IS A RECALL ON THE FUEL SENDING UNIT AND WHEN I TAKE THE VEHICLE IN FOR THIS I WILL NOTIFY THEM OF THIS OTHER PROBLEM. I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE LEAF SPRING BREAKING; HOWEVER, I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THERE NOT BEING SOME SORT OF "CLIP" TO PREVENT THE BROKEN PIECE FROM RUBBING AGAINST THE FUEL TANK.

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Aug 16, 2004FL

WHILE DRIVING, A LOUD BANGING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND NOTICED THAT THE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED ALL AROUND THE OUTER SIDE OF THE TIRE. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO CALL FOR ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE. FIRESTONE WILDERNESS HT P1565R15#DOT W2VSNNA. *JB

20 of 78 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
1999 — this page78500Routine
1998129500Routine

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.