1998 Nissan Frontier: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 129 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (18% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 129 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2023
“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."”Owner report · Seat Belts · Nov 2021
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2016
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Structure · Jun 2016
“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.”Owner report · Structure · May 2016
“1998 nissan frontier. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle plastic headlights issues. *smd the consumer stated the plastic headlights were not bright. *jb”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jun 2014
“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”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2014
“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”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2014
“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”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2013
“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.”Owner report · Tires · Jun 2012
When filing, owners marked a crash in 12 of these complaints and injuries in 11 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL DEVICE ASSEMBLY AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1998 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Frontier by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Nissan Frontier reliable?
NHTSA has 129 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Nissan Frontier. The most complained-about area is electrical system (18% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1998 Nissan Frontier problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 110,162 miles or less.
Does the 1998 Nissan Frontier have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:headlights. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.