1999 Nissan Frontier: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 78 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is tires (25% 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 78 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Aug 2023
“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”Owner report · Suspension · Dec 2009
“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”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Mar 2007
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Oct 2006
“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”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2005
“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”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2005
“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”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 2005
“While driving, the air bag warning light would illuminate intermittently. The dealership was aware of the problem. *jb *nm”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2004
“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”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Sep 2004
“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”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Aug 2004
When filing, owners marked a crash in 9 of these complaints and injuries in 8 - 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.
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.
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.
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: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TAIL LAMP SOCKETS.
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 1999 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 1999 Nissan Frontier reliable?
NHTSA has 78 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 Nissan Frontier. The most complained-about area is tires (25% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 Nissan Frontier problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 80,000 miles or less.
Does the 1999 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.