Model year record

1998 Nissan Frontier recalls & problems

The 1998 Nissan Frontier has 5 safety recalls and 129 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is tires (25 complaints).

Recalls5safety recalls

Complaints129filed by owners

Crashes · fires12 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths11 · 0reported in complaints

1998 Nissan Frontier in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Exterior lightingMay 11, 2009

Headlights

Recall 09E02500042,540 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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 lightingApr 7, 2009

Exterior lighting

Recall 09E01200016,270 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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 lightingMar 23, 2006

Exterior lighting

Recall 06E02600061,944 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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 trainMar 25, 1998

Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (prndl)

Recall 98V0640003,000 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL DEVICE ASSEMBLY AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY.

Seat beltsMar 25, 1998

Front › Webbing

Recall 98V06500020,000 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1998 Nissan Frontier Extended Cab 4x4

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Frontier 2WD

22mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.4 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel

Frontier 2WD

19mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

Frontier 4WD

17mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.4 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Injuries	Typical mileage*
TiresTread/belt; Sidewall	25	2	4	115,000 mi
Electrical systemInstrument cluster/panel; 12v/24v/48v battery	24	0	0	110,000 mi
SuspensionFront › Springs › Torsion bar; Front	19	0	0	—
Air bagsFrontal; Frontal › Sensor/control module	12	8	9	—
Engine and engine coolingCooling system; Engine	10	0	1	—
Power trainManual transmission; Automatic transmission	9	2	0	110,323 mi
Seat beltsFront › Anchorage; Front	8	0	0	—
SeatsFront assembly › Recliner	4	0	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Master cylinder	4	1	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly	4	0	0	—
Fuel system, otherStorage › Fuel gauge system	3	0	0	—
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal; Cruise control	3	1	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Engine and engine cooling1 injury
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.
Mar 9, 2023 · 145,000 miles
Seat belts
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."
Nov 1, 2021
Air bagsCrash1 injury
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.
Feb 15, 2005 · 70,000 miles
Engine
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…
Apr 2, 2018
Electrical system
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.
Oct 17, 2016 · 136,700 miles
Structure › Body
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.
Jun 5, 2016 · 150,000 miles
Structure › Body
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.
May 7, 2016
Power train
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.
Nov 13, 2011 · 110,323 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.