1998 Nissan Frontier
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1998 | 129 |
| 1999 | 78 |
| 2000 | 189 |
| 2001 | 134 |
| 2002 | 124 |
| 2003 | 77 |
| 2004 | 66 |
| 2005 | 532 |
| 2006 | 616 |
| 2007 | 520 |
| 2008 | 136 |
| 2009 | 37 |
| 2010 | 59 |
| 2011 | 64 |
| 2012 | 78 |
| 2013 | 48 |
| 2014 | 42 |
| 2015 | 33 |
| 2016 | 42 |
| 2017 | 38 |
| 2018 | 25 |
| 2019 | 28 |
| 2020 | 22 |
| 2021 | 17 |
| 2022 | 110 |
| 2023 | 62 |
| 2024 | 17 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 | 5 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
11% of complaints: electrical system — 14 distinct reports on file.
Show complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20140325
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STARTED TO FAIL, FIRST THE SPEEDOMETER, THEN GAS AND HEAT GAUGES, NOW EVERYTHING IS PEGGED AND SPEEDO READS 9999999. *TR
NHTSA ODI report, 20120724
9% of complaints: tires — 11 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONSUMER HAD JUST WENT AROUND A CURVE WHEN THE LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW, SHE LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, HIT A SIGN AND THEN FLIPPED OVER. THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE INJURED. *JB
NHTSA ODI report, 20050422
FIRESTONE/BRIDGESTONE, WILDERNESS AT, P215/65R15, DOT#W2ZFNNA377. TIRE SIDEWALL BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. VEHICLE ENDED UP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.
NHTSA ODI report, 20040830
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120629
7% of complaints: tires — 9 distinct reports on file.
5% of complaints: suspension — 7 distinct reports on file.
5% of complaints: air bags — 7 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20-25 MPH, DROVE OVER SLIGHT DIP WHEN DUAL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT HITTING ANYTHING OR WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING INJURIES AND BURNS. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 19990526
WHILE DRIVING AT 50MPH ON FREEWAY REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT CUT IN FRONT OF TRUCK, NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED IN ACCIDENT, NO INJURIES. DEALER CONTACTED AND IS AWARE OF INCIDENT. WILL LOOK AT VEHICLE UPON ARRIVAL. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 19981014
SAFETY TIMELINE
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 RECL
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.
Campaign 98V065000 — check if this car was fixed
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 LEV
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL DEVICE ASSEMBLY AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY.
Campaign 98V064000 — check if this car was fixed
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 S
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.
Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed
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 CONF
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.
Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed
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 CONF
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.
Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1998 Nissan Frontier — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (14 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for tires issues (11 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for tires issues (9 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 98V065000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 98V064000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1998 Nissan Frontier reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Nissan Frontier is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Nissan Frontier?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 11% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1998 Nissan Frontier have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.