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
- 129
- Recalls
- 5
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- Electrical system
Campaigns on file for 1998
None on file
19% of complaints
Complaints per year
1998: 129 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1998 | 129 |
| 1999 | 78 |
| 2000 | 189 |
| 2001 | 134 |
| 2002 | 124 |
| 2003 | 77 |
| 2004 | 66 |
| 2005 | 532 |
| 2006 | 617 |
| 2007 | 520 |
| 2008 | 136 |
| 2009 | 37 |
| 2010 | 59 |
| 2011 | 64 |
| 2012 | 80 |
| 2013 | 48 |
| 2014 | 42 |
| 2015 | 33 |
| 2016 | 44 |
| 2017 | 38 |
| 2018 | 25 |
| 2019 | 28 |
| 2020 | 23 |
| 2021 | 20 |
| 2022 | 112 |
| 2023 | 66 |
| 2024 | 22 |
| 2025 | 10 |
| 2026 | 9 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Electrical system
19% · 24 reportsMost commonly citing instrument cluster/panel and 12v/24v/48v battery.
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, 2014-03-25
Instrument cluster started to fail, first the speedometer, then gas and heat gauges, now everything is pegged and speedo reads 9999999.
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-07-24
Tires
18% · 23 reportsMost commonly citing tread/belt and sidewall.
Show 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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2005-04-22
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, 2004-08-30
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, 2012-06-29
Suspension
15% · 19 reportsMost commonly citing torsion bar and front.
Air bags
9% · 12 reportsMost commonly citing frontal and side/window.
Show complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2018-11-12
Driving at approximately 20-25 MPH, drove over slight dip when dual airbags deployed without hitting anything or without warning, causing injuries and burns.
NHTSA ODI report, 1999-05-26
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 1998-10-14
Engine and engine cooling
8% · 10 reportsMost commonly citing exhaust system and engine.
Show complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2023-03-14
Safety timeline
5 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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1998Complaint volume 129 complaints filed for this model year.
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1998-04-02Seat belts98V065000 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…
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.
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1998-04-13Power train98V064000 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…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the automatic transmission control device assembly and replace it if necessary.
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2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 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…
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.
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2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 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…
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.
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2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 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…
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.
Buy-smart checklist
1998 Nissan Frontier — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Electrical system: 24 reports on file for this year.
- Tires: 23 reports on file for this year.
- Suspension: 19 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 98V065000 · Seat belts
- Recall 98V064000 · Power train
- Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →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 19% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 1998 Nissan Frontier have?
- 5 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.