VehicleVerdict

1998 Nissan Frontier problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 146 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.7 times the median Frontier year — the 1998 model ranks #9 of 29 Frontier years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 14 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across tires & wheels (27), electrical system (24), and suspension (19), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

146

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

14

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

14

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other Frontier years?

Frontier NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted836 complaints1998: 146 complaints1999: 106 complaints2000: 224 complaints2001: 155 complaints2002: 152 complaints2003: 92 complaints2004: 89 complaints2005: 750 complaints2006: 836 complaints2007: 699 complaints2008: 187 complaints2009: 44 complaints2010: 76 complaints2011: 84 complaints2012: 98 complaints2013: 65 complaints2014: 50 complaints2015: 48 complaints2016: 55 complaints2017: 45 complaints2018: 29 complaints2019: 39 complaints2020: 31 complaints2021: 25 complaints2022: 192 complaints2023: 114 complaints2024: 28 complaints2025: 9 complaints2026: 5 complaints
Frontier NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Frontier years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 Nissan Frontier problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Tires & Wheels2718%
Electrical System2416%
Suspension1913%
Airbags128%
Engine118%
Transmission96%
Seat Belts85%
Fuel System75%
Brakes53%
Seats43%
Lighting43%
Other32%
Speed Control32%
Steering32%
Body & Structure32%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)21%
Visibility & Wipers21%

Does the 1998 Nissan Frontier have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

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.

98V064000TransmissionMarch 25, 1998 · 3,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH IF THE PARKING BRAKE IS NOT ENGAGED.

Remedy

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

98V065000Seat BeltsMarch 25, 1998 · 20,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IF THE SEAT BELT IS COMPLETELY SEVERED, IT CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY TO AN OCCUPANT IN A CRASH.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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. *AK THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT NOTHNG WAS HIT TO CAUSE THE TIRE TO BLOWOUT. THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS CHECKED BEFORE THE TRIP.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · July 27, 2004 · crash

“TL - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN FRONTIER PICKUP TRUCK. A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE NISSAN DEALER. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO GET THE PART FOR THE REPAIR AND DOES NOT KNOW WHEN IT WILL BE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 5, 2008

“TRUCK HAS BAD SHAKE, I HAVE INSTALLED NEW TIRES, SHOCKS, CENTER SUPPORT BEARING(NO CHARGE), HAD FRONT ALIGNMENT, TRUCK STILL VIBRATES AT 40MPH AND UP. CAN SEE BED SHAKE SIDE TO SIDE. MAKES THE BACK SEAT THUMP. ENTIRE TRUCK SHAKES AT 50-55MPH. MY 95 NISSAN TRUCK DID THE EXACT SAME THING, NO CAUSE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · October 7, 1999

“AM INTERESTED IN ANY REPORTED INSTANCES OF EITHER DRIVER OR PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING ON THIS MAKE/MODEL VEHICLE. I WAS INVOLVED IN A MOVING ACCIDENT WITH A LARGE DEER 0615 AM 30 JAN 01. I DIDN'T GIVE MUCH THOUGHT TO THE BAG/BAGS NOT DEPLOYING UNTIL BOTH THE INSURANCE REP AND THEIR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · January 30, 2001 · crash

“THE WAS NOT EVEN A MONTH OLD WHEN THE CLUTCH FAN FAILED. IT GOT FIXED BUT THE SAME PROBLEM REOCCURED TWICE AFTER THE FIRST TIME. NEXT WHEN I WOULD DRIVE IT IN THE FREEWAY AT ABOUT 70 M.P.H. THE 5TH GEAR ON THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION WOULD POP OUT OF GEAR INTO NEUTRAL. THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 26, 1998

1998 Nissan Frontier — common questions

Is the 1998 Nissan Frontier reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 146 complaints put the 1998 model at #9 of 29 Frontier years. It is one of the Frontier years to avoid.

What are the most common 1998 Frontier problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are tires & wheels (27 complaints), electrical system (24 complaints), suspension (19 complaints).

Does the 1998 Nissan Frontier have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 Nissan Frontier. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Nissan Frontier years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Frontier years to avoid are 2006, 2005, 2007, 2000, 2022, 2008, 2001, 2002, 1998. The cleanest record among Frontier years belongs to 2026.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.