VehicleVerdict

1999 Nissan Frontier problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 1999 Nissan Frontier sits mid-pack among Frontier years: 106 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 84, with 5 recalls and no defect investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across tires & wheels (22), airbags (17), and fuel system (13), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

106

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

10

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

9

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other Frontier years?

Frontier NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 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, 1999 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Frontier years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 Nissan Frontier problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Tires & Wheels2221%
Airbags1716%
Transmission1312%
Fuel System1312%
Engine109%
Brakes88%
Lighting44%
Suspension44%
Electrical System33%
Body & Structure33%
Visibility & Wipers22%
Other22%
Seat Belts22%
Speed Control22%
Seats11%

Does the 1999 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.

04V230000Fuel SystemMay 24, 2004 · 586,196 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IF CORROSION OCCURS, THE TERMINAL STRIP COULD EVENTUALLY BREAK CAUSING THE FUEL PUMP TO STOP OPERATION. THIS WILL RESULT IN NOT BEING ABLE TO START THE ENGINE OR CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A CRASH.

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.

99V347002LightingDecember 20, 1999 · 67,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IF THE BULB FALLS OUT OF THE SOCKET, THE BRAKE OR TAIL LAMP FUNCTION CANNOT OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TAIL LAMP SOCKETS.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“I'VE ONLY OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR 2 WEEKS. I HAVE DIGITAL IMAGES OF THE TIRE AND WILL SEND THEM UPON REQUEST. THE FAILURE WAS SIDEWALL BLOWOUT, NOT RESULT OF RUNNING OVER SOMETHING. I'M CONCERNED THAT THESE TIRES ARE ALL IN DANGER OF FAILURE. THE LOOK OF THE BLOW-OUT SUGGESTS SEPARATION OF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · February 10, 2001

“WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH ON WET PAVEMENT, THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED AFTER HITTING WATER IN THE STREET. THE VEHICLE SPUN AROUND, JUMPED A CURB AND HIT SOME TREES. THE FRONT END AND THE REAR END WERE SEVERELY DAMAGED YET THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES FROM THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · crash

“CONSUMER HEARD NOISE WHENEVER TURNING TO THE LEFT, EVEN AFTER THE DEALER TRIED TO REPAIR BY GREASING STEERING PARTS AND REPAIRING AIR BAG. PROBLEM SOLVED AFTER DEALER ADDED A MISSING CENTER SUPPORT. ALSO, THE SEATS WERE LOOSE AND HAD TO BE REPAIRED, AND THE GAS GAUGE IS NOT WORKING. AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · January 7, 1999

“1999 FRONTIER STALLED WHILE DRIVING. FUEL SENDING UNIT CORRODED. *TS [REDACTED]NAR[REDACTED] THE CONSUMER LEARNED THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THE PROBLEM HE EXPERIENCED. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALL WAS COMPLETED ON HIS VEHICLE IN SEPTEMEBR 2004. HOWEVER, AT THE TIME THERE WAS NO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · January 1, 1901

“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”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 3, 2005

1999 Nissan Frontier — common questions

Is the 1999 Nissan Frontier reliable?

It is close to typical for the Frontier: 106 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 1999 Frontier problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are tires & wheels (22 complaints), airbags (17 complaints), fuel system (13 complaints).

Does the 1999 Nissan Frontier have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1999 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.