SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

1998 Nissan Frontier

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Frontier years

Owner complaints for the 1998 Nissan Frontier are substantially higher than the model-year median of 64.

About this comparison →
129Owner complaints

Model-year median: 64

2Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
129
199878
1999189
2000134
2001
Compare all Frontier years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Electrical System
23Tires
23Suspension
19Air Bags
12Engine And Engine Cooling
10
All reported categories
Power Train
9Seat Belts
8Fuel System, Gasoline
4Seats
4Service Brakes, Hydraulic
4Fuel System, Other
3Steering
3Structure
3Unknown Or Other
3Vehicle Speed Control
3Equipment
2Exterior Lighting
2Visibility
2Wheels
2Engine
1Interior Lighting
1Parking Brake
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

33 reports with mileage · 96 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Tires. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

12 crash reports0 fire reports7 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

10 reports
Clear category filter
145,000 miles · Mar 14, 2023
Engine And Engine CoolingInjury

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 assist…

Read full complaint

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.

NHTSA ODI #11511820

50,000 miles · Jan 26, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING EXHAUST MANIFOLD/CATALYTIC CONVERTER ASSEMBLY FAILED. CONTACTED THE DEARLER. HOWEVER, THE DEALER WILL NOT COOPERATE WITH THE CONSUMER. *AK *NM

NHTSA ODI #10105558

Mileage unknown · May 29, 2003
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Other

ON APRIL 2003 DIGITAL INSTRUMENTAL PANEL WENT BROKE/ODOMETER WENT 999999/TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT HIGH, AND FUEL GAUGE WENT TO HIGH. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10021884

Mileage unknown · Feb 8, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

THERE WAS NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND DEALER HAD VEHICLE FOR ABOUT A MONTH. AFTERWARDS, DEALER STATED NOISE WAS NORMAL, AND THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYMORE WORK ON VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #8003803

Mileage unknown · Oct 19, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

EXHAUST HEADER BROKE/POSSIBLE FIRE/EXHAUST INHALATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #753430

Mileage unknown · Nov 19, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATIONS, VEHICLE IS SUPPOSE TO IDLE AT 750 RPMS PLUS OR MINUS 50. MOST OF THE TIME IT WILL IDLE AT 1100 - 1900 RPMS. WHEN CONSUMER LET OFF THE GAS PEDAL. IT WILL NOT SLOW DOWN, BUT IT WILL SPEED UP WHICH CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. CONTACTED DEALER AND THEY SAID ALL VEHICLES DO THIS BECA…

Read full complaint

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATIONS, VEHICLE IS SUPPOSE TO IDLE AT 750 RPMS PLUS OR MINUS 50. MOST OF THE TIME IT WILL IDLE AT 1100 - 1900 RPMS. WHEN CONSUMER LET OFF THE GAS PEDAL. IT WILL NOT SLOW DOWN, BUT IT WILL SPEED UP WHICH CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. CONTACTED DEALER AND THEY SAID ALL VEHICLES DO THIS BECAUSE OF THE NEW POLUTION CONTROL. *AK. *YC

NHTSA ODI #853157

Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingVisibility

WINDOW AND VALVE TRAIN FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #609463

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingSeats

PROBLEM WITH BUCKET SEAT TRACK, NEEDS RELOCATING BACKWARDS, POOR DESIGN/FIT. YH

NHTSA ODI #608531

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling

THERMOSTAT FOR A/C AND HEATER SYSTEM FAILED.

NHTSA ODI #607031

Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 1998
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

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 TAKEN APART TO FIX IT. AND …

Read full complaint

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 TAKEN APART TO FIX IT. AND NOW JUST RECENTLY THE

NHTSA ODI #700042

Official recalls

2

98V064000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)

Mar 25, 1998

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 & remedy

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.

98V065000 · Seat Belts:front:webbing

Mar 25, 1998

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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.