1998 Nissan Frontier Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Frontier years
- Far more complaints than other years 7th of 29 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 2 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 129 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Nissan Frontier. That ranks 7th out of 29 Frontier model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (23 complaints, 18%), typically at around 114,000 miles. Complaints mention 12 crashes, 11 injuries. There are 2 safety recalls covering this model year.
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- 129owner complaints
- 2safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 12complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 1998 Nissan Frontier problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 23 | 18% | 114,000 | — | — |
| Tires | 23 | 18% | 115,000 | — | — |
| Suspension | 19 | 15% | 93,400 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 12 | 9% | 135,000 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 10 | 8% | 97,500 | — | — |
| Power Train | 9 | 7% | 110,323 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 8 | 6% | 100,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 4 | 3% | 117,527 | — | — |
| Seats | 4 | 3% | 195,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 4 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Fuel System, Other | 3 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Steering | 3 | 2% | 59,000 | — | — |
| Structure | 3 | 2% | 150,000 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 3 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Equipment | 2 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Visibility | 2 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Wheels | 2 | 2% | 80,000 | — | — |
| Engine | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Parking Brake | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
1998 Nissan Frontier recalls (2)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl)
Problem: 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.
Risk: This could result in a crash if the parking brake is not engaged.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the automatic transmission control device assembly and replace it if necessary.
Seat belts:front:webbing
Problem: 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.
Risk: If the seat belt is completely severed, it can increase the risk of serious injury to an occupant in a crash.
Fix: 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.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
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…
driver's side seat belt receptacle failed in fall of 2021. Nissan initially said they would replace it, but in May of 2022 reported that the part is "unavailable."
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. I had to have brain surgery as a result. I had other injuries…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE CONSTANTLY LOST POWER. THE DEALER (CAMPBELL NISSAN OF EDMONDS, 24325 WA-99, EDMONDS, WA 98026, [redacted]) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A PERMANENT REMEDY TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT…
Driving down road instrument panel, odometer, speedometer work intermentely. Battery is being overcharged. Have replaced 2 batteries and 1 alternator and now it dosent charge at all. Truck lost power in the middle of intersection. This has happend more than once and had to push it to side of road…
Other Nissan Frontier years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Frontier | 11 | 1 |
| 2025 Frontier | 9 | 3 |
| 2024 Frontier | 22 | 3 |
| 2023 Frontier | 66 | 1 |
| 2022 Frontier | 112 | 6 |
| 2021 Frontier | 20 | 2 |
| 2020 Frontier | 23 | 2 |
| 2019 Frontier | 28 | 1 |
| 2018 Frontier | 25 | 2 |
| 2017 Frontier | 38 | 1 |
| 2016 Frontier | 43 | 1 |
| 2015 Frontier | 33 | 0 |
| 2014 Frontier | 42 | 2 |
| 2013 Frontier | 48 | 1 |
| 2012 Frontier | 79 | 3 |
| 2011 Frontier | 64 | 1 |
| 2010 Frontier | 59 | 4 |
| 2009 Frontier | 37 | 3 |
| 2008 Frontier | 136 | 5 |
| 2007 Frontier | 520 | 1 |
| 2006 Frontier | 617 | 4 |
| 2005 Frontier | 532 | 3 |
| 2004 Frontier | 66 | 1 |
| 2003 Frontier | 77 | 4 |
| 2002 Frontier | 124 | 4 |
| 2001 Frontier | 134 | 3 |
| 2000 Frontier | 189 | 3 |
| 1999 Frontier | 78 | 2 |
| 1998 | 129 | 2 |
See all Nissan Frontier problems by year, every Nissan model, or the Nissan VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Nissan Frontier?
Owners most often report electrical system, tires, suspension problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 23 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 1998 Nissan Frontier?
Yes, 2 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 1998 Nissan Frontier a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Frontier model years, the 1998 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.