NISSAN FRONTIER · model year

1998 NISSAN FRONTIER

146 NHTSA complaints, 14 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1998NISSANFRONTIER carries 146 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 14 crashes, 0 fires, 14 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1998 FRONTIER is electrical system with 14 filings, followed by tires (13) and tires:tread/belt (9). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 1998 FRONTIER. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

146
Complaints
14
Crashes
0
Fires
14
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

146 filings

Crashes Reported

14 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM14
TIRES13
TIRES:TREAD/BELT9
SUSPENSION7
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL7
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL6
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:TORSION BAR4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY4
SUSPENSION:FRONT3
AIR BAGS3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP3
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE3
UNKNOWN OR OTHER3
SEATS3
TIRES:SIDEWALL3

Recent Complaints

20230314ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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.

Mileage: 145,000

20220517SEAT BELTS

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."

20181112CrashAIR BAGS

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 ALSO. THE AIR BAGS COULD HAVD LESSENING IF NOT HAVE PREVENTED THE INJURY. I WILL HAVE TO CONFIRM THE DXACT DATE BUT THE DATE I PUT IS CLOSE TO BEST OF MY MEMORY. I CAN CONFIRM EXACT DATE BUT WILL HAVE TO RESEARCH IT.

Mileage: 70,000

20180830ENGINE

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, (425) 774-2174) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A PERMANENT REMEDY TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TWO DIFFERENT INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FIRST INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REBUILT THE ENGINE, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT HAD TO GO ACROSS FOUR LANES OF TRAFFIC TO AN EXIT RAMP AS THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SECOND INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED EIGHT TSBS FOR THE ENGINE, BUT NO RECALLS FOR THE ENGINE CONCERNING THIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *TR

20170609ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 AND GET IT TOWED.

Mileage: 136,700

20160810STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLINER DISINTEGRATED AND RUBBER FOAM DEBRIS, WHICH PRODUCED A FOUL ODOR, FILLED THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Mileage: 150,000

20160805STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLINER SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE AND FOAM PIECES EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INHALED ABNORMAL FUMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.

20151113POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT TO DRIVE POSITION FROM THE PARK POSITION, THE GEAR SHIFT BECAME INOPERABLE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT BEGAN TO FUNCTION AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SENSORS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,323.

Mileage: 110,323

20151007WHEELS

FIRESTONE WILDERNESS TIRES SEPARATED WHILE DRIVING.

Mileage: 80,000

20150818ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENTAL CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. MA 10/5 THE CONSUMER STATED THE GAS GAUGE ALWAYS READ FULL, THE ODOMETER ALWAYS READ 99999.9 AND THE SPEEDOMETER ALWAYS READ ZERO. UPDATED 03/03/16*JB

Mileage: 110,000

20150818ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENTAL CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. MA 10/5 THE CONSUMER STATED THE GAS GAUGE ALWAYS READ FULL, THE ODOMETER ALWAYS READ 99999.9 AND THE SPEEDOMETER ALWAYS READ ZERO. UPDATED 03/03/16*JB

Mileage: 110,000

20150423ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE DASHBOARD GIVES ERRONEOUS READINGS, THIS INCLUDES THE ODOMETER, THE SPEEDOMETER, FUEL GAUGE , HEAT GAUGE. THIS MAY CAUSE AN OVER HEATING OF VEHICLE, ERRONEOUS SPEEDS, RUNNING OUT OF FUEL, ERRONEOUS ODOMETER. NISSAN WILL NOT PAY FOR DIAGNOSIS STATING THE DEALER IS IN COMPLETE CHARGE OF PRICING FOR DIAGNOSIS OF 100.00 WITH NO GUARANTEE OF REIMBURSEMENT. THE MAKER OF VEHICLE SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE NOT THE DEALER AFTER ALL NISSAN MADE THE VEHICLE. WHILE CHECKING ONLINE IT APPEARS TO BE A PREVALENT ISSUE WITH NISSAN FRONTIERS TRUCKS. VARIOUS CALLS HAVE BEEN ON DEAF EARS. *TR

Mileage: 64,000

20150331ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER FLUCTUATED. IN ADDITION, AFTER THE VEHICLE EXCEEDED THE MILEAGE READING 999,999, THE FUEL GAUGE BECAME INOPERATIVE AND THE RPM READING FLUCTUATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

20140629ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED. SPEEDOMETER AND GAS GAUGE MALFUNCTIONING. INACCURATE READINGS. NO REPLACEMENT PART OR REPAIR AVAILABLE. *TR

20140618EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

1998 NISSAN FRONTIER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE PLASTIC HEADLIGHTS ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE PLASTIC HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT BRIGHT. *JB

20140325ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS IN CUSTOMER REVIEW WEBSITES THAT I HAVE READ AFTER MY VEHICLE'S PROBLEM STARTED. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THAT NISSAN SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT APPEARS TO BE FAULTY COMPONENTS IN THE INSTRUMENT GAUGE CLUSTER. THIS PROBLEM ALSO PREVENTS OWNERS TO REGISTER/PASS INSPECTION/DRIVE THEIR VEHICLE WITH STATE INSPECTION LAWS. *TR

20120724ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STARTED TO FAIL, FIRST THE SPEEDOMETER, THEN GAS AND HEAT GAUGES, NOW EVERYTHING IS PEGGED AND SPEEDO READS 9999999. *TR

Mileage: 60,000

20120629TIRES

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. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE TIRES WERE FOUND IN VERY BAD CONDITIONS. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE TIRES WERE NOT SAFE TO DRIVE ON. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE VEHICLE MILEAGE WAS 115,000. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE TIRES WAS 11,000.

Mileage: 115,000

20110722ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO READANY OF THE GAUGES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSIS THAT LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CIRCUIT BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 128,000.

Mileage: 127,000

20110611ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

98 NISSAN FRONTIER INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS ARE DEFECTIVE. THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON LINE AND NO PARTS AVAILABLE. MINE STARTED FIRST BY THE SPEEDOMETER BEING OFF. THIS COST ME TWO SPEEDING TICKETS AND TWO SPEEDING WARNINGS BEFORE I REALIZED WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THEN THE SPEEDOMETER QUIT WORKING ALL TOGETHER THEN THE FUEL GAUGE NOW EVERYTHING FUEL,TEMP,SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER AND TACHOMETER ALL OF THEM QUIT WORKING. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED A LONG TIME AGO. THE PROBLEM IS NISSAN CAN'T EVEN FIX THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE AND THE COMPANY THAT MANUFACTURED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS WENT OUT OF BUSINESS. WHEN THIS PROBLEM FIRST STARTED I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW I HAD AN ISSUE BECAUSE IT WAS JUST THE SPEED OFF BY ABOUT 10 MILES PER HOUR IT SAID I WAS GOING SLOWER THEN I WAS ACTUALLY GOING. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN INVESTIGATED AND RECALLED ALONG TIME AGO. WHAT ABOUT PEOPLE DRIVING THROUGH SCHOOL ZONES WI

Mileage: 140,000

Compare 1998NISSANFRONTIER to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1998 NISSAN FRONTIER have?
The 1998 NISSAN FRONTIER has 146 NHTSA complaints, 14 crashes, 0 fires, 14 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1998 NISSAN FRONTIER?
The most-complained component for the 1998 NISSAN FRONTIER is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 14 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include TIRES and TIRES:TREAD/BELT.
Is the 1998 NISSAN FRONTIER safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.