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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.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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

What owners reported most

All reported categories

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

Power Train complaints

9 reports
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110,323 miles · Nov 13, 2015
Power 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…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10790219

162,100 miles · Aug 23, 2010
Power Train

I HAVE A 98 FRONTIER WHICH HAS TWICE IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS INEXPLICABLY REVED THE ENGINE, ON IT'S OWN, TO ALMOST 6000 RPMS IN CONJUNCTION WITH THIS IS AN INCREASE IN SPEED. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I HAD JUST LEFT A GARAGE FROM HAVING A TUNE-UP & OIL CHANGE. THE NEXT WAS ON A VERY NARROW COUNTRY ROAD. IT DIDN'T MATTER WHAT GE…

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I HAVE A 98 FRONTIER WHICH HAS TWICE IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS INEXPLICABLY REVED THE ENGINE, ON IT'S OWN, TO ALMOST 6000 RPMS IN CONJUNCTION WITH THIS IS AN INCREASE IN SPEED. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I HAD JUST LEFT A GARAGE FROM HAVING A TUNE-UP & OIL CHANGE. THE NEXT WAS ON A VERY NARROW COUNTRY ROAD. IT DIDN'T MATTER WHAT GEAR IT WAS IN , I HAVE A 5 SPEED, OR REVERSE. IT IS VERY FRIGHTENING WHEN THIS HAPPENS & THE MECHANIC CAN FIND NO REASON FOR IT. I WORRY ABOUT IT HAPPENING IN THE WINTER ON ICY ROADS. THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10351318

103,000 miles · May 28, 2004
Power Train

WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT, THE VEHICLE'S CLUTCH PEDAL SUPPORT BAR BROKE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED THEN STALLED OUT. NO IMPACT REPORTED. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10074428

Mileage unknown · Feb 19, 2004
Power TrainCrash

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH DIFFERENTIAL LOCKED UP. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO VEER OFF INTO A FIELD AND HIT A FENCE. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS, AND MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE DIFFERENTIAL WAS WORN OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE BEARING(S) WERE BURNT AND THERE WAS A FLUID LIKE SLUDGE AS A R…

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WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH DIFFERENTIAL LOCKED UP. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO VEER OFF INTO A FIELD AND HIT A FENCE. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS, AND MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE DIFFERENTIAL WAS WORN OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE BEARING(S) WERE BURNT AND THERE WAS A FLUID LIKE SLUDGE AS A RESULT OF THE HEAT. *SC

NHTSA ODI #10053981

Mileage unknown · Apr 24, 2001
Power Train

VEHICLE ISN'T ACCELERATING INTO GEARS. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER TO HAVE CLUTCH CHECKED, AND ALTHOUGH THEY DID NOTHING TO VEHICLE IT SEEMED WORSE. CONSUMER HAD JUST EXITED ONTO HIGHWAY, AND VEHICLE WOULD ONLY GET UP TO 20MPH. IT TOOK VEHICLE 3-4 MINUTES TO GET UP TO 50MPH. DEALER BLAMED CONSUMER FOR CONSTANTLY W…

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VEHICLE ISN'T ACCELERATING INTO GEARS. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER TO HAVE CLUTCH CHECKED, AND ALTHOUGH THEY DID NOTHING TO VEHICLE IT SEEMED WORSE. CONSUMER HAD JUST EXITED ONTO HIGHWAY, AND VEHICLE WOULD ONLY GET UP TO 20MPH. IT TOOK VEHICLE 3-4 MINUTES TO GET UP TO 50MPH. DEALER BLAMED CONSUMER FOR CONSTANTLY WEARING CLUTCH. *AK

NHTSA ODI #886582

Mileage unknown · May 23, 2000
Air BagsPower TrainCrash

WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH TRANSFER CASE LOCKED UP, CAUSING THE REAR END TO LOCK UP. VEHICLE SLID OUT OF CONTROL, WENT OFF THE ROAD INTO A DITCH, AND HIT A FENCE. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #862368

Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 1999
EquipmentPower TrainSeats

SEAT LEVER (RECALL). CLAMP ON A/C TUBE (RECALL). SHIFTER BOOT--LEAKING.

NHTSA ODI #609726

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 …

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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

Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 1998
Power Train

RECALL 98V-064000. WHEN AN APPOINTMENT IS MADE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE, THE DEALER DOES NOT HAVE ANY OF THE PARTS TO REPAIR/REMEDY THE PROBLEM. DEALER CANNOT TELL THE CONSUMER WHEN THE PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #824313

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.