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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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

4 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ABS BRAKE SYSTEM IS NOT BRINGING VEHICLE TO A SOLID STOP WITH A GIVEN DISTANCE. *AK. THE BRAKES GET WORSE DURING SNOW OR ICE. *YH

NHTSA ODI #883268

Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH MAY RESULT IN A CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #860917

Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 1999
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

TWO INCIDENTS OF BRAKE FAILURE. THE FIRST TIME ABOUT A MONTH AGO WHEN THE BRAKES FAILED, THEY DID ENGAGE AND STARTED WORKING AFTER PUMPING THEM SEVERAL TIMES. ON JUNE 8, 1999 THE BRAKES FAILED AGAIN EVEN AFTER PUMPING THEM AND PUTTING THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE GROUND, AND THE VEHICLE RAN INTO A FENCE IN ORDER TO STOP. …

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TWO INCIDENTS OF BRAKE FAILURE. THE FIRST TIME ABOUT A MONTH AGO WHEN THE BRAKES FAILED, THEY DID ENGAGE AND STARTED WORKING AFTER PUMPING THEM SEVERAL TIMES. ON JUNE 8, 1999 THE BRAKES FAILED AGAIN EVEN AFTER PUMPING THEM AND PUTTING THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE GROUND, AND THE VEHICLE RAN INTO A FENCE IN ORDER TO STOP. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SITE, AND BOTH POLICE OFFICERS AGREED THAT THERE WERE NO SKID MARKS AND IN FACT THIS COULD BE A MASTER CYLINDER PROBLEM. THE TRUCK WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP AND REPAIRED (APPROX. COST $4000.00). WEST VALLEY NISSAN IN GLENDALE AND PINNACLE NISSAN IN SCOTTSDALE BOTH EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THEY DID NOT NOTE ANY FAILURES IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM OR MASTER CYLINDER. IT WAS STATED THAT MR. MOORE, A NISSAN REPRESENTATIVE, INSPECTED THE VEHICLE WITH THE SAME REPORT. THERE HAS BEEN NO EXPLANATION ON WHY THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK! THIS IS NOT THE FIRST INCIDENT BUT THE SECOND! BOTH THE POLICE AND A SERVICE ADVISOR AT PINNACLE NISSAN EXPLAINED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER CAN IN FACT WORK INTERMITTENTLY. MY BIGGEST FEAR IS PUTTING THIS VEHICLE BACK ON THE ROAD AND DRIVING AT A SPEED THAT I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO STOP SAFELY AND COULD EITHER CAUSE EXCESSIVE PROPERTY DAMAGE, INJURY OR DEATH. WHAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND IS THAT I PURCHASED THE EXTENDED BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY ON THIS VEHICLE. WHY DON'T THEY JUST CHANGE OUT THE MASTER CYLINDER INSTEAD OF THE POSSIBILITY AND LIABILITY OF ANOTHER ACCIDENT. AT THIS MOMENT THE VEHICLE IS STILL AT THE PINNACLE NISSAN DEALER BECAUSE I REFUSE TO PUT THE VEHICLE BACK ON THE ROAD.

NHTSA ODI #708372

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ANTI LOCK BRAKES LOCKED UP WHEN APPLIED ON A CURB.

NHTSA ODI #608081

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.