NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 131 owner complaints for the 1998 Nissan Frontier. Most complaints involve tires (24) and electrical system (23). The EPA rates it 17–22 mpg combined.
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Frontier model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1998 | 131 |
| 1999 | 87 |
| 2000 | 205 |
| 2001 | 143 |
| 2002 | 139 |
| 2003 | 77 |
| 2004 | 66 |
| 2005 | 532 |
| 2006 | 617 |
| 2007 | 520 |
| 2008 | 136 |
| 2009 | 37 |
| 2010 | 59 |
| 2011 | 64 |
| 2012 | 80 |
| 2013 | 48 |
| 2014 | 42 |
| 2015 | 33 |
| 2016 | 44 |
| 2017 | 38 |
| 2018 | 25 |
| 2019 | 28 |
| 2020 | 23 |
| 2021 | 20 |
| 2022 | 112 |
| 2023 | 68 |
| 2024 | 22 |
| 2025 | 10 |
| 2026 | 11 |
“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.”
“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.”
“MY 1998 NISSAN FRONTIER XE KING CAB HAS AROUND 93,400 MILES ON IT AND IT STARTED TO MAKE NOISE ON THE DRIVERS FRONT SIDE, WHEN I WOULD GO OVER BUMPS AND NOW IT MAKES NOISE EVEN ON SMOOTH ROADS. I ASKED MY FRIEND TO TAKE A LOOK UNDER THE LEFT FRONT SIDE OF THE TRUCK AND HE SAID THAT MY STABILIZER BAR IS BROKEN AND THAT HIS FRIEND HAD A 1999 NISSAN FRONTIER XE KING CAB AND IT WAS A RECALL DUE TO THE WASHERS BEING THE WRONG SIZE AND SO HE TOOK MY TRUCK TO THE DEALER LAST WEEK AND THEY TOLD HIM THEIR WAS NO RECALL ON THE STABILIZER BAR AND SO HE TOLD THEM THIS IS SAFETY ISSUE AND HE WOULD CONTACT NISSAN ABOUT THIS ISSUE, YESTERDAY NISSAN CONSUMERS AFFAIRS CONTACTED ME AND TOLD ME THAT THEY TALKED TO THE BUENA PARK NISSAN DEALER AND THAT THEIR WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE THE TRUCK IS OUT OF WARRANTY. IN THE END I AM GOING TO TAKE MY TRUCK TO MY MECHANIC AND HAVE THIS PROBLEM FIXEC, BUT MY FRIEND SAID MY STABILIZER BAR WILL BREAK AGAIN BECAUSE OF THE WRONG SIZE WASHERS, HE FEELS THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT AND SHOULD BE REPORTED AND THAT NISSAN SHOULD CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *NM”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frontier 2WD Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 24 | 22 | $2,850 | 404 |
| Frontier 2WD Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 22 | 19 | $3,300 | 468 |
| Frontier 4WD Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 19 | 17 | $3,650 | 523 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
5 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 131 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are tires (24), electrical system (23), suspension (19). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1998 Nissan Frontier at 17–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).