Recalls (2)
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1998 Nissan Frontier. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗NISSAN/AUTO TRANSMISSIONS
- Summary
- 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
- 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.
NISSAN/SEAT BELT
- Summary
- 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
- 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.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (129)
129 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 129 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 23 | 17.8% |
| Tires | 23 | 17.8% |
| Suspension | 19 | 14.7% |
| Air bags | 12 | 9.3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 10 | 7.8% |
| Power train | 9 | 7% |
| Seat belts | 8 | 6.2% |
| Fuel system | 7 | 5.4% |
| Seats | 4 | 3.1% |
| Service brakes | 4 | 3.1% |
How 1998 compares with other Frontier years
Best and worst Frontier years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 129 | 2 |
| 1999 | 78 | 2 |
| 2000 | 189 | 3 |
| 2001 | 134 | 3 |
| 2002 | 124 | 4 |
| 2003 | 77 | 4 |
| 2004 | 66 | 1 |
| 2005 | 532 | 3 |
| 2006 | 617 | 4 |
| 2007 | 520 | 1 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 22 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,050
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 404 g/mi
- EPA class
- Standard Pickup Trucks
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 22 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 / 24 / 22 | $3,050 | 404 |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 22 / 19 | $3,550 | 468 |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 / 19 / 17 | $3,950 | 523 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 1998 Frontier for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
1998 Nissan Frontier FAQ
How many recalls does the 1998 Nissan Frontier have?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 98V064000 (power train), 98V065000 (seat belt). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1998 Nissan Frontier problems?
Owners filed 129 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (23), Tires (23), Suspension (19) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 1998 Nissan Frontier get?
EPA rates the 2.4 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 20 city, 24 highway and 22 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 1998 Frontier compare with other years?
Among the 1998–2007 Nissan Frontier model years at least five years old, the 2004 drew the fewest complaints (66) and the 2006 the most (617). The 1998 drew 129. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.