1998 Nissan Frontier Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 7%of 129 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 110,323miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1998 Nissan Frontier, 7% of the 129 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 110,323 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10351318, filed 2010-08, 162,100 miles“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 complaint #10790219, filed 2015-11, 110,323 miles“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. The bearing(s) were burnt and there was a fluid like sludge as a result of the heat.”
NHTSA complaint #10053981, filed 2004-02“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.”
NHTSA complaint #886582, filed 2001-04“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 complaint #700042, filed 1998-10Related recalls
- 98V064000Mar 25, 1998Vehicle description: light duty passenger trucks equipped with automatic transmissions. A securing pin inside the automatic transmission control device…Covers: Nissan Frontier 1998
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 27% |
| 2025 | 2 | 20% |
| 2024 | 6 | 27% |
| 2023 | 13 | 20% |
| 2022 | 24 | 21% |
| 2021 | 5 | 25% |
| 2020 | 12 | 52% |
| 2019 | 7 | 25% |
| 2018 | 2 | 8% |
| 2017 | 6 | 16% |
| 2016 | 3 | 7% |
| 2015 | 5 | 15% |
| 2014 | 6 | 14% |
| 2013 | 6 | 13% |
| 2012 | 20 | 25% |
| 2011 | 9 | 14% |
| 2010 | 15 | 25% |
| 2009 | 8 | 22% |
| 2008 | 54 | 40% |
| 2007 | 222 | 43% |
| 2006 | 220 | 36% |
| 2005 | 262 | 49% |
| 2004 | 13 | 20% |
| 2003 | 7 | 9% |
| 2002 | 7 | 6% |
| 2001 | 8 | 6% |
| 2000 | 26 | 14% |
| 1999 | 12 | 15% |
| 1998 | 9 | 7% |
Other parts of the 1998 Nissan Frontier
23 complaintsTires
23 complaintsSuspension
19 complaintsAir bags
12 complaintsEngine cooling
10 complaintsSeat belts
8 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsSeats
4 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Nissan Frontier
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology