RoadVitals

1999 Nissan Frontier

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
78
Latest Aug 7, 2023
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
5
Latest May 11, 2009
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
9
8 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 78 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1999 Nissan Frontier, most frequently naming the tires & wheels, airbags and fuel system categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 76 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

5 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

May 11, 2009
42,540 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Apr 7, 2009
16,270 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Mar 23, 2006
61,944 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
PRO-A MOTORS, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Fuel system
Filed Aug 7, 2023

The contact owns a 1999 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. Additionally, while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who replaced the sending unit and fuel pump. The vehicle was repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V230000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

NHTSA ID
11536940
Incident
Aug 1, 2023
Mileage
180,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Sep 4, 2019
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS AT A STOP SIGN AND ATTEMPTING TO TURN OUT OF A PARKING LOT, ANOTHER VEHICLE SLAMMED INTO THE FRONT OF HIS VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. NEITHER OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED AND WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN HOME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED TWO DEALERS (WEAKLEY COUNTY MOTORS, 841 N LINDELL ST, MARTIN, TN 38237, 731-587-3141) AND (PREMIER NISSAN, 300 HIGHWAY 77, PARIS, TN 38242, 731-642-0601) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT END BODY DAMAGE WAS REPAIRED AT AN INDEPENDENT BODY SHOP. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000.

NHTSA ID
11253249
Incident
Jun 1, 2015
Mileage
200,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Mar 30, 2019

TRUCK STARTED DYING RANDOMLY. FINALLY IT DIED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE TRUCK WAS DIAGNOSED WITH HAVING NO FUEL PRESSURE. I FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE TRUCK (NTB04-062C) THAT COULD CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO STOP WORKING. I VERIFIED WITH NISSAN OVER THE PHONE THAT THE TRUCK WAS DEFINITELY INVOLVED IN THE RECALL. I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO A LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP (SOUTHLAKE NISSAN IN MERRILLVILLE, IN). AFTER KEEPING THE TRUCK THERE FOR A WEEK AND TELLING ME THAT THEY HAD TO ORDER PARTS, THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD NOT PERFORM THE RECALL BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RUNNING. I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED HOME TODAY. THIS RECALL IS SPECIFICALLY FOR AN ISSUE THAT IS KNOWN TO CAUSE A NO START CONDITION. HOW CAN I GET THE RECALL PERFORMED IF THEY WILL NOT WORK ON IT IF IT WON'T START? I NOW HAVE PAID OVER $300 IN TOWING CHARGES AND HAVE NOT HAD ANY WORK DONE.

NHTSA ID
11192624
Incident
Mar 22, 2019
Mileage
213,530 mi
AirbagsFuel systemSuspension
Filed Apr 21, 2010

1999 NISSAN FRONTIER PICKUP FOLLOWING DEFECTS ARE AS FOLLOWS,FRONT AIRBAGS CONTINUOUSLY FLASHES,FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT INDICATE AMOUNT OF FUEL AFTER FILLING.,SUSPENSION PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10326918
Incident
Dec 20, 2009
Mileage
100,009 mi
Fuel system
Filed Mar 30, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH IN DRY CONDITIONS. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER , AND DISCOVERED THAT RECALL 04V230000 WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL SENDER, BUT THE VEHICLE REMAINED INOPERABLE. WHEN THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP THE VEHICLE STARTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FUEL PUMP FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE RECALL. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT THE FAILURE, BUT A RETURN PHONE CALL WAS NEVER RECEIVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,900.*AK

NHTSA ID
10186554
Incident
Mar 19, 2007
Mileage
45,900 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Dec 19, 2006

TRAVELING SOUTH ON TX 130 NEAR MANOR AT 65 MPH. BRIGHT COOL, SUNNY WEATHER, DRY ROAD. RIGHT REAR TIRE EXPLODED. TREAD CAME OFF IN ONE LONG STRIP, WHICH THRASHED THE CAR. WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL CAR OFF ROAD, BUT DAMAGE TO RIGHT REAR PANEL, WHEEL WELL, AND FUEL FILLER ESTIMATED AT BETWEEN $1500 AND $3000. THE CAR HAD BEEN VIBRATING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS FOR A WHILE, BUT I SUSPECTED A SUSPENSION PROBLEM RATHER THAN A TIRE PROBLEM. NOW I NOTICE ALL TIRES APPEAR ROTTEN ON OUTSIDE; THEY HAD NOT BEEN HOLDING AIR WELL FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. HAVE REPLACED ALL 5 TIRES. CAR: 1999 NISSAN FRONTIER PICKUP. TIRE: WILDERNESS HT, P215/65R15 95S, DOT #W2VF NNA 129. TIRE WAS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT WITH TRUCK, 42000 MILES ON IT, TREAD WEAR MINOR. COMPLAINT FILED WITH FIRESTONE, AND TIRE SENT TO THEM AT MY EXPENSE. THEY REFUSE TO ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY, AND CLAIM LOW INFLATION AND AGE ARE THE CAUSES OF THE PROBLEM (NOT SURPRISING SINCE THE TIRE NEEDED INFLATING EVERY WEEK). THEY WANT ME TO PAY TO HAVE TIRE SENT BACK TO ME, BUT HELL WILL FREEZE OVER BEFORE THAT OR BEFORE I STOP TELLING ANYBODY WILLING TO LISTEN ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE AND FIRESTONE'S RESPONSE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10176616
Incident
Nov 11, 2006
Mileage
41,979 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Oct 18, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE TAIL LIGHTS BULB CONSTANTLY FELL OUT THE ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO CHECKED THE VIN # TO DETERMINE IF IT WAS UNDER ANY RECALLS. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL #99V347002 REGARDING EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER, WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE.

NHTSA ID
10171236
Incident
Oct 10, 2006
Mileage
80,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Feb 22, 2006

1999 FRONTIER STALLED WHILE DRIVING. FUEL SENDING UNIT CORRODED. *TS ***NAR*** THE CONSUMER LEARNED THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THE PROBLEM HE EXPERIENCED. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALL WAS COMPLETED ON HIS VEHICLE IN SEPTEMEBR 2004. HOWEVER, AT THE TIME THERE WAS NO CORROSION. THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. *JB

NHTSA ID
10151955
Incident
Jan 1, 1901

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

NTB08-097L

STEERING

DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

NTB23-049

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

12 VOLT BATTERY TESTING FOR IN-SERVICE VEHICLES SERVICE INFORMATION The following Service Information lists NNA procedural recommendations for establishing good connections while performing 12V battery testing. These recommendations are expected to promote uniformity during the connection process, therefore reducing the number of incorrect “Test with DCA” and “Replace” results. HINT: If 12 volt batteries are allowed to discharge for a prolonged period of time, battery life may be drastically reduced. This condition may lead to premature battery replacement and customer dissatisfaction. IMPORTANT:  CPX-900 is now an accepted testing tool to use along with or in place of the DSS-5000  CPX-900 operating instructions are found at: https://nissancpx900.midtronics.com/  DSS-5000 operating instructions are found at: https://nissandss5000.midtronics.com/  DCA-8000 is now a required testing tool to be used for all warranty replacement decisions. The DCA-8000 is also a more efficient charger than previously available, and will charge any available 12 volt lead acid battery safely and accurately as long as all precautions and inputs are made correctly. The DCA-8000 operating instructions are found at: https://nissandca8000.midtronics.com/

NTB23-053

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SILICONE-BASED LUBRICANT OR GREASE CAN DAMAGE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SERVICE INFORMATION Do not apply Silicone-based lubricants or grease to, or around, any interior electrical components. To avoid the risk of death or severe personal injury, do not directly spray Silicone-based lubricant or grease, or inadvertently overspray Silicone-based lubricant or grease onto any interior electrical components. These types of lubricants can be detrimental to the proper operation of electrical components.

NTB13-107F

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

NTB16-003C

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

INTELLIGENT KEY REPLACEMENT OR SWAPPING BETWEEN VEHICLES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Discard all previous versions of this bulletin.

NTB13-028H

STRUCTURE; VISIBILITY

REMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Nissan Frontier by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026610
2025730
2024193053.3
2023641052.1
20221106057.8
2021172045.2
2020232057.3
2019291046.3
2018252045.2
2017381049.1
2016431044.7
2015330038.4
2014422051.0
2013481047.2
2012783047.6
2011641041.8
2010596151.8
2009375150.8
20081366151.1
20075202147.2
20066167255.0
20055326152.5
2004664052.4
2003777053.9
20021248054.3
20011347159.8
20001896056.4
1999Viewing785052.3
19981295053.1

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.