1999 Nissan Frontier: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1999 Nissan Frontier: 2 recalls, 78 owner complaints and up to 21 mpg combined.

Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 3 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #99V347002 · 1999 · 67,000 vehicles
What's wrong: The tail light socket May have been improperly molded, resulting in the locking tab having insufficient force to retain the bulb.
Why it matters: If the bulb falls out of the socket, the brake or tail lamp function cannot occur.
The fix: Dealers will replace the tail lamp sockets.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #04V230000 · 2004 · 586,196 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain pickup trucks equipped with six cylinder engines and sport utility vehicles equipped with four or six cylinder engines, the fuel pump terminal on the fuel-sending unit can develop a crack in the plastic molding. This can cause the terminal strip to corrode under some environmental conditions.
Why it matters: If corrosion occurs, the terminal strip could eventually break causing the fuel pump to stop operation. This will result in not being able to start the engine or cause the engine to stop running without warning, which can result in a crash.
The fix: In the following states, dealers will replace the fuel-sending unit. These states are connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, tennessee, vermont, virginia,…
3 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E026000 · 2006 · 61,944 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
The fix: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E012000 · 2009 · 16,270 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E025000 · 2009 · 42,540 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Dope, Inc. will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 8 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Tires (19): the most common themes are tire tread / blowout (19).
- Airbags (17): the most common themes are fails to deploy (3).
- Transmission & drivetrain (12): the most common themes are noise or vibration (7).
- Engine & cooling (10): the most common themes are leaks (4), noise or vibration (3), warning light on (2).
The 1999 Nissan Frontier has 78 owner complaints, ranking #11 of 29 Frontier model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 116). Complaints peaked in 2000 (19 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 80,000 miles. Neighboring years: 1998 (129 complaints, 2 recalls), 2000 (189 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 24 | 21 | Regular |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 22 | 19 | Regular |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 19 | 17 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1999 Nissan Frontier.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 1999 Nissan Frontier have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 1999 Nissan Frontier, plus 3 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1999 Nissan Frontier problems?
Owners have filed 78 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are tires (19), airbags (17), transmission & drivetrain (12).
What gas mileage does the 1999 Nissan Frontier get?
EPA ratings run up to 21 mpg combined (2.4 L, Manual 5-spd), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1999 Nissan Frontier repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.