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2001 Nissan Frontier

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Frontier years

Owner complaints for the 2001 Nissan Frontier are substantially higher than the model-year median of 64.

About this comparison →
134Owner complaints

Model-year median: 64

3Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
129
199878
1999189
2000134
2001124
200277
200366
2004
Compare all Frontier years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Fuel System, Gasoline
25Engine And Engine Cooling
22Service Brakes, Hydraulic
15Electrical System
11Air Bags
10
All reported categories
Power Train
8Seat Belts
8Suspension
8Fuel/propulsion System
6Visibility
6Steering
5Tires
4Engine
3Structure
3Vehicle Speed Control
3Equipment
2Fuel System, Other
2Latches/locks/linkages
2Child Seat
1Electronic Stability Control (esc)
1Seats
1Unknown Or Other
1Wheels
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

77 reports with mileage · 57 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

11 crash reports8 fire reports8 injury reports

Suspension complaints

8 reports
Clear category filter
132,000 miles · Dec 30, 2019
SteeringSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN PROPERLY AND WAS STIFF. WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, IT WOULD NOT RETURN BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE TIE ROD AND BALL JOINTS, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER AND…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN PROPERLY AND WAS STIFF. WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, IT WOULD NOT RETURN BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE TIE ROD AND BALL JOINTS, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000.

NHTSA ODI #11292026

116,000 miles · Jan 30, 2011
Suspension

WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPS AND TURNING, HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND. I INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND OUT THAT THE SWAY BAR WAS DISCONNECTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10379611

Mileage unknown · Sep 27, 2010
Suspension

2001 NISSAN FRONTIER. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH BALL JOINT ON VEHICLE *TGW THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED THAT AN INDIVIDUAL BALL JOINT WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND HE WOULD HAVE TO PURCHASE BOTH BALL JOINTS AND THE LINKAGE IN BETWEEN THE TWO JOINTS AT A COST OF $301.13 AS OPPOSED TO BUYING ONE BALL JOINT IN THE RANGE OF $50.00. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10344396

152,500 miles · Sep 2, 2008
Suspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE BEARING FAILED IN THE REAR AXLE. THE TIRE AND THE AXLE SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS BEING DRIVEN 25 MPH. THE BRAKE LINE WAS SEVERED AND THERE WAS NO WAY TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY STOPPED ON ITS OWN. THE REPAIR SHOP STATED THAT…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE BEARING FAILED IN THE REAR AXLE. THE TIRE AND THE AXLE SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS BEING DRIVEN 25 MPH. THE BRAKE LINE WAS SEVERED AND THERE WAS NO WAY TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY STOPPED ON ITS OWN. THE REPAIR SHOP STATED THAT THE BEARING FAILED. THE CONTACT FILED COMPLAINT NUMBER 6270525 WITH NISSAN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 152,500. UPDATE 10/01/08 *CW RUST WAS FOUND ON THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND ON THE AXLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SUPERCHARGED MODEL WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. UPDATED 10/02/08.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10240574

88,500 miles · Jun 25, 2007
Suspension

FRONT SWAY BAR RISERS WERE REPLACED IN 2004, AT A COST TO ME OF $95, MILEAGE WAS JUST OVER WARRANTY AT 38,000. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED ME THAT THESE RISERS WERE A WEAK LINK IN THE CAR. NOW, IT IS 2007, AND THE LINK IS LOOSE AGAIN. THE CAR IS AT THE DEALER, AND I AM WITHOUT THE CAR FOR TWO DAYS. THE FRONTIER HAS 88,000 MILES ON …

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FRONT SWAY BAR RISERS WERE REPLACED IN 2004, AT A COST TO ME OF $95, MILEAGE WAS JUST OVER WARRANTY AT 38,000. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED ME THAT THESE RISERS WERE A WEAK LINK IN THE CAR. NOW, IT IS 2007, AND THE LINK IS LOOSE AGAIN. THE CAR IS AT THE DEALER, AND I AM WITHOUT THE CAR FOR TWO DAYS. THE FRONTIER HAS 88,000 MILES ON IT. . IF THE RISERS FAIL AGAIN AND I DO NOT CATCH IT, THERE COULD BE PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE NOT HANDLING , LEADING TO AN ACCIDENT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10194186

Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 2003
Suspension

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING ALIGNMENT WAS CAUSING THE TIRES TO WEAR. THE ALIGNMENT HAS BEEN CHANGED THREE TIMES. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK *CB

NHTSA ODI #10027082

1 miles · Jun 27, 2003
Suspension

FRONT TIRES WEAR VERY FAST ON OUTSIDE EDGES EVEN AFTER ALIGNMENTS AND NUMEROUS ROTATIONS. OUTSIDE OF TIRES BALD AFTER ONLY 20K MILES. APPARENTLY NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10023884

200 miles · Jun 26, 2003
Suspension

THE TORSION BAR DESTROYED THE ALIGNMENT WHICH WORE OUT THE TIRES. *AK THE VEHICLE ALWAYS WOBBLED FORM SIDE TO SIDE, AND THERE WAS A CLANKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE HAD WORN OUT TWO ALL SEASONAL RADIAL TIRE SETS AT 45K MILES. *SCC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10021865

Official recalls

3

04V230000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

May 24, 2004

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN THE OTHER STATES, THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE FUEL PUMP TERMINAL ON THE SENDING UNIT FOR CORROSION. IF CORROSION IS PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE UNIT. IF THERE IS NOT CORROSION, THE DEALER WILL APPLY SEALANT TO THE TERMINAL HOUSING TO HELP PREVENT CORROSION IN THE FUTURE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 28, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

02V299000 · Suspension:rear

Nov 12, 2002

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, WATER MAY ENTER THE REAR AXLE HOUSING DUE TO INADEQUATE SEALING OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) SENSOR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN CORROSION AND EVENTUAL FAILURE OF THE WHEEL BEARING. IF THIS OCCURS, THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY COULD SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR AXLE FOR WATER INTRUSION AND ANY AFFECTED COMPONENTS WILL BE REPLACED. THE ABS SENSOR WILL BE RESEALED TO PREVENT WATER INTRUSION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 10, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

02V300000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap

Nov 12, 2002

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FUEL TANK INLET SHUTTER VALVE DOES NOT MEET THE SEALING PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS SUCH AS HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURE AND WHEN WINTER GRADE GASOLINE IS BEING SOLD, FUEL COULD SPILL FROM THE FILLER INLET AS THE TANK IS BEING FILLED. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, FUEL LEAKAGE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK INLET SHUTTER VALVE. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DECEMBER 10, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE02052 · Fuel Spill During Refueling

Opened Jun 20, 2002 · Closed Dec 3, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

No summary supplied.