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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 →

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

What owners actually said

134 reports
149,000 miles · Jul 21, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EnginePower Train

WHILE DRIVING, FELT A "SHUDDER" .. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR WENT OFF. ONCE THE KEY WAS TURNED OFF, VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. TOWED HOME. STARTED CHECKING FUSES. CHECK FLUIDS, REALIZED TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS IN RADIATOR AND RADIATOR FLUID WAS IN TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE WILL NO LONGER DRIVE IN DRIVE, ONLY IN R…

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WHILE DRIVING, FELT A "SHUDDER" .. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR WENT OFF. ONCE THE KEY WAS TURNED OFF, VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. TOWED HOME. STARTED CHECKING FUSES. CHECK FLUIDS, REALIZED TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS IN RADIATOR AND RADIATOR FLUID WAS IN TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE WILL NO LONGER DRIVE IN DRIVE, ONLY IN REVERSE. KNOWN ISSUE WITH NISSAN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10614902

110,000 miles · Nov 5, 2013
Fuel System, Gasoline

I PURCHASED MY NISSAN FRONTIER FROM A NISSAN DEALER "AS IS" WHICH WAS FINE TIL THE FIRST TIME I FILLED IT UP. THE SMELL OF GAS MADE ME PULL OVER RIGHT AWAY. COULDN'T FIND OR SEE A LEAK BUT SURE COULD SMELL IT. SHORTLY AFTER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON. HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT IT TO FIND FUEL IS LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL TAN…

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I PURCHASED MY NISSAN FRONTIER FROM A NISSAN DEALER "AS IS" WHICH WAS FINE TIL THE FIRST TIME I FILLED IT UP. THE SMELL OF GAS MADE ME PULL OVER RIGHT AWAY. COULDN'T FIND OR SEE A LEAK BUT SURE COULD SMELL IT. SHORTLY AFTER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON. HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT IT TO FIND FUEL IS LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. I SEE I'M NOT THE ONLY PERSON TO COMPLAIN ABOUT IT. HOPEFULLY SOMEONE WILL INVESTIGATE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. I'M ON S.S.D. I CAN NOT AFFORD THIS PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED. TRIED TO LOCATE A NEW TANK FOR THE TRUCK. CAN'T FIND ONE. I CAN'T SEE PUTTING A RECYCLED DEFECT IN. ANYONE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM NEEDS TO CALL THE NHTSA SO WE CAN GET THE RECALL STARTED. NOW NISSAN CHANGED THE TANK AND ADDED ACCESS PANEL BEHIND THE BACK SEAT ON NEWER MODELS. SO I DON'T FILL MY TRUCK AND IT STILL SMELLS OF GAS BUT NOT AS BAD. HOPEFULLY HELP IS AROUND THE CORNER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10550944

130,000 miles · Jul 10, 2013
Engine

SEVERAL WEB SITES I HAVE READ INDICATE A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH ENGINE/EXHAUST ACCUMULATION OF WATER VIA THE LEAKAGE IN WATER LINES AND/OR FAULTY MANUFACTURING HEADS/ENGINE SYSTEM. MY VEHICLE ACCUMULATED WATER IN ONE OF THE PISTON (4-5), AND PERHAPS WARPED THE ALUM HEADS OR MAYBE BLOWN GASKET. IF REPAIRED WILL THIS PROBLEM PE…

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SEVERAL WEB SITES I HAVE READ INDICATE A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH ENGINE/EXHAUST ACCUMULATION OF WATER VIA THE LEAKAGE IN WATER LINES AND/OR FAULTY MANUFACTURING HEADS/ENGINE SYSTEM. MY VEHICLE ACCUMULATED WATER IN ONE OF THE PISTON (4-5), AND PERHAPS WARPED THE ALUM HEADS OR MAYBE BLOWN GASKET. IF REPAIRED WILL THIS PROBLEM PERSIST, AND WHAT RECOURSE DO I HAVE WITH EITHER MANUFACTURE OR USED CAR DEALER (BOUGHT IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10524155

190,000 miles · Jan 29, 2013
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

MY CAR WOULDN'T START. BATTERY WAS FINE..PASSENGERS HAD RECENTLY SAID THAT THEY NOTICED A FUEL SMELL, BUT I CAN'T SMELL (A PHYSICAL HANDICAP OF MINE).; CALLED AAA- IT WAS THEN THAT WE NOTICED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING OUT OF THE TOP OF THE GAS TANK, THE FUEL PUMP WIRE THAT SUPPLIES POWER TO THE FUEL PUMP WAS BROKEN. CAR HAD TO BE TO…

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MY CAR WOULDN'T START. BATTERY WAS FINE..PASSENGERS HAD RECENTLY SAID THAT THEY NOTICED A FUEL SMELL, BUT I CAN'T SMELL (A PHYSICAL HANDICAP OF MINE).; CALLED AAA- IT WAS THEN THAT WE NOTICED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING OUT OF THE TOP OF THE GAS TANK, THE FUEL PUMP WIRE THAT SUPPLIES POWER TO THE FUEL PUMP WAS BROKEN. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO A LOCAL GARAGE. CALLED NISSAN DEALER AND HE SAID 'YOUR CAR IS OLD, JUST REPLACE THE FUEL TANK. BUT, THE DESIGN OF THE GAS TANK IS SUCH THAT THERE IS A 'GULLY' WHERE WATER GETS TRAPPED ON THE DESIGN OF THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. NISSAN REFUSES TO ADMIT THAT THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT IS CAUSING THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANKS TO CORRODE; AND THIS IS INDEED A SAFETY ISSUE! AS A MECHANICAL ENGINEER WHO SPECIALIZES IN METALS, IT IS DEFINITELY A POOR DESIGN; I HAVE OWNED AND WORKED ON CARS MY ENTIRE LIFE, AND HAVE NEVER SEEN A FUEL TANK CORRODE THROUGH. ALL OF THE LOCAL MECHANICS/GARAGES IN MY AREA TELL ME "THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN NISSAN FRONTIERS- WE FIX THEM ALL OF THE TIME." *TR

NHTSA ODI #10495059

105,000 miles · May 29, 2012
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN FRONTIER CREW CAB. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC CONFIRMED A FRACTURE IN THE FUEL TANK, WHICH WOULD REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE W…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN FRONTIER CREW CAB. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC CONFIRMED A FRACTURE IN THE FUEL TANK, WHICH WOULD REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 105,000. ....UPDATED 06/18/12 *BF UPDATED 06/22/12 UPDATED 7/19/12 *CN UPDATED 07/23/12.

NHTSA ODI #10459886

91,000 miles · May 21, 2012
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2001 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2001 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V230000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEARE WAS 116,000.

NHTSA ODI #10459191

90,000 miles · Mar 14, 2012
Fuel System, Gasoline

ENGINE STOPPED WHILE ON HIGHWAY. UNABLE TO RESTART. ON CHECKING VEHICLE, DISCOVERED WATER IN FUEL TANK. AFTER REMOVING FUEL TANK FROM VEHICLE, NOTICED, ACCESS TO FUEL TANK FROM TOP SEVERELY CORRODED. THE FUEL TANK IS LOCATED DIRECTLY BELOW SPACE BETWEEN CAB OF TRUCK AND BED. THIS ALLOWS WATER TO ENTER THROUGH THE SPACE. THE AC…

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ENGINE STOPPED WHILE ON HIGHWAY. UNABLE TO RESTART. ON CHECKING VEHICLE, DISCOVERED WATER IN FUEL TANK. AFTER REMOVING FUEL TANK FROM VEHICLE, NOTICED, ACCESS TO FUEL TANK FROM TOP SEVERELY CORRODED. THE FUEL TANK IS LOCATED DIRECTLY BELOW SPACE BETWEEN CAB OF TRUCK AND BED. THIS ALLOWS WATER TO ENTER THROUGH THE SPACE. THE ACCESS TO THE TANK HAS A RAISED RING AND A GROOVE THAT RUNS AROUND THE RING, WHICH ALLOWS WATER TO COLLECT. THE WHOLE RING IS CORRODED AND THEIR IS HOLES IN THE TOP OF THE TANK. I FEEL THIS IS A POORLY DESIGNED TANK AND POOR LOCATION OF TANK. MY SON AND MY FRIEND HAS THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL AND THE BOTH EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. MY SON JUNKED HIS TRUCK AND MY FRIEND USED J-WELD TO MAKE MAKESHIFT REPAIRS. I LIVE IN A COMMUNITY WITH A POPULATION OF 2000 RESIDENCE, WHICH MAKES ME BELIEVE THAT THIS CANNOT BE A ISOLATED INCIDENT. THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ODI #10451575

121,900 miles · Feb 9, 2012
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V230000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY: FUEL PUMP). THE VEHICLE HAD SINCE STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE CON…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V230000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY: FUEL PUMP). THE VEHICLE HAD SINCE STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW FUEL PUMP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STALLING FAILURE WAS NOT PRESENT PRIOR TO THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,900 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 122,000.

NHTSA ODI #10447264

120,000 miles · Jul 14, 2011
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A CLUNKING NOISE COULD BE HEARD COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT ALSO EXPRESSED SERIOUS CONCERN OVER THE POSSIBILITY OF THE STEERING COLUMN CRACKING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, AND THE CONTACT WAS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A CLUNKING NOISE COULD BE HEARD COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT ALSO EXPRESSED SERIOUS CONCERN OVER THE POSSIBILITY OF THE STEERING COLUMN CRACKING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V554000 (STEERING:COLUMN) THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET TAKEN IN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #10412298

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

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.