2001 Nissan Frontier Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe problems with the fuel system, especially the top of the fuel tank, filler neck and fuel sending unit, where corrosion or cracks lead to fuel smells, leaks and stalling. Cooling and exhaust issues, brake and ABS complaints, and occasional airbag non-deployment reports also appear. Many reports come in at higher mileage, though some fuel and cooling complaints are filed well under 100,000 miles.

1. 1
   Fuel system

   Fuel tank top corrodes, leaks and lets water in

   • 14 complaints (10%)
   • median 81,700 mi at 9.2 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • filed 2004–2024

   Complaints describe fuel leaking or pooling on top of the tank, raw gasoline smells after refueling, and water getting into the fuel so the engine stalls or will not restart. Several owners say a shop found the top of the tank rusted through or cracked, with the access ring collecting water. Some report the tank was replaced, some were told the part is no longer available, and others say the dealer attributed the smell to the gas cap and reset the warning light. Typically reported between roughly 35,000 and 130,000 miles, often after years of exposure to road salt or wet weather.

   Recall 02V300000

   What to check: Look at the top of the tank and the filler neck area for rust, dampness or a fuel smell, and ask whether the tank has ever been replaced. Check for a gasoline odor right after filling up.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Fuel tank top rusted and water entered the fuel , truck stopped running and would not start truck service did tune up did not help after a $1,200 dollars they found the water in tank did not find the rusted tank untill the third time back,put a sealer on what they could reach and now I do not take my truck out in bad weather help!!!!”

   NHTSA complaint #10947429, filed 2017-01, 10 miles

   “There has been an issue with my 2001 Nissan Frontier since it had 15,000 miles on it. I bought this vehicle new. The service engine soon light has been on more than it has been off, and I have smelled raw gas smell which has continued to get worse. Dealerships have continually told my wife and myself that the gas cap was loose, or we needed a new gas cap and reset the service engine soon light. It didn't take very long before the light went back on again. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10223415, filed 2008-04, 15,000 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   Brake and ABS problems: pull, soft pedal, warning light

   • 10 complaints (7%)
   • median 40,000 mi at 3.3 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2002–2010

   Owners describe the brake pedal dropping toward the floor, a strong pull to one side when braking, uneven pad wear, and brake fluid loss from a corroded line or a leaking ABS sensor. Some report the ABS light comes on and the system then works only in non-ABS mode, and a few describe momentary loss of braking. Dealers diagnosed ABS actuator and sensor faults, with repair estimates owners found high. Most reports fall between about 20,000 and 80,000 miles, with some brake line corrosion cases under 35,000 miles.

   Recall 02V2990002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check brake fluid level and look for wet or rusted brake lines, and make sure the ABS warning light is off. Ask whether the rear axle ABS sensor recall was performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a 2001 Nissan Frontier that the right inner pad is worn to the sensor. The disc pad is wearing at noticeable angle from leading edge to trailing edge. The other pads are wearing normally. The truck also has a severe brake pull to the right. The pull is worse when hot. The car is undriveable at this time. The car will swith lanes when the brakes are applied. As an ase certified auto technician I believe the cause is the use of phenolic caliper pistons. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10021391, filed 2003-06, 32,500 miles

   “I bought a new 2001 pathfinder in july and I lease it just the beginning of this year out of nowhere the ABS light came on and it came on and then turn off I took the vehicle to the dealer for a diagnose and they told me it had an internal failure that the ABS actuator was not good they told me that in the years of service they have not seen anything like this they did not know what cause it or what happened they told me that it would cost me almost 2,000.00 to fix and I decline because I felt it was a defect that the car had after …”

   NHTSA complaint #10078568, filed 2004-06, 40,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine cooling

   Exhaust manifold cracks, fumes and coolant loss

   • 18 complaints (13%)
   • median 67,500 mi at 5.1 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • 9 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2001–2014

   Complaints describe a cracked exhaust manifold that lets exhaust fumes into the cabin, sometimes with a burning or exhaust smell noticed while driving. Owners also report overheating with coolant loss so the engine shut down and needed a tow, and in one case a water leak into a cylinder was suspected. Dealers and warranty plans varied in what they covered. Reported from roughly 35,000 to 90,000 miles; some overheating reports around 55,000 miles.

   What to check: Listen for exhaust ticking when cold and check for exhaust smells in the cabin. Check coolant level and look for residue or oil leaks around the engine and oil pan.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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).”

   NHTSA complaint #10524155, filed 2013-07, 130,000 miles

   “Exhaust manifold has cracked due to manifold is made of one type of metal, and engine block is another type. These two metals heat/cool at different rates causing undue stress on manifold. As a result the manifold has cracked, allowing toxic fumes to enter vehicle passenger compartment.”

   NHTSA complaint #10156733, filed 2006-05, 35,000 miles
4. 4
   Air bags

   Airbag warning light and no deployment in a crash

   • 10 complaints (7%)
   • median 90,000 mi at 8.2 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2001–2015

   Several owners report the airbag warning light blinking or staying on, with a clock spring in the steering column identified as the fault and, in one case, the part no longer available. Other complaints describe frontal impacts where the airbags did not deploy despite heavy front-end damage. One owner also reports the passenger airbag on/off lock stuck in the off position. Reported from about 50,000 to 130,000 miles, and in crash reports at various mileages.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Confirm the airbag warning light goes out after start-up and that the passenger airbag switch turns freely. Ask whether the clock spring or airbag system has ever been serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My truck was hit on front right side and spun my truck around. My whole front end fell off, including my head lights and radiator support. Both radiators were crushed. The front tire wall along with the radiators were pushed into my engine. With all this damage, my air bags never deployed. Both officers on site advised me to look into this matter.”

   NHTSA complaint #10208017, filed 2007-11, 75,000 miles

   “Problems w/ passenger side airbag lock mech. Trouble turning the key to off position. Now it is locked in off position and can not be turned back on. Posted this issue on a Nissan forum and found it to be a common problem! I called a factory and they said the only fix was to take out lock core and have it re-keyed. Not a good thing if you ask me!”

   NHTSA complaint #10211347, filed 2007-12, 68,000 miles
5. 5
   Fuel system

   Fuel sending unit / pump failure and stalling

   • 7 complaints (5%)
   • median 99,350 mi at 10.0 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2004–2013

   Owners describe the engine dying without warning while driving or refusing to start with fuel in the tank, with corrosion around the fuel sending unit area cited. Some say the sending unit was replaced repeatedly, and others report stalling that began after recall-related repairs. In a few cases the dealer confirmed the sending unit needed replacement. Mostly reported between about 80,000 and 130,000 miles, sometimes after exposure to road salt.

   Recall 04V230000

   What to check: Ask whether the fuel sending unit recall work was done and whether the unit has been replaced since. Watch for hard starting or intermittent stalling on a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “1. My 2001 Nissan Frontier se's engine suddenly died with no warning. It would not start and I verified that there was in fact gas in the tank. I expected it to be the fuel pump that failed. I had the vehicle towed at my expense to a garage of my choice. 2. I decided to check online to see what recalls might be due on the vehicle. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10320185, filed 2010-03, 107,700 miles

   “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 complaint #10459191, filed 2012-05, 91,000 miles

Buying note. On this model year, focus the inspection on the fuel tank top, filler neck and sending unit, plus the exhaust manifold and brake lines, since those draw the most owner reports. Ask for records of recall work and any fuel or ABS repairs, and have a shop check for corrosion underneath before buying.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.