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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

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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

Air Bags complaints

10 reports
Clear category filter
128,353 miles · Sep 8, 2015
Air Bags

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH BLINKED ON AND OFF. PRIVATE GARAGE AND DEALERSHIP IDENTIFIED FAULTY PART AS A CLOCK SPRING IN THE STEERING COLUMN. WAS TOLD PART IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. MANUFACTURER DID NOT MAKE ENOUGH PARTS FOR REPLACEMENT. NOT AVAILABLE NEW OR USED. I ASKED THE DEALER TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER TO SEE IF…

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AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH BLINKED ON AND OFF. PRIVATE GARAGE AND DEALERSHIP IDENTIFIED FAULTY PART AS A CLOCK SPRING IN THE STEERING COLUMN. WAS TOLD PART IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. MANUFACTURER DID NOT MAKE ENOUGH PARTS FOR REPLACEMENT. NOT AVAILABLE NEW OR USED. I ASKED THE DEALER TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER TO SEE IF THEY HAVE A FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. NO RESPONSE. SO VEHICLE NO LONGER HAS WORKING AIRBAGS. IS THE MANUFACTURER NOT RESPONSIBLE TO BACK UP THE SAFETY OF THEIR VEHICLE AIRBAGS?

NHTSA ODI #10762313

120,000 miles · Nov 9, 2014
Air BagsEngineStructureCrashInjury

THIS VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A MVA WHERE IT HIT THE BROADSIDE OF A MINIVAN (T-BONED) THAT RAN A RED LIGHT THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. THE TRUCK WAS GOING IN EXCESS OF 20MPH AT THE TIME, WHEN I CONTACTED THE MINI-VAN NO AIRBAG WAS DEPLOYED. I SUFFERED HITS TO MY HEAD, WHIPLASH RELATED DAMAGES, DAMAGE TO MY SHOULDER AND RIGHT LEG. …

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THIS VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A MVA WHERE IT HIT THE BROADSIDE OF A MINIVAN (T-BONED) THAT RAN A RED LIGHT THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. THE TRUCK WAS GOING IN EXCESS OF 20MPH AT THE TIME, WHEN I CONTACTED THE MINI-VAN NO AIRBAG WAS DEPLOYED. I SUFFERED HITS TO MY HEAD, WHIPLASH RELATED DAMAGES, DAMAGE TO MY SHOULDER AND RIGHT LEG. THE IMPACT CAUSED SIGNIFICANT FRONT END DAMAGE TO THE TRUCK, THE ENGINE AND BODY WERE DAMAGED TO THE POINT WHERE I WAS NOT ABLE TO DRIVE THE TRUCK AND ENGINE WAS INOPERATIVE. NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10653665

105,000 miles · Jan 25, 2010
Air BagsCrash

THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN THE TRUCK WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END CRASH AT 45 MPH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10302249

68,000 miles · Dec 10, 2007
Air Bags

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 TH…

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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! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10211347

75,000 miles · Nov 6, 2007
Air BagsCrashInjury

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 LOO…

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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. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10208017

50,000 miles · Oct 28, 2003
Air BagsCrashInjury

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND DRIVER SUSTAINED SEVERE BACK INJURIES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10044902

Mileage unknown · Jul 15, 2002
Air BagsSeat BeltsInjury

WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 55MPH ON HIGHWAY, DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT, AND AIRBAG LIGHT WILL APPEAR ON DASHBORD, DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK CONSUMER MENTIONS THAT A CRASH OCCURRED WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED AND THERE WAS AN INJURY, HOWEVER DOES NOT GIVE ANY SPECIFIC DETAILS OF THIS ACCIDENT. *TT

NHTSA ODI #8013961

Mileage unknown · Apr 9, 2002
Air Bags

NHTSA LETTER RESPONDING TO CONGRESSMAN KEN CALVERT REGARDING CONSUMER WHO WROTE CONCERNING THE NON-DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAGS DURING A CRASH INVOLVING A 2001 NISSAN SUPERCHARGER TRUCK, CONSUMERS HUSBAND DIED ON THE SCENE AND BELIEVES HE MAY HAVE SURVIVED IF THE AIR BAGS WOULD HAVE DEPLOYED, NHTSA IS REQUESTING MORE INFORMATION FOR F…

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NHTSA LETTER RESPONDING TO CONGRESSMAN KEN CALVERT REGARDING CONSUMER WHO WROTE CONCERNING THE NON-DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAGS DURING A CRASH INVOLVING A 2001 NISSAN SUPERCHARGER TRUCK, CONSUMERS HUSBAND DIED ON THE SCENE AND BELIEVES HE MAY HAVE SURVIVED IF THE AIR BAGS WOULD HAVE DEPLOYED, NHTSA IS REQUESTING MORE INFORMATION FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. *TT

NHTSA ODI #564795

Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 2001
Air BagsCrashFireInjury

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH ON WET PAVEMENT CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND HIT A BRICK WALL. AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE, BURNING CONSUMER. ALSO, CUT CONSUMER ON ARM,AND FROM CHIN TO CENTER OF NECK. AIRBAGS DEPLOYED SO HARD THEY KNOCKED CONSUMER'S HEAD OUT OF WINDOW. CONTACTED DEALER AND HAD VEHICLE REPAIRED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #899091

Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 2001
Air BagsCrashInjury

WHILE TRAVELING BETWEEN 40 AND 50 MPH VEHICLE HIT A TELEPHONE POLE. BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED NECK AND CHEST INJURIES VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN EXAMINED TO DETERMINE CAUSE FOR FAILURE. *AK CONSUMER LISTS TWO FAILURES, HOWEVER ONLY GIVES INFORMATION FOR THE ACCIDENT THAT OCCURRED ON 06-SEP-2001. *S…

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WHILE TRAVELING BETWEEN 40 AND 50 MPH VEHICLE HIT A TELEPHONE POLE. BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED NECK AND CHEST INJURIES VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN EXAMINED TO DETERMINE CAUSE FOR FAILURE. *AK CONSUMER LISTS TWO FAILURES, HOWEVER ONLY GIVES INFORMATION FOR THE ACCIDENT THAT OCCURRED ON 06-SEP-2001. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #896082

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.