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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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

15 reports
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Mileage unknown · Oct 10, 2010
Electrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic

CONNECTION FOR ABS(G SENSOR). LIGHT WILL COME ON AND BYPASS SOME OF THE BRAKE COMPONENTS. HAS BEEN FIXED BEFORE AND IT RECURS . CAN FEEL DIFFERENCE IN BRAKING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10359903

80,000 miles · Oct 29, 2009
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

2001 NISSAN FRONTIER XE ABS FAILURE. WHEN STOPPING ON SEMI WET LEVEL SURFACE ABS ENGAGED FOLLOWED BY COMPLETE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE. NO BRAKE WARNING LAMP OR ABS WARNING LAMP WAS ON. COULD REPEAT THIS FAILURE MODE IN NEARBY PARKING LOT. ABS LAMP CAME ON AFTER SECOND FAILURE. NOW BRAKES WORK IN NON ABS MODE (CAN APPLY FULL BRAKIN…

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2001 NISSAN FRONTIER XE ABS FAILURE. WHEN STOPPING ON SEMI WET LEVEL SURFACE ABS ENGAGED FOLLOWED BY COMPLETE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE. NO BRAKE WARNING LAMP OR ABS WARNING LAMP WAS ON. COULD REPEAT THIS FAILURE MODE IN NEARBY PARKING LOT. ABS LAMP CAME ON AFTER SECOND FAILURE. NOW BRAKES WORK IN NON ABS MODE (CAN APPLY FULL BRAKING PRESSURE TO THE POINT OF LOCKING THE WHEELS WHEN ABS WARNING LAMP IS ON.) *TR

NHTSA ODI #10290219

107,800 miles · Sep 17, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO COMPLETELY STOP WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE CONTACT COULD NOT ESTIMATE THE LENGTH OF TIME THE VEHICLE TOOK TO STOP. HE STATED THAT THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE DRY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE M…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO COMPLETELY STOP WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE CONTACT COULD NOT ESTIMATE THE LENGTH OF TIME THE VEHICLE TOOK TO STOP. HE STATED THAT THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE DRY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 107,800.

NHTSA ODI #10203193

33,472 miles · Mar 31, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

CHECK BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. BRAKE LINE CORRODED TO THE EXTENT THAT BRAKE FLUID LEAKED OUT AND EMPTIED THE MASTER CYLINDER. COULD ONLY STOP IF THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS CONSTANTLY REFILLED. MASTER CYLINDER WOULD EMPTY AS SOON AS THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PUSHED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10186647

43,251 miles · Jul 10, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE DRIVING AT 4:30 AM ON JULY 9TH, 2005, MY WIFE EXPERIENCED A MOMENTARY BRAKE FALUIRE WHILE EXITING A FREWWAY RAMP AT ANTHEM WAY IN ANTHEM, AZ WJILE TRAVELING ABOUT 65 MPH. THE BRAKES RESTORED THEMSELVES PRIOR TO A STOPLIGHT AT THE OFF-RAMP OF ANTHEM WAY AND I-17. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS ON A FEW OCCAIONS, BUT THOUGHT IT WA…

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WHILE DRIVING AT 4:30 AM ON JULY 9TH, 2005, MY WIFE EXPERIENCED A MOMENTARY BRAKE FALUIRE WHILE EXITING A FREWWAY RAMP AT ANTHEM WAY IN ANTHEM, AZ WJILE TRAVELING ABOUT 65 MPH. THE BRAKES RESTORED THEMSELVES PRIOR TO A STOPLIGHT AT THE OFF-RAMP OF ANTHEM WAY AND I-17. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS ON A FEW OCCAIONS, BUT THOUGHT IT WAS JUST MY IMAGINATION. I HAVE NOT SOUGHT RECOURSE FROM THE DEALER, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, AS I REALIZE THAT THEY HAVE TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM, WHICH DOES NOT MANIFEST ITSELF THAT OFTEN. I BELIEVE HAVING BEEN IN FLEET MANGEMENT FOR 25+ YEARS, THAT IT MAY BE A FAULTY BRAKE VALVE. ALSO I AM A MEMBER OF NAFA. THERE WAS NOT ANY ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #10128234

40,000 miles · Jun 21, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

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 …

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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 COMMUNICATING THIS INFORMATION TO NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIR THEY DENIED THE REPAIRS BECAUSE MY CAR HAS MORE THAN 36,000 MILES. I FEEL THEY JUST WANT YOUR MONEY AND THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT I FELT THEY SHOULD COVER IF THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT EVEN TELL ME WHAT CAUSE IT I FELT THEY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE AFTER ALL THIS IS NOT A CHEAP VEHICLE AND NOW I WILL NEVER BUY A NISSAN AGAIN.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10078568

44,000 miles · Nov 24, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE ABS SENSOR WAS LEAKING FLUID ONTO THE AXLE, WHICH CAUSED THE WHEEL TO BE NON-RESPONSIVE. WILL BE TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE MECHANIC CHECK OUT THE LEAKAGE. THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED FOR HIS SAFETY. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10048578

20,000 miles · Oct 15, 2003
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury

FAILURE OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM CAUSED BRAKE PEDAL TO DROP HALF WAY TO THE FLOOR (APPROXIMATELY LEVEL WITH GAS PEDAL) AND INABILITY TO SLOW OR STOP THE VEHICLE. NONE OF MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO APPLY THE SERVICE BRAKES RESULTED IN ANY BRAKING EFFECT AND ENGINE SURGE WAS DETECTED IN AT LEAST ONE BRAKING ATTEMPT. DRIVER RESORTED TO EM…

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FAILURE OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM CAUSED BRAKE PEDAL TO DROP HALF WAY TO THE FLOOR (APPROXIMATELY LEVEL WITH GAS PEDAL) AND INABILITY TO SLOW OR STOP THE VEHICLE. NONE OF MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO APPLY THE SERVICE BRAKES RESULTED IN ANY BRAKING EFFECT AND ENGINE SURGE WAS DETECTED IN AT LEAST ONE BRAKING ATTEMPT. DRIVER RESORTED TO EMERGENCY BRAKE, BUT TOO LATE TO AVOID COLLISION IN INTERSECTION, TWO VEHICLES DESTROYED, FOUR PEOPLE WHERE INJURED. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10042950

32,500 miles · Jun 11, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

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 WIL…

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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. PHENOLIC PISTONS ARE KNOWN TO CAUSE BRAKE PULLS, LOCKED UP BRAKES AND UNEVEN PAD WEAR.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10021391

Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THIS IS ONE OF TWO 2001 FRONTIERS I OWN. BOTH HAVE HAD PREMATURE WEAR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE INSIDE FRONT BRAKE PAD. ALL OTHER PADS WERE FINE ON BOTH TRUCKS. IT SEMS THE PAD BCOMES LODGED IN THE CALIPER AND DOES NOT RETRACT WHEN THE BRAKE IS RELEASED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #767016

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.