IllustrationLAST NIGHT OUR 2001 NISSAN FRONTIER CAUGHT FIRE AND WAS DESTROYED. THE FIRE MARSHAL SAID IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE THAT STARTED UNDER THE STEERING COLUMN. THE TRUCK WAS PARKED AT AROUND 6:15 PM AND THIS FIRE WAS DISCOVERED AT AROUND 11:15 PM AND SEEMED THAT IT HAD STARTED AROUND 20 MINUTES BEFORE.
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Frontier years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
120–25K
1325–50K
1450–75K
1375–100K
20100–150K
5150K+
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 reportsFRONT 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
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
AT TIMES, I LOSE ALL OF MY GAUGES AND SOMETIMES WHEN THAT HAPPENS, I ALSO LOSE ALL POWER. THIS CREATES A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN TRAVELING DOWN A MAJOR HIGHWAY. THE OTHER DAY I WAS ON U. S. 25 SOUTH OF GREENVILLE, SC, WHEN IT HAPPENED AND I DROVE BETWEEN 45 AND 50 MILES WITH NO GAUGES. I HAD A DOCTORS APPOINTMENT IN AUGUSTA,…
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AT TIMES, I LOSE ALL OF MY GAUGES AND SOMETIMES WHEN THAT HAPPENS, I ALSO LOSE ALL POWER. THIS CREATES A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN TRAVELING DOWN A MAJOR HIGHWAY. THE OTHER DAY I WAS ON U. S. 25 SOUTH OF GREENVILLE, SC, WHEN IT HAPPENED AND I DROVE BETWEEN 45 AND 50 MILES WITH NO GAUGES. I HAD A DOCTORS APPOINTMENT IN AUGUSTA, GA THAT I HAD WAITED SEVERAL MONTHS TO GET SO I HAD TO GO ON. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY A PERSON THAT WORKS AT THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP THAT THIS IS COMMON WITH THE 2001 NISSAN FRONTIER WHICH IS WHAT I HAVE. IN CHECKING, I AM TOLD THAT THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS WHICH DOESN'T MAKE SENSE. *JB
LEAKING EXHAUST MANIFOLD CAUSING NOISE AND FUMES TO ENTER CAB OF TRUCK AND MAKING ME SICK. COST TO REPAIR ALMOST $800. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH, THE FLANGE WAS SEVERELY RUSTED, AND CAUSED GASOLINE TO LEAK. PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE GASOLINE TANK HAD TO BE CHANGED. THE GAS TANK HAD RUSTED. UPDATED 11/30/06. *JB
BOTH EXHAUST MANIFOLDS CRACKED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. *NM
DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 65 MPH LOST POWER AND VEHICLE COASTED UNTIL IT WOULD OPERATE IN SECOND GEAR (AUTO TRANSMISSION). *JB
CAR WITH 55,000 OVERHEATS & SHUT DOWN ON FREEWAY. WAS TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP, 3 WEEKS OUT OF WARRANTY, AND REPAIRED AT MY EXPENSE. TWO DAYS AFTER RECEIVING IT BACK FROM THE REPAIR SHOP, CAR OVERHEATS AGAIN. CRACKED MANIFOLD WAS ALSO DISCOVERED. *JB
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. *JB
Official recalls
304V230000 · 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
1PE02052 · 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.