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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
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

Mileage unknown · Nov 23, 2003
Steering

IN 2001 NISSAN FRONTIER PICK-UPS WITHOUT STEERING WHEEL ADJUSTMENTS, THE DIRECTIONAL SIGNALS CAN NOT BE SEEN BY THE DRIVER SINCE THE STEERING WHEEL IS TOO THICK AND THE PLACEMENT OF THE DIRECTIONAL LIGHTS ARE QUITE POOR. ONE HAS TO PUSH THE SEAT BACK AND TILT THE SEAT TO SEE THE DIRECTIONAL LIGHTS THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL. AS …

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IN 2001 NISSAN FRONTIER PICK-UPS WITHOUT STEERING WHEEL ADJUSTMENTS, THE DIRECTIONAL SIGNALS CAN NOT BE SEEN BY THE DRIVER SINCE THE STEERING WHEEL IS TOO THICK AND THE PLACEMENT OF THE DIRECTIONAL LIGHTS ARE QUITE POOR. ONE HAS TO PUSH THE SEAT BACK AND TILT THE SEAT TO SEE THE DIRECTIONAL LIGHTS THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL. AS A RESULT THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK CAN'T BE SEEN AND CAN EASILY LEAD TO A COLLISION DUE TO MIDJUDGING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THE TRUCK. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10047405

Mileage unknown · Nov 18, 2003
Latches/locks/linkages

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH HOOD POPPED OPEN TO SECONDARY LATCH. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, AND NOTICED THAT THE SECONDARY LATCH AND THE FRAME HAD A HAIRLINE CRACK.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10048138

49,000 miles · Oct 30, 2003
Tires

CONSUMER HAD TO REFILL THE AIR IN FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE MORE THAN USUAL. THE TIRE BECAME FLAT WITHOUT WARNING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10046093

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

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

Mileage unknown · Sep 21, 2003
Wheels

INCORRECT WHEEL BASE, NO APPARENT PHYSICAL DAMAGE, PROBLEM HAS BEEN SINCE PURCHASE. IT CAUSE BRAKES TO GRAB/CHATTER, STEERING TO LOCK ON BRAKING AND EXTREME PULLING IN EITHER DIRECTION. IN ADDITION TO UNEVEN TIRE WEAR. NEARLY HIT A TELEPHONE POLE HEAD-ON WHEN STEERING LOCKED ON BRAKING AND ON ANOTHER OCCASION NEARLY AVOIDED HITT…

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INCORRECT WHEEL BASE, NO APPARENT PHYSICAL DAMAGE, PROBLEM HAS BEEN SINCE PURCHASE. IT CAUSE BRAKES TO GRAB/CHATTER, STEERING TO LOCK ON BRAKING AND EXTREME PULLING IN EITHER DIRECTION. IN ADDITION TO UNEVEN TIRE WEAR. NEARLY HIT A TELEPHONE POLE HEAD-ON WHEN STEERING LOCKED ON BRAKING AND ON ANOTHER OCCASION NEARLY AVOIDED HITTING A CAR AS BRAKING SYSTEM DOESN'T STOP VEHICLE CORRECTLY (NOT ABS RELATED-BRAKES GRAB/RELEASE/GRAB UNEVENLY ALLOWING VEHICLE TO CONTINUE FORWARD)*JB

NHTSA ODI #10039235

Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 2003
Electrical SystemFire

CONSUMER STATES THAT AFTER DRIVING VEHICLE FOR SEVERAL HOURS DURING THE DAY IT WAS PARKED AT 10 PM, BY 1:30 AM CONSUMER WAS AWAKENED BY THE SOUND OF FIRE FIGHTERS EXTINGUISHING HIS VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT ARSON WAS NOT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE.*AK *TS

NHTSA ODI #10031656

Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 2003
Suspension

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING ALIGNMENT WAS CAUSING THE TIRES TO WEAR. THE ALIGNMENT HAS BEEN CHANGED THREE TIMES. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK *CB

NHTSA ODI #10027082

2,000 miles · Jul 24, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

I BOUGHT THE 2001 FRONTIER BRAND NEW WITH ONLY 10 OR 20 MILES ON IT. SINCE THEN I'VE HAD IT IN THE SHOP 8 TIMES FOR THE A/C (THATS RIGHT 8 TIMES). EACH TIME THE SERVICE PEOPLE ASSURE ME IT'S FIXED THIS TIME. THE A/C BLOWS HOTTER THAN THE HEATER DOES AND THATS RIDICULOUS. WHEN I GO THERE THE SERVICE MANAGER ( PAT BURKE ) TREATS M…

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I BOUGHT THE 2001 FRONTIER BRAND NEW WITH ONLY 10 OR 20 MILES ON IT. SINCE THEN I'VE HAD IT IN THE SHOP 8 TIMES FOR THE A/C (THATS RIGHT 8 TIMES). EACH TIME THE SERVICE PEOPLE ASSURE ME IT'S FIXED THIS TIME. THE A/C BLOWS HOTTER THAN THE HEATER DOES AND THATS RIDICULOUS. WHEN I GO THERE THE SERVICE MANAGER ( PAT BURKE ) TREATS ME LIKE A CRIMINAL INSTEAD OF A CUSTOMER. AS OF TODAY THE TRUCK WAS FIXED ONCE AND FOR ALL, ACCORDING TO THEM, BUT I'VE HEARD THAT 7 TIMES BEFORE. VERY CONCERNED AND TIRED!!! NV. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10029053

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.