Most common 2001 Nissan Frontier problems
Share of the 134 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Nissan Frontier complaints by model year
Best Frontier years: 2015, 2018, 2021. Years to avoid: 2022, 2023, 2006, 2007, 2005. Compare all years →
2001 Nissan Frontier recalls (3)
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
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.
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…
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap
On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, the fuel tank inlet shutter valve does not meet the sealing performance specification.
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…
Suspension › Rear
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.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2001 Nissan Frontier:
Fuel spill during refueling
What 2001 Nissan Frontier owners say
Fuel & propulsion system all 33 →
I am the original owner of the vehicle which has just 66,000 original miles. I have smelled fuel and had a service engine soon light on for years. I have taken the vehicle into various shops and dealerships who failed to find a fuel tank leak that now turns out to have been from corrosion of the tank flange as early as 5 years after manufacturing. A check of various online owners forums suggests this is a known defect on Nissan Frontier and XTerra trucks. Once gas began physically leaking out of my tank, I contacted the dealer who said my VIN was not part of any fuel tank recall and I would have to pay for any repairs myself. This is a dangerous and irresponsible situation for Nissan Frontier and XTerra drivers which Nissan needs to fix. Other examples of rusted fuel tank flanges. [redacted]
Had problem keeping truck running service department did a tuneup on 10/02/15 and said it was fixed 7 days later truck stopped running again went back to truck service on 10/09/15 rechecked and said I had water in gas drained gas put in new gas ran good until it rained truck stopped running again went back to truck service on 11/30/15 did a smoke test on gas tank found top of gas tank rusted out around top said I need new gas tank my truck was kept in garage most of the time that I owned it, looked on computer and found Nissan trucks between 2000 and 2005 or 2006 have bad gas tanks why do they not recall or replace gas tanks
Engine & cooling all 25 →
2/25/05 I purchased a used Nissan froniter sc '01. One week later the "service engine" light appeared. A Nissan technician diagnosed the problem as the oxygen sensors not providing feedback due to condensation in the wire harnesses. The tech. Told me that there was a bulletin he found stating that the wire harnesses in that year Frontier were found to be faulty and replaced with updated harnesses, which I would have to buy along with four sensors, to fix my problem. The cost in parts was $965 and labor is estimated at $880. Nissan will not even pay for partial parts even though they admit it is faulty product. I have contacted them to complain with the appropriate department and now they will not return my calls.
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.
Brakes
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.
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.)
2001 Nissan Frontier engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 20 / 24 / 21 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 17 / 22 / 19 |
| 3.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 18 / 16 |
| 3.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 15 / 17 / 16 |
| 3.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 17 / 16 |
| 3.3L 6-cyl supercharged | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 17 / 15 |
| 3.3L 6-cyl supercharged | 5-speed manual | RWD | 14 / 17 / 15 |
| 3.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 18 / 15 |
| 3.3L 6-cyl supercharged | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 17 / 15 |
| 3.3L 6-cyl supercharged | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 13 / 16 / 15 |
EPA ratings. Class: Full-size pickup.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Nissan Frontier a good car?
Based on 134 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2001 Frontier rates use caution: 1.9× as many complaints as a typical year of the Frontier at the same age. It is one of the Frontier years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2001 Nissan Frontier?
The fuel & propulsion system — 33 complaints, 25% of all complaints for this model year, most often about storage › tank assembly. Next are the engine & cooling (25) and brakes (15).
How many recalls does the 2001 Nissan Frontier have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2001 Nissan Frontier, the most recent from May 24, 2004 (fuel pump). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Nissan Frontier?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2015, 2018 and 2021. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2022, 2023, 2006, 2007 and 2005. See the full Nissan Frontier years comparison.
At what mileage do 2001 Nissan Frontier problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 75,000 miles; 33% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.