Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Nissan Frontier owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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
Fuel tank top rusted and water entered the fuel , truck stopped running and would not start truck service did tune up did not help after a $1,200 dollars they found the water in tank did not find the rusted tank untill the third time back,put a sealer on what they could reach and now I do not take my truck out in bad weather help!!!!
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Nissan Frontier. While the vehicle was being refueled, fuel leaked from the filler neck. The dealer diagnosed that the part needed to repair the vehicle was no longer in production. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 88,000.
My car wouldn't start. Battery was fine..passengers had recently said that they noticed a fuel smell, but I can't smell (a physical handicap of mine).; called aaa- it was then that we noticed that fuel was leaking out of the top of the gas tank, the fuel pump wire that supplies power to the fuel pump was broken. Car had to be towed to a local garage. Called Nissan dealer and he said 'your car is old, just replace the fuel tank. But, the design of the gas tank is such that there is a 'gully' where water gets trapped on the design of the top of the fuel tank. Nissan refuses to admit that this is a design flaw that is causing the top of the fuel tanks to corrode; and this is indeed a safety issue! As a mechanical engineer who specializes in metals, it is definitely a poor design; I have owned and worked on cars my entire life, and have never seen a fuel tank corrode through. …
I purchased my Nissan Frontier from a Nissan dealer "as is" which was fine til the first time I filled it up. The smell of gas made me pull over right away. Couldn't find or see a leak but sure could smell it. Shortly after check engine light goes on. Had a mechanic look at it to find fuel is leaking from the top of the fuel tank. I see I'm not the only person to complain about it. Hopefully someone will investigate before someone gets hurt. I'm on s.s.d. I can not afford this problem that should be recalled. Tried to locate a new tank for the truck. Can't find one. I can't see putting a recycled defect in. Anyone with the same problem needs to call the NHTSA so we can get the recall started. Now Nissan changed the tank and added access panel behind the back seat on newer models. So I don't fill my truck and it still smells of gas but not as bad. Hopefully help is around the corner.
Engine stopped while on highway. Unable to restart. On checking vehicle, discovered water in fuel tank. After removing fuel tank from vehicle, noticed, access to fuel tank from top severely corroded. The fuel tank is located directly below space between cab of truck and bed. This allows water to enter through the space. The access to the tank has a raised ring and a groove that runs around the ring, which allows water to collect. The whole ring is corroded and their is holes in the top of the tank. I feel this is a poorly designed tank and poor location of tank. My son and my friend has the same make and model and the both experienced the same problem. My son junked his truck and my friend used j-weld to make makeshift repairs. I live in a community with a population of 2000 residence, which makes me believe that this cannot be a isolated incident. Thank you
I have a three year old (2001) Nissan Frontier xe quad cab. The gas tank has corroded through in this short period of time. Although Nissan has picked up the cost of the part, I was still responsible for the labor costs. I admire their willingness to pay for the part; however, a safety issue such as this might warrant an investigation and a possible recall. It seems as if a gas tank should be the most secure part on an automobile. The exposure to harmful fumes and possible explosion are serious safety concerns. To have a gas tank corrode in 39 months of use is inexcusable. Although the car is no longer under the manufacturer's warranty, this is an issue of more global concern and should be a defect completely paid for by the manufacturer on all similar models.
Fuel sending unit replaced due to corrosion build up around fuel sending area. Replaced by dealer several times, OEM part proved defective each time. Finally received recall notice from Nissan that corrosion build up was causing the fuel sending unit to fail in areas that use salt on the road. Today, 9/10/04 dealer had to replace fuel sending unit again(with recall approved fuel sending unit) and now tells me that the corrosion is so bad the fuel tank needs to be replaced. The vehicle is 3 years old and has only 56,000 miles. They told us that the tank May eventually leak fuel from the sending unit area that has corrosion.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated fuel spills from the filler inlet as the tank is being filled. As a consequence in the presence of an ignition source, fuel leakage could result in a fire. He contacted the manufacturer in reference to recall# 02V300000(fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:filler pipe and cap). Upon contact a representative stated that because his VIN number was excluded from the VIN range, he was ineligible for a free remedy. As of current date the vehicle has not been repaired. The failure mileage was 73,200. The current mileage was unknown.
Related recalls
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…
Fuel System complaints in other Frontier years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2001 Nissan Frontier?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2001 Nissan Frontier, 25% of the model year's 134 complaints. The component named most often is storage › tank assembly (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Nissan Frontier fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 04V-230 (fuel pump, May 24, 2004); NHTSA recall 02V-300 (filler pipe and cap, Nov 12, 2002). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2001 Nissan Frontier fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 88,000 miles, and 16% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to fuel & propulsion system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.