The problem
On certain passenger vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of alaska, colorado, connecticut, iowa, idaho, illinois, indiana, kansas, massachusetts, maine, michigan, minnesota, missouri, montana, north dakota, nebraska, new hampshire, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, south dakota, utah, vermont, wisconsin, and wyoming. At extremely cold temperatures, moisture in the fuel tank could freeze and form ice crystals. These ice crystals May obstruct the suction opening of the fuel pump.
The risk
This can prevent the supply of fuel to the engine and cause the engine to stop, which could result in a crash without warning.
The fix
Dealers will install a screen at the suction opening of the fuel pump to prevent ice crystals from blocking the opening. Owner notification began on August 18, 2003. Owners should contact Nissan at 1-800-333-0829.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 03V-251 (03V251000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer number | R3012/P3142 |
| Manufacturer | Nissan North America, Inc. |
| Component | Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly |
| Report date | July 14, 2003 |
| Owners notified | August 18, 2003 |
| Vehicles affected | 377,000 |
| Initiated by | Manufacturer |
Vehicles covered
Owner complaints about the fuel & propulsion system
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 03V-251 repair free?
Yes. Nissan dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Dealers will install a screen at the suction opening of the fuel pump to prevent ice crystals from blocking the opening. Owner notification began on August 18, 2003. Owners should contact Nissan at 1-800-333-0829.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 377,000 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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.