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. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2001 Nissan Frontier fuel system problems
33 complaints (25% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 90,000.
- owner complaints
- 33
- of this car's complaints
- 25%
- typical mileage
- 90,000
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 2
Which part fails
- Storage: tank assembly9
- Storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap4
- Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings2
- Delivery: fuel pump2
- Carburetor system2
- Storage: tank assembly: pressure relief devices1
- Storage1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Nissan Frontier fuel system problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2001 Nissan Frontier fuel system
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 04V230000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap
- What is wrong
- On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, the fuel tank inlet shutter valve does not meet the sealing performance specification.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 02V300000 · Recall details
What 2001 Nissan Frontier owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
On above approximate date I started to smell fuel coming out from my truck every time the tank was at full capacity. Since then engine light will never come off. I took for repair several times. Change oxygen sensor, gas cap, thermostat, carbon canister and solenoid. I contacted nissan but I was told that there were no recalls for my vehicle.
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 federal safety agency 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.
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. All of the local mechanics/garages in my area tell me "this is a common problem in nissan frontiers- we fix them all of the time."
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 nissan frontier crew cab. The contact stated that after refueling, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic. The mechanic confirmed a fracture in the fuel tank, which would require replacement. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 105,000. ....updated 06/18/12 *bf updated 06/22/12 updated 7/19/12 *cn updated 07/23/12.
Tl* the contact owns 2001 nissan frontier. The contact stated that she was stopped at a traffic light and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer stated that they needed to replace the fuel sending unit. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacture was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with the federal safety agency campaign id number 04v230000 (fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump). The failure mileage was 91,000 and the current mileare was 116,000.
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
Questions about the 2001 Nissan Frontier fuel system
Does the 2001 Nissan Frontier have fuel system problems?
Owners have filed 33 complaints about the fuel system of the 2001 Nissan Frontier, 25% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2001 Nissan Frontier fuel system problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 90,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2001 Nissan Frontier fuel system?
Yes, 2 recalls: 04V230000, 02V300000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Nissan Frontier have the most fuel system problems?
The Nissan Frontier model years with the most fuel system complaints are 2006 (251 complaints), 2007 (200 complaints) and 2005 (160 complaints).
Other 2001 Nissan Frontier problems
Engine 25Brakes 15Electrical 11Airbags 10Seat belts 8Suspension 8Transmission 8Visibility 6Steering 5Tires 4Acceleration 3Body 3Locks 2Driver assistance 1Seats 1Wheels 1
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