2003 Nissan Frontier: check engine light

Filed Sep 13, 2013 · Fuel system · 36,433 miles · WV

Bought truck new in 2003 original owner. At 36433 miles check engine light came on was told fuel tank was rusted out needed new tank which was replaced under extended warranty. At 91989 miles check engine light again comes on. Was told fuel tank/evap canister valve/evap control system needed replaced again. Again done under extended warranty. At 120,608 miles (28589 miles later) check engine came on again. Took to nissan dealer again for diagnostic check and am told that there is corrosion again on the fuel tank around sending unit. May need another fuel tank, but need to drop tank and see how bad it is. Extended warranty is expired at this point and the charge would be up to me. I was trying to work with nissan to replace this tank if need be. I understand that it is an older truck, but it is garage kept and never off road in excellent shape. They want me to take it and have the tank dropped at my expense. If it turns out to be the tank they will then decide what they might pay if any. They are calling it a good will decision. I need a definite answer from them on how much they will pay before I do this and they won't do that. My theory is that if this turns out to be yet another rusted fuel tank which will make the fourth one they should have a recall on these. I have two other friends with nissan frontiers 2002, and 2003 with the same problem. I believe that this is not an isolated problem for I have googled this and found thousands of complaints about rusted fuel tanks on these years and make of nissan. I am a 66 year old man, and have never in all my years of owning an automobile ever had to replace a fuel tank because it was rusted out, let alone 4 of them. Something needs to be done, and nissan needs to step up and address this problem once and for all.

Filed Apr 10, 2012 · Fuel system · 80,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan frontier. While operating the vehicle, the contact noticed that the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the fuel tank was replaced due to its straps rusting through. The failure mileage was 78,000 and the current mileage was 80,000. Updated 05/11/12*lj the consumer stated the gas tank seal on the filer neck also rusted out. Updated 05/15/12

Filed Jul 18, 2011 · Fuel system · 94,000 miles · NJ

Fuel tank assembly - the top of the fuel tank where the fuel pump/sending unit bolts into the tank rusted/corroded causing a vapor leak and the check engine light to come on. This required cleaning/removing rust/corrosion resealing assembly to return vehicle to usable condition.

Filed Apr 7, 2011 · Fuel system · 130,000 miles · NJ

Several months ago the check engine light in my 2003 nissan frontier xe came on. I took the vehicle to a local repair shop and was informed that the fuel tank was rusting at the top. This caused air to enter the system making the check engine light go on. I had to have the tank replaced to pass state inspection.

Filed Mar 28, 2011 · Fuel system · 100,000 miles · PA

Check engine light is on checked out by local nissan dealership . I was told that a small evo leak on gasket of fuel sending unit. Had checked by own mechanic he confirmed what nissan had said. I noticed more complaints of this problem by other owners of the 2003 frontier I think this issued should be investigated for recall. The dealership wanted over $600 to fix if the gas tank is still usable.

Filed Aug 21, 2008 · Fuel system · 98,000 miles · RI

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 nissan frontier xe. The check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that he needed a new fuel tank, fuel sending unit, and fuel filter. Through research, the contact discovered the federal safety agency campaign id number 04v230000 (fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump) for the regular 2003 nissan frontier. The dealer stated that his VIN was not included in the recall, although the failures were identical. The contact believes that if he is experiencing the same failure, his vehicle should also be repaired under the recall. The failure mileage was 98,000 and current mileage was 105,000.

Filed Jan 24, 2005 · Fuel system · 42,900 miles · NY

I have a 2003 nissan frontier sc, the super charged model, with 43,000 miles. I was drive on the nys thruway last saturday. The ambient temperature was extremely low -10f. The truck was intermittently losing power. It finally went into a slow idle and lost all power. I pulled over and tried to call for help. I had my wife and 14 month old child in the truck with me. It was a very dangerous situation. We had no power, it was extremely cold and it had been snowing at near blizzard conditions. I was not able to get off the road. I was very concerned about the safety of my wife and child. After 15 minutes of making calls, I tried to start the truck again. The check engine light was on, but the truck started and ran normally. That evening, after the truck had been sitting for a few hours, the same problem occurred. This time, I was in 4wd and trying to drive through snow at higher rpms when the truck lost power. I took the truck to the burdick nissan, a dealership in cicero, ny. They told me I needed a new air flow meter. I see that the 2002 models were experiencing the exact same problem, but they were recalled (r2013) and the fix is to reprogram the existing meter. The cost of the part (air flow meter) is $600.00!