While driving the vehicle and the fuel gauge reading 1/4 tank, without any prior notification such as a "low fuel" light thw car shut off on the highway, the vehicle ran out of gas. This has happened 3 times. Upon researching there is a known recall for this vehicle that exhibits these exact symptoms as the fuel gauge shows 1/4 tank but really there is no gas. Other than this the fuel gauge works, when filled with gas it shows full on the gauge, but upon reaching the 1/4 tank level the gauge stops moving and does not indicate low fuel leaving me to believe there is gas when in fact there is not.
2008 Nissan Frontier: wrong fuel gauge reading
9 of the 136 complaints about the 2008 Nissan Frontier describe wrong fuel gauge reading.
- owner complaints
- 9
- of this car's complaints
- 7%
- typical mileage
- 52,000
- recalls
- 1
Wrong fuel gauge reading by model year
What owners say
I was driving my vehicle and I ran out of gas. The gas gauge maintained a quarter of a tank and the gas light never came on. I check for recalls and it turns out this is a known recall for this vehicle, but it says 0 recalls. But the problem still persists, therefore the vehicle is still suffering from this problem. After filling the gas after the car ran out. I tested this theory 2 more times to confirm that indeed the vehicle was suffering from this recall, in which i run out of gas without knowing. Secondly, the links associated with the other recall, have also failed/failing as the vehicle is becoming unstable while driving at times and a mechanic has already determined the links to be the cause, yet when I check my VIN number, it says 0 recalls. Yet my vehicle clearly suffers from this. Can my vehicle please be added to the list, as this is very scary as the first time I ran out of gas I was on the expressway, and the vehicle sways yet it is not listed and needs to be for safety reasons and concerns. Thank you for your time, effort, and consideration regarding this, I await your timely response.
Having the same issue that other frontiers were recalled for. Gas gauge is unreliable and the engine light stays on. Other frontiers manufactured just three months before ours are on recall but not ours. This is obviously a nissan issue as well documented on various boards and websites.
Fuel gauge and empty light reflecting empty even after filling up the tank. Engine service light is on.
When the fuel tank is filled, the fuel gauge indicator will drop to the bottom (empty setting) and the check engine light will come on. After driving a short distance, the gauge will gradually move up. The process will repeat itself with the service engine light sometimes remaining on and other times it will turn off.
Nissan acknowledged that the fuel gauge sending unit in model years 2004-08 was faulty, causing the unit to send faulty information on fuel levels and causing the check engine light to come on. They offered an extended warranty to repair the problem, but when I contacted them, they said my VIN# wasn't covered - even though it is the year model affected with the problem. No such restriction on VIN# s is presented on their websites. It is only after I tried to get the problem repaired that they denied covering it, even though it is a known defect. I appealed all the way to corporate and got nowhere. I believe they are simply trying to dodge paying for a repair that is their own manufacturing fault.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 nissan frontier. The contact stated that the fuel level gauge failed to show the correct fuel level readings. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the fuel level sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 40,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 nissan frontier. The contact stated that the fuel gauge indicated that the fuel tank was half full and while at a stop light the fuel gauge erroneously decreased to empty causing the empty light to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the fuel sensor on the fuel pump was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified but no remedy was offered. The failure mileage was 43,555.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 nissan frontier. While driving 45 MPH, the fuel gauge lever decreased and the low fuel warning indicator illuminated, despite the contact having just filled up the vehicle with fuel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the fuel sending unit failed. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: auxillary tank
- What is wrong
- Nissan is recalling certain model year 2006 and model year 2008 frontier, xterra and pathfinder vehicles. The molded fuel tank shells can deform, causing the fuel sender float arm to contact an embossment molded into the tank shell causing the instrument panel fuel gauge to show that the vehicle has approximately one quarter tank when the fuel tank is empty.
- Risk
- This could cause the vehicle to run out of gas and stall in traffic, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the fuel level sending unit inside the fuel tank with a new one that has a modified float arm. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before march 22, 2010. Owners may contact nissan at 1‑800‑647‑7261.
Recall number 10V075000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2008 Nissan Frontier fuel gauge
Is wrong fuel gauge reading a common problem on the 2008 Nissan Frontier?
9 of 136 owner complaints about the 2008 Nissan Frontier (7%) mention wrong fuel gauge reading. The model year with the most reports is 2006.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2008 Nissan Frontier?
There is 1 recall and 1 service bulletin for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2008 Nissan Frontier
Transmission failure 13Check engine light 11Airbag light 10Whining noise 6Slipping 5
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