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.
Nissan Frontier fuel gauge problems
565 of the 3,369 owner complaints about the Nissan Frontier describe wrong fuel gauge reading, most of them for the 2006 model year.
- owner complaints
- 565
- worst model year
- 2006
- typical repair cost reported
- $500
- typical mileage
- 60,000
Is there a fix? There are 5 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Check engine light 175Stalling 41Fuel pump 17Won't start 7Transmission failure 7Loss of power 6Airbag light 6Hesitation 5
Trouble codes mentioned
P0463 42P0455 1P0426 1P0335 1
What owners say
The contact owns a 2006 Nisan Frontier. The contact stated that the fuel gauge failed to accurately display the amount of fuel in the fuel tank. The contact stated that the failure was more evident once the fuel tank was at the quarter mark. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who diagnosed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer confirmed that the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 10V075000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
The contact owns a 2022 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, an incorrect fuel mileage reading would appear on the instrument panel. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle the instrument panel read 320 miles until empty; however, recently, the instrument panel read 470 miles until empty. The contact also stated that the instrument panel also read 180 miles until empty however, the fuel gauge would show a quarter tank of fuel remaining in the vehicle. The contact noted that the reading was incorrect. The dealer had been notified of the failure and stated that they were unaware of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 1,000.
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.
Fuel level sending unit failed with code. Fuel gauge shows empty or at 1/4 full when full.
Fuel sending unit working sporadically and triggered check engine light. Fuel gauge is marking half tank then slowly went up, but fuel tank was filled up. There is also a recall on radiator leaking antifreeze into transmission but has not happened yet.
Just finished reading through 23 pages of complaints going back to 2008 regarding failure of the fuel level sender unit--primarily on 2007 nissan frontiers. Mine failed at approximately 69,000 miles in february 2020, with the same symptoms that numerous other owners experienced: upon filling the tank, the gauge would drop to zero, the low fuel light would illuminate as would the check engine light--my code reader displayed a 463 code, fuel level sensor failure. The gauge would gradually go to full, and operate normally until it read just under half full, when it would again drop to zero. While the failure fell within the 72000 mile extended warranty, the year didn't, so nissan refused to make the repairs. I have to join the chorus of 2007 frontier owners wondering why identical 2006 and 2008 models--with exactly the same sender--were subject to a safety recall, but not the 2007s. It's an obvious safety issue, or the fuel gauge sender's performance wouldn't be included as an error code in the obd ii system. How about working the problem, ntsha? It's not too late!
Driving to work and vehicle shut off and coasted to a stop. I tried to restart and it acted like it was not getting fuel. The gas gauge was showing slightly under a 1/4 of a tank. I had someone come get me and take me home. After doing a little online research I found a the federal safety agency recall for that specific truck campaign id# 10v075000, recall date 3/3/2010. After reading this I went and purchased some gas and put it in the truck.the truck fired right up but the gas hand didn't move. Called two local nissan dealers and talked to them about the recall but they found none for my VIN.
Fuel gauge started hanging on a quarter tank when I had much less then when I realized that it has to be wrong and filled it up it would go to empty and turn on check engine until it got down a ways then work until 1/4 again where it would sit until you ran out.same scenario as the federal safety agency #10v‑075 but nissan says my truck was not affected VIN# even though it has low mileage and went out at about 70000 mi range
Gas gauge does not register accurately. Example being when tank is empty it still reads 1 quarter full.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline: storage
- What is wrong
- Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2022 Frontier Crew Cab Long Bed trucks. The tow hitch was not installed, compromising the structural integrity of the fuel tank in the event of a rear crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."
- Risk
- During a crash, the leaf spring could contact the fuel tank, causing a fuel leak and increasing the risk of a fire or injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install the tow hitch and harness kit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 16, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1‑800‑867‑7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PC855.
Recall number 21V917000 · Recall details
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
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap
- What is wrong
- On certain king cab trucks, in a severe side impact crash, there is a possibility that deformation of the vehicle's body could cause the fuel filler cap tether to be stretched to the point of unscrewing the fuel filler cap.
- Risk
- This may result in a fuel spill which in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the fuel cap tether pin assembly with a modified one free of charge. The recall began on april 24, 2006. Owners may contact nissan at 1‑800‑647‑7261.
Recall number 06V092000 · Recall details
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
Questions about the Nissan Frontier fuel gauge
Which Nissan Frontier years have wrong fuel gauge reading problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2006 (206 complaints), 2007 (170 complaints) and 2005 (137 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix wrong fuel gauge reading on the Nissan Frontier?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $500 (median of 84 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used Nissan Frontier?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history