Whenever I fill ip the tank I get a fuel smell inside the vehicle. I do not overfill the tank and always stop filling when the fuel pump stops the first time. I have not been able to identify a leak and have not seen fuel leaking under the vehicle. The smell is strong for about the first 1/4 tank of use.
Nissan Frontier fuel leak problems
25 of the 3,369 owner complaints about the Nissan Frontier describe fuel leak, most of them for the 2001 model year.
- owner complaints
- 25
- worst model year
- 2001
- typical mileage
- 86,250
Is there a fix? There are 5 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Fuel smell 7Fuel gauge 4Fuel pump 3Check engine light 3Won't start 1Fire or smoke 1Brake failure 1
What owners say
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 nissan frontier. The contact stated while driving at approximately 60 MPH the vehicle unexpectedly started to leak fuel. There was no warning lights to indicate the failure. The contact safely pulled the vehicle over and the fire department was called. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic where the repairs were made. The prognosis was that the vehicle had a punctured fuel tank. The dealer was contacted but offered no resolution. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure was 40,000. *ln
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 nissan frontier. The contact stated that while parked, there was a fuel odor coming from the vehicle. In addition, there was fuel leaking from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic that the there was corrosion and the fuel sending unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v230000 (fuel system). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 nissan frontier. The contact stated that fuel leaked from the fuel tank. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel tank and pump needed to be replaced due to rust. The vehicle was repaired. The failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the technician informed the contact that the failure was related to the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v230000 (fuel system, gasoline); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 86,250. Updated 01/10/17*lj
Truck total mileage is only 55,000 as it is not used very much. 3 issues occurred approx. At 49,000miles. 1) engine started to miss. Upon checking spark plugs it was discovered that the plug cavities in the head were full of oil. The valve cover gasket seals had leaked and the oil filled spark plug holes caused it to miss. This is not covered under warranty so repairs were done at my cost. Had to replace all of the top end valve cover gasket and spark plug hole seals as well as the cam end seals. 2) one day I got into the truck and when I started it up and pressed the brakes the pedal went to the floor. Upon checking the brake master cylinder reservoir it was empty. Found that the rear axle brake line had rusted through and had burst spraying brake fluid all over the spare tire. I have never seen a brake line develop a hole like this. Not covered under warranty and a new brake line and master cylinder was replaced at my own cost .the system had to be bled out and flushed at all 4 wheels. I was very lucky that this did not occur while driving as a crash would have resulted. 3) currently having an issue with the "check engine light" coming on. The code says that it is a emission issue. With the computer code reader I am able to cancel the code and it stays off for a while but comes back on days later. The code is a leaking gas cap but I can detect no leaks and have changed out the cap with an oem cap with same results. Truck runs okay so I have not dug any deeper on this and it is still occurring. 4) while under the truck fixing the brake line issue I discovered that the drive shaft was completely covered with rust. It was never painted from the factory. I had to remove it to kill the rust and paint it with a good coat of black heat proof paint. Corrosion seems to be an issue with these nissan vehicles.
2002 nissan frontier. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle leaking gas. *smd the consumer stated when he looked under the vehicle, there was an explosion and he had to be rushed to the burn center, for second degree burns on his left and right arms.
Fuel leak from top of defective fuel tank (corrosion) confirmed by nissan 112 patchogue, ny. There was a recall on 2001 frontiers for the same reason but not on the 2000. I see many other 2000 frontier owners have the same safety issue and that in most cases nissan replaced the tank for no charge. I am seeking for them to do the same for my vehicle or recall the 2000 frontier for this defect.
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."
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 leak
Which Nissan Frontier years have fuel leak problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2001 (6 complaints), 2002 (6 complaints) and 2000 (4 complaints).
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