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Nissan Frontier fuel smell problems

26 of the 3,369 owner complaints about the Nissan Frontier describe gas smell in the cabin, most of them for the 2002 model year.

owner complaints
26
worst model year
2002
typical mileage
100,000
Is there a fix? There are 5 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 2013
    1
  • 2007
    1
  • 2006
    2
  • 2005
    2
  • 2003
    2
  • 2002
    8
  • 2001
    4
  • 2000
    5
  • 1998
    1

What owners say

Filed Apr 1, 2026 · Fuel system · GA

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.

Filed Dec 18, 2024 · Driver assistance, Electrical · IA

The main issue on the Nissan Frontier that I just bought a few months ago that I need to report that I think should be recalled item is the passenger side exhaust manifold is cracked and it makes ticking noises the exhaust is loud and I am definitely getting exhaust fumes drawn into the cab especially when I turn the heater on now that it's winter time and it's getting CO2 carbon and exhaust fumes inside cab which is very toxic also the rear window defogger does not work and the cruise control does not work at all so anyway you're asking for what date this first occurred well it was like that when I bought it and I bought it on approximately in July of the summer 2024 it was all these issues were already broke when I got it I looked online and I see that the exhaust manifold is a very common problem and it is also a health hazard and toxic and could cause injury or death to passengers so I believe it should be and maybe is recalled I see online where some dealerships a few years ago already started fixing the issue for free before it was even recalled so I did a recall check and it says that there's no unfixed recalls on my vehicle but that exhaust manifold needs to be recalled and warranted because it's happening on a majority of those that means it's a bad design and it is also health hazard safety hazard health risk of injury or death because of it

Filed May 23, 2019 · Fuel system · PR

Sirs, when I stop my pick up you can feel a strong gas odor, I look around and found no leaks, please advise.

Filed Apr 8, 2019 · Fuel system · 73,727 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 nissan frontier. The contact noticed an abnormal fuel odor inside the vehicle. The odor attached itself to the contact's clothes. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 73,727.

Filed Jul 25, 2017 · Fuel system · 140,000 miles · CT

The top of the gas tank is completely rusty and is emitting gas fumes. If you look at the gas tank under the truck you can see gas stains. Had my truck in the shop at my local mechanic and he did a smoke test and shows the smoking coming from the top of the tank where all the rust is. There's a recall on the truck for the previous year but mine is a couple of months off. I find it hard to believe this issue was fixed. You can read about it all over the internet. Http://tunfs.yuku.com/topic/6458/rusted-gas-tank#.wxeo8ojysdu http://www.clubfrontier.org/forums/f46/fuel-tank-where-buy-88558/ search both of those sites and you'll see all the complaints. My 15 month old son sits about the tank and its really troubling to think nissan would let this continue with all the complaints on the internet. Id be more than happy to give you the local mechanics information and you can talk to him directly.

Filed Mar 24, 2017 · Fuel system · 115,000 miles · PA

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.

Filed Jul 30, 2015 · Engine · 37,700 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 nissan frontier. While driving approximately 30 MPH and approaching a stop, there was an abnormal sound from the front of the vehicle. The contact also smelled exhaust fumes inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The mechanic stated that the intake manifold on the driver side was fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 37,700.

Filed Oct 25, 2014 · Fuel system · 49,121 miles · HI

In 2014 the fuel sending unit attached to the fuel tank had a 3-4 inch gap. Excessive fuel smell (health, environmental and fire hazard). A similar report was made in: receipt date: may 24, 2004 > the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v230000 > component(s): fuel system, gasoline these incidents may be connected and still occurring I have photos and documentation from the repair made by a nissan dealer available upon request. Fuel can leak from the gap and if in an accident cause a fire, serious bodily injury or death. I contacted nissan north america and case # [xxx] was generated. No further action on their part has been made to investigate this incident. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Oct 11, 2014 · Body, Fuel system · 134,164 miles · NH

Corrosion was discovered at the top of the gas tank after a strong gasoline odor was noticed.

Filed Sep 29, 2014 · Fuel system · 123,600 miles · NY

I noticed a fuel odor for about 2 days and then my check engine light came on. I went to my local nissan dealership on 9/26/2014 and was told that my fuel pump is not sealing properly on top of my fuel tank due to rust. I was informed that the tank needs to be replaced and the cost would be $954 dollars. This is the second time I have had this problem. This same problem occurred in may 2009. I had the same fuel odor issue. They dropped the tank,cleaned up the rust, resealed the fuel pump, and re-installed the tank. At the time it cost me $594 dollars. I have the receipts for both issues. At the time nissan corporate stated that they would not pay for the issue. This is a recurring problem for me and I read under the "complaints" section for this vehicle that other people have had this same problem. This is both a tank defect and more importantly a safety issue.

Related recalls

Fuel system, gasoline: storageReported November 22, 2021 · 22 vehicles affected
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 tankReported March 3, 2010 · 80,689 vehicles affected
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 capReported March 30, 2006 · 42,000 vehicles affected
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 pumpReported May 24, 2004 · 586,196 vehicles affected
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 capReported November 12, 2002 · 44,000 vehicles affected
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 smell

Which Nissan Frontier years have gas smell in the cabin problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2002 (8 complaints), 2000 (5 complaints) and 2001 (4 complaints).

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