2001 Nissan Frontier
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1998 | 129 |
| 1999 | 78 |
| 2000 | 189 |
| 2001 | 134 |
| 2002 | 124 |
| 2003 | 77 |
| 2004 | 66 |
| 2005 | 532 |
| 2006 | 616 |
| 2007 | 520 |
| 2008 | 136 |
| 2009 | 37 |
| 2010 | 59 |
| 2011 | 64 |
| 2012 | 78 |
| 2013 | 48 |
| 2014 | 42 |
| 2015 | 33 |
| 2016 | 43 |
| 2017 | 38 |
| 2018 | 25 |
| 2019 | 28 |
| 2020 | 23 |
| 2021 | 17 |
| 2022 | 110 |
| 2023 | 66 |
| 2024 | 22 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 | 6 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
19% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 26 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing tank assembly and filler pipe and cap.
INJURYShow complaint excerpts
R134A FILLED CAB WHEN HOSE LEAKED, NEAR ASPHYXIA FOLLOWED, EMS CALLED, TAKEN TO HOSPITAL. RELEASED 1WEEK LATER.*AKI
NHTSA ODI report, 20020826
16% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 22 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and gasoline.
CRASH FIREShow complaint excerpts
CONSUMER STATES THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARK AND NO WARNING THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED. MR
NHTSA ODI report, 20021015
CONSUMER STATES THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED AND WITHOUT WARNING THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED. MR
NHTSA ODI report, 20021011
13% of complaints: service brakes — 17 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.
CRASH INJURY9% of complaints: electrical system — 12 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing wiring and instrument cluster/panel.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
THE FUSE PANEL OF THIS NEW TRUCK BURST INTO FLAMES ON 12-17-01 , WHILE IT WAS UNDER FACTORY AND ADDITIONAL MANUFATURER WARANTY AND AS OF 1-22-01 THEY HAVE YET TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 20020124
7% of complaints: air bags — 10 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and on-off switch assembly.
CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATHShow complaint excerpts
THIS VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A MVA WHERE IT HIT THE BROADSIDE OF A MINIVAN (T-BONED) THAT RAN A RED LIGHT THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. THE TRUCK WAS GOING IN EXCESS OF 20MPH AT THE TIME, WHEN I CONTACTED THE MINI-VAN NO AIRBAG WAS DEPLOYED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20141109
Also filed under ENGINE and STRUCTURE
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH ON WET PAVEMENT CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND HIT A BRICK WALL. AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE, BURNING CONSUMER. ALSO, CUT CONSUMER ON ARM,AND FROM CHIN TO CENTER OF NECK.
NHTSA ODI report, 20011114
WHILE TRAVELING BETWEEN 40 AND 50 MPH VEHICLE HIT A TELEPHONE POLE. BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED NECK AND CHEST INJURIES VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN EXAMINED TO DETERMINE CAUSE FOR FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20010910
SAFETY TIMELINE
FUEL SPILL DURING REFUELING
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FUEL TANK INLET SHUTTER VALVE DOES NOT MEET THE SEALING PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATION.
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 D
Campaign 02V300000 — check if this car was fixed
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, WATER MAY ENTER THE REAR AXLE HOUSING DUE TO INADEQUATE SEALING OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) SENSOR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR AXLE FOR WATER INTRUSION AND ANY AFFECTED COMPONENTS WILL BE REPLACED. THE ABS SENSOR WILL BE RESEALED TO PREVENT WATER INTRUSION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 1
Campaign 02V299000 — check if this car was fixed
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 I
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, NE
Campaign 04V230000 — check if this car was fixed
CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM
Remedy: ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.
Campaign 06E023000 — check if this car was fixed
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed
CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Remedy: TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.
Campaign 06E064000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2001 Nissan Frontier — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (26 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (22 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for service brakes issues (17 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 06E064000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 02V300000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 02V299000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 04V230000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E023000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2001 Nissan Frontier reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2001 Nissan Frontier is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Nissan Frontier?
The most-reported component is fuel system, gasoline, accounting for 19% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2001 Nissan Frontier have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.