Exterior Lighting
NHTSA campaign 09E012000 · 2009 · reported 04/07/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
2001 Nissan Frontier Problems & Recalls
Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly — runs 3.0× the fleet median for that category across the 1401 model-years tracked on this site.
134Complaints
7Recalls
11Crashes
8Fires
11Injured
2Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly (6.7% of complaints) — is covered by 2 NHTSA recall campaigns.
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly complaints here are 3.0× the median for that category across the 1401 model-years tracked on this site.
3 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 3 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly | 9 · 6.7% | Recalled | Recall 04V230000 · Recall 02V300000 |
| Air Bags | 7 · 5.2% | No official action | — |
| Electrical System | 7 · 5.2% | No official action | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 7 · 5.2% | Recalled | Recall 04V230000 · Recall 02V300000 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 6 · 4.5% | Recalled | Recall 04V230000 · Recall 02V300000 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip | 5 · 3.7% | No official action | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Percentages are the share of the 134 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
Recalls — 7 campaigns
Exterior Lighting:headlights
NHTSA campaign 06E023000 · 2006 · reported 03/13/2006
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Exterior Lighting
NHTSA campaign 06E064000 · 2006 · reported 07/17/2006
LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Exterior Lighting:headlights
NHTSA campaign 09E025000 · 2009 · reported 05/11/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
NHTSA campaign 04V230000 · 2004 · reported 05/24/2004
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap
NHTSA campaign 02V300000 · 2002 · reported 11/12/2002
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Suspension:rear
NHTSA campaign 02V299000 · 2002 · reported 11/12/2002
THIS CAN RESULT IN CORROSION AND EVENTUAL FAILURE OF THE WHEEL BEARING. IF THIS OCCURS, THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY COULD SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“WHILE DRIVING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT FUEL…”NHTSA complaint 10083746 — filed 07/29/2004 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
“I HAVE A THREE YEAR OLD (2001) NISSAN FRONTIER XE QUAD CAB. THE GAS TANK HAS CORRODED THROUGH IN THIS SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. ALTHOUGH…”NHTSA complaint 10068107 — filed 04/30/2004 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
“WHEN FILLING UP THE GAS TANK GAS SPITTED BACK OUT. DRIVER STATED IT TOOK ABOUT 15 MINUTES TO FILL THE GAS TANK, AND GAS HAD…”NHTSA complaint 10052278 — filed 01/02/2004 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Nissan Frontier?
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly issues are the most-reported category, cited in 9 of 134 NHTSA complaints (6.7%), followed by air bags (7), electrical system (7), fuel system, gasoline (7). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 2001 Nissan Frontier have?
134 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 11 involved a crash, 8 involved a fire, and 11 reported injuries. 2 deaths were reported.
Does the 2001 Nissan Frontier have any recalls?
Yes — 7 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 09E012000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 2001 Nissan Frontier's reported problems?
3 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.
