NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 143 owner complaints for the 2001 Nissan Frontier. Most complaints involve fuel system, gasoline (25) and engine and engine cooling (23). The EPA rates it 15–21 mpg combined.
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 CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
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 CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Frontier model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1998 | 131 |
| 1999 | 87 |
| 2000 | 205 |
| 2001 | 143 |
| 2002 | 139 |
| 2003 | 77 |
| 2004 | 66 |
| 2005 | 532 |
| 2006 | 617 |
| 2007 | 520 |
| 2008 | 136 |
| 2009 | 37 |
| 2010 | 59 |
| 2011 | 64 |
| 2012 | 80 |
| 2013 | 48 |
| 2014 | 42 |
| 2015 | 33 |
| 2016 | 44 |
| 2017 | 38 |
| 2018 | 25 |
| 2019 | 28 |
| 2020 | 23 |
| 2021 | 20 |
| 2022 | 112 |
| 2023 | 68 |
| 2024 | 22 |
| 2025 | 10 |
| 2026 | 11 |
“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 NHTSA 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. *TR”
“CAR WITH 55,000 OVERHEATS & SHUT DOWN ON FREEWAY. WAS TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP, 3 WEEKS OUT OF WARRANTY, AND REPAIRED AT MY EXPENSE. TWO DAYS AFTER RECEIVING IT BACK FROM THE REPAIR SHOP, CAR OVERHEATS AGAIN. CRACKED MANIFOLD WAS ALSO DISCOVERED. *JB”
“CONNECTION FOR ABS(G SENSOR). LIGHT WILL COME ON AND BYPASS SOME OF THE BRAKE COMPONENTS. HAS BEEN FIXED BEFORE AND IT RECURS . CAN FEEL DIFFERENCE IN BRAKING. *TR”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frontier 2WD Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 24 | 21 | $2,950 | 423 |
| Frontier 2WD Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 22 | 19 | $3,300 | 468 |
| Frontier V6 2WD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 18 | 16 | $3,900 | 555 |
| Frontier V6 2WD Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 17 | 16 | $3,900 | 555 |
| Frontier V6 4WD Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 17 | 16 | $3,900 | 555 |
| Frontier V6 2WD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L, Sup Charg · Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 17 | 15 | $5,150 | 592 |
| Frontier V6 2WD Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L, Sup Charg · Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 17 | 15 | $5,150 | 592 |
| Frontier V6 4WD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 18 | 15 | $4,150 | 592 |
| Frontier V6 4WD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L, Sup Charg · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 17 | 15 | $5,150 | 592 |
| Frontier V6 4WD Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L, Sup Charg · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 16 | 15 | $5,150 | 592 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
7 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 143 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are fuel system, gasoline (25), engine and engine cooling (23), service brakes, hydraulic (16). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2001 Nissan Frontier at 15–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (10 versions rated).