Nissan Frontier Fuel System, Gasoline Problems
Owners have filed 505 complaints with NHTSA about fuel system, gasoline problems on the Nissan Frontier across 16 model years. The 2006 model year has the most (174). The words owners use most often: “fuel gauge” (43% of reports).
- 505fuel system, gasoline complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 1mention a crash
- 2mention an injury
- 5related recalls
- $710typical repair cost reported by owners
- 44%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Fuel gauge: mentioned in 219 of 505 complaints (43%)
- Sending unit: mentioned in 145 of 505 complaints (29%)
- Service engine: mentioned in 97 of 505 complaints (19%)
- Gas tank: mentioned in 77 of 505 complaints (15%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical fuel system, gasoline repair on the Nissan Frontier at $710, and half of them between $570 and $960.
Based on 63 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2004–2014), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do fuel system, gasoline problems happen?
Based on 443 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 505 complaints, 1 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 2 an injury.
Nissan Frontier fuel system, gasoline complaints by model year
| Model year | Fuel System, Gasoline complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Frontier | 1 | 9% | 275 |
| 2022 Frontier | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2011 Frontier | 1 | 2% | 25,000 |
| 2010 Frontier | 2 | 3% | 5,455 |
| 2009 Frontier | 4 | 11% | 45,000 |
| 2008 Frontier | 3 | 2% | 45,123 |
| 2007 Frontier | 113 | 22% | 52,500 |
| 2006 Frontier | 174 | 28% | 51,000 |
| 2005 Frontier | 119 | 22% | 57,933 |
| 2004 Frontier | 7 | 11% | 70,000 |
| 2003 Frontier | 13 | 17% | 84,854 |
| 2002 Frontier | 12 | 10% | 94,800 |
| 2001 Frontier | 25 | 19% | 86,000 |
| 2000 Frontier | 19 | 10% | 94,000 |
| 1999 Frontier | 7 | 9% | 109,115 |
| 1998 Frontier | 4 | 3% | 117,527 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (5)
Fuel system, gasoline:storage; trailer hitches
Model years: 2022
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:auxillary tank
Model years: 2006, 2008
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:filler pipe and cap
Model years: 2005, 2006
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
Model years: 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:filler pipe and cap
Model years: 2001
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
See attached document for complaint.
The contact owns a 2000 Nissan Frontier. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V230000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact was unable to register the vehicle with an open recall. The local dealer was contacted…
The contact owns a 2000 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that the vehicle was purchased 7 months ago. The contact stated that upon attempting to register the vehicle and to secure the license plates, the State DMV informed the contact that there was an open recall on the vehicle that needed to…
The contact owns a 2026 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that after the vehicle had gone through a carwash, the contact noticed that the fuel door was open. The contact stated that the failure recurred upon taking the vehicle to the carwash a second time. The vehicle was taken to the dealer…
The contact owns a 2022 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that the vehicle was manufactured and delivered with no rear tow hitch installed. The contact indicated that the missing tow hitch created a safety hazard concerning the fuel tank in the event of a collision in the rear of the vehicle. The…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Nissan Frontiers have fuel system, gasoline problems?
No. NHTSA has 505 owner complaints about fuel system, gasoline for the Nissan Frontier. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Nissan Frontier fuel system, gasoline?
Yes: 5 safety recalls list fuel system, gasoline. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix fuel system, gasoline problems on the Nissan Frontier?
Owners report a typical cost of $710 (half paid between $570 and $960), from 63 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about fuel system, gasoline problems on the Nissan Frontier?
The most frequent phrase is “fuel gauge”, in 219 of 505 complaints, followed by “sending unit” (145).
Other Nissan Frontier problems
- Power Train problems (992)
- Engine problems (350)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (325)
- Electrical System problems (313)
- Air Bags problems (299)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (242)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (126)
- Structure problems (123)
See all Nissan Frontier problems.