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Engine & cooling

2001 Nissan Frontier Engine problems

Owners have filed 26 complaints about the 2001 Nissan Frontier's engine & cooling with NHTSA - 18% of all its complaints, most recently on November 9, 2014. They describe 2 crashes, 3 fires and 1 injury. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Complaints
26
Recalls
0
Crashes
2
Fires
3
Injuries
1
Deaths
0

Engine complaints

AirbagsBody, doors & structureEngine & coolingCrash1 injury

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. I suffered hits to my head, whiplash related damages, damage to my shoulder and right leg. The impact caused significant front end damage to the truck, the engine and body were damaged to the point where I was not able to drive the truck and engine was inoperative. No airbag deployment. *Tr

Filed Incident Air bags · Structure · EngineNHTSA 10653665
Transmission & drivetrainDriver assistanceEngine & cooling

While driving, felt a "shudder" .. Check engine light came on, gear shift indicator went off. Once the key was turned off, vehicle would not start. Towed home. Started checking fuses. Check fluids, realized transmission fluid was in radiator and radiator fluid was in transmission. Vehicle will no longer drive in drive, only in reverse. Known issue with nissan. *Tr

Filed Incident Power train · Electronic stability control (ESC) · EngineNHTSA 10614902
Engine & cooling

Several web sites I have read indicate a recurring problem with engine/exhaust accumulation of water via the leakage in water lines and/or faulty manufacturing heads/engine system. My vehicle accumulated water in one of the piston (4-5), and perhaps warped the alum heads or maybe blown gasket. If repaired will this problem persist, and what recourse do I have with either manufacture or used car dealer (bought in san antonio, texas). *Tr

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10524155
Engine & cooling

Ref case: ntb03-048a my car has the same issue except my truck is 2001. *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10361475
Engine & cooling

Leaking exhaust manifold causing noise and fumes to enter cab of truck and making me sick. Cost to repair almost $800. *Nm

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10171747
Engine & cooling

Both exhaust manifolds cracked and had to be replaced. *Nm

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10171294
Engine & cooling

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

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10157518
Engine & cooling

Exhaust manifold has cracked due to manifold is made of one type of metal, and engine block is another type. These two metals heat/cool at different rates causing undue stress on manifold. As a result the manifold has cracked, allowing toxic fumes to enter vehicle passenger compartment. *Jb

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10156733
Engine & coolingFuel system

Dt*: the contact stated on four separate occasions the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealership after each of the first three incidents. On every visit to the dealership the gas cap was replaced. When the light illuminated the fourth time two months ago the dealer was contacted and suggested diagnostic testing. There were no warning signals indicating a problem except for the check engine light. *Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 10146867
Engine & cooling

I own a nissan frontier se v-6 3.3 4X4, all is original as purchased, at approximately 75,000 miles, this winter I have developed a loud ticking noise upon cold start up, after about 10 minutes or until warmed up it subsides and returns upon cold start up. *Nm

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10145043
Engine & cooling

I bought a 2001 nissan frontier 27,000 miles on it soon afterwards service engine soon light came on, dealer replaced catalytic converter, since then light constantly comes on now have 128,000 miles on truck this has been an ongoing problem from the get go. The catalytic convertor was changed around 50,000 miles would there be any warranty on the new unit?*Jb

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10144386
BrakesEngine & cooling

Exhaust manifold. I had to call nissan hq back both times just to get and answer that yes it is covered and no they can't fix it. I am completely over nissans faulty workmanship. I took my x in to have the 60k maint done and they had the nerve to tell me about my brakes, but didn't tell me anything about the cracked manifold. They even told me that they saw it but didn't think it was anything to be concerned about. If it wasn't from the dealer charging me for overfilling my trans fluid and not tightening a...

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trans hose fitting, I would had drove the thing until the next time to change the oil and not know anything about the crack in the manifold or ran the transmission dry. Now they are telling me that it is my fault for not keeping an eye on it. I asked the lady at hq's, if I had taken my x in with 60k miles on it and they had found the crack would it be covered under the warranty? She told me no then went on to tell me that I would have to bring it in on 59999k and it would had been. I had taken it in prior to the 60k to which the dealer did nothing or noted nothing. Then after finding the trans fluid leak I took it back in which was about 3 days later. When I took it back in it was over the 60k. Now after the dealer quoted me 4 different prices ranging from 300-1500 dollars on repairing the exact same thing (exhaust manifold). I am paying more for gas due to the low mileage from the cracked/faulty manifold. I constantly smell exhaust during traveling(stops). At times it is to the point that I must keep the windows open. *Nm

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulic · Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10132522
Engine & coolingFire

2/25/05 I purchased a used nissan froniter sc '01. One week later the "service engine" light appeared. A nissan technician diagnosed the problem as the oxygen sensors not providing feedback due to condensation in the wire harnesses. The tech. Told me that there was a bulletin he found stating that the wire harnesses in that year frontier were found to be faulty and replaced with updated harnesses, which I would have to buy along with four sensors, to fix my problem. The cost in parts was $965 and labor is...

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estimated at $880. Nissan will not even pay for partial parts even though they admit it is faulty product. I have contacted them to complain with the appropriate department and now they will not return my calls.*Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10114244
Engine & cooling

Consumer smelled fumes coming into the vehicle. Consumer took the vehicle to dealer, and the right manifold exhaust was defective. The warranty company stated, not covered under warranty. Manufacturer stated no complaints received.*Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10106923
Engine & cooling

Consumer noticed for 3 1/2 years check engine light illuminated. Technician determine dproblem was due to gas cap. *Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10075753
Engine & coolingElectrical system

While driving engine check light appeared on the dashboard until the vehicle was turned off. Consumer took vehicle to dealer for analysis , and mechanic noticed that the computer needed replacing due to a worn out part. *Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Electrical systemNHTSA 10055452
Engine & cooling

While doing some personal maintenance on the vehicle the consumer noticed that there was oil leaking from the oil pan. Vehicle was taken to three dealers to fix the problem, but the problem still persists. One dealer replaced the rear main seal for the power train. The seal has been replaced three times and is leaking again. *Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10053696
Engine & cooling

I bought the 2001 frontier brand new with only 10 or 20 miles on it. Since then I've had it in the shop 8 times for the a/c (thats right 8 times). Each time the service people assure me it's fixed this time. The a/c blows hotter than the heater does and thats ridiculous. When I go there the service manager ( pat burke ) treats me like a criminal instead of a customer. As of today the truck was fixed once and for all, according to them, but I've heard that 7 times before. Very concerned and tired!!! Nv. *Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10029053
Engine & cooling

The vehicles gas nozzle does not shut pump off when gas gets to a certain point. Consumer states as a result gas gets poured over driver and vehicle. Please provide any further information. Ph

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10006709
Engine & cooling

Consumer feels the vehicle is consuming too much oil. Consumer states' vehicle is burning 1 quart per 1000 miles. Cause is unknown. Took to nissan and they said it was normal. Please provide any further information. Ts

Filed Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10001180
Engine & coolingFire

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

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 8020792
Engine & coolingFire

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

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 8020697
Engine & cooling

Any time the suv reaches speeds greater than 95 mph it begins jumping dangerously. *Ak

Filed Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 762790
Engine & coolingCrash

While driving at state speed limit, consumer was involved in a situation with an aggressive driver. Consumer sped up to 95 mph without warning and engine began to stall, causing consumer to lose control of vehicle. Was able to control vehicle after slowing down. Dealer was notified, and mechanic stated there was a speed limit installed in engine without notifying consumer.*Ak

Filed Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 8011179
Engine & cooling

This nissan pickup has had a random stall problem since new. It has been to the dealer numerous times (at least four, perhaps five?) But is simply returned each time with the comment ' could not duplicate the problem'. I have pursued through nissan's 'customer hotline' but this was unsuccessful. I understand the difficulty in diagnosing a random problem but I don't really feel as if much effort has been put forth by the dealership either. This problem is dangerous as it invariably decides to show up when I am in...

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congested traffic and I find myself stalled in the middle of an intersection unable to move. It will sometimes restart on the first attempt but again may require numerous tries to get restarted. Most recently, I left with the dealership again on may 31, 2002, and when I contacted them yesterday, june 3, 2002, I received the same old report, 'cannot duplicate the problem'.*Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 762631

Nissan Frontier engine complaints by year

Frontier engine problems, every year

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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