Nissan Frontier Problems

cb70 · April 2001

if you have a problem with your local dealer, go to the area service rep, then his boss if he won't help, and so on. They will usually take care of a problem whether or not they feel if it is their fault if you are a big enough of a pain in the [non-permissible content removed].

classsof70 · April 2001

JUST PURCHASED A 97 NISSAN XE 4X4 EXTENDED CAB 40000 MILES. DRIVES GREAT 2.4L 5 SP PLENTY OF PEP. WOULD RECOMMEND IT TO ANYONE

abc246 · April 2001

classof70 - Pep is relative. I thought my 98 4x4 2.4L 5 speed Frontier was a dog. Merging on a 75 mph freeway took skill in this thing. I timed it 0 to 60 and it was nearly 12 sec! I was always pushing this thing and my gas mileage was lower then my 4100 lb Blazer with 4.3 V-6. I guess it depends on where you live and how you drive to measure "pep".

hp1234 · May 2001

I have bought the truck for a little over a year and this problem started to happen about a month ago. After driving on the freeway for about ~30min, all of the gauges (speedometer, engine RPM, etc) either go back to 0 or stuck while the truck is in motion. After approximately, 5-60min, everything went back to normal. This problem happened intermittenly therefore, when I took the truck in for service, they could not duplicate the problem. I was also told by the service department that another owner was having similar problem, but they could not figure out what went wrong because they could not duplicate the problem either.

Does anyone experience the same problem?

southwos · May 2001

I just bought this truck April 30, 2001 (today is May 4,2001) within two days the check engine light came on. I took it to the dealer and they said it was because I didn't put the gas cap on correctly. They told me the whole story of this new leak detection system for the fuel system. You cannot open the gas cap while the truck is running or it will cause the check engine light to come on. Ok I can understand the whole preasure sealed system, sounds like a good idea to me. Well two days later the light comes on again and they keep the truck for three days and tell me there is a faulty sensor. I just checked this message board and someone else had what sounded like a similar problem (see post #39), I wonder if this could be a re-call waiting to happen? Also the headliner is coming down just in front of the passenger visor, I've seen this problem on other boards. Makes you wonder about the quality of these trucks, mine has less than 600 miles on it and three trips to the dealership.

jvirginia · May 2001

The fault code the computer registered was P1491 'vacuum cut valve/bypass valve'. This is what the service dept referred to as the fuel vent valve and replaced. The same condition reoccurred at 2400 miles and the fault code P1491 registered again. The service dept contacted NNA and was advised to replace the fuel tank. My truck was mfd in 01/01.

According to my service rep, NIssan hdqtrs reported that there was a change in mfrs of select parts used within the fuel/vacuum system and there have been repeat faults occurring within those systems. As a result, whenever repeat failures are discovered within the fuel/vacuum system, NNA recommends replacing the fuel tank, vacuum cut valve/bypass valve, fuel cap, and fuel pump assy. The service rep indicated this was common to all Frontiers (not just CC) mfd within a particular timeframe but didn't specify the timeframe. If the P1491 fault code appears on more than one of your service statements, ask your service rep to contact NNA regarding this error.

oljetjoc1 · May 2001

I luv this truck, @10000 miles no problems and whats great it easy to "modify" to get even better mileage and superb handling, sometimes I forget its a truck!! 26mi city/30mi hi--4 banger/2wd.

tech · May 2001

fyi a while back I complained about brake problems on my 99 nissan se 4x4. the resolution was nissan brake pads. the after market pads used by brake masters were too thick not allowing the pads to clear the rotor causing the rotor to heat up causing warpage of the rotor. after restoring everything to nissan spec the problem has completely disappeared.

usaf52 · May 2001

While reading the manual, I noticed that Nissan does not recommend using the power point while the headlights, a/c or rear defroster are in use. I find this very strange. I can only plug in my cell or CB in the daytime??? I've never had a vehicle with this recommendation..Comments please

harvey67 · May 2001

About the powerpoint, I plug my cell phone into it at all times and it never gives me a problem, and I have a 2001 King Cab as well. I don't know if Nissan is afraid of blown fuses and being overcautious or what. Then again I never saw that comment in my manual. I say they're worried about people using high powered devices drawing too much current I don't think a CB would present a problem.

usaf52 · May 2001

The power point info is on 2-20 of the 2001 manual. I called Nissan, and they didn't have a clue also called the local service manager. He supposedly has 30 years Nissan experience..He said he had never heard of it, and also uses cell phones, CB's etc.

soggydog · May 2001

The printed word is not the same as "chiseled in stone". I wonder what there procedures are to insure accuracy and clarity in the manuals. Another Item I question is on page 10-6, Concerning engine oil. Basically it says you can use mineral based or synthetic, but don't mix them. The instructions on the label of all full synthetic oil says it is fully compatible with mineral based oil. So, is Nissan saying don't use blended oil or just don't blend it yourself?

bluesman41 · May 2001

I recently brought a new 2001 Frontier XE king cab.(4X2) On the average, I commute about 700 miles/week, and have had it for two weeks now.(1475 miles)
No problems, no sounds,everything is doing fine.
Runs fine on the interstate- keeps up with the best of them(manual gearbox).

cncman · May 2001

Well,
I said before I would be honest and tell about any problems I have with my frontier, I have a 98 king cab 5speed 4cylinder 4x2 with 31,000 miles on it, I finally had a warranty claim, last sunday, I noticed that my AC would only blow decent in the fan speed was on position 4, and if it was on recirculate, no air would come out at all on position 1-3! It still blew cold on position 4, I took it into the shop and it was the blower motor resistor, took about 30 minutes for them to change it out. Works great now, just poting this so if anyone else experiences it they can know what it is. Other than that, no complaints or problems.

curt3 · May 2001

I am now in my third year of owning my 1998 Frontier. I have enjoyed it thoroughly except for what appears to be water leakage. My rear sliding window seal has been replaced twice in the last year or so on account of rain water flowing freely into the rear seat area. This problem seems to be in check now.

My problem now is a very strong mildew smell coming from both doors only when the windows are down. Have any of you experienced a similar problem?

cncman · May 2001

curt,
Probably when you have the windows down, the wind is going to the back and then coming up front where you can smell it, when the windows are up, the smell stays in the back, take a close sniff of the carpet in the cab area, that is probably where the smell is coming from, if so, have it shampooed or I use febreeze, it works well if you can stand the febreeze smell.

tyso30 · June 2001

I have a 98 Frontier that started making the same noise. When I was servicing the engine one day I took some time to look into the problem and discovered that it was a bad idler pulley bearing.I also had to jump start a 98 4cyl cc at work and the guy had the same problem. I am also wondering if anyone has had a problem with the light in the radio going out.

hootowl · June 2001

Well, I'm gonna make the plunge this weekend and get a 2001 CC/SC/2wd - Looking forward to it. Hope the Frontier works out as well as the '91 Sonoma has, may it rest in peace!

Any comments on replacement tires? Those 265-55R17 Firestones, I'm sure, are gonna be pretty lousy for my kinda needs so will be looking to replace 'em after a few miles. One trick I seem to be finding out is that the 265/55 seems to be a unique size to turkey Firestones. Not even the Firestone website has info on critical tire specs of diameter/footprint/revolutions per mile. Really would like to avoid messing up much the speedometer accuracy (greater diameter) or causing wheelwell clearance when replacing the Firestones.

Any comments on tire sizes that work okay or don't?

Thanks...

Hootowl

bmsory · June 2001

I got my 2001 Frontier CC SE with 5Sp Manual.
I installed car alarm with keyless entry by my
self and many accessories on it. And now it's
got 2,800 miles on it and I still don't have
any problem with my truck it's still running
good and everything is still in working Condition
I just wonder why many people here seem to have
some problem with thier trucks...Maybe I've got
the best one if so I hope it keeps it that way
and good luck to all of you ! BM

woodscrew · June 2001

If you own 1998-2000 Frontier KC or CC, the carrier bearing at the center support of the drive shaft is prone to a failure. From 2001, Nissan got rid of the carrier bearing by using one-piece drive shaft. I believe Nissan has known that it IS a defective design. Please check your carrier bearing at least once a month. If you notice the failure, call 1-800-NISSAN-1 rather than going to a local dealer. Nissan has to RECALL this!

extoy · June 2001

Is this a rubber material ?

moparbad · June 2001

Please post what the symptoms are of carrier bearing failure? Does the failure happen only to 4CYL, 6CYL, KC, CC, 4WD, or 2WD, or does it apply to all of the Frontiers 1998 to 2000?
I have only heard of this happening on the V6 4WD Crew Cabs.
Please share any information you may have, my warranty is up in 1 MONTH.

woodscrew · June 2001

Carrier bearing failure is typical to 1998-2000 King Cab and Crew Cab. King Cab and Crew Cab shares the same chassis which has a longer wheelbase. Longer wheelbase needs a longer driveshaft therefore Nissan designed a two piece driveshaft with a carrier bearing support in the middle. From 2001, Nissan got rid of a two piece shaft and replaced with a one piece shaft. Why they did that? I bet you all know the answer.

moparbad · June 2001

So how do you know if the carrier bearing is failing or failed? Does it leak oil? Does it fall off the truck? Does it cause vibrations at 60MPH? Can it visually be inspected or do you have to remove it to inspect it?
How much does it cost to replace it?
I asked the dealer about it and they said they have not seen one carrier bearing failure on the 1998 to 2001 Frontiers.
I asked another dealer in next town and they gave same answer.
More information please Woodscrew.

soggydog · June 2001

Go over to4X4parts.com or nissanfrontier.net and you can read all the complaints. I think only the 4X4 01's have the one piece shafts.

The carrier bearing is easy to see on the CC and the AR because thay sit higher off the ground. Go to your local dealer, on Sunday when the attack dogs are at home eating chicken dinner, look under the truck from either side near the back of the front door. The drive shaft runs from the back of the transmission to the rear differential. There is a brace between the frame beams just about a foot aft of the transmission. If it has a carrier bearing it will be attached to this brace and the drive shaft goes through it. I Understand the problem is with the rubber that holds it in place.

I have a 01CC 4x4 with the one piece shaft. but I have looked under A 4x2 just to see what all the fuss is about. The two piece shaft on the 4x2 is much longer than mine. Actually I don't think this design in unique to nissan. Other truck manufactures use a two piece shaft. the carrier bearing is just there to keep it from flopping all around.

woodscrew · June 2001

Soggydog is correct in a sense that the two piece shaft is not unique. Tacoma ext cab even has the two piece shaft. What I am pointing out is, I have noticed the carrier bearing failure is typical to 98-00 Nissan Frontier KCs and CCs. I heard about the carrier bearing failure on Tacoma when Taco was lifted and the driveshaft angle was changed. Again, there are so many carrier bearing failure reported among Frontier owners. Check Yahoo! clubhouse and any Frontier related homepage. One owner got his carrier bearing failed at 1,000 miles. Another owner replaced this bearing five times in one year. I encourage moparbad to talk with Nissan Customer Affairs to replace the one piece shaft with a new 2001 one piece shaft, which I have been working on.

Check out this homepage..

http://nissanoffroad.homestead.com/carrier_bearing.html

moparbad · June 2001

The posting of the link to nissanoffroad with the pictures is just what I needed. Went and took a look at my carrier bearing and it is identical to the picture of the failed bearing.
Only one month left in my warranty and I will be taking the truck in this week. Unfortunately, both of the dealers in my area deny any problems with carrier bearings and both have been asked to check my bearing this year and both stated it was fine.
Armed with the knowledge gained from your posts I will get my bearing replaced.
Thank you everyone who takes the time to share their knowledge and experiences on this and other forums.

49075 · July 2001

I have 2001 frontier sc king cab that cuts out at 95 mph and won't run ay faster? any ideas or is this as fast as the truck will run? is this a sign of trouble to come [other than a ticket or a trip to the pokey? :->

onlyone · July 2001

Blame it on the Federal Government. All regular production light trucks are now governed to ~100 mph by law. Limited production stuff (i.e. SVO Ford F-150 Lightning) are not. My Desert Runner SE cuts the fuel injectors at exactly 100. I'm sure she'd top out the speedo if it weren't for stupid laws. My dad's last two Chevy fullsize trucks (a 98 Ex Cab and a 99 Silverado) both cut off at 100 as well.

Somewhere someone knows how to fix that...

equiman · July 2001

Yesterday I started ny 2000 CrewCab and was unable to shift out of Park. The damn thing was stuck and I could not get it to move. After trying for a couple of minutes I turned off the engine. With the engine off it allowed me to shift and I shifted into Neutral. I then started the truck and was able to shift it into Drive. I started the vehicle a couple of other times during the day without a recurrence of this problem.

Does anyone have an idea if this is something that I need to have checked out?

onlyone · July 2001

That is a known defect in auto tranny frontiers. Go to the NHTSA website (www.nhtsa.dot.gov) go to the recall database and search for Nissan Truck, Frontier, 2000. It will tell you what to do. Until you do get it fixed, make sure you use your parking brake since it is possible for it to pop out of Park.

Good luck.

cb70 · July 2001

by at least 25 mph? I believe the stupid one is you, not the federal government.

onlyone · July 2001

This board is not for namecalling, cb70. I said stupid laws because there are some instances where 100+ mph is legal in this county (i.e. drag strips, out west in the boonies) I will have you know that I never normally drive in extreme excesses of the speed limit. It IS very unsafe and I do not condone the act. Yet it is interesting to know the straight line max speed of your automobile, and the only time I ever test that is way out in the middle of nowhere on the straightest piece of road I can find. The reason the federal government enacted the "stupid" law is for "stupid" people who think they can drive their big, easy to tip over SUVs or trucks at those speeds in any other direction but a straight line. I feel it is stupid because it is another way that the government is trying to circumvent natural selection. Make what you want of that...

cb70 · July 2001

n/m

onlyone · July 2001

equiman · July 2001

I thought there were still some states in the Western U.S. that did not have spped limits on certain stretches of highway. I don't know this for a fact but have heard it mentioned.

cb70 · July 2001

and they put back the limits in 99.

truct · July 2001

I bought a 2001 Nissan XE king cab 6/23 and already AC failed on me. Anyone else has this problem.

truct · July 2001

My AC failed on me now I found oil dripping from the trans. I wonder if I can exchange for another car. Can anyone tell me thanks much

texasjeep · July 2001

Does anyone know of any good Nissan message boards. The edmunds site tends to focus on newer pickups and mine isn't new.

Thanks for any help

jkidd2 · July 2001

Try this one....I like this one a lot.

Has a section on Nissan Hardbodies too.

http://www.nissanfrontier.net/

onlyone · July 2001

www.4x4parts.com

It's an all Nissan site. Tons of very informative people, and the site is hosted by a Automotive Customizers, an aftermarket warehouse for Nissan fans. If you ask it, they'll have an answer for it.

nissancrewcab · July 2001

Call Nissan directly. Do not back down. Also meet with the owner of the dealership. You could tell him you'll call the local news media. You'll get his attention.

gbb · July 2001

Has anyone had any problems with the front suspension? My truck was at the dealer 3 times before they finally called in a specialist from Nissan corporate to figure it out. The dealer had changed pretty much the whole front end before finding out that the problem lay in the bumper assembly. I threatened the Lemon Law on them which seemed to finally get their attention to call for help outside of the dealer.

billn1 · August 2001

I have a 2001 DR and at 10,000 miles I have developed a popping sound when I turn a corner. It doesn't always seem to come from the same place. I plan to take it to the dealer next week. Has anyone else had this problem?

bratz · August 2001

I have had my supercharged 4x4 Crew cab for 3 and a half months and had to have the supercharger REPLACED 2 times all ready due to the bearings rattling to much!!! Is anyone else having these problems??

aemmhay · August 2001

Where did they finally locate the squeeks in the bumper assy. (2001 frontier, re: #97)

Karen_S · September 2001

....but I'm here to announce the new Nissan Pickup Owners club now available on Edmunds.com Owner's Club board. Please stop by and introduce yourself in Meet the Members and let me know how I can help build your club.

I have linked this discussion into that folder, but it will always reside here in Pickups.

Looking forward to meeting everyone!

KarenS
Host
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Nissan Frontier Problems

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