VehicleVerdict

2002 Nissan Frontier fuel system problems

The 2002 Nissan Frontier has 25 fuel system complaints filed with NHTSA — 16% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

25

Fuel System complaints

16%

Share of year

0

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Fuel System complaints by year

Related recalls

04V230000Fuel SystemMay 24, 2004 · 586,196 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

What owners report

2002 NISSAN FRONTIER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE LEAKING GAS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION AND HE HAD TO BE RUSHED TO THE BURN CENTER, FOR SECOND DEGREE BURNS ON HIS LEFT AND RIGHT ARMS. *JB

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · May 19, 2014 · fire

Common questions

How many fuel system complaints does the 2002 Nissan Frontier have?

NHTSA has 25 complaints about the 2002 Nissan Frontier fuel system — 16% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2002 Nissan Frontier fuel system?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the fuel system: 04V230000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.