NTB07-069a

[NissanTech]

A new entry has been added to Knowledgebase

Description:

-REVISED-
2005-2008 NISSAN FRONTIER, XTERRA, PATHFINDER; FUEL GAUGE ISSUES &/OR DTC P0461/2/3
The fuel gauge is erratic, inaccurate, or inoperative.
And/or

The MIL is “ON” with DTC P0461, P0462, or P0463 stored in Self-Diagnosis.

To check it out, rate it or add comments, visit NTB07-069a
The comments you make there will appear in the posts below.

[MassPathy]

Hi... a question about the coverage for this particular issue. I seem to have this issue on my 06 Pathfinder LE with 46K miles (going to AutoZone to pull the code to confirm). Just happened last night right after gassing up. DTE guage read ------ and gas gauge went to empty with low gas light on. SES light came on. I re-checked the gas cap even though I've been very careful about sealing it. Driving home on highway trip, the gauge started to go up VERY slowly and the DTE numbers went up intermittently.
My real question is after reading the Service Bulletin referenced here, it states for the dealer to replace the fuel level sending unit and submit a claim called "Primary part failure". Does this mean that someone like me, out-of-warranty will not have to pay for the repair, or am I dreaming?! Any info would be helpful. Thanks much. John

[luuceee]

Hi everyone- I also have been hit with the fuel sending unit bug. Wondering if any of you eventually received warranty coverage for this? I own a 2005 Pathfinder (47K) and a 2002 maxima (until last year I owned a 1993 maxima and 1999.5 Pathfinder SE). Generally, when something goes wrong on a Nissan, it seems to hit them all (should I mention Bose in the third gen. Maxima)! Sorry.

[gregboles4]

I just said screw it and bought a Toyota!!!!!

[ajwarrior]

I've been hit by the FLSU bug also and have been told buy Nissan NA they won't help me. However the dealership I've been talking with is trying to cut the cost of replacement/repair for me. In addition I've gone out to Safercar.gov and called their number (888-327-4236) and filed a complaint. This is NHTSA by the way. What I would like to ask all to do is call the number and file a complaint as well... strength in numbers! Then maybe we can get some satisfaction.

[Nissan AZ]

I dont know how old your vehicle is and warranty you have, but mine is 2 yrs old with an extended warranty and 18,000 miles on it. I have a nissan frontier 06 SE. Now why the heck did I buy a brand new vehicle only to find a a fuel gauge broken after 2 years and Nissan wont cover. Is nissan USA a bunch of crooks or what? Will you buy another Nissan? Do we consumers deserve this crap? I dont know-but this is my last nissan vehicle

[shawnx1]

not sure if this will help anyone but i had this problem last night after filling up. Gas gauge went all the way past E turned the car off started it back up boom full tank. OOOPPS now the service engine soon lights on damn. ok fine needed a oil change anyway went to the dealer they checked the code told me it was code p0463 and it be $150.00 to check it out. was hmm ok not right now. Went home disconnected the battery for 30 mins started it up light is off. logged on here found this bullitin called the dealer asked him what i can do thats when he asked me hey did u have the key on like listening to the radio when you were filling up hey i did. not sure if that was the problem but hey it worked so far for me. Lights still off gas gauge still working

[ajwarrior]

I've actually discovered that when I fill up that if I shut off the engine but leave the key in the ignition with the ignition on I don't get the problem. Also I get to watch the gas needle climb while the tank fills. After it is full I don't turn the ignition off but rather crank the engine up. Doing this has solved the problem temporarily. I'm taking the Pathfinder in this weekend to have it fixed... got Nissan to pay for the FLSU and O-ring, I'm paying the labor and the dealership has discounted that for me.

[scontks]

I have a Xterra 2006 and code P0463, which I found out my self with a friends code reader. I went to the Nissan dealer and asked what it would cost to fix and they said at least $700and I couldn't do it my self because it is hard to get to. That seems a little steep for a newer vehicle with 50,000miles on it. Is there any thing I can do my self to fix this?? I don't have this kind of money. I bought a Nissan because I thought they didn't have problems? Humm.

[mpe235]

Originally Posted by scontks

I have a Xterra 2006 and code P0463, which I found out my self with a friends code reader. I went to the Nissan dealer and asked what it would cost to fix and they said at least $700and I couldn't do it my self because it is hard to get to. That seems a little steep for a newer vehicle with 50,000miles on it. Is there any thing I can do my self to fix this?? I don't have this kind of money. I bought a Nissan because I thought they didn't have problems? Humm.

You could fix several of those for that kind of money. I think the parts are less than $100.00. We usually get a couple hours to change them so it should be closer to $300.00 for the repair. It's not that difficult. The fuel tank has to be removed but it is only held in by the 2 straps with 3 bolts.

[scontks]

Thanks for the information!

[MassPathy]

Hi, Scontks... I had been in on this thread a long time back as I had the same issue... fuel sending unit. Told by Nissan dealers that while the fuel PUMP is part of the powertrain, the fuel SENDING unit is not. I wrote a letter to the President of Nissan USA... yep... explained how I was on my second Nissan and that this issue is rampart and needs to be addressed asap. I told him that absent his help, I would not buy another Nissan. The story ends with a call from my dealer and the regional rep: covered at no charge. Worth a shot!

JJ

[scontks]

Humm, I am thinking this is worth the fight, Thanks

[MassPathy]

Hi Scontks... I'm not sure if he's still the guy, but here's who I wrote to with my dissatisfaction and he made it happen, or his people did anyway.

Mr. Carlos Ghosn, President & CEO
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
P.O. Box 685003
Franklin TN 37064

I'd reference the many, many similar issues, the service bulletin, potential for harm to your kids when traveling (if you have them|), and how you have always bought Nissan, but now you just might not.... good luck. Let me know. If was worth the three weeks and effort in my opinion.

|Mass|Pathy

[scontks]

Thanks for the information MassPathy. Good point about the kids, yes I have 2. I appreciate you getting the name and address for me. Thanks J

[MassPathy]

You're welcome. I can't locate the folder with my letter, but as I recall, I referenced the kids saying that it was a safety risk hoping my gas gauge was reading and/or reading correctly so we wouldn't run out of gas in say highway traffic or on some dark back road. I also think the "I always bought Nissan and I hope to replace my truck in the next 6 months..." works. Good luck; worth the effort and $$.

JJ

[tommyg1234]

Originally Posted by gregboles4

I just said screw it and bought a Toyota!!!!!

unfortunately, i sold my bulletproof 4Runner for the Pathfinder.

yes, just got dinked with the fuel sender unit repair (got the kiss of re warranty repair), as well as the rotting out (electrolysis?) of the rear seat coolant lines (I spliced heater hose in myself instead of paying them $1400

[Nissan9]

Originally Posted by MassPathy

Hi, Scontks... I had been in on this thread a long time back as I had the same issue... fuel sending unit. Told by Nissan dealers that while the fuel PUMP is part of the powertrain, the fuel SENDING unit is not. I wrote a letter to the President of Nissan USA... yep... explained how I was on my second Nissan and that this issue is rampart and needs to be addressed asap. I told him that absent his help, I would not buy another Nissan. The story ends with a call from my dealer and the regional rep: covered at no charge. Worth a shot!

JJ

I am following your lead...after 5 Nissans this is very disappointing and that I KNEW many others were having teh exact same problem...I will come back and let everyone know the result of my effort...thank you for the advice...

[Nissan9]

I sent a letter to Nissan USA(president and address from another poster) about a month ago after contacting two different dealerships and being told the same thing..it's not covered and they gave me a quote...

I received a call within 3 weeks stating my information was being turned over and a file would be opened and I should hear back within 1 week...sure enough a week later I had a call from my dealership acting like they were surprised by a call from Nissan USA consumer affairs...but long story short I reminded them I had not brought my car in because a phone call to the dealership informed me it was not coverred, I did not bother bringing it in....

They informed me the part was being ordered and I have an appointment to have it fixed...no charge...

This is not a favor...they are SUPPOSED to fix this per Nissan USA..

The bottom line is the dealerships are playing the odds that people will not do their homework on this and they will collect lots of $ in service fees....

In another post I will copy and paste my letter...Once they know YOU KNOW they will deal with it promptly...

[Nissan9]

To: Mr. Carlos Ghosn, President & CEO
Nissan Motor Co., LTD
P.O. Box 685003
Franklin TN 37064
From: (My name)
Date:
Re: Fuel Level sending Unit

Dear Sir,
I believe Nissan has the best vehicle and good customer service, so I am hoping you will assist me in maintaining that confidence. This is the first Nissan (2007 Nissan Xterra) we have owned that gave us any problem before the 100,000 mile mark so I am quite disappointed, especially in light of the fat that I have found that many others have had the same problem.

The problem, we found, is the fuel sending unit. In doing research on the internet, we were quite surprised to find a substantial number of people discussing the same problem. I would think with this many people having the same problem, Nissan would have recalled and replaced the flawed part.
My dealers, GIVE NAME OF DEALERSHIP, has stated that this is not part of the fuel pump and therefore is not covered under the fuel pump 60,000 warranty.
I am writing to ask Nissan to cover these repairs at no cost to me and maintain my confidence in the Nissan product and CUSTOMER FIRST service.
Thank you for your time and consideration of my request.
Name
Telephone
E-mail
Physical address

NOTE: I also attached a copy of the SERVICE BULLETIN where Nissan has advised the dealerships to repair this when and file a claim with Nissan USA. I Googled the reference # NTB07-069a.