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2005 Nissan Frontier

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Frontier years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Nissan Frontier are substantially higher than the model-year median of 64.

About this comparison →
532Owner complaints

Model-year median: 64

3Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
124
200277
200366
2004532
2005617
2006520
2007136
2008
Compare all Frontier years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Power Train
262Fuel System, Gasoline
119Engine And Engine Cooling
106Engine
80Electrical System
38
All reported categories
Fuel/propulsion System
25Fuel System, Other
18Structure
17Vehicle Speed Control
15Air Bags
14Unknown Or Other
14Steering
5Electronic Stability Control (esc)
4Latches/locks/linkages
4Service Brakes, Hydraulic
4Suspension
4Exterior Lighting
3Service Brakes
3Tires
3Equipment
2Visibility
2Wheels
2Parking Brake
1Seats
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

479 reports with mileage · 53 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 262 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 119 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 106 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports8 fire reports9 injury reports

Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints

4 reports
Clear category filter
98,111 miles · Oct 30, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

AS I WAS DRIVING, MY 05 NISSAN FRONTIER STALLED, SHUT DOWN AND LOST ALL POWER. IT TOOK A WHILE FOR IT TO RESTART AND IT WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED ON THE 2 LANE ROAD IN HENDERSON, NV. I AM OBVIOUSLY PETRTIFIED TO DRIVE SO I BEGAN TO TO RESEARCH THIS SITUATION. JUST FOR THE HELL OF IT, I TRIED TO…

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AS I WAS DRIVING, MY 05 NISSAN FRONTIER STALLED, SHUT DOWN AND LOST ALL POWER. IT TOOK A WHILE FOR IT TO RESTART AND IT WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED ON THE 2 LANE ROAD IN HENDERSON, NV. I AM OBVIOUSLY PETRTIFIED TO DRIVE SO I BEGAN TO TO RESEARCH THIS SITUATION. JUST FOR THE HELL OF IT, I TRIED TO START THE NEXT MORNING AND IT DIDN'T START. AFTER A FEW HOURS, HOWEVER, IT STARTED. JUST TO MAKE SURE, I HAD MY STARTER AND BATTERY LOOKED AT AND WAS TOLD THEY WERE FINE, BUT I WAS TOLD IT COULD BE THE ECM RELAY. THIS WAS RECALLED IN 2011 AND I HAD IT CHANGED OUT AT HENDERSON NISSAN. I ALSO REPLACED THE ECM RELAY LAST WEEK TO MAKE SURE THE PART DIDN'T GO BAD, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS STILL STALLING AND INTERMITTENTLY STARTING. UPON MORE RESEARCH I FOUND THAT DIFFERENT TYPES OF NISSANS WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE TITANS, EXTERRAS, AND PATHFINDERS. LOTS OF OLDER MODELS, BUT EVEN NEW VEHICLES THAT WERE JUST PURCHASED FROM THE DEALERSHIP. I PROCEEDED TO HENDERSON NISSAN AND DESCRIBED WHAT WAS HAPPENING AND WAD TOLD IT WAS THE IPDM UNIT. I ALSO SPOKE WITH CERTIFIED MECHANICS AND THEY SAID THE SAME THING. I PURCHASED THE PARTS. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. IF ONE OF THESE VEHICLES EVER STALLS AND LOSES POWER ON A BUSY HIGHWAY OR ROAD THE AFTERMATH CAN BE DEADLY FOR THE OWNER OF THE NISSAN AND THEIR PASSENGERS AND OTHER INNOCENT DRIVERS ON THE ROAD. THIS SERIOUS CONDITION CAN CAUSE BODILY HARM, AND EVEN DEATH. I WAS LUCKY I WASN'T IN AN ACCIDENT THE DAY IT HAPPENED TO ME, I TRULY THANK GOD! I FULLY BELIEVE THAT ALL NISSAN'S SHOULD BE RECALLED AND HAVE THE NEW IPDM UNIT INSTALLED AS I HEAR THE THE ORIGINAL IPDM UNIT WAS DESIGNED IMPROPERLY. THE NEWER UPDATED MODEL IS SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT IN APPEARANCE, AND FITS THE TITAN AS WELL. THIS IS SO SERIOUS, AND NISSAN KNOWS THAT IT SHOULD HAVE THIS RECALLED.

NHTSA ODI #11041446

78,000 miles · Jan 9, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EnginePower Train

CLUTCH BREAK BAND SOLENOID FAILED. LOST ALL POWER TO MY VEHICLE AND WOULD NOT START AGAIN. $1000 FOR THE PART $400 FOR THE LABOR $100 FOR TRANSMISSION FLUID. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10671225

90,780 miles · Aug 20, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

STARTED IT UP... HARDLY MOVED. SQUEAKING SOUND UNDER THE HOOD. LOOKS LIKE THE INFAMOUS RADIATOR LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION.... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10536423

54,000 miles · Nov 23, 2012
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power TrainSuspension

WHILE DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 60-65 ON THE HIGHWAY MY 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS OUT OF GEAR AND STARTS TO GRIND. THIS OCCURS ONLY UNDER ACCELERATION AND I DO NOT MEAN HARD ACCELERATION. I AM SIMPLY AT A CRUISING SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY AND TRYING TO SIMPLY MAINTAIN A SPEED AND THE NOISE OCCURS DAILY. I AM…

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WHILE DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 60-65 ON THE HIGHWAY MY 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS OUT OF GEAR AND STARTS TO GRIND. THIS OCCURS ONLY UNDER ACCELERATION AND I DO NOT MEAN HARD ACCELERATION. I AM SIMPLY AT A CRUISING SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY AND TRYING TO SIMPLY MAINTAIN A SPEED AND THE NOISE OCCURS DAILY. I AM NOT POSITIVE THAT THE NOISE IS COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE I AM NO MECHANIC, BUT THE SOUND IS A GRINDING SOUND WHICH MEANS IT IS A GEAR GRINDING SOMEWHERE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A NISSAN DEALER THREE TIMES AND ALL I WAS TOLD IS THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS OKAY. I DO NOT HAVE A SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ON SO MAYBE THAT IS THE REASON, BUT I WAS ABLE TO SHOW THE DEALER THE NOISE AND STILL NO HELP. ALL I WANTED WHEN I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK IS A RELIABLE CAR AND I DO NOT HAVE ONE. NISSAN SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR PUTTING OUT A SUBPAR PRODUCT. I KNOW BASED ON THE ONLINE FORUMS THAT I AM NOT ALONE IN THESE ISSUES WITH THE TRUCK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10485837

Official recalls

3

10V517000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Oct 28, 2010

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 ARMADA, TITAN, INFINITI QX56 AND MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 FRONTIER, PATHFINDER AND XTERRA VEHICLES. THE INTELLIGENT POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULE (IPDM) ASSEMBLY CONTAINS AN ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) RELAY THAT HAS A DIODE FOR ELECTRICAL CURRENT NOISE REDUCTION. THE ECM RELAY MAY ALLOW SILICON VAPOR TO FORM AND, OVER TIME, THE SILICON EVAPORATES FROM THE DIODE MOLDING WHICH CAUSES SILICON OXIDE TO DEVELOP ON THE ECM RELAY CONTACT DUE TO ARCING.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE ENGINE STALLING INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ECM RELAY INSIDE THE IPDM ASSEMBLY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 6, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

08V690000 · Air Bags:frontal

Dec 29, 2008

NISSAN IS RECALLING 242,720 MY 2005-2009 PATHFINDER, FRONTIER AND XTERRA VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN THOSE AREAS OF THE COUNTRY WHICH USE HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT IN THE WINTER, A MIXTURE OF SNOW/WATER AND SALT CAN ENTER INTO THE FRONT CRASH ZONE SENSOR (CZS) HOUSING. IF THIS OCCURS, THE CZS MAY INTERNALLY RUST RESULTING IN A SIGNAL INTERRUPTION. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE RED AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE TO ALERT THE VEHICLE OPERATOR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS ISSUE COULD RESULT IN THE NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAGS IN A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT CZS WITH A REDESIGNED SENSOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 26, 2009. OWNERS IN THE OTHER STATES WILL RECEIVE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR THE SENSOR TO 10 YEARS. THESE OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE WARRANTY EXTENSION BY MAIL AND WILL RECEIVE A STICKER TO PLACE IN THEIR WARRANTY BOOKLET EXPLAINING THE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

06V092000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap

Mar 30, 2006

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS MAY RESULT IN A FUEL SPILL WHICH IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

DP12004 · Transmission Failures

Opened Jun 11, 2012 · Closed Oct 22, 2016

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train; Power Train:automatic Transmission; Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm); Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines; Power Train:automatic Transmission:torque Converter

On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.

Additional source detail variants (5)

Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines

On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.

Power Train:automatic Transmission

On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:torque Converter

On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.

Power Train

On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.