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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

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

119 reports
Clear category filter
90,300 miles · Nov 11, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

I OWNED A NISSAN FRONTIER 2005 AND JUST LATELY I NOTICED THE FUEL GAUGE ASSY NOT WORKING WHEN I PUT FULL TANK FUEL AND YET THE GAUGE STILL READS ZERO. I RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM NISSAN THAT INDEED THERE WAS A RECALL ON 2005 FRONTIER FOR FUEL GAUGE FAILURES. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE NEAREST NISSAN REPAIR SHOP AND BUT THEY DON'T ACKN…

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I OWNED A NISSAN FRONTIER 2005 AND JUST LATELY I NOTICED THE FUEL GAUGE ASSY NOT WORKING WHEN I PUT FULL TANK FUEL AND YET THE GAUGE STILL READS ZERO. I RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM NISSAN THAT INDEED THERE WAS A RECALL ON 2005 FRONTIER FOR FUEL GAUGE FAILURES. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE NEAREST NISSAN REPAIR SHOP AND BUT THEY DON'T ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS IS COVERED UNDER THE RECALL SINCE MY MILEAGE IS MORE THAN 90K MILES AND THEY SAID THE RECALL HAD LAPSE ALREADY. I REFUTED THAT I JUST RECEIVED THE LETTER LAST WEEK AND HOW COME IT HAS LAPSED ALREADY. BUT STILL THEY ASK ME TO PAY MORE THAT $400 FOR THE REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10365398

74,000 miles · Nov 4, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD INDICATE THAT THERE WAS. THE DEALER WAS INFORMED ABOUT THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW FUEL SENDING UNIT. THERE WAS NO WARRANTY DUE TO THE HIGH MILEAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD INDICATE THAT THERE WAS. THE DEALER WAS INFORMED ABOUT THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW FUEL SENDING UNIT. THERE WAS NO WARRANTY DUE TO THE HIGH MILEAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77800.

NHTSA ODI #10364080

59,800 miles · Oct 30, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

THE FUEL GAUGE ON MY 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER IS ERRATIC AND NOT CORRECT. I HAVE A SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ON NOW. THE CODE IS P0463 FUEL LEVEL SENSOR. NISSAN CURRENTLY HAS A RECALL FOR 2006 FRONTIERS AND A LITTLE RESEARCH ON SOME NISSAN FORUMS SHOWS MANY 2005 MODELS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I DON'T HAVE $600+ TO FIX MY FUEL GAUGE. …

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THE FUEL GAUGE ON MY 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER IS ERRATIC AND NOT CORRECT. I HAVE A SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ON NOW. THE CODE IS P0463 FUEL LEVEL SENSOR. NISSAN CURRENTLY HAS A RECALL FOR 2006 FRONTIERS AND A LITTLE RESEARCH ON SOME NISSAN FORUMS SHOWS MANY 2005 MODELS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I DON'T HAVE $600+ TO FIX MY FUEL GAUGE. I THINK NISSAN SHOULD INCLUDE THE 2005 FRONTIERS IN THE RECALL. ALSO, NISSAN SERVICE BULLETIN NTB07-069B INCLUDES THE 2005 FRONTIER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10363021

44,000 miles · Oct 28, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT MALFUNCTIONED ON NISSAN FRONTIER 2005 AND CAUSED VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF GAS ON INTERSTATE. COST TO REPLACE WAS 700 DOLLARS FROM DEALER. HAVE NOT REPLACED YET. FUEL GAUGE SHOWS EMPTY TANK TO HALF FULL REGARDLESS OF ACTUAL GAS VOLUME RESIDING IN THE TANK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10362776

50,000 miles · Oct 26, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL GAUGE SENSOR PROBLEM WITH NISSAN FRONTIER 2005, FUEL GAUGE EVAP. LEAK P0455 CODE. BOTH NEED TO BE FIXED BECAUSE THERE IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE LEAK AND SENSOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10362511

73,860 miles · Oct 21, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

CONCERNING MY 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER 4X4 NISMO. I NOTICED MY DTE (DISTANCE TO EMPTY) INDICATOR NOT WORKING PROPERLY. IT READ ---- AND THEN 0. SHORTLY AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS INFORMED IT WAS A FUEL SENDING UNIT/SENSOR AND THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED. I DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AT X.NISSANHELP.COM AND OTHER SITES. …

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CONCERNING MY 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER 4X4 NISMO. I NOTICED MY DTE (DISTANCE TO EMPTY) INDICATOR NOT WORKING PROPERLY. IT READ ---- AND THEN 0. SHORTLY AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS INFORMED IT WAS A FUEL SENDING UNIT/SENSOR AND THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED. I DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AT X.NISSANHELP.COM AND OTHER SITES. AFTER SEARCHING, I CAME ACROSS MANY OTHERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. APPARENTLY IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. A SIMILAR PROBLEM WAS FOUND ON THE 2000-2004 XTERRA MODELS AND A SAFETY RECALL WAS MADE BY NISSAN. ACCORDING TO ALL ACCOUNTS SOMETHING IN THE FUEL SYSTEM IS FAULTY AND CORRODES OVER TIME. EVERYONE WHO IS HAVING THE PROBLEM IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING IN THE RANGE OF 39,000 TO 80,000 + MILES. SINCE THIS PROBLEM EXISTED IN PREVIOUS MODELS, AND IT WAS RECALLED, THE 2005-2007 XTERRAS, FRONTIERS, AND PATHFINDERS SHOULD GET THIS FIXED AT NO CHARGE TO THE CUSTOMER. WHY SHOULD CUSTOMERS HAVE TO WAIT FOR ACCIDENTS AND POSSIBLE DEATHS? ESPECIALLY SINCE THE PROBLEM LIES IN AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE VEHICLE. COST OF REPAIR RANGES FROM $300-600. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10361620

58,576 miles · Oct 20, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

2005 NISSAN FRONTIER FUEL SENDING UNIT FAILURE WHEN GAS GAGE REACHED 1/2 TANK THE GAUGE FAILED TO 0 WITH EMPTY LIGHT ON, SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON AND DTE CALCULATOR WENT TO --------- (58,576 MILES) PROBLEM GOES AWAY WHEN TANK IS REFILLED TO MORE THAN 1/2 TANK AND READS NORMAL, AFTER ABOUT 90 MILES SERVICE ENGINE SOON LI…

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2005 NISSAN FRONTIER FUEL SENDING UNIT FAILURE WHEN GAS GAGE REACHED 1/2 TANK THE GAUGE FAILED TO 0 WITH EMPTY LIGHT ON, SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON AND DTE CALCULATOR WENT TO --------- (58,576 MILES) PROBLEM GOES AWAY WHEN TANK IS REFILLED TO MORE THAN 1/2 TANK AND READS NORMAL, AFTER ABOUT 90 MILES SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT GOES OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10361323

89,563 miles · Oct 18, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

FILLED UP 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER WITH GAS. AFTER TURNING THE TRUCK BACK ON THE FUEL GAGE DROPPED TO EMPTY. THEN, WHEN I STARTED DRIVING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. IT HAS NOT WENT OFF AND THE FUEL GAUGE WILL NOT GO BACK UP EVEN WITH A FULL TANK OF GAS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10361070

60,000 miles · Oct 15, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

NISSAN FUEL SENDING UNIT IN 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER IS FAULTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10360730

95,000 miles · Oct 12, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train

05 NISMO FRONTIER, I HAD A TICKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING. MY ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON WITH A CATALYTIC CONVERTER CODE, GAS GAGE WAS INTERMITTENT. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL SENDING UNIT, GET A NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND HAVE MY DRIVELINE REPLACE BECAUSE IT WAS BLOWN. THE TRUCK HAD 94K WHEN I TOOK IT IN FOR REPA…

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05 NISMO FRONTIER, I HAD A TICKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING. MY ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON WITH A CATALYTIC CONVERTER CODE, GAS GAGE WAS INTERMITTENT. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL SENDING UNIT, GET A NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND HAVE MY DRIVELINE REPLACE BECAUSE IT WAS BLOWN. THE TRUCK HAD 94K WHEN I TOOK IT IN FOR REPAIRS. I AM CURRENTLY TRYING TO FIND A POSSIBLE COOLANT LEAK. I CAN SMELL IT BUT CAN'T FIND WHERE IT IS COMING FROM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10360149

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.