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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, Other complaints

18 reports
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58,000 miles · Mar 26, 2010
Fuel System, Other

I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR AS REPORTED BY MANY OTHER NISSAN FRONTIER OWNERS . I SAW THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED BY NISSAN FOR 2006 AND 2008 MODELS . I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR ON MY 2005 FRONTIER . I CONTRACTED THE DEALER AND THEY WILL NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM AT THEIR…

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I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR AS REPORTED BY MANY OTHER NISSAN FRONTIER OWNERS . I SAW THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED BY NISSAN FOR 2006 AND 2008 MODELS . I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR ON MY 2005 FRONTIER . I CONTRACTED THE DEALER AND THEY WILL NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM AT THEIR COST . WHY WON'T THEY RECALL THE 2005 FRONTIERS IF THE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM ? [XXX] . *TR

NHTSA ODI #10322362

48,014 miles · Mar 18, 2010
Fuel System, Other

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. THERE WAS A FAULTY FUEL SENSOR THAT CAUSED THE FUEL GAUGE TO DISPLAY INACCURATE INFORMATION. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS FULL AND THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED THAT IT WAS EMPTY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED HIM THAT THE REPAIR COST WOULD BE $500. TH…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. THERE WAS A FAULTY FUEL SENSOR THAT CAUSED THE FUEL GAUGE TO DISPLAY INACCURATE INFORMATION. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS FULL AND THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED THAT IT WAS EMPTY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED HIM THAT THE REPAIR COST WOULD BE $500. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR $273. WHEN HE CALLED THE NISSAN MANUFACTURER HE WAS TOLD THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS OR WARRANTIES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,014.

NHTSA ODI #10320651

50,000 miles · Jan 22, 2010
Fuel System, Other

I OWN A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHEN I HIT 50,000 AROUND OCTOBER 2009 THE DTE, DISTANCE TILL EMPTY READ"---". THE SERVICE LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. WHENEVER I FILL UP WITH FUEL IT TAKES DAYS FOR THE GAS GAUGE TO READ. IT STAYS ON EMPTY MOST OF THE TIME AND THE EMPTY LIGHT IS ON ALL OF THE TIME. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING ON LINE FOR F…

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I OWN A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHEN I HIT 50,000 AROUND OCTOBER 2009 THE DTE, DISTANCE TILL EMPTY READ"---". THE SERVICE LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. WHENEVER I FILL UP WITH FUEL IT TAKES DAYS FOR THE GAS GAUGE TO READ. IT STAYS ON EMPTY MOST OF THE TIME AND THE EMPTY LIGHT IS ON ALL OF THE TIME. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING ON LINE FOR FIXES BUT EVERYTHING POINTS TO FAULTY SENDER UNIT. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO FIX THIS IN THIS ECONOMIC TIME. I THINK COMPANIES THAT MAKE FAULTY PARTS BY THE BILLIONS SHOULD FIX THE PROBLEM OR STOP DOING BUSINESS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10301940

47,000 miles · Dec 15, 2009
Fuel System, Other

NISSAN FRONTIER 2005 47,000 MILES THROWING ERROR CODE P0463 (FUEL LEVEL SENSOR MALFUNCTION). AS A RESULT, THERE IS NO WAY TO KNOW HOW MUCH FUEL IS LEFT IN THE TANK. THIS IS DANGEROUS FOR TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AND FOR FILL-UPS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10295839

53,000 miles · Oct 29, 2009
Fuel System, Other

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON MY 05 NISSAN FRONTIER CAME ONE LAST WEEK. AFTER CHECKING THE ERROR CODES P0463, IT SEEMS THAT THE FUEL LEVEL SENOR IS MALFUNCTIONING. SHORTLY AFTER DISCOVERING THE PROBLEM I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP TO ASK ABOUT REPAIR AND COST. THE DEALERSHIP WANTED $600 FOR THE REPAIR AND THE PART WAS ON BACK ORDER, A…

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THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON MY 05 NISSAN FRONTIER CAME ONE LAST WEEK. AFTER CHECKING THE ERROR CODES P0463, IT SEEMS THAT THE FUEL LEVEL SENOR IS MALFUNCTIONING. SHORTLY AFTER DISCOVERING THE PROBLEM I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP TO ASK ABOUT REPAIR AND COST. THE DEALERSHIP WANTED $600 FOR THE REPAIR AND THE PART WAS ON BACK ORDER, AND THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO FIX IT UNTIL NEXT WEEK. TWO DAYS AFTER I CHECKED WITH THE DEALERSHIP, I WAS DRIVING HOME ON A MAJOR INTERSTATE WHEN MY TRUCK STOPPED FUNCTIONING. IN THE MIDDLE OF RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC I HAD TO COAST MY VEHICLE TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10290205

39,786 miles · Oct 13, 2009
Fuel System, Other

AFTER GAS TANK WENT DOWN TO 1/4 TANK, GOT A FILL UP AT A LOCAL GAS STATION. PULLED OFF AND NOTICE THAT THE GAS GAUGE WAS NOT READING THAT IT WAS FULL. AFTER RIDING A MILE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WENT TO LOCAL DEALERSHIP THINKING I JUST NEEDED AN OIL CHANGE; THAT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THEN WAS CHARGED $100 FOR A DIA…

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AFTER GAS TANK WENT DOWN TO 1/4 TANK, GOT A FILL UP AT A LOCAL GAS STATION. PULLED OFF AND NOTICE THAT THE GAS GAUGE WAS NOT READING THAT IT WAS FULL. AFTER RIDING A MILE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WENT TO LOCAL DEALERSHIP THINKING I JUST NEEDED AN OIL CHANGE; THAT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THEN WAS CHARGED $100 FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE TEST CONFIRMED: REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY RECOMMENDED AFTER THE SENDING UNIT GOES BAD. CAUSING NO READING ON GAS GAUGE EVEN AFTER GAS TANK IS FILLED IN TERMS MAKING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAIN ON CONSISTENTLY. I BROUGHT THIS TRUCK USED STILL UNDER WARRANTY. CAME TO FIND OUT THAT THE PART ISN'T UNDER WARRANTY BUT IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THESE MODELS FROM 2004-2007.... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10287289

74,902 miles · Aug 3, 2009
Fuel System, Other

2005 NISSAN FRONTIER SHOWING ERROR CODE P0463, WHICH MEANS FAULTY FUEL LEVEL SENSOR. DRIVING ALONG AS NORMAL. STOPPED TO FILL UP. AFTER LOADING 18 GALLONS IN THE TANK THE FUEL GAUGE DID NOT MOVE. AFTER DRIVING A BIT THE GAUGE REGISTERED FULL AND THE CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT STAYS LIT AND THE FUEL REGISTER IS UNRELIABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10279262

50,000 miles · Oct 27, 2008
Fuel System, Other

I OWN A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER THAT HAS BEEN A GOOD TRUCK OTHER THAN ONE PROBLEM. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. FUEL GAUGE STAYS AT EMPTY AFTER TANK IS FILLED, THEN SLOWLY RISES TO FULL OVER THE COURSE OF A COUPLE OF DAYS. DTE GAUGE ALTERNATES BETWEEN CORRECT READING, A READING THAT IS NOT POSSIBLE, AND ----. MILEAGE IS JUST OVER …

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I OWN A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER THAT HAS BEEN A GOOD TRUCK OTHER THAN ONE PROBLEM. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. FUEL GAUGE STAYS AT EMPTY AFTER TANK IS FILLED, THEN SLOWLY RISES TO FULL OVER THE COURSE OF A COUPLE OF DAYS. DTE GAUGE ALTERNATES BETWEEN CORRECT READING, A READING THAT IS NOT POSSIBLE, AND ----. MILEAGE IS JUST OVER 50,000, AND THERE ARE NO OTHER INDICATIONS OF PROBLEMS. I HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AT THIS TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10246833

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.