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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

Latches/locks/linkages complaints

4 reports
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38,567 miles · May 18, 2009
Latches/locks/linkages

THE LOWER HINGE ON MY 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER KING CAB PICK UP BROKE FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE FIRST TIME, IT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AT 18,050 MILES AND THE MILEAGE AT THE SECOND OCCURRENCE IS 38, 567. I HAVE ALSO SEEN THAT MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING VERY SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THESE TAILGATES. IF THIS HINGE WAS TO BREAK WHILE TH…

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THE LOWER HINGE ON MY 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER KING CAB PICK UP BROKE FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE FIRST TIME, IT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AT 18,050 MILES AND THE MILEAGE AT THE SECOND OCCURRENCE IS 38, 567. I HAVE ALSO SEEN THAT MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING VERY SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THESE TAILGATES. IF THIS HINGE WAS TO BREAK WHILE THE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING, IT IS CONCEIVABLE THAT THE TAILGATE COULD FALL OFF OF THE VEHICLE AND/OR FALL OFF FROM ONE SIDE. THIS COULD POSE A SIGNIFICANT HAZARD TO THE VEHICLES BEHIND AND/OR TO THE VEHICLE ITSELF. I CONTACTED NISSAN ABOUT REPAIRING THE TAILGATE AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE FIX WAS MY RESPONSIBILITY. I WILL HAVE IT REPAIRED AT THE DEALER BUT HAVE BEEN GIVEN NO ASSURANCE THAT THE DESIGN HAS BEEN IMPROVED OR MODIFIED TO PREVENT ITS RECURRENCE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10269107

27,850 miles · Nov 30, 2008
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

TAILGATE BUSTED BRACKETS. I HAVE A 2005 FRONTIER CREW CAB WITH 28000 MILES. THIS WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW. I USE THIS VEHICLE FOR TRIPS AND HUNTING. NO HAULING, CONSTRUCTION OR OTHER HEAVY USE. MY 4 WHEELER WAS HAULED IN IT ABOUT 6 TIMES. WE DROVE TO THE MOUNTAINS AND JUST FINISHED UNLOADING OUR LUGGAGE. I WENT TO CLOSE THE GATE AND…

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TAILGATE BUSTED BRACKETS. I HAVE A 2005 FRONTIER CREW CAB WITH 28000 MILES. THIS WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW. I USE THIS VEHICLE FOR TRIPS AND HUNTING. NO HAULING, CONSTRUCTION OR OTHER HEAVY USE. MY 4 WHEELER WAS HAULED IN IT ABOUT 6 TIMES. WE DROVE TO THE MOUNTAINS AND JUST FINISHED UNLOADING OUR LUGGAGE. I WENT TO CLOSE THE GATE AND IT WOULDN'T CLOSE, UPON INVESTIGATING THE DRIVERS SIDE HINGE HAD CRACKS AND THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS CRACKED. MY TRUCK WAS OUT OF WARRANTY BY 60 DAYS WHEN I SHOWED THE DEALER SERVICE PERSON. THEY SAID THEY NEVER SAW ANYTHING LIKE IT BEFORE, EVEN ASKED HOW BIG THE DEER WAS I PUT ON THE GATE, AND IF SOMEONE WAS STANDING ON IT? I ASKED IF THEY WERE SERIOUS, AS THIS GATE SHOULD SUPPORT 1000 POUNDS! ANYWAY I WA LUCKY THAT NISSAN AGREED TO REPLACE THE 2 CRACKED BRACKETS ON THE BODY, THE 2 BRACKETS ON THE GATE AND A 3RD BRACKET I WASN'T EVEN AWARE OF UNTIL THE DEALER STATED HE HAD TO ORDER IT IN BEFORE IT COULD BE REPAIRED CORRECTLY. ANYWAY LIKE I STATED, THIS VEHICLE IS USED FOR EASY APPLICATIONS AND THE GATE USED VERY LITTLE. SOUNDS AND LOOKED LIKE A BAD DESIGN IMHO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10250203

92,000 miles · Nov 27, 2008
Latches/locks/linkages

I OPENED THE HOOD OF MY 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER TO CHECK THE BATTERY, AND WHEN I CLOSED IT THE HOOD LATCH FELL OFF. AS A RESULT I WAS NOT ABLE TO EVACUATE FOR 2 MANDATORY HURRICANE EVACUATIONS. THE FIRST EVACUATION WAS FOR HURRICANE GUSTAV WHICH CAUSED LITTLE OR NO DAMAGE IN MY AREA; THE SECOND EVACUATION WAS FOR HURRICANE IKE …

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I OPENED THE HOOD OF MY 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER TO CHECK THE BATTERY, AND WHEN I CLOSED IT THE HOOD LATCH FELL OFF. AS A RESULT I WAS NOT ABLE TO EVACUATE FOR 2 MANDATORY HURRICANE EVACUATIONS. THE FIRST EVACUATION WAS FOR HURRICANE GUSTAV WHICH CAUSED LITTLE OR NO DAMAGE IN MY AREA; THE SECOND EVACUATION WAS FOR HURRICANE IKE FROM WHICH MY AREA IS STILL RECOVERING. I TOOK MY TRUCK TO THREE BODY SHOPS TO GET BIDS FOR REPAIRS. ALL THREE, INCLUDING THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, STATED THAT BECAUSE OF LEGAL LIABILITY AND THE LOCATION OF THE BROKEN PART THE HOOD WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE ALL OF THE OLD PARTS THAT WERE REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10250021

1 miles · May 31, 2006
Latches/locks/linkages

I HAVE A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER PICKUP TRUCK. THE TAILGATE DOES NOT SEAL UP, IN FACT THERE IS A GAP OF OVER ONE (1) INCH BETWEEN THE BED OF THE TRUCK AND THE TAILGATE WHEN THE TAIL GATE IS CLOSED. THERE IS ALSO A GAP OF ABOUT A HALF INCH ON EACH SIDE OF THE TAILGATE AND THE SIDES OF THE TRUCK BED. I THINK THIS …

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I HAVE A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER PICKUP TRUCK. THE TAILGATE DOES NOT SEAL UP, IN FACT THERE IS A GAP OF OVER ONE (1) INCH BETWEEN THE BED OF THE TRUCK AND THE TAILGATE WHEN THE TAIL GATE IS CLOSED. THERE IS ALSO A GAP OF ABOUT A HALF INCH ON EACH SIDE OF THE TAILGATE AND THE SIDES OF THE TRUCK BED. I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD NOT TO ME BUT TO ANY CAR THAT SHOULD BE FOLLOWING ME IF I WERE CARRYING A LOAD OF DIRT, SAND, OR GRAVEL IN THE BED OF THE TRUCK. IT IS HIGHLY LIKELY THAT THIS MATERIAL WOULD DROP OUT AND COULD STRIKE A FOLLOWING VEHICLE CAUSING CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE, BROKEN WINDSHIELDS AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE FOLLOWING VEHICLE. I THINK NISSAN SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO REMEDY THIS SITUATION IMMEDIATELY. I HAVE AVOIDED PUTTING SUCH MATERIALS IN MY TRUCK BECAUSE I AM AFRAID THIS WOULD HAPPEN AND I CANNOT GET THE USE OF THE TRUCK TO HAUL THESE TYPE OF MATERIALS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10158735

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.