IllustrationCHUGGING, SLIPPING, HARD SHIFTING TRANSMISSION WHEN DRIVING MOST ANY SPEED. OVER THE LAST 1 1/2 YEARS
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Frontier years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
180–25K
5225–50K
9250–75K
12975–100K
156100–150K
32150K+
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
Power Train complaints
262 reportsAFTER 2 AND A HALF MONTHS OF FIGHTING WITH NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS, NISSAN HAS BASICALLY TOLD ME THEY DO NOT CARE ABOUT ME OR THE OTHER PEOPLE AFFECTED BY THIS ISSUE OR THEIR SAFETY. AS SAD AS IT SOUNDS ITS GOING TO TAKE SOMEONE GETTING KILLED BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE BEFORE THEY OPEN THEIR EYES.
THE RADIATOR CRACKED AND LEAKED COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION, MIXING WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CREATING A TOXIC FLUID THAT IRREVERSIBLY DAMAGED EVERYTHING AROUND IT. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN WHEN FIRST NOTICED. I HAD THE RADIATOR REPLACED AND THE TRANSMISSION FLUSHED AT MY LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP. I COULD NOT AFFORD TO RE…
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THE RADIATOR CRACKED AND LEAKED COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION, MIXING WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CREATING A TOXIC FLUID THAT IRREVERSIBLY DAMAGED EVERYTHING AROUND IT. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN WHEN FIRST NOTICED. I HAD THE RADIATOR REPLACED AND THE TRANSMISSION FLUSHED AT MY LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP. I COULD NOT AFFORD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION SO FLUSHING IT WAS MY ONLY OPTION. IT LASTED FOR A FEW YEARS BUT NOW IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS A DEFECT THAT HAS AFFECTED THOUSANDS OF CUSTOMERS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND SHIFTING GEARS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND JERKED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR WATER AND COOLANT FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMIS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND SHIFTING GEARS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND JERKED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR WATER AND COOLANT FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.
FLUID FROM MY RADIATOR MIXED INTO MY TRANSMISSION RENDERING IT INOPERABLE. AFTER DOING RESEARCH ON IT I LEARNED THAT NISSAN WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, AND FAILED TO NOTIFY THE CUSTOMERS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CALLED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE SHIFT CABLE GROMMET LINKAGE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CALLED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE SHIFT CABLE GROMMET LINKAGE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 125,375.
LEAK IN RADIATOR INTO TRANSMISSION HAS CAUSED TRANSMISSION FAILURE
BOUGHT USED, TRANSMISSION REPLACED BY SELLER 2 MONTHS BEFORE SALE, NO ISSUES ON TEST DRIVE. AFTER PURCHASE MANY ISSUES WITH CHANGING OF GEARS AND APPARENT TRANSMISSION ISSUES. SELLER WAS VERY AWARE OF ISSUE. IT IS AN OBVIOUS HAZARD IF THE TRANSMISSION HAS ISSUES WHILE DRIVING WHICH CAN CAUSE INJURY AND DEATH IF AN ACCIDENT HA…
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BOUGHT USED, TRANSMISSION REPLACED BY SELLER 2 MONTHS BEFORE SALE, NO ISSUES ON TEST DRIVE. AFTER PURCHASE MANY ISSUES WITH CHANGING OF GEARS AND APPARENT TRANSMISSION ISSUES. SELLER WAS VERY AWARE OF ISSUE. IT IS AN OBVIOUS HAZARD IF THE TRANSMISSION HAS ISSUES WHILE DRIVING WHICH CAN CAUSE INJURY AND DEATH IF AN ACCIDENT HAPPENS. THE INVESTIGATION OF THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE REOPENED AND NISSAN NEEDS TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE TO CREATE AND FIX THIS LETHAL FAULT IN DESIGN AND APPLICATION.
TRANSMISSION FAILURE DIAGNOSED BY REPAIR SHOP AS CAUSED BY RADIATOR COOLANT CONTAMINATION INTO THE TRANSMISSION. TOTAL REBUILD OF TRANSMISSION AT A COST OF 3,980.00. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW IN 2005 AND WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE BY NISSAN. I HAVE LEARNED THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN AWARE OF FOR …
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TRANSMISSION FAILURE DIAGNOSED BY REPAIR SHOP AS CAUSED BY RADIATOR COOLANT CONTAMINATION INTO THE TRANSMISSION. TOTAL REBUILD OF TRANSMISSION AT A COST OF 3,980.00. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW IN 2005 AND WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE BY NISSAN. I HAVE LEARNED THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN AWARE OF FOR YEARS. MY VEHICLE HAS 129,000 MILES AND MORE THAN 10 YEARS SINCE PURCHASE. I FIND THIS MATTER DISTURBING THAT OWNERS ARE NOW FACING SUCH AN AVOIDABLE COST FOR REPAIR AND THIS COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED BY THE MANUFACTURER.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, ANTIFREEZE LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE FAILURE DESTROYED THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT CHANGE GEARS WHEN PROMPTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. BUTLER NISSAN OF MACON, GEORGIA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, ANTIFREEZE LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE FAILURE DESTROYED THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT CHANGE GEARS WHEN PROMPTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. BUTLER NISSAN OF MACON, GEORGIA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,365.
Official recalls
310V517000 · 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
1DP12004 · 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.