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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

Suspension complaints

4 reports
Clear category filter
90,000 miles · Aug 8, 2013
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE CHANGING THE REAR BRAKES, HE NOTICED A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF GREASE IN THE REAR DRUM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR AXLE SEAL WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE.…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE CHANGING THE REAR BRAKES, HE NOTICED A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF GREASE IN THE REAR DRUM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR AXLE SEAL WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ODI #10534259

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

Mileage unknown · Aug 26, 2010
SuspensionCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH DURING RAINY WEATHER WHEN SHE UNEXPECTANTLY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS FLIPPED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE CRASHING INTO A DITCH. THE POLICE ARRIVED TO ASSIST AND A REPORT WAS FILED. ONE PASSENGER SUSTAINED A LOWER BACK INJURY. ANOTHER PASSE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH DURING RAINY WEATHER WHEN SHE UNEXPECTANTLY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS FLIPPED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE CRASHING INTO A DITCH. THE POLICE ARRIVED TO ASSIST AND A REPORT WAS FILED. ONE PASSENGER SUSTAINED A LOWER BACK INJURY. ANOTHER PASSENGER SUSTAINED SHALLOW CUTS TO THE ARMS, FACE AND CHEST. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10E019000, SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM: LOWER ARM AND STATED SHE BELIEVED THE RECALL WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. SHORTLY AFTER THE CRASH, THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE OFFICIAL RECALL LETTER WITH HER VEHICLE INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10352140

Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2010
Suspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT ENCOUNTERED A BUMP IN THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO PULL TOWARDS THE RIGHT DIRECTION WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10E019000 (SUSPENSION:…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT ENCOUNTERED A BUMP IN THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO PULL TOWARDS THE RIGHT DIRECTION WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10E019000 (SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM: LOWER ARM). THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE RECALL REMEDY REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 11/05/10. *LJ UPDATED 11/23/10

NHTSA ODI #10348291

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.