IllustrationYEAR 2013 RECALLED RADIATOR LEAKAGE INTERNAL AND CAUSED ( TRANMISSION FLUID GOT INTO RADIATOR ) . I REPORT TO NISSAN USA : THEY DENIED TO PAY FOR ITS BECAUSE HAVE BEEN TO LONG BUT NOW ITS HAPPENING TO MY TRUCK ON DATE : 10/19/2020 . PLEASE , HELP . THANKS !
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
Unknown Or Other complaints
14 reportsI WAS DRIVING TO WORK IN THE MORNING , ABOUT 10 MILES TO WORK ON THE HIGHWAY NOT A TREE OR CAR INSIGHT , I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A LOUD POP / I HAD NO IDEA WHAT IT WAS , NOT A TIRE OR ANYTHING I LOOK UP AND SEE MY SUNROOF SHATTERED
AFTER STOPPING AND TURNING OFF TRUCK AT AN ALLEY. IT WOULD NOT RESTART UNTIL SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AND STEPPING ON BRAKE. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING IN BUSINESS PARKING LOT, ENGINE STALLED; TRUCK STOPPED LOCKING THE STEERING WHEEL; UNABLE TO RESTART THE TRUCK AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AND STEPPING ON BRAKE.
CHASSIS RUST THE CHASSIS ON THE REAR OF MY 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER IS ALMOST BROKEN INTO PIECES
TRUCK CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING NO MATTER WHAT SPEED YOUR AT. HAVE TO WAIT A FEW SECONDS TO GET IT TO START AGAIN.
TAKATA RECALL. A POOR DESIGN LED TO THE ENGINE COOLANT SLOWLY LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND RUINING IT CAUSING IT TO NEED TO BE REPLACED. NISSAN SAID IT WAS NOT THEIR PROBLEM AND I HAD TO PAY FOR THE WHOLE THING.
NISSAN TRANSMISSION DESTROYED BY ENGINE COOLANT LEAK. HAD NO PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION UNTIL ONE DAY, SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND TRANSMISSION WAS STUCK IN HIGHER GEAR. THOUGHT IT WAS ELECTRICAL. TURNED THE CAR OFF THEN BACK ON. WOULD NOT ENGAGE IN REVERSE, BUT FORWARD WAS BACK TO NORMAL. TOOK TO AAMCO TRANSMISSION REPAIR AND WAS TOL…
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NISSAN TRANSMISSION DESTROYED BY ENGINE COOLANT LEAK. HAD NO PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION UNTIL ONE DAY, SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND TRANSMISSION WAS STUCK IN HIGHER GEAR. THOUGHT IT WAS ELECTRICAL. TURNED THE CAR OFF THEN BACK ON. WOULD NOT ENGAGE IN REVERSE, BUT FORWARD WAS BACK TO NORMAL. TOOK TO AAMCO TRANSMISSION REPAIR AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH NISSANS IN THAT THE DESIGN FLAW ALLOWS ENGINE COOLANT TO MIX WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID AND DESTROYS THE TRANSMISSION. COST TO REPLACE IS ESTIMATED AT $4100, CAN NOT OBTAIN A USED TRANSMISSION BECAUSE ALL THE SAME TRANSMISSIONS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH ENGINE COOLANT LEAKAGE. VEHICLE HAS 155K MILES, AND DID NOT HAVE ANY WARNING SIGNS OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. NISSAN NEEDS TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR DESIGN FLAW. THIS TRUCK WHICH WAS RUNNING FINE LAST WEEK, WILL NOW BE SOLD FOR SCRAP AT A JUNKYARD AS I CAN NOT AFFORD TO REPAIR FOR $4100. AAMCO TRANSMISSION SAID JUNK YARDS ARE FULL OF SAME NISSANS DUE TO OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.
MY RADIATOR FAILED AND CONTAMINATED THE TRANSMISSION WITH COOLANT CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. THE TRUCK HAS 108,000 MILES BUT THE TECHNICIAN THAT REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR SAID THAT IT HAD BEEN MIXING FOR A WHILE SO IT IS DIFFICULT TO SAY HOW MANY MILES THE VEHICLE HAD AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. IT COST ME …
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MY RADIATOR FAILED AND CONTAMINATED THE TRANSMISSION WITH COOLANT CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. THE TRUCK HAS 108,000 MILES BUT THE TECHNICIAN THAT REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR SAID THAT IT HAD BEEN MIXING FOR A WHILE SO IT IS DIFFICULT TO SAY HOW MANY MILES THE VEHICLE HAD AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. IT COST ME $4750 TO REPAIR. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH NISSAN FRONTIERS.
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, GOT SCANNED AT AUTO ZONE, ALL CODES REFERENCED TRANSMISSION & SENSORS (I.E. CAM SHAFT)...TOOK TO GEURLICH'S AUTO FOR AN INSPECTION AND TRANSMISSION WAS SUGGESTED TO BE REPLACED...TOOK IT TO AAMCO FOR AN INSPECTION/2ND OPINION AND SAME DIAGNOSIS, REPLACE/RE-BUILD TRANSMISSION. FINALLY ACCUMULATED THE F…
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CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, GOT SCANNED AT AUTO ZONE, ALL CODES REFERENCED TRANSMISSION & SENSORS (I.E. CAM SHAFT)...TOOK TO GEURLICH'S AUTO FOR AN INSPECTION AND TRANSMISSION WAS SUGGESTED TO BE REPLACED...TOOK IT TO AAMCO FOR AN INSPECTION/2ND OPINION AND SAME DIAGNOSIS, REPLACE/RE-BUILD TRANSMISSION. FINALLY ACCUMULATED THE FUNDS TO HAVE A MECHANIC REBUILD OUR TRANSMISSION AND UPON RETURN OF OUR VEHICLE, AND UNBEKNOWNST TO US, HE MENTIONED THE KNOW ISSUES/INVESTIGATION STEMMING BACK TO 2012 WITH THE RADIATOR LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND CAUSING IT TO FAIL, WHICH IS ULTIMATELY WHAT HE FELT HAPPENED. SINCE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON 08/08/2012 WITH AN ODOMETER READING OF 100,340. WE WOULD HAVE BEEN ENTITLED TO NONE OF THE REPAIR OPTIONS OR CONCESSIONS NISSAN OFFERED UNDER THE PROPOSED CLASS ACTION, SINCE ALL WERE OFFERED ONLY UP TO 100K MILES. THE DATE THE INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED ACCORDING TO HTTP://WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/ WAS 6/11/2012, 2 MONTHS PRIOR TO OUR PURCHASE. THE DEALER AT THE TIME SHOULD HAVE BEEN WELL AWARE OF THE OPEN INVESTIGATION AND PROVIDED US INFORMATION ON IT SO THAT WE MAY HAVE MADE A MORE INFORMED DECISION. I FEEL THAT THIS PURCHASE, ALTHOUGH 3 YEARS POST PURCHASE, FALLS WITHIN THE LEMON LAW STATUTES AND WARRANTS REIMBURSEMENTS TO US OF THE COST TO RE-BUILD THE TRANSMISSION, REPLACE RADIATOR, ETC.
COOLANT CONTAMINATION DESTROYED MY TRANSMISSION; CLUTCHES, VALVES, SEALS, CAUSING CORROSION TO VALVE BODY. STARTING WITH CRACKED RADIATOR TANK. THIS IS AN ENGINEERING/MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN TRENDING ISSUE. WHEN I CALLED NISSAN USA, THEY ONLY GAVE ME A 'LECTURE', A 'CASE NUMBER' AND A 'FOOT IN THE REAR'; TH…
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COOLANT CONTAMINATION DESTROYED MY TRANSMISSION; CLUTCHES, VALVES, SEALS, CAUSING CORROSION TO VALVE BODY. STARTING WITH CRACKED RADIATOR TANK. THIS IS AN ENGINEERING/MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN TRENDING ISSUE. WHEN I CALLED NISSAN USA, THEY ONLY GAVE ME A 'LECTURE', A 'CASE NUMBER' AND A 'FOOT IN THE REAR'; THEY'RE NO HELP. THEY JUSTIFIED THEIR CONVENIENT BUREAUCRATIC BS BY TELLING ME THAT IN OCT 2012; A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT RESULTED IN THE FOLLOWING: UP TO 8 YEARS/80,000 MILES WHATEVER COMES FIRST, EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE APPLIES WITH NO CUSTOMER CO-PAY. AFTER 8 YEARS/80,000 MILES, UP TO 9 YEARS/90,000 MILES, EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE APPLIES WITH CUSTOMER CO-PAY IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,500. AFTER 9 YEARS/90,000 MILES, TO 10 YEARS/100,000 MILES, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST, EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE APPLIES WITH CUSTOMER CO-PAY IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,000. THE 'SO-CALLED' SETTLEMENT IS REALLY "NOTHING" BECAUSE ACCORDING TO DATA AVERAGE MILEAGE AT WHICH THIS PROBLEM OCCURS IS ROUGHLY 95,000 MILES AND THE AVERAGE REPAIR BILL IS $3,800. IN THAT INSTANCE, NISSAN IS OFFERING TO PAY $800 FOR YOUR TROUBLE, AND THE VEHICLE OWNER GETS STUCK WITH THE OTHER $3,000. AND THOSE WHO ARE JUST HEARING ABOUT THE CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT FOR THE FIRST TIME; THE DEADLINE TO FILE A CLAIM HAS PASSED. LET IT BE KNOWN ONCE AGAIN THAT THIS IS AN ENGINEERING/MANUFACTURING CONTAMINATION TOXIC DEFECT; IRREVERSIBLE AND WILL EVENTUALLY KILL THE TRANSMISSION IN THE FOLLOWING VEHICLES: 2005-2006-2007 PATHFINDER;...2005-2006-2007 XTERRA;...2005, 2006, 2007, FRONTIER. I PAID THE NISSAN DEALER $30,000 THOUSAND CASH BACK IN 2005 FOR A TRUCK THAT ALREADY HAD 120 MILES ON IT (STATED ON THE PINK SLIP). THEY DID NOT HESITATE TO EXTEND THEIR 'HUNGRY HAND' ON THAT SALE.
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.