IllustrationAFTER 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.
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
Vehicle Speed Control complaints
15 reportsTIMING CHAIN ON 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE ENGINE MAKES A LOUD WHINING NOISE DUE TO THE CHAIN CONTACT. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY OR MOTION IT MAKE THE NOISE. WHEN THE VEHICLE IN MOTION IT CHANGES GEARS AT A HIGHER RPM. I HAVE SENSORS THAT WERE OPERABLE BECAUSE OF THE TIMING CHAIN ISSUE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO SHIFT GEARS AND THE GEARS WERE STUCK OCCASIONALLY. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO SHIFT GEARS AND THE GEARS WERE STUCK OCCASIONALLY. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,668.
MY CAR STARTS AND IDLE BUT DO NOT ACCELERATE THE IPDM IS NOT WORKING PERFECTLY. *TR
ON MY TRUCK I EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOSS IN POWER AND THROTTLE RESPONSE WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT WARNING, AS THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS PROPERLY. AFTER SPENDING $100 FOR A DIAGNOSTIC FROM A MECHANIC IT WAS FOUND THAT MY TRANSMISSION COOLER RESERVOIR IS LEAKING IN MY RADIATOR AND CAUSED CROSS CONTAMINATION BETWEEN MY ANT…
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ON MY TRUCK I EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOSS IN POWER AND THROTTLE RESPONSE WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT WARNING, AS THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS PROPERLY. AFTER SPENDING $100 FOR A DIAGNOSTIC FROM A MECHANIC IT WAS FOUND THAT MY TRANSMISSION COOLER RESERVOIR IS LEAKING IN MY RADIATOR AND CAUSED CROSS CONTAMINATION BETWEEN MY ANTIFREEZE AND ATF. THE ANTIFREEZE IS GETTING INTO MY TRANSMISSION AND BOILING ONCE THE TRANSMISSION REACHES OPERATING TEMPERATURES. THE ANTIFREEZE VAPOR IS THEN CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION CLUTCHES AND BANDS TO NOT BE ABLE TO ENGAGE CORRECTLY, AND THEREFORE NOT BEING ABLE TO SHIFT UP AND DOWN THROUGH THE GEARS PROPERLY. I JUST ABOUT GOT HIT TRYING TO TURN LEFT OUT ONTO THE ROAD IN FRONT OF CROSS TRAFFIC. I AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT, BUT THIS HAPPENED WITH NO WARNING. THIS FIX IS GOING TO COST ME ANYWHERE FROM $500 TO $5,000 TO FIX DEPENDING ON THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE THE ANTIFREEZE IN MY TRANSMISSION CAUSED. I JUST READ THAT A FEW YEARS AGO NISSAN EXTENDED THE WARRANTY DUE TO THIS, AND I AM PAST THAT POINT, BUT THIS IS STILL UNACCEPTABLE AT ONLY 102,000 MILES. NISSAN SHOULD HAVE RECALLED THIS AND FIXED IT WHEN IT WAS JUST A COUPLE HUNDRED DOLLARS FOR A NEW RADIATOR YEARS AGO. LASTLY, MY TRUCK WITHOUT ISSUES WAS WORTH NEARLY $8K IN ITS CONDITION, NOW I'LL HAVE TROUBLE GETTING A DEALER TO PAY ANYTHING IN TRADE-IN VALUE IF I CHOOSE TO NOT FIX THE TRUCK. *TR
I WAS DRIVING ON KINGERY HIGHWAY IN VILLA PARK WHEN I STOPPED FOR TRAFFIC. WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE AFTER THE TRAFFIC WAS MOVING, THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD TURNED ON AND THE TRUCK WOULD ONLY ACCELERATE TO LESS THAN 1 MPH. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *TR
2 MONTHS AGO I HAD A LEAK IN THE RADIATOR AND I FIXED IT. THEN AFTER THAT I START HAVING PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE SPEED DOES NOT CHANGE IMMEDIATELY AND WHEN IT CHANGE YOU FEEL LIKE SOME HAS PUSHED YOU FROM THE BACK. AND NOW THE CAR DOES NOT DRIVE ANYMORE. *TR
THE 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER NISMO 4X4 THAT I WAS DRIVING STARTED SLIPPING AND MISSING CAUSING MY ENGINE TO SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING. THE ENGINE BECAME VERY JUMPY AND COULD NOT BE CONTROLLED. HAD THERE BEEN OTHER PEOPLE ON THE ROAD, THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *TR
MY 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE RADIATOR THAT ALLOWS COOLANT TO ENTER THE TRANSMISSION WHICH IS CAUSING MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE INTERIOR PARTS OF THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING IT TO NOT SHIFT THROUGH THE GEARS. NISSAN IS ONLY WILLING TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY TO 100,000 MILES AND $3000 FOR THE REPAIRS OF THEIR DEFECTIVE PRODU…
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MY 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE RADIATOR THAT ALLOWS COOLANT TO ENTER THE TRANSMISSION WHICH IS CAUSING MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE INTERIOR PARTS OF THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING IT TO NOT SHIFT THROUGH THE GEARS. NISSAN IS ONLY WILLING TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY TO 100,000 MILES AND $3000 FOR THE REPAIRS OF THEIR DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS. *TR
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE #1 LANE AT APPROXIMATELY 70MPH ON THE 60 EAST FREEWAY CLOSE TO THE INTERSECTION OF THE 57 NORTH FREEWAY CONNECTOR, I LOST FULL POWER AND WAS FORCED TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY EXIT NARROWLY MISSING SEVERAL TRUCKS AND CARS IN THE PROCESS. AFTER LIMPING HOME AND LETTING THE VEHICLE SIT FOR A FEW DAYS, I TOOK THE T…
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WHILE TRAVELING ON THE #1 LANE AT APPROXIMATELY 70MPH ON THE 60 EAST FREEWAY CLOSE TO THE INTERSECTION OF THE 57 NORTH FREEWAY CONNECTOR, I LOST FULL POWER AND WAS FORCED TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY EXIT NARROWLY MISSING SEVERAL TRUCKS AND CARS IN THE PROCESS. AFTER LIMPING HOME AND LETTING THE VEHICLE SIT FOR A FEW DAYS, I TOOK THE TRUCK TO PUENTE HILLS NISSAN COMPLAINING THAT I LOSE POWER ONCE THE TRANSMISSION COMES TO TEMPERATURE AND THAT I NEEDED THEM TO ASSES THE DAMAGE AT A COST TO ME OF $130. THEIR EVALUATION EVENTUALLY CONCLUDED THAT THE RADIATOR HAD RUPTURED CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION THEREBY DAMAGING IT BEYOND REPAIR. THEY QUOTED ME APPROXIMATELY $4,500 FOR THE REPAIR WHICH MAINLY INCLUDED LABOR, TAX, A REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION, A NEW RADIATOR, AND ALL NECESSARY HOSES AND PARTS. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BUT APPROXIMATELY 1.5 MILES FROM MY HOME, I LOST POWER ONCE AGAIN AND WAS FORCED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED THE REST OF THE WAY. THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE AT ALL AT THIS POINT. *TR
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.