IllustrationTRANSMISSION COOLER FAILING AND CONTAMINATING THE TRANSMISSION, REPAIRED TRANSMISSION COST WAS MORE THAT I CAN PAID, FIXED ANYWAY BUT STILL NOT 100% GOOD, HAVEN'T BOUGHT A NEW RADIATOR, DON'T WANT THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. *TR I HOPE THIS WILL BE A RECALL SO I CAN HAVE MY TRANSMISSION REPAIR BY NISSAN AND A RADIATOR REPLACE.
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
What owners actually said
532 reportsTRANSMISSION OIL COOLING LINES INSIDE RADIATOR FAILED, CONTAMINATING THE TRANSMISSION, RADIATOR, AND ENGINE. TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR NEED REPLACED, ENGINE NEEDS FLUSHED, $6,000 ESTIMATE. NISSAN REFUSES TO HELP WITH PAYMENT EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE AWARE OF A RAMPANT PROBLEM. THEY INCREASED THE WARRANTY TO 80,000 MILES, BUT I HAVE …
Read full complaint
TRANSMISSION OIL COOLING LINES INSIDE RADIATOR FAILED, CONTAMINATING THE TRANSMISSION, RADIATOR, AND ENGINE. TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR NEED REPLACED, ENGINE NEEDS FLUSHED, $6,000 ESTIMATE. NISSAN REFUSES TO HELP WITH PAYMENT EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE AWARE OF A RAMPANT PROBLEM. THEY INCREASED THE WARRANTY TO 80,000 MILES, BUT I HAVE 88,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. *TR
I WAS TRAVELING BACK FROM A TRIP IN MY 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. COMING OVER A MOUNTIAN PASS I LET UP ON THE GAS TO COAST AND THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE STARTING SHACKING SO BAD THAT I ALMOST DROVE OFF THE ROAD. I HAD TO DECREASE MY SPEED BECAUSE I COULD NOT TRAVEL THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT SAFETLY. I HAVE NOT DRIVEN THIS VEHICLE O…
Read full complaint
I WAS TRAVELING BACK FROM A TRIP IN MY 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. COMING OVER A MOUNTIAN PASS I LET UP ON THE GAS TO COAST AND THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE STARTING SHACKING SO BAD THAT I ALMOST DROVE OFF THE ROAD. I HAD TO DECREASE MY SPEED BECAUSE I COULD NOT TRAVEL THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT SAFETLY. I HAVE NOT DRIVEN THIS VEHICLE ON THE FREEWAY SINCE BECAUSE I AM CONCERNED FOR THE VEHICLE AND THAT IT COULD SEIZE UP AND CAUSE AND ACCIDENT. *TR
I NOTICE THERE WAS A MILKY SUBSTANCE IN THE RADIATOR OF MY TRUCK. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON LINE IT LOOKS LIKE A LOT OF NISSAN FRONTIER OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I CALLED TWO NISSAN DEALERS NEAR MY HOUSE (GARDEN GROVE AND COSTA MESA) AND THEY ARE WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. I ALSO CALLED ABOUT SEVEN INDEPENDENT TRANSMI…
Read full complaint
I NOTICE THERE WAS A MILKY SUBSTANCE IN THE RADIATOR OF MY TRUCK. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON LINE IT LOOKS LIKE A LOT OF NISSAN FRONTIER OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I CALLED TWO NISSAN DEALERS NEAR MY HOUSE (GARDEN GROVE AND COSTA MESA) AND THEY ARE WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. I ALSO CALLED ABOUT SEVEN INDEPENDENT TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOPS AND MOST OF THEM ARE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. NISSAN DEALERS SAY THEY WOULD CHARGE ME AROUND $7000 TO MAKE THE REPAIRS. THE INDEPENDENT SHOPS SAID THEY WOULD CHARGE ME ANYWHERE FROM $2000 TO $3500 TO REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION. I CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE MY TRUCK FIXED AT THIS TIME AND AM LOOKING TO MAKE NISSAN USA RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS. I CALLED NISSAN AND THEY SAID I NEED TO HAVE THE TRUCK INSPECTED AT THE NISSAN DEALER AND THE CHANCES OF THEM TAKING LIABILITY FOR A FAULTY RADIATOR ARE SLIM. MY TRUCK HAS A LITTLE OVER 107,000 MILES ON IT WHICH IS OVER THE 80,000/8 YEAR WARRANTY. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE OTHERS THAT ARE FACING THE SAME SITUATION AWARE OF NISSAN'S NEGLIGENCE. NISSAN AS LOST A CUSTOMER AND MANY OTHERS AS I AM WORKING HARD TO LET AS MANY PEOPLE AS I CAN AVOID MAKING A NISSAN PURCHASE. IF NISSAN DOES NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS I WILL BE LOOKING FOR OTHERS LIKE ME TO BOYCOTT NISSAN AUTOMOBILES! *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD FAIL TO START. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE ITTM SENSOR HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 66,000.
I AM HAVING A FUEL SENDING UNIT PROBLEM. SAME PROBLEM NISSAN IS HAVING WITH OTHER NISSAN TRUCKS AND THEY HAVE RECALLED THE NEWER MODELS FOR REPLACE AT NO COST TO THE CUSTOMER. ON MY 2005 THEY OFFER NO HELP AT ALL. THEY KNOW SENDING UNIT IS DEFECTIVE. THIS PROBLEM OF MAYBE RUNNING OUT OF GAS AND BEING REAR ENDED I THINK IS A SAFE…
Read full complaint
I AM HAVING A FUEL SENDING UNIT PROBLEM. SAME PROBLEM NISSAN IS HAVING WITH OTHER NISSAN TRUCKS AND THEY HAVE RECALLED THE NEWER MODELS FOR REPLACE AT NO COST TO THE CUSTOMER. ON MY 2005 THEY OFFER NO HELP AT ALL. THEY KNOW SENDING UNIT IS DEFECTIVE. THIS PROBLEM OF MAYBE RUNNING OUT OF GAS AND BEING REAR ENDED I THINK IS A SAFETY CONCERN. NISSAN SHOULD REPAIR ALL TRUCKS THAT THEY HAVE DEFECTIVE PARTS IN. I HAVE HAD NO ACCIDENTS. *TR
NISSAN HAS A KNOW RADIATOR PROBLEM. INTERNAL LEAKAGE INTO THE TRANSMISSION COOLER. CAUSES CATASTROPHIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE. PULLING AWAY FROM STOP SIGN. TRANSMISSION SHIFTED HARD TWICE. THEN HAD NO FORWARD MOTION, ENGINE WOULD REV UP, BUT NOT MOVE THE VEHICAL. TRUCK HAS 100,000 MILE NISSAN EXTENDED POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. WAS FIRS…
Read full complaint
NISSAN HAS A KNOW RADIATOR PROBLEM. INTERNAL LEAKAGE INTO THE TRANSMISSION COOLER. CAUSES CATASTROPHIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE. PULLING AWAY FROM STOP SIGN. TRANSMISSION SHIFTED HARD TWICE. THEN HAD NO FORWARD MOTION, ENGINE WOULD REV UP, BUT NOT MOVE THE VEHICAL. TRUCK HAS 100,000 MILE NISSAN EXTENDED POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. WAS FIRST TOLD BY THE DEALER. 100% COVERED. LESS THAN AN HOUR LATER, WAS TOLD NOT COVERED. COST $5000 PLUS. CONTACTED NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE. GABBY AT NISSAN SIAD THEY WOULD LOOK INTO IT. TOOK A WEEK FOR THEM TO FINALLY CALL BACK. THEY ASKED ME TO COVER $2000. THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE WHOLE BILL, EVEN THOUGH IT IS A KNOWN DEFECT. AND THE TRUCK HAS THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. I PAID $2192.43 TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION AND DEFECTIVE RADIATOR REPLACED. ASKED IF THE RADIATOR WAS AN UPDATED PART. WAITING ON A CALL TO FIND OUT IF IT IS A BETTER RADIATOR OR JUST A NEW ONE WITH THE SAME DEFECT. RIGHT NOW. ITS A TICKING TIME BOMB, IF THE FAILURE OCCURED IN TRAFFIC ON AN INTERSTATE, A MAJOR CRASH COULD HAVE HAPPENED. *TR
2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO MALFUNCTION IN THE RADIATOR LEAKING, THAT RESULTED IN COMPLETELY DAMAGING THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION *TGW
I HAVE HAD MY 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER FOR 3 MONTHS AND THE FUEL SENDING UNIT HAS GONE OUT. I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING ALL IT HAS HAPPENED TO MANY OF THE OWNERS. IT IS NOT RIGHT FOR THE NISSAN TO PLACE FAULTING PARTS AND MAKE THE OWNERS PAY BETWEEN $400 AND $700 TO REPAIR IT. *TR
IN NOVEMBER 2010 MY TRANSMISSION FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. 3 MONTHS AFTER HAVING THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE NEW TRANSMISSION, I DISCOVERED I HAD TO HAVE THE RADIATOR REPLACED BUT IT WAS TOO LATE. THE NEW TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN RUIN DUE TO A FAULTY RADIATOR INSTALL IN THE 2005 FRONTIERS BY …
Read full complaint
IN NOVEMBER 2010 MY TRANSMISSION FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. 3 MONTHS AFTER HAVING THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE NEW TRANSMISSION, I DISCOVERED I HAD TO HAVE THE RADIATOR REPLACED BUT IT WAS TOO LATE. THE NEW TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN RUIN DUE TO A FAULTY RADIATOR INSTALL IN THE 2005 FRONTIERS BY NISSAN. *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.