IllustrationRADIATOR & TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR
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 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR REFUELING AND WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE DISPLAYED AN INACCURATLY LOW READING OF FUEL. THE FAILURE RECURRED SPORADICALLY AND IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR REFUELING AND WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE DISPLAYED AN INACCURATLY LOW READING OF FUEL. THE FAILURE RECURRED SPORADICALLY AND IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE PEDAL WOULD INTERMITTENTLY BECOME STUCK IN A PARTIALLY OPEN THROTTLE POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURES DIAGNOSED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING 10 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO ENTER A PARKING SPACE WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. SHE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AS THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY JUMPED THE SIDEWALK AND CRASHED INTO THE CEMENT WALL OF …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING 10 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO ENTER A PARKING SPACE WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. SHE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AS THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY JUMPED THE SIDEWALK AND CRASHED INTO THE CEMENT WALL OF THE SCHOOL BUILDING. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED YET THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE FACE, LEGS AND BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,000.
CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 50 MPH, AND AS CAR STARTED INCLINE, ACCELERATOR ENGAGED ABRUPTLY AND RPM INCREASED TO MAXIMUM. MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO BRAKE AND REGAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE. TRUCK WENT OFF ROAD ON CURVE AND HEAD ON COLLISION WITH TREE OCCURRED. DRIVER HAD BOTH FEET ON BRAKE, YET WAS UNSUCCESSFUL IN SLOWING VEHICLE.
I OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO START MY VEHICLE IT WOULD NOT START. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AND STILL WOULD NOT START, I WAITED A FEW MINUTES. WHILE I WAITED I CHECK WITH THE FUSE BOX AND CHECK THE TERMINAL WIRES. THEN I WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN…
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I OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO START MY VEHICLE IT WOULD NOT START. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AND STILL WOULD NOT START, I WAITED A FEW MINUTES. WHILE I WAITED I CHECK WITH THE FUSE BOX AND CHECK THE TERMINAL WIRES. THEN I WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED HER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RELATED RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11500. *TR
GASOLINE GAUGE NOT WORKING PROPERLY IN MY 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER TRUCK. EVERY TIME I FUEL UP, THE GAS GAUGE IS "STUCK" AT LOW AND RISES TO THE FULL MARK ABOUT 3 DAYS LATER AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON BECAUSE OF THE MALFUNCTIONING GAS GAUGE. NISSAN HAS OFFERED 5YR/70,000 COMPREHENSIVE WARRANTY, BUT MY TRUCK IS OVER 70K. …
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GASOLINE GAUGE NOT WORKING PROPERLY IN MY 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER TRUCK. EVERY TIME I FUEL UP, THE GAS GAUGE IS "STUCK" AT LOW AND RISES TO THE FULL MARK ABOUT 3 DAYS LATER AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON BECAUSE OF THE MALFUNCTIONING GAS GAUGE. NISSAN HAS OFFERED 5YR/70,000 COMPREHENSIVE WARRANTY, BUT MY TRUCK IS OVER 70K. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE ON THE DASHBOARD FLUCTUATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE ON THE DASHBOARD FLUCTUATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR TO BE REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN INTERNAL LEAK IN THE RADIATOR WHILE SPILLED ONTO THE TRANSMISSION AND CAUSED IT TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFER…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN INTERNAL LEAK IN THE RADIATOR WHILE SPILLED ONTO THE TRANSMISSION AND CAUSED IT TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER WITH GENERAL GRABBER HTS BRAND TIRES, LINE SIZE 235/75/R15. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SIDEWALL ON THREE OF THE TIRES WAS PREMATURELY WORN. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100 FOR THE TIRES AND 77,000 FOR THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 3/2/2011 *CN UPDATED 04/…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER WITH GENERAL GRABBER HTS BRAND TIRES, LINE SIZE 235/75/R15. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SIDEWALL ON THREE OF THE TIRES WAS PREMATURELY WORN. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100 FOR THE TIRES AND 77,000 FOR THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 3/2/2011 *CN UPDATED 04/29/11
I OWN A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER W/~91,000 MILES. A FEW WEEKS AGO THE FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING CORRECTLY. THE FUEL LEVEL READING VARIES FROM A LOW FUEL WARNING LIGHT TO FULL WITH EACH TIME THE TRUCK IS RESTARTED. THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" WARNING LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF WITH EACH RESTART. THE NISSAN 'RECALL' FOR THIS PROBLEM IS RES…
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I OWN A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER W/~91,000 MILES. A FEW WEEKS AGO THE FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING CORRECTLY. THE FUEL LEVEL READING VARIES FROM A LOW FUEL WARNING LIGHT TO FULL WITH EACH TIME THE TRUCK IS RESTARTED. THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" WARNING LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF WITH EACH RESTART. THE NISSAN 'RECALL' FOR THIS PROBLEM IS RESTRICTED TO SUCH A LOW MILEAGE, THAT MANY VEHICLE OWNERS ARE STUCK EITHER LIVING WITH THE PROBLEM OR PAYING OVER $450 OUT OF POCKET TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. SO MUCH FOR THEIR INTEREST IN BUILDING ANY BRAND LOYALTY. *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.