IllustrationSERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON STATING: CODE P0463 (FUEL LEVEL SENSOR MALFUNCTION) PROBLEM JUST STARTED. HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED
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 reportsNISSAN 2005 FRONTIER FUEL SENDING UNIT FAILURE. THIS CAUSED IMPROPER READINGS ON THE FUEL GAUGE. WHY WERE 2006 > RECALLED AND NOT 2005! REPLACED SENDING UNIT .
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE ADDED GASOLINE TO THE FUEL TANK, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHEN THE COMPLAINT…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE ADDED GASOLINE TO THE FUEL TANK, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 60,000. UPDATED 6/3/10 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE GAS GAUGE READS JUST BELOW 1/2 TANK. UPDATED 06/17/10*JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. IN DECEMBER 2009, HE NOTICED, WHEN FILLING THE FUEL TANK, THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD GIVE INCORRECT READINGS. IT WOULD SHOW EMPTY, THEN THE CORRECT READING AND WHEN THE TANK WAS HALF-FULL, WOULD INDICATE ANOTHER INCORRECT READING. HE NOTICED THE FAILURE FOR A FEW MONTHS AND THEN TOOK TH…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. IN DECEMBER 2009, HE NOTICED, WHEN FILLING THE FUEL TANK, THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD GIVE INCORRECT READINGS. IT WOULD SHOW EMPTY, THEN THE CORRECT READING AND WHEN THE TANK WAS HALF-FULL, WOULD INDICATE ANOTHER INCORRECT READING. HE NOTICED THE FAILURE FOR A FEW MONTHS AND THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE FUEL GAUGE ASSEMBLY, THE PACKING FUEL GAUGE WAS REPLACED AT THAT TIME. HE LATER FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 10V075000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE: AUXILIARY TANK). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 52,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 57,000.
I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR AS REPORTED BY MANY OTHER NISSAN FRONTIER OWNERS . I SAW THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED BY NISSAN FOR 2006 AND 2008 MODELS . I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR ON MY 2005 FRONTIER . I CONTRACTED THE DEALER AND THEY WILL NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM AT THEIR…
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I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR AS REPORTED BY MANY OTHER NISSAN FRONTIER OWNERS . I SAW THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED BY NISSAN FOR 2006 AND 2008 MODELS . I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR ON MY 2005 FRONTIER . I CONTRACTED THE DEALER AND THEY WILL NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM AT THEIR COST . WHY WON'T THEY RECALL THE 2005 FRONTIERS IF THE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM ? [XXX] . *TR
FUEL SENDING UNIT FOR THE 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE LATEST NISSAN RECALL OF 2006-2009 MODELS. THERE ARE COUNTLESS PEOPLE WITH THIS TRUCK WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE RECALL PROBLEM, YET THAT MODEL YEAR IS NOT INCLUDED BY NISSAN.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. THERE WAS A FAULTY FUEL SENSOR THAT CAUSED THE FUEL GAUGE TO DISPLAY INACCURATE INFORMATION. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS FULL AND THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED THAT IT WAS EMPTY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED HIM THAT THE REPAIR COST WOULD BE $500. TH…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. THERE WAS A FAULTY FUEL SENSOR THAT CAUSED THE FUEL GAUGE TO DISPLAY INACCURATE INFORMATION. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS FULL AND THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED THAT IT WAS EMPTY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED HIM THAT THE REPAIR COST WOULD BE $500. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR $273. WHEN HE CALLED THE NISSAN MANUFACTURER HE WAS TOLD THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS OR WARRANTIES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,014.
I AM JOINING THE THOUSANDS OF OTHER NISSAN FRONTIER OWNERS THAT HAVE A FAILED FUEL SENDING UNIT. WHEN I GET TO 1/4 OF A TANK, THE GAUGE FALLS TO EMPTY AND THE LOW FUEL LIGHT COMES ON. I FILL IT UP IMMEDIATELY SINCE I DON'T WANT THE TRUCK TO STALL LIKE OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED. I ONLY HAVE 40K MILES ON MY 2005 MODEL. *TR
2005 FRONTIER CREW CAB WITH 83K MILES WITH P0463 ERROR CODE. FUEL GAUGE DROPS FROM 1/4 TANK TO EMPTY. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHENEVER THE CONTACT WOULD ADD GASOLINE TO THE VEHICLES CAPACITY, HE NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD INDICATE THAT THE TANK WAS HALF FULL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT HAD THE FLOAT VALVE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS .THE CURRENT AND FAILURE M…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHENEVER THE CONTACT WOULD ADD GASOLINE TO THE VEHICLES CAPACITY, HE NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD INDICATE THAT THE TANK WAS HALF FULL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT HAD THE FLOAT VALVE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS .THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 63000.
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.