Illustration2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. A DEFECTIVE LEAKING FUEL PUMP SPRAYED GAS ALL OVER THE UNDER CARRIAGE OF THE TRUCK CAUSING A FIRE HAZARD. *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 reportsPROBLEM WITH FUEL GAUGE ON 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER PICK UP TRUCK. AFTER FILLING TANK, FUEL GAUGE WILL DROP TO EMPTY, TURN ON LOW FUEL LIGHT, AND TURN ON SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT. AFTER A DAY, THE FUEL GAUGE WILL BEGIN WORKING AGAIN (SLOWLY RETURNS TO CORRECT LEVEL) AND EVENTUALLY THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT WILL GO OUT. PROCE…
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PROBLEM WITH FUEL GAUGE ON 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER PICK UP TRUCK. AFTER FILLING TANK, FUEL GAUGE WILL DROP TO EMPTY, TURN ON LOW FUEL LIGHT, AND TURN ON SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT. AFTER A DAY, THE FUEL GAUGE WILL BEGIN WORKING AGAIN (SLOWLY RETURNS TO CORRECT LEVEL) AND EVENTUALLY THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT WILL GO OUT. PROCESS REPEATS EVERY TIME VEHICLE IS RE-FUELED. *TR
2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHEN THE FUEL GAUGE REACHES 1/2 TANKS THE GAUGE READS EMPTY. THE PROBLEM IS A BAD FUEL SENSOR. AFTER DOING RESEARCH ONLINE, THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM ON THE SAME VEHICLE. *TR
FUEL SENSORS IN MY FUEL SENDING UNIT ARE BAD . THIS HAS CAUSED IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER ON THE HIGHWAY ; AS THE FUEL LEVEL READS QUARTER TANK, BUT IS ACTUALLY EMPTY. NISSAN JUST RECALLED SOME 540,000 ,2006 AND UP VEHICLES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT EXCLUDED THE FIRST YEAR OF THE SECOND GENERATION FRONTIER MODELS. IT IS EASY TO F…
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FUEL SENSORS IN MY FUEL SENDING UNIT ARE BAD . THIS HAS CAUSED IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER ON THE HIGHWAY ; AS THE FUEL LEVEL READS QUARTER TANK, BUT IS ACTUALLY EMPTY. NISSAN JUST RECALLED SOME 540,000 ,2006 AND UP VEHICLES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT EXCLUDED THE FIRST YEAR OF THE SECOND GENERATION FRONTIER MODELS. IT IS EASY TO FIND HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET FOR THE 2005 EDITIONS ALONE. NISSAN IS CLEARLY RELUCTANT TO TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THESE DEFECTIVE SENSORS , AND SHOULD INCLUDE THE 2005 MODELS IN THIS SAFETY RECALL . THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR
FUEL CELL/GAUGE PROBLEM SIMILAR TO REENT RECALL HOWEVER RECALL DOES NOT COVER MY NISSAN FRONTIER MODEL YEAR...2005. *TR
I AM GETTING A CAR CODE OF P0463 WHICH INDICATES THAT THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR IS MALFUNCTIONING IN MY 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. MY GAS NEEDLE DROPPED FROM 1/2 FULL TO EMPTY IN A FEW SECONDS. I RAN OUT OF GAS BEFORE I COULD GET TO A GAS STATION. *TR
NISSAN FRONTIER 4.0 SE CREW CAB FUEL SENDING UNIT IS DEFECTIVE. THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN BUT NISSAN SHOULD BE FORCED TO DO A RECALL. ANY AMOUNT OF RESEARCH ON THE ENGINE CODE P0463 WILL TURN UP 100S OF PROBLEMS. MINE HAS STOPPED WORKING MAKING THE GAS HAND SLOW TO RESPOND AND MUST BE REPLACED. NISSAN HAS ISSUED A NEW P…
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NISSAN FRONTIER 4.0 SE CREW CAB FUEL SENDING UNIT IS DEFECTIVE. THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN BUT NISSAN SHOULD BE FORCED TO DO A RECALL. ANY AMOUNT OF RESEARCH ON THE ENGINE CODE P0463 WILL TURN UP 100S OF PROBLEMS. MINE HAS STOPPED WORKING MAKING THE GAS HAND SLOW TO RESPOND AND MUST BE REPLACED. NISSAN HAS ISSUED A NEW PART WITH THE SERVICE BULLETIN SO MAYBE REPLACING IT WILL LAST, BUT STILL SHOULD BE A RECALL. THE TRUCKS ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE RADIATOR LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION WHICH CAN LEAD TO FAILURE AND A POSSIBLE SAFETY ISSUE, I HAVEN'T HAD THE FULL EXTENT OF THIS BUT ITS STARTING TO SHOW SYMPTOMS OF THE PROBLEM. *TR
THE FUEL GAUGE SENDS DIFFERENT SIGNALS EMPTY WHEN FULL, WHEN 3/4 AND UP THE GAUGE DROPS TO EMPTY. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF CLAIMS REGARDING THIS ISSUE, ALSO WITH PATHFINDERS, TERRAS, PLEASE SEE THIS COMPLAINT AND DO SOMETHING !!!!!!!!!!!! *TR
I OWN A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHEN I HIT 50,000 AROUND OCTOBER 2009 THE DTE, DISTANCE TILL EMPTY READ"---". THE SERVICE LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. WHENEVER I FILL UP WITH FUEL IT TAKES DAYS FOR THE GAS GAUGE TO READ. IT STAYS ON EMPTY MOST OF THE TIME AND THE EMPTY LIGHT IS ON ALL OF THE TIME. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING ON LINE FOR F…
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I OWN A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHEN I HIT 50,000 AROUND OCTOBER 2009 THE DTE, DISTANCE TILL EMPTY READ"---". THE SERVICE LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. WHENEVER I FILL UP WITH FUEL IT TAKES DAYS FOR THE GAS GAUGE TO READ. IT STAYS ON EMPTY MOST OF THE TIME AND THE EMPTY LIGHT IS ON ALL OF THE TIME. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING ON LINE FOR FIXES BUT EVERYTHING POINTS TO FAULTY SENDER UNIT. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO FIX THIS IN THIS ECONOMIC TIME. I THINK COMPANIES THAT MAKE FAULTY PARTS BY THE BILLIONS SHOULD FIX THE PROBLEM OR STOP DOING BUSINESS. *TR
2005 FRONTIER NISMO WITH 55K MILES WITH P0463 ERROR CODE. FUEL GAUGE DROPS FROM 1/4 TANK TO EMPTY. *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.