IllustrationTAKATA INFLATORS TIMING CHAIN AND TENSIONER SYSTEM.
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. AFTER THE DRIVER PARKED THE VEHICLE, SMOKE EMITTED UNDER THE HOOD WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS PLUG CONNECTED TO THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. AFTER THE DRIVER PARKED THE VEHICLE, SMOKE EMITTED UNDER THE HOOD WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS PLUG CONNECTED TO THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
COMPLAINT RE: TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITH MY 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. IS LOCKED IN 3RD GEAR IN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. OVERDRIVE GEAR WAS GONE DUE TO COOLANT MIXING WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. HAD REPLACED RADIATOR & FLUSHED TRANSMISSION 3 MONTHS AGO HOPING TO BUY ME SOME MORE MILES BEFORE HAVING TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION. DIDN'T WORK. TO…
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COMPLAINT RE: TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITH MY 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. IS LOCKED IN 3RD GEAR IN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. OVERDRIVE GEAR WAS GONE DUE TO COOLANT MIXING WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. HAD REPLACED RADIATOR & FLUSHED TRANSMISSION 3 MONTHS AGO HOPING TO BUY ME SOME MORE MILES BEFORE HAVING TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION. DIDN'T WORK. TOLD BY NISSAN THAT I WAS SOL DUE TO OVER 100,000 MILES. *TR ## VIN PASSED ## NISSAN FRONTIER V6 4X4 2005 ##
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE INTO AN EMPTY PARKING LOT AND THE SMOKE DISSIPATED. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE INTO AN EMPTY PARKING LOT AND THE SMOKE DISSIPATED. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR FLUID MIXED WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. A REMEDY WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED.
VEHICLE ENGINE HAS SHUT OFF COMPLETELY WHILE AT A FULL STOP AND WHILE DRIVING. ONCE WHILE MAKING A TURN AND ONCE WHILE IN MOTION. MANY FRONTIER OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME. TOOK IT TO ONE OF THE BEST AUTO TECHS IN FLORIDA. DIAGOSTIC SHOWED "NO CODES"
WHILE DRIVING TO WORK WITH OUT NOTICE THE TRANSMISSION FAILED, AND WOULD NOT ENGAGE, LEAVING ME WITH OUT CONTROLL OF THE PICKUP, WHILE I WAS IN MOTION , THE ENGINE RACED BUT LOST CONTROLL OF THE DRIVE, WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS. I FOUND OUT AFTER THE FACT, THAT NISSAN HAD BEEN IN A CLASS ACTION LAW SUITE BECAUSE OF THIS P…
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WHILE DRIVING TO WORK WITH OUT NOTICE THE TRANSMISSION FAILED, AND WOULD NOT ENGAGE, LEAVING ME WITH OUT CONTROLL OF THE PICKUP, WHILE I WAS IN MOTION , THE ENGINE RACED BUT LOST CONTROLL OF THE DRIVE, WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS. I FOUND OUT AFTER THE FACT, THAT NISSAN HAD BEEN IN A CLASS ACTION LAW SUITE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM, BUT ONLY REMEDY THE PROBLEM WHEN YOU BREAK DOWN OUT OF CONTROLL. I WAS TOLD 3 MONTHS BEFORE I BOUGHT IT , NISSAN SHOULD HAVE NOTIFIED SOMEONE, AND THE DEALER PUSHED IT OFF TILL THE 6 MON. WARRANTY RAN OUT FROM HALDEMAN FORD OF ALLENTOWN. THE NISSAN DEALER AT ROTHROCK NISSAN IN ALLENTOWN SAID IT WAS A NISSAN PROBLEM, BUT NISSAN CORP REFUSED TO HELP BECAUSE THE PICKUP BROKE DOWN A FEW MONTHS TOO LATE AFTER A 10 YEAR PERIOD OF FIXING THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT COULD HAVE BEEN VERY SERIOUS..THE TRANSMISSION COOLING LINES AT THE RADIATOR LEEK FLUID BACK INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND THEN WIDTH NO WARNING FAILS TO ENGAGE WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING.
TAKATA RECALL. A POOR DESIGN LED TO THE ENGINE COOLANT SLOWLY LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND RUINING IT CAUSING IT TO NEED TO BE REPLACED. NISSAN SAID IT WAS NOT THEIR PROBLEM AND I HAD TO PAY FOR THE WHOLE THING.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ABNORMAL VIBRATION. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID MIXED WITH THE RADIATOR FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID MIXED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ABNORMAL VIBRATION. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID MIXED WITH THE RADIATOR FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID MIXED WITH THE RADIATOR FLUID AND STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000. *TR
TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO RADIATOR LEAKING COOLANT INTO TRANSMISSION FLUID.I REPLACED THE RADIATOR A YEAR PRIOR TO PREVENT THIS PROBLEM FROM HAPPENING AT THE STRONG RECOMMENDATION OF THE DEALERSHIPS SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND STILL THE PROBLEM OCCURRED.
RADIATOR OF 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER ALLOWED TRANSMISSION FLUID AND ENGINE COOLANT TO MIX. 1ST I HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW RADIATOR AND NOW I AM HAVING TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS TYPE OF MULIPLE FAILURES WHICH CAUSE MULTIBLE PROBLEMS. PAID $$$$ FOR RADIATOR REPAIR NOW $4300.00 FOR TRANSMISSON AT M…
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RADIATOR OF 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER ALLOWED TRANSMISSION FLUID AND ENGINE COOLANT TO MIX. 1ST I HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW RADIATOR AND NOW I AM HAVING TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS TYPE OF MULIPLE FAILURES WHICH CAUSE MULTIBLE PROBLEMS. PAID $$$$ FOR RADIATOR REPAIR NOW $4300.00 FOR TRANSMISSON AT MY EXPENSE. I WOULD NOT BE INTERESTED IN PURCHASING ANOTHER NISSAN.
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.