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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 →
532Owner complaints

Model-year median: 64

3Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
124
200277
200366
2004532
2005617
2006520
2007136
2008
Compare all Frontier years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Power Train
262Fuel System, Gasoline
119Engine And Engine Cooling
106Engine
80Electrical System
38
All reported categories
Fuel/propulsion System
25Fuel System, Other
18Structure
17Vehicle Speed Control
15Air Bags
14Unknown Or Other
14Steering
5Electronic Stability Control (esc)
4Latches/locks/linkages
4Service Brakes, Hydraulic
4Suspension
4Exterior Lighting
3Service Brakes
3Tires
3Equipment
2Visibility
2Wheels
2Parking Brake
1Seats
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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 reports
168,000 miles · Aug 9, 2016
Electrical System

MY 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER WILL STALL OUT DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. IT HAS HAPPENED GOING SLOW AND FAST. THE TRUCK WILL BE RUNNING FINE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN CUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. THIS HAS CAUSED ME TO ALMOST BE IN SEVERAL CRASHES. I CAN PUT THE TRUCK IN NEUTRAL AND IT WILL CRANK BACK UP SOMETIMES TAKING SEVERAL TRY'S. I HAV…

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MY 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER WILL STALL OUT DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. IT HAS HAPPENED GOING SLOW AND FAST. THE TRUCK WILL BE RUNNING FINE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN CUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. THIS HAS CAUSED ME TO ALMOST BE IN SEVERAL CRASHES. I CAN PUT THE TRUCK IN NEUTRAL AND IT WILL CRANK BACK UP SOMETIMES TAKING SEVERAL TRY'S. I HAVE REPLACED THE ECM RELAY AND DID NOT HELP. THIS SEEMS TO BE A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM THAT CAN GET PEOPLE KILLED. THE TRUCK HAS CUT OFF AT RED LIGHTS AND STOP SIGNS. I HAVE BEEN GOING 70MPH ON THE INTER STATE AND THE TRUCK CUTS OFF. THE TRUCK HAS LOST POWER IN A TURN CAUSING IT TO BE REALLY HARD TO TURN. THE WORST IS PULLING OUT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND MY TRUCK JUST CUTS OFF.

NHTSA ODI #10894473

Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 2016
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINEERING ISSUES WITH CROSS CONTAMINATION FLUIDS BETWEEN RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. *SMD

NHTSA ODI #10891435

90,000 miles · Jul 29, 2016
Air Bags

THE FRONT CRASH ZONE SENSOR (CZS) FAILED DUE TO RUST AND MUST BE REPLACED. THE IS DESCRIBED EXACTLY IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 08V69000. NISSAN CLAIMS THAT NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM. WHY NOT?

NHTSA ODI #10891632

120,000 miles · Jun 28, 2016
EnginePower Train

TRANSMISSION OIL LEAKING INTO COOLANT SYSTEM AND COOLANT LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ODI #10877152

112,000 miles · Jun 16, 2016
EnginePower Train

RADIATOR LEAKING FLUID INTO TRANSMISSION . NOTICES SLIGHT SHUTTER AT HIGH SPEED, APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, IN THE TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE WAS CHECKED BY DEALER AT 89,000 MILES WITHOUT ANY ISSUE AT THAT TIME . DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE RADIATOR DUE TO NO PROBLEM AT THAT TIME. VEHICLE IS AT 112000 AND NOW RADIATOR FAILS. NISSAN WOULD NOT…

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RADIATOR LEAKING FLUID INTO TRANSMISSION . NOTICES SLIGHT SHUTTER AT HIGH SPEED, APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, IN THE TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE WAS CHECKED BY DEALER AT 89,000 MILES WITHOUT ANY ISSUE AT THAT TIME . DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE RADIATOR DUE TO NO PROBLEM AT THAT TIME. VEHICLE IS AT 112000 AND NOW RADIATOR FAILS. NISSAN WOULD NOT COVER DUE TO OUT OF EXTENDED WARRANTY. FAULTY DESIGNED SYSTEM AND POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD IN MY OPINION. VEHICLE AT MY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR NEW RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FLUSH OUT TO SEE IF IT WILL FIX PROBLEM. MAJOR EXPENSE FOR POOR DESIGN PASSED ONTO CUSTOMER. I WILL NOT SPEND ANY MORE MONEY WITH NISSAN.

NHTSA ODI #10874642

99,000 miles · May 31, 2016
Engine

RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THIS POSES A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE WHEN I LOSE POWER ON A BUSY INTERSTATE. THE TRANSMISSION LOSES POWER WHEN TRYING TO UPSHIFT. INSPECTION COMPLETED VIA AN AUTHORIZED NISSAN DEALERSHIP. EFFORTS TO RECTIFY WITH NISSAN HAVE FAILED. THIS ISSUE HAS BE…

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RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THIS POSES A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE WHEN I LOSE POWER ON A BUSY INTERSTATE. THE TRANSMISSION LOSES POWER WHEN TRYING TO UPSHIFT. INSPECTION COMPLETED VIA AN AUTHORIZED NISSAN DEALERSHIP. EFFORTS TO RECTIFY WITH NISSAN HAVE FAILED. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN KNOWN FOR QUITE SOME TIME AND IS MARKED AS AN OPEN NHTSA INVESTIGATION.

NHTSA ODI #10871662

Mileage unknown · May 31, 2016
Structure

ELECTRICAL COMPONENT MOUNTED OVERHEAD IN THE CAB HIDDEN BY THE HEADLINER IS RUNNING SO HOT IT HAS BLISTERED EXTERIOR PAINT ABOVE IT. OVER TIME THE AFFECTED AREA IS NOW ABOUT ONE SQUARE FOOT AND IS IMMEDIATELY OBVIOUS BECAUSE OF PAINT LOSS ON TOP OF CAB JUST BEHIND TOP OF WINDSHIELD. WE ARE CONCERNED THAT THIS MAY REPRESENT A P…

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ELECTRICAL COMPONENT MOUNTED OVERHEAD IN THE CAB HIDDEN BY THE HEADLINER IS RUNNING SO HOT IT HAS BLISTERED EXTERIOR PAINT ABOVE IT. OVER TIME THE AFFECTED AREA IS NOW ABOUT ONE SQUARE FOOT AND IS IMMEDIATELY OBVIOUS BECAUSE OF PAINT LOSS ON TOP OF CAB JUST BEHIND TOP OF WINDSHIELD. WE ARE CONCERNED THAT THIS MAY REPRESENT A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD.

NHTSA ODI #10871515

Mileage unknown · May 31, 2016
Wheels

TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS HAVE CONSISTENTLY REPORTED ERRONEOUSLY LOW PRESSURES. DISTRUST OF THESE SENSORS IS POTENTIALLY LETHAL IN THAT THEY ARE IGNORED. DEALER SAYS THIS DESIGN DEFECT IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10871509

Mileage unknown · May 31, 2016
Power Train

DESIGN DEFECT IN RADIATOR OF 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER ALLOWED TRANSMISSION FLUID AND ENGINE COOLANT TO MIX. RESULTED IN CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION. DEALER STATED SINCE VEHICLE HAS MORE THAN 100,000 MILES, THE $4 - 5,000 EXPENSE IS MINE. LAST NISSAN WE'LL EVER BUY AFTER 40 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP.

NHTSA ODI #10871505

78,000 miles · May 31, 2016
Fuel/propulsion System

NISSAN FRONTIER 2005 TRUCK: FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT STARTED SHOWING VARIABLE FUEL LEVELS, FLUCTUATING WILDLY, THEN COMPLETELY STOPPED FUNCTIONING. THIS AFTER SOME 75,000 MILES. NO PRIOR WARNING. NO EXTREME USE CONDITIONS, JUST NORMAL EVERYDAY DRIVING ON THIS VEHICLE. DEALER REFUSED REPLACEMENT BECAUSE IT WAS OVER 75,000 MILE…

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NISSAN FRONTIER 2005 TRUCK: FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT STARTED SHOWING VARIABLE FUEL LEVELS, FLUCTUATING WILDLY, THEN COMPLETELY STOPPED FUNCTIONING. THIS AFTER SOME 75,000 MILES. NO PRIOR WARNING. NO EXTREME USE CONDITIONS, JUST NORMAL EVERYDAY DRIVING ON THIS VEHICLE. DEALER REFUSED REPLACEMENT BECAUSE IT WAS OVER 75,000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI #10871494

Official recalls

3

10V517000 · 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

1

DP12004 · 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.