IllustrationTIMING BELT TENSIONER GUIDE FAILURE ON A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. LESS THAN 60K MILES. THE TENSIONER CAN FAIL AND LEAD TO ENGINE FAILURE AT ANY TIME. NISSAN CONFIRMS AS THERE IS A TSB ISSUED FOR 2005-2010 TRUCKS, BUT THERE IS NO RECALL AT THIS TIME. *TT
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
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
106 reports3/10/08-TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AND CLUNKING, TOOK TO DEALER-TURN AWAY, 59994 MILES. 4/21/08-62,597 MILES RETURNED TO DEALER AND AGAIN WAS TOLD NO PROBLEM. THAT DAY TOOK TO LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE DRAINED TRANSMISSION FLUID. RESEMBLED A MILK SHAKE AND HE DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A BROKEN TRANSMISSION LINE IN THE RADIATOR. RETURN…
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3/10/08-TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AND CLUNKING, TOOK TO DEALER-TURN AWAY, 59994 MILES. 4/21/08-62,597 MILES RETURNED TO DEALER AND AGAIN WAS TOLD NO PROBLEM. THAT DAY TOOK TO LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE DRAINED TRANSMISSION FLUID. RESEMBLED A MILK SHAKE AND HE DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A BROKEN TRANSMISSION LINE IN THE RADIATOR. RETURNED TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY ONCE AGAIN TURNED ME AWAY REFUSING TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. LOCAL MECHANIC FLUSHED TRANSMISSION AND REPAIRED RADIATOR. TRANSMISSION STILL SLIPS AND CLUNKS AND IS PRESENTLY PARKED.(NOT DRIVABLE) RECEIVED A LETTER FROM NISSAN ADMITTING TO THIS VERY PROBLEM AND THEY STILL REJECTED MY REQUEST FOR REPAIRS. BELIEVE ENGINE MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED AS A RESULT OF THIS PROBLEM. BURNS OIL AND STALLS AS WELL. MADE MANY REQUESTS TO NATIONAL CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND TOTALLY REJECTED MY CONCERNS. *TR
RADIATOR & TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR
HAD BEEN GETTING SOME NOISES FROM THE TRANSMISSION FOR A LITTLE WHILE, BUT MECHANIC NEVER CAUGHT THE REAL ISSUE. TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING 100KM/H, OVERDRIVE AND 4TH GEARS NO LONGER WORKED. WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME AND DO QUICK INTERNET SEARCH WHERE IT BECAME OBVIOUS THAT MY PROBLEM WAS RELATED TO ENGINE COOLANT GETTIN…
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HAD BEEN GETTING SOME NOISES FROM THE TRANSMISSION FOR A LITTLE WHILE, BUT MECHANIC NEVER CAUGHT THE REAL ISSUE. TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING 100KM/H, OVERDRIVE AND 4TH GEARS NO LONGER WORKED. WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME AND DO QUICK INTERNET SEARCH WHERE IT BECAME OBVIOUS THAT MY PROBLEM WAS RELATED TO ENGINE COOLANT GETTING MIXED WITH TRANSMISSION OIL DUE TO FAILED COOLER INSIDE RADIATOR. OPENED UP RADIATOR CAP WHICH CONFIRMED THIS FACT, TRANNY OIL FLOATING ON TOP OF THE ENGINE COOLANT. COSTS FOR REBUILDING TRANSMISSION OVER $5,000, HOOKED UP OIL TO EXTERNAL COOLER ALREADY IN THE TRUCK, THEREFORE SAVED COST OF REPLACING RADIATOR (BYPASSED THIS COOLER). THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURING OR DESIGN DEFECT, NOTHING DO WITH NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. NISSAN WILL NOT REIMBURSE THE REPAIR. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER SE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE RADIATOR RUPTURED. THE TRANSMISSION ALSO BEGAN SLIPPING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO E REPLACED AS THE ANTIFREEZE MIXED WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE CONTAC…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER SE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE RADIATOR RUPTURED. THE TRANSMISSION ALSO BEGAN SLIPPING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO E REPLACED AS THE ANTIFREEZE MIXED WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
BUZZING/WHINING NOISE FROM TIMING CHAIN AREA NISSAN IS FULLY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM UNDER TSB NUMBER 07042 DATED JULY 11, 2007 NHTSA# 10022421. *TR
05 NISMO FRONTIER, I HAD A TICKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING. MY ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON WITH A CATALYTIC CONVERTER CODE, GAS GAGE WAS INTERMITTENT. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL SENDING UNIT, GET A NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND HAVE MY DRIVELINE REPLACE BECAUSE IT WAS BLOWN. THE TRUCK HAD 94K WHEN I TOOK IT IN FOR REPA…
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05 NISMO FRONTIER, I HAD A TICKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING. MY ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON WITH A CATALYTIC CONVERTER CODE, GAS GAGE WAS INTERMITTENT. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL SENDING UNIT, GET A NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND HAVE MY DRIVELINE REPLACE BECAUSE IT WAS BLOWN. THE TRUCK HAD 94K WHEN I TOOK IT IN FOR REPAIRS. I AM CURRENTLY TRYING TO FIND A POSSIBLE COOLANT LEAK. I CAN SMELL IT BUT CAN'T FIND WHERE IT IS COMING FROM. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. SUDDENLY, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND RESUMED OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAK…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. SUDDENLY, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND RESUMED OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE RADIATOR EXHIBITED A CRACK WHICH CAUSED FLUID LEAKAGE INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE REPAIR WAS AN ESTIMATED COST OF $6,000. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE YET THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE A SHORT DISTANCE BEFORE THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN. THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE YET THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE A SHORT DISTANCE BEFORE THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE IPDM BOARD WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE IPDM BOARD HIMSELF. APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH LATER, THE FAILURE BEGAN TO RECUR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,500.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN TRAVELING AT SPEEDS OF AT LEAST 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT UNUSUAL SHAKING AND HARD VIBRATIONS. THE DEALER ADVISED THE COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND BOTH THE TRANSMISSION AND THE COOLANT SYSTEM WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CROSS CONTA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN TRAVELING AT SPEEDS OF AT LEAST 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT UNUSUAL SHAKING AND HARD VIBRATIONS. THE DEALER ADVISED THE COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND BOTH THE TRANSMISSION AND THE COOLANT SYSTEM WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CROSS CONTAMINATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER BEING UTILIZED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 91,000.
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.