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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 →

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

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

106 reports
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40,000 miles · Apr 12, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED AN INACCURATE READING AT ANY SPEED BEING TRAVELED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE FUEL TANK REQUIRED REPLACEMENT AT THE OWNER EXPENSE. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE IDENTICAL FAILUR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED AN INACCURATE READING AT ANY SPEED BEING TRAVELED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE FUEL TANK REQUIRED REPLACEMENT AT THE OWNER EXPENSE. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE IDENTICAL FAILURE AS MENTIONED IN THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V075000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE: AUXILIARY TANK). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 02/23/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT IT HAPPENED UNTIL THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE DIDN'T OVERHEAT, THERE WAS NO EXTERNAL LEAK OR ODOR. ONCE THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP IT WAS TOO LATER. UPDATED 03/09/11

NHTSA ODI #10325197

70,000 miles · Feb 23, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

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

NHTSA ODI #10313277

61,000 miles · Jan 19, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

TIMING CHAIN WHINE/RATTLE ON 05 NISSAN FRONTIER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10300263

67,000 miles · Sep 11, 2009
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

AFTER GETTING GAS I STARTED MY 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER AND AS I ENTERED BACK ON THE HIGHWAY THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY STALLED. THE "SERVICE ENGINE" LIGHT AND THE 4WD WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER ROLLING ABOUT 50 FT IT STARTED RUNNING NORMALLY AGAIN. I VISITED MY NISSAN DEALER ON 9/10/09 AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THAT…

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AFTER GETTING GAS I STARTED MY 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER AND AS I ENTERED BACK ON THE HIGHWAY THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY STALLED. THE "SERVICE ENGINE" LIGHT AND THE 4WD WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER ROLLING ABOUT 50 FT IT STARTED RUNNING NORMALLY AGAIN. I VISITED MY NISSAN DEALER ON 9/10/09 AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THAT AFTERNOON AFTER GETTING GAS IT STALLED AFTER STARTING IT AGAIN WITH THE SAME WARNING LIGHTS ON. I COULD NOT RESTART IT. THIS TIME IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THEY FOUND THAT AN ENGINE ELECTRONIC MODULE HAD FAILED BUT WAS ON NATIONWIDE BACK-ORDER AND DID NOT KNOW WHEN IT WOULD BE REPLACED. I WAS TOLD IT WAS A LARGE PROBLEM IN 2006, 2007 AND SOME IN 2008 NISSAN FRONTIER AND TITAN TRUCKS. IF THIS ITEM IS IN NATIONWIDE BACK-ORDER IT MUST BE A MAJOR PROBLEM AND A DANGEROUS ONE IF A VEHICLE'S ENGINE STALLS WHILE IN OPERATION ON ROADS AND HIGHWAYS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10283721

1,200 miles · Aug 27, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentPower Train

PURCHASED A 05 FRONTIER CC 4X4 TRUCK FROM A LOCAL DEALERSHIP. 2 WEEKS I HAD THE TRUCK ROUGHLY THE 15 OF JULY, I HAD PUT A 30 TO 40 POUND STONE IN THE BACK OF MY TRUCK WHICH HAS THE RHINO BED LINER, ROCK DENT IN THE RIBS OF THE BOX AND CHIPPED THE RHINO BED LINING. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, EXPLAINED IN DETAIL BUT NOTHING DON…

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PURCHASED A 05 FRONTIER CC 4X4 TRUCK FROM A LOCAL DEALERSHIP. 2 WEEKS I HAD THE TRUCK ROUGHLY THE 15 OF JULY, I HAD PUT A 30 TO 40 POUND STONE IN THE BACK OF MY TRUCK WHICH HAS THE RHINO BED LINER, ROCK DENT IN THE RIBS OF THE BOX AND CHIPPED THE RHINO BED LINING. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, EXPLAINED IN DETAIL BUT NOTHING DONE AS OF YET. YET ANOTHER PERSON HAD THE SAME PROBLEM I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND GOT A NEW BOX. PROBLEMS WITH THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW RATTLING, THE REAR END SQUEAKING, AND THE REAR. I TOOK THE TRUCK IN AGAIN, THEY TOOK IT IN SAID THEY FIXED THE PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDOW AND THE REAR END SQUEAKING. TOOK TRUCK HOME AND WAS DOING THE SAME THING. TOOK BACK AGAIN FOR SAME PROBLEM PLUS REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND ENGINE BRAKE. SAID THEY FIXED WINDOW (NOT TRUE AGAIN), HAD TO REPLACE THE BUSHINGS IN THE REAR(WERE BAD), AND NEEDED A NEW REAR DIFFERENTIAL ENGINE BRAKE THEY SAID THEY HAD TO CONTACT SOMEONE ELSE ABOUT TO FIND OUT PROBLEM(NOT FIXED TO DATE) TOOK TRUCK IN AGAIN HAD IT 3 DAYS SAID WAS FIXED. I TOOK THE TRUCK HOME REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS DOING EXACT SAME THING BUT NOW REAR WAS GETTING HOT. CALLED MONDAY MORNING TO TELL THEM IT WAS DOING EXACT SAME THING AND THE REAR WAS GETTING HOT AND SERVICE DEPARTMENT MANGER GOT PISSED OFF WAS YELLING. NOW HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE STEERING IN THE FRONT , NOT RIGHT. TRIED TO GET PROBLEM WORKED OUT WITH DEALERSHIP. HAD TO FINALLY CALL NISSAN COMPLAINT CENTER. WAITED A WEEK FOR RESPONSE AND FINALLY HAD CALL FROM CONSUMER AFFAIRS WITH NO RESOLUTION. TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT DO NOTHING EXCEPT SEND TO GENERAL MANAGER PLUS FILE COMPLAINT WITH BBB AUTO WHICH, COST $200, NO GUARANTEE. DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT ALSO DID NOT GIVE ME COPIES OF SERVICE WORK DONE AND REFUSES TO DO SO. CONSUMER AFFAIRS ONLY TOLD ME THEY CAN GET THEM AND IT WILL HELP THEIR CASE. CALLED ANOTHER DEALERSHIP HAD THEM PULL UP WORK DONE ON TRUCK AND NONE WAS FILED. I WAS SOLD A LEMON NISSAN DON'T WANT TO DEAL WITH. I SMELL A LAWSUIT! *JB

NHTSA ODI #10134402

2,700 miles · Jun 11, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

I PUCHASED A 05 FRONTIER P/U 2WD, AND LOG ON 2K MILES WHEN ENGINE CHECK SOON LIGHT CAME ON. I BROUGHT TO THE DEALER AND THEY ORDERED A CATALETIC CONVERTER ON 5-19-05 BUT UNTILL NOW THEY DONT HAVE THE PART AND TOLD ME TO CALL NISSAN FACTORY INQUIRING ABOUT MY CATALETIC CONVERTER? I BELIEVE THE DEALERSHIP SHOULD FOLLOW-UP OR TRACK…

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I PUCHASED A 05 FRONTIER P/U 2WD, AND LOG ON 2K MILES WHEN ENGINE CHECK SOON LIGHT CAME ON. I BROUGHT TO THE DEALER AND THEY ORDERED A CATALETIC CONVERTER ON 5-19-05 BUT UNTILL NOW THEY DONT HAVE THE PART AND TOLD ME TO CALL NISSAN FACTORY INQUIRING ABOUT MY CATALETIC CONVERTER? I BELIEVE THE DEALERSHIP SHOULD FOLLOW-UP OR TRACK WHEN IS THE PART COMING, I DONT GET ANY ANSWER EXCEPT THAT THE P/U IS NEW AND HARD TO GET THE PARTS IN. SHOULD I GET A REPLACEMENT CAR IN THE MEANTIME WHILE THEY HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE PARTS TO COME IN? REGARDS ROGER FEROLINO

NHTSA ODI #10125020

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.