IllustrationSERVICE ENG LIGHT COMES ON DUE TO HIGH FUEL SENSOR. ALSO FUEL GAUGE GOES TO LESS THAN E AND THE LOW FUEL LIGHT COMES ON. *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
Fuel System, Gasoline complaints
119 reportsTHE FUEL GAUGE ON MY NISSAN FRONTIER 2005 MODEL GIVES A INCORRECT READING AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO PASS EMISSION IN THE STATE OF TENNESSEE IN ORDER TO RECEIVE PAPERWORK TO GET REGISTRATION AND TAGS. SOMETIMES THE PROBLEM CORRECTS ITSELF BUT IT TAKES DAYS MAYBE WEEKS. AND THE ONLY WAY TO KEE…
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THE FUEL GAUGE ON MY NISSAN FRONTIER 2005 MODEL GIVES A INCORRECT READING AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO PASS EMISSION IN THE STATE OF TENNESSEE IN ORDER TO RECEIVE PAPERWORK TO GET REGISTRATION AND TAGS. SOMETIMES THE PROBLEM CORRECTS ITSELF BUT IT TAKES DAYS MAYBE WEEKS. AND THE ONLY WAY TO KEEP UP WITH HOW MUCH FUEL IS INSIDE THE TANK IS TO TRY TO KEEP UP THE HOW MANY MILES YOU HAVE DRIVEN. HOW CAN YOU HAVE A RECALL ON 2006 MODELS THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM BUT NOT ON 2005. IT SHOULD BE CORRECTED BY NISSAN REGARDLESS OF WHAT MODEL. *TR
WHY HAS THERE BEEN NO RECALL ON NISSAN FRONTIER PICKUP TRUCKS? THEY HAVE HAD THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS REPORTED ONLINE ABOUT TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO CROSS CONTAMINATION OF TRANSMISSION FLUID AND ENGINE COOLANT DUE TO A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION COOLER PIPE DESIGN. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. ALSO I …
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WHY HAS THERE BEEN NO RECALL ON NISSAN FRONTIER PICKUP TRUCKS? THEY HAVE HAD THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS REPORTED ONLINE ABOUT TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO CROSS CONTAMINATION OF TRANSMISSION FLUID AND ENGINE COOLANT DUE TO A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION COOLER PIPE DESIGN. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. ALSO I HAVE A FAILED GAS GAUGE SENDING UNIT. AGAIN THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS ONLINE. THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS ON OTHER VEHICLES FOR THE SAME REASON, YET NOT ON THE NISSAN FRONTIER PICKUP. THE RECALLS ON OTHERS WAS ISSUED BECAUSE THERE WOULD BE FALSE READINGS OF FUEL LEVELS AND A PERSON COULD RUN OUT OF GAS IN TRAFFIC AND CAUSE AND ACCIDENT. THE SAME PROBLEM CAN OCCUR WITH THE NISSAN FRONTIER BECAUSE THE GAUGE GIVES AN INACCURATE READING OR SHOWS EMPTY YET THERE IS FUEL IN THE TANK AND THE OPERATOR WOULD HAVE NO IDEA IF HE IS ABOUT TO RUN OUT OF GAS OR NOT. BACK TO THE TRANSMISSION, THE TRANSMISSION CAN GO OUT COMPLETELY WITHOUT NOTICE DUE TO THE CROSS CONTAMINATION. THERE IS NO WAY TO NO IF THERE IS A PROBLEM UNTIL IT WAS TO LATE. THE TRANSMISSION WILL FAIL AND THERE IS NO WAY OF KNOWING THERE IS A PROBLEM UNLESS YOU CHECK THE RADIATOR PERIODICALLY. THAT IS THE ONLY WAY TO FIND THE PROBLEM WITH OUT HAVING AN ACTUAL BREAKDOWN. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE A RADIATOR, HAVE MY TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY CLEANED OUT TWICE TO REMOVE ANY COOLANT, AND NOW MY TRANSMISSION HAS COMPLETELY FAILED. I AM ASKING FRO AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE NISSAN FRONTIER PROBLEMS AND THE NUMBERS OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS. I AM SURE THERE WOULD BE A BASIS FOR A RECALL. *TR
2005 NISSAN FRONTIER, GAS GAUGE IS MALFUNCTIONING. WHEN TANK IS FILLED GAUGE READS ANYWHERE FROM EMPTY TO 3/4 FULL AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON CONTINUOUSLY. TOOK TO MECHANIC WHO ISOLATED THE PROBLEM TO THE SENDING UNIT IN THE TANK, REPAIR WOULD REQUIRE TANK REMOVAL AND WOULD COSTS HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS. I COULD NOT AFFORD, SO …
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2005 NISSAN FRONTIER, GAS GAUGE IS MALFUNCTIONING. WHEN TANK IS FILLED GAUGE READS ANYWHERE FROM EMPTY TO 3/4 FULL AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON CONTINUOUSLY. TOOK TO MECHANIC WHO ISOLATED THE PROBLEM TO THE SENDING UNIT IN THE TANK, REPAIR WOULD REQUIRE TANK REMOVAL AND WOULD COSTS HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS. I COULD NOT AFFORD, SO HAVE BEEN USING MILEAGE TO ESTIMATE FUEL USAGE. WHEN I HEARD ABOUT THE RECALL NISSAN HAD FOR SIMILAR PROBLEMS, I WAS SURPRISED AND DISAPPOINTED THAT THE CUTOFF WAS THE 2006 MODEL YEAR. THE RECALL SHOULD BE FOR ALL UNITS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT COMES ON AT 1/4 TANK OF GAS. CODE IS 0463 FAULTY FUEL LEVEL SENSOR. APPARENTLY THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH NISSANS AND HAVE HAD PREVIOUS RECALLS FOR THIS ON OLDER MODELS. MINE IS 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER AND I UNDERSTAND IT COSTS BETWEEN $400 TO $600 TO FIX. HAVE NOT HAD THE MONEY TO FIX IT YET. *TR
2005 NISSAN FRONTIER HAS A KNOWN FUEL GAUGE ISSUE. THERE IS A RECALL ON 2006+ FRONTIERS THAT HAVE THE SAME EXACT PART. THE FUEL SENDING UNIT ATTACHED TO THE GAS TANK IS KNOWN TO GO BAD, AND IS COVERED BY NISSAN UNDER THE RECALL, WHICH DOESN'T INCLUDE THE PROBLEMATIC 2005 MODELS OUT THERE. SEE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V075000. …
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2005 NISSAN FRONTIER HAS A KNOWN FUEL GAUGE ISSUE. THERE IS A RECALL ON 2006+ FRONTIERS THAT HAVE THE SAME EXACT PART. THE FUEL SENDING UNIT ATTACHED TO THE GAS TANK IS KNOWN TO GO BAD, AND IS COVERED BY NISSAN UNDER THE RECALL, WHICH DOESN'T INCLUDE THE PROBLEMATIC 2005 MODELS OUT THERE. SEE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V075000. THE RESULT IS THAT THE GAS GAUGE AND COMPUTER ESTIMATES OF "DISTANCE UNTIL EMPTY" ARE GROSSLY ERRONEOUS AND REQUIRE CONSTANT MONITORING OF THE RANGE. *TR
2005 NISSAN FRONTIER CREW CAB. AFTER FILLING THE GAS TANK, THE GAGE WAS READING 1/4 TANK. OVER THE COURSE OF THE DAY THE GAGE INCREASED TILL IT READ NEARLY FULL. ALSO, WHEN THE GAGE NEARS 1/4 TANK, IT WILL SUDDENLY DROP FROM 1/4 TANK TO DEAD EMPTY WITH INDICATOR LIGHT. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EMPTY. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT A FAULTY FUEL LEVEL SENSOR CAUSED THE FUEL GAUGE TO DISPLAY THE INCORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHI…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EMPTY. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT A FAULTY FUEL LEVEL SENSOR CAUSED THE FUEL GAUGE TO DISPLAY THE INCORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,400. UPDATED 8/2/10 *CN UPDATED 08/09/10*JB
TOOK 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER TO FILL UP GAS. FILLED UP AND GAS GAUGE WENT CRAZY WHICH TRIGGERED SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT WHICH MEANS I FAIL MY EMISSIONS, NOW I HAVE TO SPEND 600 TO REPAIR, 300 FOR CAR TAGS, 50 FOR EMISSIONS TEST, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME. *TR
FUEL SENDING UNIT FAILED. *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.