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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

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

119 reports
Clear category filter
52,000 miles · Mar 26, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. IN DECEMBER 2009, HE NOTICED, WHEN FILLING THE FUEL TANK, THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD GIVE INCORRECT READINGS. IT WOULD SHOW EMPTY, THEN THE CORRECT READING AND WHEN THE TANK WAS HALF-FULL, WOULD INDICATE ANOTHER INCORRECT READING. HE NOTICED THE FAILURE FOR A FEW MONTHS AND THEN TOOK TH…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. IN DECEMBER 2009, HE NOTICED, WHEN FILLING THE FUEL TANK, THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD GIVE INCORRECT READINGS. IT WOULD SHOW EMPTY, THEN THE CORRECT READING AND WHEN THE TANK WAS HALF-FULL, WOULD INDICATE ANOTHER INCORRECT READING. HE NOTICED THE FAILURE FOR A FEW MONTHS AND THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE FUEL GAUGE ASSEMBLY, THE PACKING FUEL GAUGE WAS REPLACED AT THAT TIME. HE LATER FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 10V075000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE: AUXILIARY TANK). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 52,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 57,000.

NHTSA ODI #10322377

81,245 miles · Mar 26, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL SENDING UNIT FOR THE 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE LATEST NISSAN RECALL OF 2006-2009 MODELS. THERE ARE COUNTLESS PEOPLE WITH THIS TRUCK WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE RECALL PROBLEM, YET THAT MODEL YEAR IS NOT INCLUDED BY NISSAN.

NHTSA ODI #10322311

40,000 miles · Mar 17, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

I AM JOINING THE THOUSANDS OF OTHER NISSAN FRONTIER OWNERS THAT HAVE A FAILED FUEL SENDING UNIT. WHEN I GET TO 1/4 OF A TANK, THE GAUGE FALLS TO EMPTY AND THE LOW FUEL LIGHT COMES ON. I FILL IT UP IMMEDIATELY SINCE I DON'T WANT THE TRUCK TO STALL LIKE OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED. I ONLY HAVE 40K MILES ON MY 2005 MODEL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10320363

78,000 miles · Mar 16, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

2005 FRONTIER CREW CAB WITH 83K MILES WITH P0463 ERROR CODE. FUEL GAUGE DROPS FROM 1/4 TANK TO EMPTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10320232

63,000 miles · Mar 10, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHENEVER THE CONTACT WOULD ADD GASOLINE TO THE VEHICLES CAPACITY, HE NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD INDICATE THAT THE TANK WAS HALF FULL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT HAD THE FLOAT VALVE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS .THE CURRENT AND FAILURE M…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHENEVER THE CONTACT WOULD ADD GASOLINE TO THE VEHICLES CAPACITY, HE NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD INDICATE THAT THE TANK WAS HALF FULL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT HAD THE FLOAT VALVE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS .THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 63000.

NHTSA ODI #10318550

30,000 miles · Mar 9, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. A DEFECTIVE LEAKING FUEL PUMP SPRAYED GAS ALL OVER THE UNDER CARRIAGE OF THE TRUCK CAUSING A FIRE HAZARD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10318262

76,000 miles · Mar 4, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

PROBLEM WITH FUEL GAUGE ON 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER PICK UP TRUCK. AFTER FILLING TANK, FUEL GAUGE WILL DROP TO EMPTY, TURN ON LOW FUEL LIGHT, AND TURN ON SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT. AFTER A DAY, THE FUEL GAUGE WILL BEGIN WORKING AGAIN (SLOWLY RETURNS TO CORRECT LEVEL) AND EVENTUALLY THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT WILL GO OUT. PROCE…

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PROBLEM WITH FUEL GAUGE ON 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER PICK UP TRUCK. AFTER FILLING TANK, FUEL GAUGE WILL DROP TO EMPTY, TURN ON LOW FUEL LIGHT, AND TURN ON SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT. AFTER A DAY, THE FUEL GAUGE WILL BEGIN WORKING AGAIN (SLOWLY RETURNS TO CORRECT LEVEL) AND EVENTUALLY THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT WILL GO OUT. PROCESS REPEATS EVERY TIME VEHICLE IS RE-FUELED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10316565

50,000 miles · Mar 4, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHEN THE FUEL GAUGE REACHES 1/2 TANKS THE GAUGE READS EMPTY. THE PROBLEM IS A BAD FUEL SENSOR. AFTER DOING RESEARCH ONLINE, THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM ON THE SAME VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10316555

60,000 miles · Mar 3, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL SENSORS IN MY FUEL SENDING UNIT ARE BAD . THIS HAS CAUSED IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER ON THE HIGHWAY ; AS THE FUEL LEVEL READS QUARTER TANK, BUT IS ACTUALLY EMPTY. NISSAN JUST RECALLED SOME 540,000 ,2006 AND UP VEHICLES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT EXCLUDED THE FIRST YEAR OF THE SECOND GENERATION FRONTIER MODELS. IT IS EASY TO F…

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FUEL SENSORS IN MY FUEL SENDING UNIT ARE BAD . THIS HAS CAUSED IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER ON THE HIGHWAY ; AS THE FUEL LEVEL READS QUARTER TANK, BUT IS ACTUALLY EMPTY. NISSAN JUST RECALLED SOME 540,000 ,2006 AND UP VEHICLES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT EXCLUDED THE FIRST YEAR OF THE SECOND GENERATION FRONTIER MODELS. IT IS EASY TO FIND HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET FOR THE 2005 EDITIONS ALONE. NISSAN IS CLEARLY RELUCTANT TO TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THESE DEFECTIVE SENSORS , AND SHOULD INCLUDE THE 2005 MODELS IN THIS SAFETY RECALL . THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10316216

100,000 miles · Mar 3, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL CELL/GAUGE PROBLEM SIMILAR TO REENT RECALL HOWEVER RECALL DOES NOT COVER MY NISSAN FRONTIER MODEL YEAR...2005. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10316090

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.