IllustrationTRANSMISSION FAILURE RELATED TO COOLANT FROM THE RADIATOR OIL COOLANT ASSEMBLE. *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
Power Train complaints
262 reportsTHE TRANSMISSION STARTED JERKING VERY BAD WHEN IT HIT 1700 RPM RANGE WHILE DRIVING, SO I SLOWED DOWN...SCARED. I WENT AND HAD IT CHECKED ONLY TO FIND OUT IT IS VERY COMMON WITH THIS TRUCK - FLUID IN TRANSMISSION CAUSED FROM THE TRANS FLUID RUNNING THROUGH THE RADIATOR AND THE HEAT EXCHANGE LEAKS WATER INTO THE TRANS FLUID. THIS …
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THE TRANSMISSION STARTED JERKING VERY BAD WHEN IT HIT 1700 RPM RANGE WHILE DRIVING, SO I SLOWED DOWN...SCARED. I WENT AND HAD IT CHECKED ONLY TO FIND OUT IT IS VERY COMMON WITH THIS TRUCK - FLUID IN TRANSMISSION CAUSED FROM THE TRANS FLUID RUNNING THROUGH THE RADIATOR AND THE HEAT EXCHANGE LEAKS WATER INTO THE TRANS FLUID. THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM I LEARNED. THE REPAIR IS NOT COVERED BY NISSAN AND IS A 5000 DOLLAR REPAIR AT NISSAN DEALERSHIP, A TOTAL TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR REPLACEMENT IS NEEDED. *TR
THE RADIATOR FAILED CAUSING THE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID TO GET CONTAMINATED WITH COOLANT. THIS CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL RESULTING IN A NEARLY $5,000 BILL. *TR
AT 45MPH THE TRUCK STARTED JERKING AND I THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO STALL OUT. WHEN I GOT IT TO MY MECHANIC WE FOUND RADIATOR COOLANT HAD CONTAMINATED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. *TR
EXITED SIDE STREET ONTO FRONTAGE ROAD, RIGHT TURN, CAR SHUDDERED AND STOPPED MOVING. TRANSMISSION WAS ERRATIC CAUSING CAR TO LURCH FORWARD AT TIMES AND REMAIN IMMOVABLE AT OTHERS. FORTUNATELY ONCOMING TRAFFIC WAS ABLE TO STOP AND ALLEVIATE A POSSIBLE T-BONE SCENARIO. WAS ABLE TO LIMP CAR THROUGH LIGHT AND INTO SERVICE STATION. …
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EXITED SIDE STREET ONTO FRONTAGE ROAD, RIGHT TURN, CAR SHUDDERED AND STOPPED MOVING. TRANSMISSION WAS ERRATIC CAUSING CAR TO LURCH FORWARD AT TIMES AND REMAIN IMMOVABLE AT OTHERS. FORTUNATELY ONCOMING TRAFFIC WAS ABLE TO STOP AND ALLEVIATE A POSSIBLE T-BONE SCENARIO. WAS ABLE TO LIMP CAR THROUGH LIGHT AND INTO SERVICE STATION. *TR
2 MONTHS AGO I HAD A LEAK IN THE RADIATOR AND I FIXED IT. THEN AFTER THAT I START HAVING PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE SPEED DOES NOT CHANGE IMMEDIATELY AND WHEN IT CHANGE YOU FEEL LIKE SOME HAS PUSHED YOU FROM THE BACK. AND NOW THE CAR DOES NOT DRIVE ANYMORE. *TR
THE FIRST WEEK OF NOVEMBER 2013 WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50-60 MPH, I WOULD INTERMITTENTLY EXPERIENCE SHUDDERING VIBRATIONS LIKE THE ONES YOU FEEL WHEN YOU DRIVE THROUGH THOSE HIGHWAY STRIPS. I DID NOT PAY MUCH ATTENTION TO EAT THINKING IT PROBABLY WAS A MINOR PROBLEM WITH THE TIRES. 3RD WEEK OF NOVEMBER THE TRUCK STARTED …
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THE FIRST WEEK OF NOVEMBER 2013 WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50-60 MPH, I WOULD INTERMITTENTLY EXPERIENCE SHUDDERING VIBRATIONS LIKE THE ONES YOU FEEL WHEN YOU DRIVE THROUGH THOSE HIGHWAY STRIPS. I DID NOT PAY MUCH ATTENTION TO EAT THINKING IT PROBABLY WAS A MINOR PROBLEM WITH THE TIRES. 3RD WEEK OF NOVEMBER THE TRUCK STARTED SLIPPING. I WENT ONLINE TO FIND OUT WHAT CAUSES THE SLIP AND THERE IT WAS. HUNDREDS OF NOT JUST 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER OWNERS BUT ALSO XTERRA'S AND PATHFINDER OWNERS FROM 2005-2010 HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.INTERNET SEARCHES CAME OUT THAT AT A CERTAIN POINT IN THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE AT AVERAGE ABOUT 90-100T MILES, RADIATOR COOLANT MIXES WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID DUE A CRACK INSIDE THE RADIATOR, AND THE TRANSMISSION BECOMES CONTAMINATED AND EVENTUALLY FAILS. AFTER FINDING OUT THE SYMPTOMS OF POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION I EXAMINED MY TRUCK'S RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION AND FOUND OUT THAT INDEED TRANSMISSION OIL AND COOLANT HAD MIXED. I IMMEDIATELY REPLACED THE RADIATOR AND FLUSHED THE TRANSMISSION THINKING THAT THIS COULD STILL SAVE THE TRANSMISSION. A WEEK AGO WHILE AT A STOP, WITH THE TRUCK ON DRIVE AND RIGHT FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, I HEARD A BIG BANG AROUND THE TRANSMISSION AREA AND FELT A VIOLENT SHAKE AND THEN THE TRUCK JERKED FORWARD AND I ALMOST HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS ABLE TO BRING THE CAR HOME.I CANNOT USE THE TRUCK NOW OUT OF FEAR THAT THE TRANSMISSION WILL SUDDENLY FAIL WHILE I'M DRIVING IN THE FREEWAY AND CAUSE OR BE IN AN ACCIDENT. MANY OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THAT WHEN THEIR TRANSMISSIONS FAILED, THEIR VEHICLES SUDDENLY LOST POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY AND ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT. I CALLED NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE AND I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND THEY HAVE EXTENDED THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION WARRANTY TO 100000 MILES WITH A $3000 CO-PAY. *TR
VEHICLE SHIFTS UP AND DOWN FREQUENTLY AND HARD AT 40 TO 45 MPH WHILE IN DRIVE D. *TR
WE WHERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE TRUCKS ENGINE STARTED TO MAKE NOISES AND LOSING SPEED. IT DIDN'T GIVE ANY WARNING, AND IT COMPLETELY STOPPED RUNNING. THE MECHANICS DIAGNOSTIC WAS " C/S TRANSMISSION WONT MOVE AND MIL IS ON.VEHICLE NEEDS A TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR DUE TO AN INTERNAL LEAK FROM THE COOLING SYSTEM IN TO TRA…
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WE WHERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE TRUCKS ENGINE STARTED TO MAKE NOISES AND LOSING SPEED. IT DIDN'T GIVE ANY WARNING, AND IT COMPLETELY STOPPED RUNNING. THE MECHANICS DIAGNOSTIC WAS " C/S TRANSMISSION WONT MOVE AND MIL IS ON.VEHICLE NEEDS A TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR DUE TO AN INTERNAL LEAK FROM THE COOLING SYSTEM IN TO TRANSMISSION" WE TOOK IT TO THE NISSAN AGENCY BECAUSE OF THE WARRANTY BUT THEY REFUSED TO RESPECT THE WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH I HAVE I HAVE TWO DIAGNOSTICS FROM DIFFERENT MECHANICS EXPLAINING THAT I HAVE THAT SAME PROBLEM, NISSAN IS NOT MAKING ITS SELF RESPONSIBLE EVEN THOUGH ITS TRUCKS HAVE A FACTORY DEFECT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT HE COULD NOT REPAIR THE ISSUE. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS TRANSMISSION FLUID MIXING WITH THE C…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT HE COULD NOT REPAIR THE ISSUE. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS TRANSMISSION FLUID MIXING WITH THE COOLANT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,220.
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.