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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

Structure complaints

17 reports
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38,000 miles · Jul 23, 2008
Structure

I DO NOT KNOW EXACTLY WHAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM BUT I OPENED UP MY TAILGATE ONE MORNING AND THE TAILGATE CAME OFF OF THE HINGE AND PIECES WERE MISSING. I READ ON A FORUM THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE TYPE OF VEHICLE I'M DRIVING AND IT SEEMS THAT THE TAIL GATE COULD HAVE FELL ON THE HIGHWAY IF I HADN'T TRIED IT THAT MORNIN…

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I DO NOT KNOW EXACTLY WHAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM BUT I OPENED UP MY TAILGATE ONE MORNING AND THE TAILGATE CAME OFF OF THE HINGE AND PIECES WERE MISSING. I READ ON A FORUM THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE TYPE OF VEHICLE I'M DRIVING AND IT SEEMS THAT THE TAIL GATE COULD HAVE FELL ON THE HIGHWAY IF I HADN'T TRIED IT THAT MORNING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10235469

40,000 miles · May 9, 2008
Structure

WE HAVE A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER WITH 40,000 MILES ON IT - WELL MAINTAINED AND IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. BOTH HINGES ON THE TAILGATE BROKE. IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. FORTUNATELY, IT CAME OFF WHEN IT WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. IF IT BROKE AND FELL OFF ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, IT COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS. NISS…

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WE HAVE A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER WITH 40,000 MILES ON IT - WELL MAINTAINED AND IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. BOTH HINGES ON THE TAILGATE BROKE. IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. FORTUNATELY, IT CAME OFF WHEN IT WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. IF IT BROKE AND FELL OFF ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, IT COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS. NISSAN REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM OR MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGER LIED AND CLAIMED THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO OVERLOAD - WE DON'T USE THE TRUCK TO HAUL ANYTHING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10227123

Mileage unknown · Jun 27, 2007
Power TrainStructure

2005 NISSAN FRONTIER WITH ENGINEERING DEFECTS CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE UNIVERSAL JOINT IS SUBJECT TO FAIL DUE TO RUST. **CC THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER MUST HAVE RECOGNIZED THE PROBLEM, BECAUSE THEY HAVE SINCE ADDED GREASE FITTINGS. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE METAL PART THAT PROTRUDES FROM THE TAILGATE TO THE BODY OF…

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2005 NISSAN FRONTIER WITH ENGINEERING DEFECTS CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE UNIVERSAL JOINT IS SUBJECT TO FAIL DUE TO RUST. **CC THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER MUST HAVE RECOGNIZED THE PROBLEM, BECAUSE THEY HAVE SINCE ADDED GREASE FITTINGS. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE METAL PART THAT PROTRUDES FROM THE TAILGATE TO THE BODY OF THE TRUCK WAS NOT DESIGNED FOR THE WEIGHT OF THE TAILGATE. DUE TO INSUFFICIENT WELDING, THE ORIGINAL INNER HALF OF THE TAILGATE HINGE CAN POSSIBLY BREAK. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO STOP THE TAILGATE FROM FALLING. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10195720

35,215 miles · Jun 19, 2007
Power TrainStructure

POORLY DESIGNED U-JOINT TO FRONT IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE. ,U-JOINT HAS NO GREASE FITTING WILL RUST AND DISINTERESTED. MANUFACTURER HAS ADDED FITTING TO REPLACE PART. HOWEVER, ORIGINAL COULD FAIL AND BRING VEHICLE TO COMPLETE STOP IN TRAFFIC OR FRONT DRIVE COULD FAIL IN ADVERSE WEATHER, LEADING TO LOSS OF TRACTION ,BOTH OF WHICH COULD …

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POORLY DESIGNED U-JOINT TO FRONT IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE. ,U-JOINT HAS NO GREASE FITTING WILL RUST AND DISINTERESTED. MANUFACTURER HAS ADDED FITTING TO REPLACE PART. HOWEVER, ORIGINAL COULD FAIL AND BRING VEHICLE TO COMPLETE STOP IN TRAFFIC OR FRONT DRIVE COULD FAIL IN ADVERSE WEATHER, LEADING TO LOSS OF TRACTION ,BOTH OF WHICH COULD LEAD TO ACCIDENT. TAILGATE PRONE TO FAILURE DUE TO POOR WELD ON INNER HALF TAILGATE HINGE.TAILGATE WAS HEAVY AND COULD LEAD TO INJURY TO A CHILD OR SMALL PERSON IF FAILURE OCCURED WHILE OPENING.ONCE AGAIN MANUFACTURER HAS ADDED ADDITIONAL WELDS IN REPLACEMENT PART. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10193681

27,720 miles · Dec 4, 2006
Structure

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PULLING INTO A DRIVEWAY AT LOW SPEEDS, THE TAIL GATE WHICH WAS LOCKED IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION, FELL TO THE GROUND WITH THE RIGHT SIDE STILL ATTACHED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE LEFT TAILGATE HINGE AND ATTACHMENT FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AF…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PULLING INTO A DRIVEWAY AT LOW SPEEDS, THE TAIL GATE WHICH WAS LOCKED IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION, FELL TO THE GROUND WITH THE RIGHT SIDE STILL ATTACHED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE LEFT TAILGATE HINGE AND ATTACHMENT FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE INITIAL REPLACEMENT, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS ON THE STREET, THE TAILGATE SEPARATED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AGAIN. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT BOTH TAILGATE HINGES AND ATTACHMENTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE HAVING A GENERAL MAINTENANCE INSPECTION PERFORMED AT THE DEALER, THE CONTACT NOTED A SUBSTANTIAL GAP BETWEEN THE TRUCK BED AND CAB WITH A DISTANCE OF 12 INCHES. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE STRUCTURAL BODY SEPARATION WAS DUE TO DRIVING ON ROUGH ROAD CONDITIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

NHTSA ODI #10175077

10,355 miles · Jul 18, 2006
Structure

PURCHASED MATERIALS AT HOME DEPOT AND LOADED THEM IN MY 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. CLOSED THE TAILGATE AND AS I GOT ON TO THE INTERSTATE (APPROX. 1 MILE), I HEARD A LOUD SLAMMING NOISE-LOOKED BACK AND MY TAILGATE WAS BEING DRAGGED, DISATTACHED AND ALL MY SUPPLIES SCATTERED THROUGH OUT. WHAT CAUSED THE INCIDENT WAS NISSAN HAS SECURED…

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PURCHASED MATERIALS AT HOME DEPOT AND LOADED THEM IN MY 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. CLOSED THE TAILGATE AND AS I GOT ON TO THE INTERSTATE (APPROX. 1 MILE), I HEARD A LOUD SLAMMING NOISE-LOOKED BACK AND MY TAILGATE WAS BEING DRAGGED, DISATTACHED AND ALL MY SUPPLIES SCATTERED THROUGH OUT. WHAT CAUSED THE INCIDENT WAS NISSAN HAS SECURED THERE TAILGATE CABLES TO THE BOTTOM BOLT OF THE LATCHING/LOCK MECHANISM. I ASSUME EACH TIME YOU OPEN AND CLOSE THE TAILGATE-FRICTION BETWEEN THE PARTS HAD CONTINUALLY LOOSENED THE BOLT. THE BOLT WAS MISSING-BUT LOOKING AT THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TAILGATE YOU CAN CLEARLY SEE IT IS JUST A POOR DESIGN. NISSAN COULD SECURE THE CABLE TO ITS OWN BOLT. THE RESULT WAS THE PASSENGER SIDE LATCH PUSHED FORWARD RATHER THAN LATCHED ON TO THE TAILGATE, AND BECAUSE THE OTHER SIDE LATCH WAS SECURE IT GAVE A FALSE IMPRESSION OF IT BEING SECURE. THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE TAILGATE HAS A CUTOUT ON THE BOTTOM SO WHEN NEEDED YOU CAN REMOVE IT BY PULLING IT OUT, AS THE DRIVER SIDE HAS A PIN THE STICKS INTO A CYLINDER. THE RESULT WAS THE PASSENGER SIDE OF TAILGATE CAME UNDONE, AND BECAUSE IT WAS THE OPEN END- DROPPED AND PULLED OUT OF THE DRIVER SIDE SENDING IT ONTO THE ROAD, AND THANKFULLY NOT INJURING ANYONE. IT IS VISIBLY A POOR DESIGN. I HAVE E-MAILED THIS TO THEM, BUT TO NO RESPONSE AS OF YET. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10162727

Mileage unknown · Nov 7, 2005
Structure

NOISE THAT IS HEARD AROUND THE DASHBOARD AREA, WHEN THE CAR IS DRIVEN AT 40 MPH TO 45 MPH. DEALERSHIP CANNOT FIND THE CAUSE. THEY GREASED THE VEHICLE, AND TIGHTEN THE BOLTS. NO SUCCESS. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10142021

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.