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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

What owners actually said

532 reports
136,968 miles · Feb 11, 2016
Power Train

ORIGINAL MANUFACTURED RADIATOR DEFFECT CAUSED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION COOLING LINE TO MIX WITH COOLANT CAUSING TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITH NO WARNING SIGNS. A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION ALMOST RESULTED IN A CRASH DO TO VEHICLE STALLING AT HIGH SPEEDS. NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. THE WARRANTY DENIES THE RADIATOR AS PART …

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ORIGINAL MANUFACTURED RADIATOR DEFFECT CAUSED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION COOLING LINE TO MIX WITH COOLANT CAUSING TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITH NO WARNING SIGNS. A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION ALMOST RESULTED IN A CRASH DO TO VEHICLE STALLING AT HIGH SPEEDS. NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. THE WARRANTY DENIES THE RADIATOR AS PART OF THE WARRANTY RESULTING IN THE OWNER HAVING TO PAY FOR FIXING DAMAGES.

NHTSA ODI #10825738

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 2016
Engine

MY TRUCK STARTED SHUDDERING EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE. EVENTUALLY IT WAS PAUSE WHEN CHANGING GEARS (WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND WOULD LOSE SPEED), AND THEN IT BEGAN TO MAKE A CLANKING SOUND. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE SAID ON THIS PARTICULAR MODEL THE COOLANT VIA A LEAK IN THE RADIATOR COMBINES WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. REPAIR EST…

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MY TRUCK STARTED SHUDDERING EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE. EVENTUALLY IT WAS PAUSE WHEN CHANGING GEARS (WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND WOULD LOSE SPEED), AND THEN IT BEGAN TO MAKE A CLANKING SOUND. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE SAID ON THIS PARTICULAR MODEL THE COOLANT VIA A LEAK IN THE RADIATOR COMBINES WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. REPAIR ESTIMATE IS $3,800 PLUS TAX! VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS.... GENERALLY AT A SPEED OF 40MPH OR HIGHER. THE ISSUES BEGAN ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND THEN SLOWER PROGRESSED TO WORSE. WHEN IT STARTED IS A GUESSTIMATE.

NHTSA ODI #10823606

89,125 miles · Jan 21, 2016
Power Train

LAST NOVEMBER 6TH I HIT A DEER, FRONT IMPACT. TOOK TRUCK TO LOCAL GARAGE TO HAVE IT SERVICED. THE ONLY DAMAGE THEY SAID OCCURRED WAS BODY DAMAGE. 3WKS LATER GOT MY TRUCK BACK WITH BODY DAMAGE REPAIRED. ABOUT 3WKS AFTER THAT I STARTED TO NOTICE A SLIGHT VIBRATION IN MY TRUCK WHEN I GOT TO A CERTAIN SPEED. I REALLY DIDN'T THINK NO…

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LAST NOVEMBER 6TH I HIT A DEER, FRONT IMPACT. TOOK TRUCK TO LOCAL GARAGE TO HAVE IT SERVICED. THE ONLY DAMAGE THEY SAID OCCURRED WAS BODY DAMAGE. 3WKS LATER GOT MY TRUCK BACK WITH BODY DAMAGE REPAIRED. ABOUT 3WKS AFTER THAT I STARTED TO NOTICE A SLIGHT VIBRATION IN MY TRUCK WHEN I GOT TO A CERTAIN SPEED. I REALLY DIDN'T THINK NOTHING OF IT AND THOUGHT MAYBE I HAD A TIRE OUT OF BALANCE. WELL THE VIBRATION STARTED GETTING WORSE AND I STARTED TO NOTICE A STRONG VIBRATION AND DECREASE IN POWER WHEN IT SHIFTED. SO I TOOK THE TRUCK BACK TO THE GARAGE TO SEE IF THEY COULD FIGURE ANYTHING OUT. I THOUGHT MAYBE THE DEER CAUSED MORE DAMAGE THAN EXPECTED BUT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING. THE DIDN'T CHARGE ME ANYTHING BECAUSE THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. SO I DROVE IT FOR ANOTHER 2 WEEKS AND IT GOT WORSE. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND WITHIN 30MINS THEY DETERMINED A TRANSMISSION COOLER RUPTURE AND THAT IT BASICALLY HAS RUINED MY TRANSMISSION AND WOULD NEED TO REPLACE IT, A SERVICE CHARGE OF $6,000!!! THEY TOLD ME I WAS JUST OUT OF WARRANTY ON IT. I'VE BEEN READING ON THIS ISSUE AND KNOW NISSAN HAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY OF 10YRS OR 100,000 MILES. I WENT TO THE DEALER ON THE 19TH OF JANUARY. 19 DAYS OUT OR WARRANTY!!! WHEN I HAD ORIGINALLY HAD AN ISSUE IN LATE DECEMBER AND NOTHING WAS FOUND!!! THE TRUCK IS BARELY 10YRS OLD AND HAS LESS THAN 90,000 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ODI #10821591

145,000 miles · Jan 15, 2016
Power Train

TRANSMISSION STARTS SLIPPING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. RPM INCREASES WITHOUT INCREASE IN SPEED. INTERMITTENT BUT GETTING WORSE. THIS IS MY SON'S TRUCK AND I AM WORRIED ABOUT HIS SAFETY WHEN MERGING INTO THE INTERSTATE. HE ALMOST GOT HIT BY A SEMI LAST WEEK WHEN MERGING INTO I-20 AS THE SLIPPING WAS HAPPENING.

NHTSA ODI #10820548

125,000 miles · Jan 13, 2016
Power Train

RADIATOR LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, CAUSES TRANSMISSION TO FAIL AND REQUIRES A REBUILD. EXPENSIVE $3000 REPAIR. CURRENT LITIGATION AND COURT CASE DOES NO GOOD TO MOST OF THE CUSTOMERS EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. NO WARNING FROM NISSAN THAT THE RADIATOR IS FLAWED.

NHTSA ODI #10819917

Mileage unknown · Jan 7, 2016
Engine

TIJMING CHAIN FAULTY AND PULLIES

NHTSA ODI #10818572

97,668 miles · Jan 6, 2016
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO SHIFT GEARS AND THE GEARS WERE STUCK OCCASIONALLY. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO SHIFT GEARS AND THE GEARS WERE STUCK OCCASIONALLY. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,668.

NHTSA ODI #10818333

20,000 miles · Dec 27, 2015
Electrical SystemEngineFire

VEHICLE HAS SEVERE ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH POSITION SENSORS ON CAMSHAFT AND CRANKSHAFT. VEHICLE ENGINE STALLS SUDDENLY. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION AS VEHICLE WILL LOOSE BRAKING AND STEERING CONTROL AT HIGH SPEEDS OR IN A INCLINE, HILL ON OR OFF ROAD. NISSAN HAS FAULTY WIRING ON THESE SENSORS THAT CONTROL THE ENGINE POWE…

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VEHICLE HAS SEVERE ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH POSITION SENSORS ON CAMSHAFT AND CRANKSHAFT. VEHICLE ENGINE STALLS SUDDENLY. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION AS VEHICLE WILL LOOSE BRAKING AND STEERING CONTROL AT HIGH SPEEDS OR IN A INCLINE, HILL ON OR OFF ROAD. NISSAN HAS FAULTY WIRING ON THESE SENSORS THAT CONTROL THE ENGINE POWER, A KNOW PROBLEM THAT HAS NEVER BEEN RECALLED. OVER 100 PEOPLE HAVE SUFFERED INJURIES OR LOSS OF LIFE DUE TO THIS ISSUE. NISSAN DEALERSHIPS ARE AWARE OF PROBLEM AND SEVERAL FORUMS ONLINE INCLUDING NEWSPAPER ARTICLES OUTLINE THE ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #10816341

118,000 miles · Dec 22, 2015
Engine

BAD TIMING CHAIN AND 2 IDLE PULLIES.. $2000 REPAIR TO BE DONE DEC 2015

NHTSA ODI #10811732

78,000 miles · Dec 22, 2015
Engine

TIMING CHAIN COMPONENT FAILURE

NHTSA ODI #10811644

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.