IllustrationTRANSMISSION COOLIN IN THE RADIATOR RUPTURED CAUSING COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION. *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
What owners actually said
532 reportsVIBRATION IN MOTOR LIKE DRIVING OVER GROOVED PAVEMENT - ON AND OFF AGAIN FOR MONTHS BEFORE REALIZING IT WAS THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEM THAT OCCURS IN THESE TRUCKS AND SUV'S. I DON'T WANT TO PAY $6,000 TO FIX A DEFECT. THEY SHOULD PAY NO MATTER WHEN IT HAPPENS. *TR
RADIATOR LEAKED ANTIFREEZE INTO THE TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISSION HAS TO BE REBUILT/ REPLACE AND RADIATOR HAS TO BE REPLACED. *TR
I CURRENTLY OWN A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. 3 MONTHS AGO, THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN STALLING ON ME EVERY SEVERAL DAYS, IT WOULD IMMEDIATELY TURN BACK ON. LAST MONTH IT BEGAN SHUTTING DOWN ON ME EVERY 2 DAYS, A FEW TIMES ON THE HIGHWAY, ALMOST GETTING REAR ENDED A COUPLE OF TIMES. IT WOULD TURN BACK ON, BUT AFTER SEVERAL TRIES AND AFTE…
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I CURRENTLY OWN A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. 3 MONTHS AGO, THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN STALLING ON ME EVERY SEVERAL DAYS, IT WOULD IMMEDIATELY TURN BACK ON. LAST MONTH IT BEGAN SHUTTING DOWN ON ME EVERY 2 DAYS, A FEW TIMES ON THE HIGHWAY, ALMOST GETTING REAR ENDED A COUPLE OF TIMES. IT WOULD TURN BACK ON, BUT AFTER SEVERAL TRIES AND AFTER 15-20 MIN WAIT. AFTER CHECKING RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE I NOTICED I HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED ABOUT A RECALL FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF A ECM RELAY, WHICH WAS CAUSING VEHICLES TO SHUTDOWN. THIS RELAY WAS REPLACED AND VEHICLE HAD BEEN RUNNING FINE FOR 3 WEEKS, BUT MY VEHICLE HAS NOW STARTED TO SPUTTER EVERY FEW DAYS. IT HAS SHUTDOWN ON ME TWICE IN THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS. *TR
I WAS DRIVING ALONG ON A MAJOR INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH WHEN MY ENGINE WAS REVVING UP TO ABOUT 3500 OR 4000 RPM BUT MY SPEED WAS DROPPING. I PULLED OVER TO THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE ROAD, STOPPED AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. HAD I NOT BEEN IN THE RIGHT LANE OF THE MAJOR INTERSTATE WHEN TRAFFIC WAS VERY LIGHT, I COULD HAVE HAD A MAJO…
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I WAS DRIVING ALONG ON A MAJOR INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH WHEN MY ENGINE WAS REVVING UP TO ABOUT 3500 OR 4000 RPM BUT MY SPEED WAS DROPPING. I PULLED OVER TO THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE ROAD, STOPPED AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. HAD I NOT BEEN IN THE RIGHT LANE OF THE MAJOR INTERSTATE WHEN TRAFFIC WAS VERY LIGHT, I COULD HAVE HAD A MAJOR ACCIDENT. EVERYTHING SEEMED NORMAL EXCEPT THE LOW COOLANT LEVEL IN THE RESERVOIR BOTTLE. THERE DID NOT APPEAR TO BE ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE SO THEN I PLACED THE TRUCK INTO DRIVE AND MOVED THE VEHICLE FORWARD. AS THE VEHICLE PICKED UP SPEED AND AT ABOUT THE 35 TO 40 MPH THE TRUCK ENGINE WOULD REV UP BUT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING AND NOT ALLOWING THE TRUCK TO MOVE ANY FASTER. WHEN I TOOK THE SCREW OFF THE TRANSMISSION DIPSTICK TO SEE THAT FLUID LEVEL WAS TOO HIGH FOR THE PROPER LEVEL IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. ALSO, I NOTICED THAT THE FLUID HAD A GREYISH MILKY APPEARANCE WHICH IS A CLEAR INDICATION OF CONTAMINATION WITH A WATER BASED MATERIAL SUCH AS ENGINE COOLANT.I FIND THE FACT NISSAN CLEARLY KNEW THAT WAS A PROBLEM AND FAILED TO NOTIFY ME AS THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE ANNOYING. THEY WOULD RATHER PAY TO HAVE VEHICLE REPAIRED AFTER THE FACT THAN TAKE CARE OF A POTENTIAL SAFETY PROBLEM BEFORE IT OCCURS. THIS IS EXTREMELY TROUBLESOME WHEN A MANUFACTURER PLACES PROFITS AND THE BOTTOM LINE AHEAD OF CUSTOMER SAFETY. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, I HAVE LEARNED THAT I COULD HAVE REPLACED THE FAULTY RADIATOR WITH ANOTHER PRODUCT FROM KOYORAD FOR ABOUT $120 RETAIL AND PREVENTED THIS PROBLEM. SO FOR A COUPLE HUNDRED DOLLARS, NISSAN IS WILLING TO JEOPARDIZE MY SAFETY AND ALL OTHER NISSAN OWNERS SAFETY. AS THE NATIONAL SAFETY AGENCY, I IMPLORE YOU ACT IMMEDIATELY AND ORDER A RECALL ON THESE NISSAN VEHICLES BEFORE PEOPLE GET HURT. IT IS YOUR DUTY TO PROTECT THE PEOPLE OF THE NATION FROM SAFETY ISSUES WHEN MANUFACTURERS FAIL TO DO SO. *TR
NISSAN KNEW A DEFECT WAS IN THE TRANSMISSION COOLER BUILT INTO THE RADIATOR TRIED TO COVER IT UP OR AT LEAST NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE. NOW 9000 MILES AFTER NISSAN TOLD ME I WAS GOOD, I HAVE AN ISSUE WHERE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID IS CONTAMINATED WITH COOLANT AND VICE VERSA. NISSAN SAYS THIS IS A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF VEHICLES.…
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NISSAN KNEW A DEFECT WAS IN THE TRANSMISSION COOLER BUILT INTO THE RADIATOR TRIED TO COVER IT UP OR AT LEAST NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE. NOW 9000 MILES AFTER NISSAN TOLD ME I WAS GOOD, I HAVE AN ISSUE WHERE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID IS CONTAMINATED WITH COOLANT AND VICE VERSA. NISSAN SAYS THIS IS A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF VEHICLES. THIS WILL OCCUR WITH ALL VEHICLES WITH THE DEFECTIVE RADIATOR. THE COST OF REPAIR IS RUINING PEOPLES LIVES AND IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH SEIZING OF TRANSMISSIONS WHILE DRIVING. PLEASE ADDRESS THIS NHTSA. *TR
SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT WITH RIGHT FOOT ON BRAKE, WAITING FOR LIGHT TO CHANGE. AS LIGHT CHANGED APPLIED PRESSURE TO GAS PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE THE ENGINE WOULD JUST REV UP. PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND TURN OFF THE ENGINE WAITED A MOMENT THEN TURNED THE VEHICLE BACK ON AND PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN DRIVE, VEHICLE BEG…
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SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT WITH RIGHT FOOT ON BRAKE, WAITING FOR LIGHT TO CHANGE. AS LIGHT CHANGED APPLIED PRESSURE TO GAS PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE THE ENGINE WOULD JUST REV UP. PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND TURN OFF THE ENGINE WAITED A MOMENT THEN TURNED THE VEHICLE BACK ON AND PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN DRIVE, VEHICLE BEGAN TO MOVE BUT THE TRANSMISSION ACTED LIKE IT WAS SLIPPING. DROVE VEHICLE TO DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED ON VEHICLE AND IT WOULD NEED A NEW ONE. PAID 5,321.74 TO HAVE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. DEALER SAID TRANSMISSION FAILURE WAS DUE TO A RADIATOR ISSUE ON VEHICLE. *TR
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE MY TRUCK BEGAN A SMALL INTERMITTENT SHUDDER, AS IF DRIVING OVER RUMBLE STRIPS. THIS OCCURRED 2 OR 3 TIMES. THE NEXT WEEK THE SHUDDERING RECURRED. SCHEDULED AND APPOINTMENT WITH MY LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP. THEY VERY QUICKLY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM. THEY INDICATED IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEH…
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WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE MY TRUCK BEGAN A SMALL INTERMITTENT SHUDDER, AS IF DRIVING OVER RUMBLE STRIPS. THIS OCCURRED 2 OR 3 TIMES. THE NEXT WEEK THE SHUDDERING RECURRED. SCHEDULED AND APPOINTMENT WITH MY LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP. THEY VERY QUICKLY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM. THEY INDICATED IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE WHERE THE TRANSMISSION COOLER FAILS AND INTAKES RADIATOR COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE INDICATE THE TRANSMISSION WILL IN ALL LIKELY HOOD NEED TO BE REBUILT. *TR
TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND LOSS POWER WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT CLAIMS ISSUE IS A COMMON COMPLAINT WITH THIS VEHICLE. ACTUALLY HAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY BECAUSE OF IT. *TR
I WAS DRIVING ON KINGERY HIGHWAY IN VILLA PARK WHEN I STOPPED FOR TRAFFIC. WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE AFTER THE TRAFFIC WAS MOVING, THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD TURNED ON AND THE TRUCK WOULD ONLY ACCELERATE TO LESS THAN 1 MPH. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *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.