IllustrationNISSAN FRONTIER 2007, FUEL GAUGE ERRATIC, NOT RELIABLE, UNSAFE. *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 reportsTHE LOWER HINGE ON MY 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER KING CAB PICK UP BROKE FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE FIRST TIME, IT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AT 18,050 MILES AND THE MILEAGE AT THE SECOND OCCURRENCE IS 38, 567. I HAVE ALSO SEEN THAT MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING VERY SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THESE TAILGATES. IF THIS HINGE WAS TO BREAK WHILE TH…
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THE LOWER HINGE ON MY 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER KING CAB PICK UP BROKE FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE FIRST TIME, IT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AT 18,050 MILES AND THE MILEAGE AT THE SECOND OCCURRENCE IS 38, 567. I HAVE ALSO SEEN THAT MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING VERY SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THESE TAILGATES. IF THIS HINGE WAS TO BREAK WHILE THE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING, IT IS CONCEIVABLE THAT THE TAILGATE COULD FALL OFF OF THE VEHICLE AND/OR FALL OFF FROM ONE SIDE. THIS COULD POSE A SIGNIFICANT HAZARD TO THE VEHICLES BEHIND AND/OR TO THE VEHICLE ITSELF. I CONTACTED NISSAN ABOUT REPAIRING THE TAILGATE AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE FIX WAS MY RESPONSIBILITY. I WILL HAVE IT REPAIRED AT THE DEALER BUT HAVE BEEN GIVEN NO ASSURANCE THAT THE DESIGN HAS BEEN IMPROVED OR MODIFIED TO PREVENT ITS RECURRENCE. *TR
GAS GAUGE READS ALL OVER THE PLACE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, WON'T PASS INSPECTION EVEN THOUGH IT HAS NOTHING TO DO W/EMISSIONS....RAN OUT OF GAS ON I-95 - ALMOST RUN OVER. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. AFTER FILLING UP THE VEHICLE WITH GASOLINE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHT ILLUMINATED, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EMPTY. THERE WERE NO FAILURES PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. AFTER FILLING UP THE VEHICLE WITH GASOLINE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHT ILLUMINATED, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EMPTY. THERE WERE NO FAILURES PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED HER TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED OR INSPECTED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THEY FURTHER STATED THAT THEY WOULD CALL THE CONTACT BACK WITH AN UPDATE AFTER SPEAKING WITH THE DEALER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 55,000.
MY 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS COMING ON AND THE GAS GAUGE DOES NOT WORK. I HAVE VERIFIED THAT THIS IS NOT SUBJECT TO A RECALL IN MY MODEL VEHICLE BUT IS SUBJECT TO AN EARLIER MODEL YR RECALL. AFTER FILLING UP MY GAS GAUGE GOES TO EMPTY UNTIL I HAVE DRIVEN APPROX 125 MILE AND THEN IT GOES TO THREE QUARTERS OF …
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MY 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS COMING ON AND THE GAS GAUGE DOES NOT WORK. I HAVE VERIFIED THAT THIS IS NOT SUBJECT TO A RECALL IN MY MODEL VEHICLE BUT IS SUBJECT TO AN EARLIER MODEL YR RECALL. AFTER FILLING UP MY GAS GAUGE GOES TO EMPTY UNTIL I HAVE DRIVEN APPROX 125 MILE AND THEN IT GOES TO THREE QUARTERS OF A TANK. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND HAS ISSUED SERVICE BULLETIN # NTB07-69A FOR ITS DEALERS BUT HAS NOT CHOSEN TO FIX THE ISSUE. *TR
10 MONTHS AGO MY 05 NISSAN FRONTIER HAD THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. TURNS OUT IS WAS THE FUEL SENSOR. NOW THE FUEL SENSOR DOESN'T WORK. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS AND IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR FRONTIERS, XTERRAS, AND PATHFINDERS. I HAVE FOUND LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS, AND NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, YET STI…
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10 MONTHS AGO MY 05 NISSAN FRONTIER HAD THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. TURNS OUT IS WAS THE FUEL SENSOR. NOW THE FUEL SENSOR DOESN'T WORK. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS AND IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR FRONTIERS, XTERRAS, AND PATHFINDERS. I HAVE FOUND LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS, AND NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, YET STILL NO RECALL. IN ADDITION TO THE $90 DIAGNOSTIC, WE ARE BEING QUOTED $400 TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. THIS IS A SERIOUS CONCERN BECAUSE THE FUEL GAUGE WILL WORK FINE OFR A WHILE, THEN GET STUCK, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO KNOW HOW MUCH FUEL YOU HAVE. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED TWICE ON THE INTERSTATE.*TR
MY FUEL LEVEL GAUGE INDICATED I HAD 1/4 OF A TANK OF GAS LEFT. I STOPPED AND FILLED IT WITH 17 GALLONS AT THE LOCAL SHELL GAS STATION. AFTER FILLING, AS I WAS LEAVING THE STATION I NOTICED MY FUEL GAUGE HAD NOT MOVED AND STILL DISPLAYED 1/4 OF A TANK. I ALSO NOTICED MY CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT WAS ON. I WENT TO HAVE IT CHECKED AN…
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MY FUEL LEVEL GAUGE INDICATED I HAD 1/4 OF A TANK OF GAS LEFT. I STOPPED AND FILLED IT WITH 17 GALLONS AT THE LOCAL SHELL GAS STATION. AFTER FILLING, AS I WAS LEAVING THE STATION I NOTICED MY FUEL GAUGE HAD NOT MOVED AND STILL DISPLAYED 1/4 OF A TANK. I ALSO NOTICED MY CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT WAS ON. I WENT TO HAVE IT CHECKED AND A COMPUTER READ OUT INDICATED A BAD FUEL LEVEL SENSOR. AFTER A REVIEW ON THE INTERNET IT SEEMED TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE. *TR
ENGINE SPUTTERS THEN DIES. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALWAYS ON. AFTER ANALYSIS BY A SHOP, FUEL GAUGE SENDING UNIT IS FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE. MANY OWNERS OF NISSAN TRUCKS/SUV'S REPORTING THIS DEFECT. *TR
FUEL TANK INDICATOR DOES NOT INDICATE FULL TANK AFTER FILLING FULL; FIRST OCCURRENCE IN JULY 2007; SECOND OCCURRENCE FEB 2009; NOT UNDER WARRANTY SECOND TIME. *TR
2005 NISSAN FRONTIER GAS GAUGE DOSE NOT GIVE PROPER, READINGS DOES NOT READ FULL WHEN TANK IS FILL UP. SEEMS TO READ LOWER AMOUNTS AFTER EACH FILL UP . DON'T WANT TO RUN OUT OF GAS,MUST KEEP TRACK OF MILEAGE. JUST BOUGHT TRUCK IN DEC. OF 08, 28,000 MILES ON IT. *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.