IllustrationSERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. CODE SAYS IT IS A BAD FUEL SENSOR. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH NISSAN FRONTIERS. *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 reportsUPON REACHING APPROXIMATELY 37,000 MILES ON MY 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER MY GAS GAUGE BEGAN ACTING WILDLY AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF TO INDICATE I HAD A BAD FUEL SENDING UNIT. CODE 0463. THE GAUGE WILL NOT REGISTER ANY FUEL WHEN THE TANK IS FULL OR WHEN IT'S NEAR EMPTY. WHEN THE TANK IS HALF FUEL THE GAUGE SEEMS TO WORK. …
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UPON REACHING APPROXIMATELY 37,000 MILES ON MY 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER MY GAS GAUGE BEGAN ACTING WILDLY AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF TO INDICATE I HAD A BAD FUEL SENDING UNIT. CODE 0463. THE GAUGE WILL NOT REGISTER ANY FUEL WHEN THE TANK IS FULL OR WHEN IT'S NEAR EMPTY. WHEN THE TANK IS HALF FUEL THE GAUGE SEEMS TO WORK. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH IT APPEARS THAT HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM AND NISSAN HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THERE IS A PROBLEM VIA SERVICE BULLETIN NTB07-069A. HOWEVER THEY HAVE NOT STEPPED UP TO RECALL THIS KNOWN FAULTY PART. THIS COULD BE A SAFETY HAZARD AND I FEEL THAT NISSAN NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE DEFECTIVE FUEL SENDING UNITS THEY PU IN MY TRUCK. IT APPEARS THAT MOST OF THESE FAILURES ARE HAPPENING NEAR THE 40K MARK SO NISSAN DOES NOT COVER THEM UNDER NORMAL WARRANTY. VERY CONVENIENT FOR THEM. *TR
SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON WITH A FUEL SENSOR MESSAGE AT DEALERSHIP/AUTO PARTS STORE. NOW THE FUEL GAUGE ISN'T WORKING. *TR
MY NISSAN FRONTIER HIT A PATCH OF BLACK ICE, SKIDDED ACROSS TWO LANES OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC, HIT A LIGHT POLE AND SLAMMED INTO A DITCH EMBANKMENT AT 45-50 MPH. NEITHER THE DRIVER NOR PASSENGER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *TR
FUEL GAUGE BEGAN READING INACCURATELY AT 35,389 K, WOULD ONLY REGISTER 3/4 WHEN TANK WAS FILLED. INACCURATE READING SUBJECTED OWNER TO CHANCE OF RUNNING OUT OF FUEL. VEHICLE RETURNED TO DEALER AND WAS PROMPTLY REPAIRED BY INSTALLATION OF A SENDING UNIT. NO CHARGE TO OWNER. *TR
COMMON PROBLEM. FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT WORK. AFTER PLENTY RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT PLENTY FRONTIER AND XTERRA OWNERS ARE HAVE PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL SENDING UNITS FAILING. STEALERSHIP WANT $400-$500 TO FIX THIS. I DO NOT HAVE MONEY FOR THIS AND DON'T WANT TO RUN OUT OF GAS AGAIN. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED. THEY RECALLED IT…
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COMMON PROBLEM. FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT WORK. AFTER PLENTY RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT PLENTY FRONTIER AND XTERRA OWNERS ARE HAVE PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL SENDING UNITS FAILING. STEALERSHIP WANT $400-$500 TO FIX THIS. I DO NOT HAVE MONEY FOR THIS AND DON'T WANT TO RUN OUT OF GAS AGAIN. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED. THEY RECALLED IT IS AUSTRAILA ON THE NISSAN NAVARA (SAME AS A FRONTIER), BUT I GUESS IT WOULD BE TOO EXPENSIVE FOR NISSAN TO MAN UP, AND WE WILL HAVE TO PAY. *TR
AFTER FILLING UP MY TRUCK THE FUEL LEVEL NEVER TOOK EFFECT AND THIS IS VERY FRUSTRATING THE DEALER WONT HELP AND IS TOO EXPENSIVE TO FIX OUT OF POCKET. *TR
TAILGATE BUSTED BRACKETS. I HAVE A 2005 FRONTIER CREW CAB WITH 28000 MILES. THIS WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW. I USE THIS VEHICLE FOR TRIPS AND HUNTING. NO HAULING, CONSTRUCTION OR OTHER HEAVY USE. MY 4 WHEELER WAS HAULED IN IT ABOUT 6 TIMES. WE DROVE TO THE MOUNTAINS AND JUST FINISHED UNLOADING OUR LUGGAGE. I WENT TO CLOSE THE GATE AND…
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TAILGATE BUSTED BRACKETS. I HAVE A 2005 FRONTIER CREW CAB WITH 28000 MILES. THIS WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW. I USE THIS VEHICLE FOR TRIPS AND HUNTING. NO HAULING, CONSTRUCTION OR OTHER HEAVY USE. MY 4 WHEELER WAS HAULED IN IT ABOUT 6 TIMES. WE DROVE TO THE MOUNTAINS AND JUST FINISHED UNLOADING OUR LUGGAGE. I WENT TO CLOSE THE GATE AND IT WOULDN'T CLOSE, UPON INVESTIGATING THE DRIVERS SIDE HINGE HAD CRACKS AND THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS CRACKED. MY TRUCK WAS OUT OF WARRANTY BY 60 DAYS WHEN I SHOWED THE DEALER SERVICE PERSON. THEY SAID THEY NEVER SAW ANYTHING LIKE IT BEFORE, EVEN ASKED HOW BIG THE DEER WAS I PUT ON THE GATE, AND IF SOMEONE WAS STANDING ON IT? I ASKED IF THEY WERE SERIOUS, AS THIS GATE SHOULD SUPPORT 1000 POUNDS! ANYWAY I WA LUCKY THAT NISSAN AGREED TO REPLACE THE 2 CRACKED BRACKETS ON THE BODY, THE 2 BRACKETS ON THE GATE AND A 3RD BRACKET I WASN'T EVEN AWARE OF UNTIL THE DEALER STATED HE HAD TO ORDER IT IN BEFORE IT COULD BE REPAIRED CORRECTLY. ANYWAY LIKE I STATED, THIS VEHICLE IS USED FOR EASY APPLICATIONS AND THE GATE USED VERY LITTLE. SOUNDS AND LOOKED LIKE A BAD DESIGN IMHO. *TR
I OPENED THE HOOD OF MY 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER TO CHECK THE BATTERY, AND WHEN I CLOSED IT THE HOOD LATCH FELL OFF. AS A RESULT I WAS NOT ABLE TO EVACUATE FOR 2 MANDATORY HURRICANE EVACUATIONS. THE FIRST EVACUATION WAS FOR HURRICANE GUSTAV WHICH CAUSED LITTLE OR NO DAMAGE IN MY AREA; THE SECOND EVACUATION WAS FOR HURRICANE IKE …
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I OPENED THE HOOD OF MY 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER TO CHECK THE BATTERY, AND WHEN I CLOSED IT THE HOOD LATCH FELL OFF. AS A RESULT I WAS NOT ABLE TO EVACUATE FOR 2 MANDATORY HURRICANE EVACUATIONS. THE FIRST EVACUATION WAS FOR HURRICANE GUSTAV WHICH CAUSED LITTLE OR NO DAMAGE IN MY AREA; THE SECOND EVACUATION WAS FOR HURRICANE IKE FROM WHICH MY AREA IS STILL RECOVERING. I TOOK MY TRUCK TO THREE BODY SHOPS TO GET BIDS FOR REPAIRS. ALL THREE, INCLUDING THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, STATED THAT BECAUSE OF LEGAL LIABILITY AND THE LOCATION OF THE BROKEN PART THE HOOD WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE ALL OF THE OLD PARTS THAT WERE REPLACED. *TR
2005 NISSAN FRONTIER: APPARENTLY, MANY NISSANS ARE SHOWING FAULTY FUEL SENDING/LEVEL UNITS (INCLUDING MY OWN). THEY CAUSE THE DRIVER TO HAVE AN NONFUNCTIONAL GAS GAUGE. DUE TO THIS FAULTY FACTORY PART, I RAN OUT OF GAS ON A SIX LANE HIGHWAY DURING RUSH HOUR. WITH ALL THE NISSANS ON THE ROAD, I CAN IMAGINE MANY MAY RUN OUT OF …
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2005 NISSAN FRONTIER: APPARENTLY, MANY NISSANS ARE SHOWING FAULTY FUEL SENDING/LEVEL UNITS (INCLUDING MY OWN). THEY CAUSE THE DRIVER TO HAVE AN NONFUNCTIONAL GAS GAUGE. DUE TO THIS FAULTY FACTORY PART, I RAN OUT OF GAS ON A SIX LANE HIGHWAY DURING RUSH HOUR. WITH ALL THE NISSANS ON THE ROAD, I CAN IMAGINE MANY MAY RUN OUT OF FUEL IN LESS THAN SAFE SURROUNDINGS. PLEASE DO A RECALL!! *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.