SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

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
100,000 miles · Oct 25, 2017
EnginePower Train

THE RADIATOR CRACKED AND LEAKED COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION, MIXING WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CREATING A TOXIC FLUID THAT IRREVERSIBLY DAMAGED EVERYTHING AROUND IT. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN WHEN FIRST NOTICED. I HAD THE RADIATOR REPLACED AND THE TRANSMISSION FLUSHED AT MY LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP. I COULD NOT AFFORD TO RE…

Read full complaint

THE RADIATOR CRACKED AND LEAKED COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION, MIXING WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CREATING A TOXIC FLUID THAT IRREVERSIBLY DAMAGED EVERYTHING AROUND IT. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN WHEN FIRST NOTICED. I HAD THE RADIATOR REPLACED AND THE TRANSMISSION FLUSHED AT MY LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP. I COULD NOT AFFORD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION SO FLUSHING IT WAS MY ONLY OPTION. IT LASTED FOR A FEW YEARS BUT NOW IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS A DEFECT THAT HAS AFFECTED THOUSANDS OF CUSTOMERS.

NHTSA ODI #11039791

49,000 miles · Sep 22, 2017
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND SHIFTING GEARS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND JERKED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR WATER AND COOLANT FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMIS…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND SHIFTING GEARS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND JERKED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR WATER AND COOLANT FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.

NHTSA ODI #11024999

88,000 miles · Sep 8, 2017
Power Train

FLUID FROM MY RADIATOR MIXED INTO MY TRANSMISSION RENDERING IT INOPERABLE. AFTER DOING RESEARCH ON IT I LEARNED THAT NISSAN WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, AND FAILED TO NOTIFY THE CUSTOMERS

NHTSA ODI #11022337

77,000 miles · Aug 14, 2017
Fuel/propulsion System

RADIATOR LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION COOLER AND DESTROYED TRANSMISSION. REBUILD OF TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR REPLACEMENT COST OF OVER 5000 VEHICLE STALLED IN MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION

NHTSA ODI #11014984

125,375 miles · Jul 31, 2017
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CALLED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE SHIFT CABLE GROMMET LINKAGE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CALLED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE SHIFT CABLE GROMMET LINKAGE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 125,375.

NHTSA ODI #11011701

77,000 miles · Jul 24, 2017
Power Train

LEAK IN RADIATOR INTO TRANSMISSION HAS CAUSED TRANSMISSION FAILURE

NHTSA ODI #11010321

Mileage unknown · Jul 13, 2017
Power Train

BOUGHT USED, TRANSMISSION REPLACED BY SELLER 2 MONTHS BEFORE SALE, NO ISSUES ON TEST DRIVE. AFTER PURCHASE MANY ISSUES WITH CHANGING OF GEARS AND APPARENT TRANSMISSION ISSUES. SELLER WAS VERY AWARE OF ISSUE. IT IS AN OBVIOUS HAZARD IF THE TRANSMISSION HAS ISSUES WHILE DRIVING WHICH CAN CAUSE INJURY AND DEATH IF AN ACCIDENT HA…

Read full complaint

BOUGHT USED, TRANSMISSION REPLACED BY SELLER 2 MONTHS BEFORE SALE, NO ISSUES ON TEST DRIVE. AFTER PURCHASE MANY ISSUES WITH CHANGING OF GEARS AND APPARENT TRANSMISSION ISSUES. SELLER WAS VERY AWARE OF ISSUE. IT IS AN OBVIOUS HAZARD IF THE TRANSMISSION HAS ISSUES WHILE DRIVING WHICH CAN CAUSE INJURY AND DEATH IF AN ACCIDENT HAPPENS. THE INVESTIGATION OF THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE REOPENED AND NISSAN NEEDS TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE TO CREATE AND FIX THIS LETHAL FAULT IN DESIGN AND APPLICATION.

NHTSA ODI #11004999

129,000 miles · Jun 13, 2017
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILURE DIAGNOSED BY REPAIR SHOP AS CAUSED BY RADIATOR COOLANT CONTAMINATION INTO THE TRANSMISSION. TOTAL REBUILD OF TRANSMISSION AT A COST OF 3,980.00. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW IN 2005 AND WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE BY NISSAN. I HAVE LEARNED THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN AWARE OF FOR …

Read full complaint

TRANSMISSION FAILURE DIAGNOSED BY REPAIR SHOP AS CAUSED BY RADIATOR COOLANT CONTAMINATION INTO THE TRANSMISSION. TOTAL REBUILD OF TRANSMISSION AT A COST OF 3,980.00. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW IN 2005 AND WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE BY NISSAN. I HAVE LEARNED THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN AWARE OF FOR YEARS. MY VEHICLE HAS 129,000 MILES AND MORE THAN 10 YEARS SINCE PURCHASE. I FIND THIS MATTER DISTURBING THAT OWNERS ARE NOW FACING SUCH AN AVOIDABLE COST FOR REPAIR AND THIS COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED BY THE MANUFACTURER.

NHTSA ODI #10994597

79,365 miles · Jun 7, 2017
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, ANTIFREEZE LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE FAILURE DESTROYED THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT CHANGE GEARS WHEN PROMPTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. BUTLER NISSAN OF MACON, GEORGIA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAI…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, ANTIFREEZE LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE FAILURE DESTROYED THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT CHANGE GEARS WHEN PROMPTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. BUTLER NISSAN OF MACON, GEORGIA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,365.

NHTSA ODI #10993810

110,000 miles · Jun 2, 2017
Electrical System

TWICE MY CAR HAS STALLED WHILE DRIVING. LUCKILY BOTH TIMES IN SITUATIONS THAT I COULD GLIDE OFF THE ROAD SAFELY IN LITHE TRAFFIC AND AT LOW SPEED. IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AT HIGH SPEED THESE INCIDENTS COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. RESEARCH SHOWS THE FAILURE IS LIKELY THE ECM RELAY IN THE IPDM OR THE WHOLE IPDM ITSELF. A NEW RELAY ($4 F…

Read full complaint

TWICE MY CAR HAS STALLED WHILE DRIVING. LUCKILY BOTH TIMES IN SITUATIONS THAT I COULD GLIDE OFF THE ROAD SAFELY IN LITHE TRAFFIC AND AT LOW SPEED. IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AT HIGH SPEED THESE INCIDENTS COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. RESEARCH SHOWS THE FAILURE IS LIKELY THE ECM RELAY IN THE IPDM OR THE WHOLE IPDM ITSELF. A NEW RELAY ($4 FROM THE DEALER) MAY FIX IT OR A WHOLE IPDM ASSEMBLY ($595 FROM DEALER) MAY BE NEEDED. NISSAN HAS REDESIGNED THE IPDM ASSEMBLY. THAT TELLS YOU SOMETHING ABOUT THE ORIGINAL PARTS RELIABILITY. HOW IS NISSAN GETTING AWAY WITHOUT RECALLING THIS DANGEROUS FAILING ELECTRICAL CONTROL PART?

NHTSA ODI #10992941

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.