2005 Nissan Frontier

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 532 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the transmission. It has been recalled 6 times.

Avoid One of the Nissan Frontier years to avoid: 7.4× the complaints of a typical Frontier year. Which Nissan Frontier years to avoid →

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
90,000 milesMedian miles at failure

476 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 90,000–105,000 miles.

Most common 2005 Nissan Frontier problems

195 of the 532 complaints (37%) are about the transmission.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Power Train · transmission171
020
Fuel System, Gasoline · fuel system104
000
Engine51
110
Engine and Engine Cooling · engine36
010
Electrical System26
121
Fuel/Propulsion System · fuel and propulsion system19
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission · transmission16
000
Fuel System, Other · fuel system11
000
Air Bags · airbags11
101
Vehicle Speed Control · throttle and acceleration7
202

2005 Nissan Frontier transmission problems

37% of all complaints

195 of the 532 complaints are about the transmission. This is what owners describe:

  • leaks oil or fluid31% · 60
  • slips or will not engage a gear14% · 27
  • vibrates or shakes13% · 25
  • shudders or judders8% · 15
  • jerks, lurches or bucks7% · 13
  • loses power7% · 13

Share of the 195 transmission complaints whose text describes each symptom. One complaint can describe several.

Typical mileage
103,000 mi
median of 177 reports
Peak year of filing
2013
55 transmission complaints that year
Crashes · fires · injuries
0 · 2 · 0
in these complaints
Recalls on the transmission
None
“The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated while driving 75 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. There was no warning light before or after the failure. The vehicle was towed by an independent mechanic. The mechanic performed a diagnostic test and found that coolant had leaked into the transmission and caused the transmission to fail. The vehicle was not repaired.”
Owner complaint, filed Jul 28, 2021 at 82,000 miles
“My 2005 nissan frontiers transmission failed at 137,000 miles. I was driving on the freeway when it seemed to jolt out of 5th gear to 4th. Check engine light came on. I headed to nissan but it seemed to only remain in a high gear (3rd or 4th). They diagnosed it as a failed transmission due to coolant leaking into the transmission. Its a known problem. I called nissan headquarters and asked for help they said no.”
Owner complaint, filed Oct 20, 2020 at 137,000 miles

Complaints and recalls over time

By year of filing
2005: 10 complaints, 3 about the transmission'052006: 7 complaints, 0 about the transmission2007: 4 complaints, 3 about the transmission'072008: 25 complaints, 1 about the transmission2009: 32 complaints, 0 about the transmission'092010: 78 complaints, 4 about the transmission2011: 45 complaints, 18 about the transmission'112012: 41 complaints, 22 about the transmission2013: 90 complaints, 55 about the transmission'132014: 48 complaints, 28 about the transmission2015: 45 complaints, 15 about the transmission'152016: 36 complaints, 14 about the transmission2017: 27 complaints, 16 about the transmission'172018: 15 complaints, 6 about the transmission2019: 11 complaints, 2 about the transmission'192020: 10 complaints, 5 about the transmission2021: 3 complaints, 2 about the transmission'212022: 0 complaints, 0 about the transmission2023: 3 complaints, 1 about the transmission'232024: 1 complaints, 0 about the transmission2025: 1 complaints, 0 about the transmission'25Recall 06V092000 (fuel system)Recall 06E064000 (headlights)Recall 07E046000 (equipment)Recall 08V690000 (airbags)Recall 10E019000 (suspension)Recall 10V517000 (engine)NHTSA investigation DP12004
All complaintsAbout the transmissionRecall (red: the transmission)NHTSA investigation opened

Complaints about the 2005 Frontier peaked in 2013, with 90 filed that year. No recall on file covers the transmission, the subject of 37% of the complaints. In 2025 owners filed 1 so far.

6 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Engine and Engine Cooling10V517000
Filed Oct 28, 2010747,480 vehiclesNissan North America, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Arm10E019000
Filed May 20, 20101,873 vehiclesNissan North America, Inc.

Defect. NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT AND REAR LOWER LINKS, P/NOS. 54501ZQ00A, 54500ZQ00A, 551A1ZQ00A, 551A0ZQ00A , 54501EA00A, 54500EA00A, 551A1EA500, 551A0EA500, 54501ZR00A, AND 54500ZR00A, SOLD BETWEEN NOVEMBER 25, 2009 AND MAY 14, 2010 AS REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2010 TITAN, ARMADA, AND QX56, AND MODEL YEARS 2005 THROUGH 2010 FRONTIER, XTERRA, AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES. THE LOWER CONTROL LINK ASSEMBLY HAS TWO CYLINDRICAL COLLARS FORMING THE INBOARD ATTACHMENT POINTS TO THE CHASSIS. DUE TO AN IMPROPER WELDING PROCESS SOME COLLARS MAY CONTAIN WELDS THAT DO NOT MEET STRENGTH SPECIFICATIONS.

Risk. IF THE COLLAR WELD SEPARATES, THE VEHICLE HANDLING WILL DETERIORATE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY AFFECTED LOWER LINK FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 12, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Air Bags › Frontal08V690000
Filed Dec 29, 2008242,720 vehiclesNissan North America, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Equipment07E046000
Filed Jul 3, 20073,500 vehiclesHopkins Manufacturing Corp.

Defect. CERTAIN HOPKINS AFTERMARKET TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL CONNECTION HARNESSES SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN MODELS OF NISSAN VEHICLES WHICH ARE LISTED ABOVE. THE INTERNAL PART NUMBERS WITHIN HOPKINS ARE: 1010476025, 1040376025, 1110476025, 1170376025, 1290376025, 1010476035, 1040376035, 1110476035, 1170376035, AND 1290376035. A WIRE MAY HAVE BEEN PLACED IN AN INCORRECT POSITION IN THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR HOUSING. THIS RESULTS IN AN INCORRECT ROUTING OF WIRES BETWEEN THE TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER AND THE TOWING VEHICLE WIRING SYSTEM.

Risk. THIS HARNESS WOULD RESULT IN POWER FROM THE TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER GOING TO THE TOWING VEHICLE DASH LIGHT CIRCUIT RATHER THAN THE TRAILER BRAKES. THIS RESULT WOULD BE THE LACK OF TRAILER BRAKING WHEN THE TOWING VEHICLE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. IT WOULD ALSO RESULT IN THE TOWING VEHICLES DASH LIGHTS BEING ACTIVATED WHEN THE VEHICLE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE FAILURE OF THE APPLICATION OF THE TRAILER BRAKE COULD RESULT IN REDUCED ABILITY TO STOP AND CONTRIBUTE TO A POSSIBLE CRASH.

Remedy. HOPKINS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE ORIGINAL HARNESS WITH A REVISED HARNESS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 17, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT HOPKINS AT 800-835-0129.

Exterior Lighting06E064000
Filed Jul 17, 20064,029 vehiclesTradesonic

Defect. CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly › Filler Pipe and Cap06V092000
Filed Mar 30, 200642,000 vehiclesNissan North America, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

All 6 campaigns on file, newest first.

NHTSA investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Before a recall there is often an investigation: NHTSA opens one when complaints or manufacturer data point to a safety defect. One names the 2005 Frontier.

Transmission FailuresDefect petition DP12004Closed
Opened Jun 11, 2012Closed Oct 22, 2016transmission

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 …

Technical service bulletins

109 on file

Repair instructions the manufacturer sent its dealers for the 2005 Frontier. Not recalls: the fix is usually free only while the car is under warranty.

electrical system 17engine 13fuel system 9transmission 9airbags 8equipment 8body and frame 7suspension 6
NTB05-086AService campaignAug 24, 2026electrical system

VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN BODY CONTROL MODULE SUB-HARNESS Voluntary Service Campaign ID # P5234 is no longer active. · Repair orders opened after this bulletin’s published date are no longer eligible for reimbursement under Campaign ID # P5234. · Discard all previous versions of NTB05-086.

NTB06-047AService campaignApr 29, 2026body and frame

VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN FRONTIER KING CAB DOOR LOCK REPLACEMENT VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN ID # P6213 is no longer active. · Repair orders opened after this bulletin’s published date are no longer eligible for reimbursement under Campaign ID # P6213. · Discard all previous versions of NTB06-047.

NTB23-081CService campaignJul 8, 2024airbags

VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN 2005-2013 FRONTIER, PATHFINDER, AND XTERRA; DRIVER AIR BAG COVER CAMPAIGN ID #: PC945 and PC948 APPLIED VEHICLES: 2005-2013 Frontier (D40) 2005-2012 Pathfinder (R51) 2005-2013 Xterra (N50) Check Service COMM or Dealer Business Systems (DBS) National Service History to confirm campaign eligibility. INTRODUCTION Nissan is …

MAILMWarranty extensionOct 12, 2012transmission

Nissan has decided in the interest of customer satisfaction, to further extend the warranty for the Radiator Assembly on all 2005-10 Frontier, Pathfinder, and Xterra vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions.

NTB14033BService Bulletin/Repair InstructionsMay 10, 2016transmission

SERVICE INFORMATION Replacement 5-speed rear wheel drive Automatic Transmission (A/T) assemblies and replacement control valves (valve bodies) now come with blank Transmission Control Modules (TCMs). Blank TCMs come without software and must be programmed (not reprogrammed) and then configured after they are installed. When ordering a replacement A/T or …

NTB15107Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsNov 30, 2015transmission

IF YOU CONFIRM: A remanufactured automatic transmission supplied by ATC Drivetrain is installed in an APPLIED VEHICLE AND CONSULT-III plus (C-III plus) is not able to communicate with the TCM through Diagnosis (One System) OR C-III plus is able to communicate with the TCM, but the TCM part number?s (P/N) sixth digit is a "5", "6", or "7" (for example, …

NTB12078AService Bulletin/Repair InstructionsFeb 6, 2015transmission

SERVICE INFORMATION When diagnosing possible power steering gear (rack and pinion steering rack, or steering rack) leak issues, it may appear the steering rack is leaking when actually, it?s not. Use this service bulletin to help make a more accurate diagnosis of the steering rack. See this bulletin for further detail.

NTB14107Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsNov 20, 2014transmission

SERVICE INFORMATION If a customer describes lack of power or poor acceleration, perform the following checks before attempting any repair: * Check for stored DTCs. * Check if the driver is resting their left foot on the brake pedal while accelerating. Advise the customer not to rest their foot on the brake while accelerating. * Use CONSULT-III plus in …

NTB12-035Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsApr 10, 2012transmission

NISSAN: ECM REPLACEMENT PROCEDURES WITH CONSULT III PLUS. APPLIES TO ALL 2004 AND LATER (DOES NOT APPLY TO LEAF/EV) VEHICLES. *JS

Showing the newest 6 of 9 bulletins about the transmission, and any warranty extensions or service campaigns.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air Bags
Filed Jan 9, 2025CA

EL EMBLEMA DE RESINA EN LA CUBIERTA DEL MÓDULO AIRBAG DEL CONDUCTOR EN LOS VEHÍCULOS AFECTADOS PUEDE TENER DURABILIDAD REDUCIDA DEBIDO A POSIBLES VARIACIONES EN EL PROCESO DE PRODUCCIÓN DEL PROVEEDOR. EN ESTA CONDICIÓN, CON EL TIEMPO, LOS POSTES DEL EMBLEMA PUEDEN DESARROLLAR GRIETAS, Y EL EMBLEMA Y LOS COMPONENTES DE RETENCIÓN PODRÍAN DESPRENDERSE EN CASO DE QUE SE DESPLIEGUE EL AIRBAG.

Air Bags
Filed Jul 31, 2024IL

The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Frontier. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23E012000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Engine
Filed Sep 8, 2023TX

The timing chain has gone out. Other crankshaft sensor went out while driving the vehicle at about 30mph.

Power Train
Filed Jul 4, 2023GA

The truck loss power stalling,shuddering, bucking, want pick up speed even when excellerating, slow take off, loss of speed

Engine
Filed May 18, 2023189,000 milesCA

The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently decelerated. The contact then stated that the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to coast the vehicle off the roadway. The contact then stated that the check engine warning light intermittently flashed upon start-up then remained illuminated. The contact stated that he allowed the engine time to cool down then restarted the vehicle; however, after the vehicle was restarted, he depressed the accelerator pedal to regain speed but two to three minutes later the vehicle stalled again. The contact stated that occasionally, after the vehicle stalled, the vehicle was jumpstarted, but the negative side of the battery sparked from the cable. Additionally, the contact stated that the ABS warning light and the check engine warning illuminated then turned off then the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that he noticed that when the coolant temperature gauge was at an undisclosed temperature, the vehicle failed to restart. In addition, the contact added that upon research he related the failure to the NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V517000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 189,000.

Power TrainFire
Filed Dec 16, 202188,700 milesWA

The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the vehicle came to a complete stop and then hesitated to accelerate. Additionally, a burning odor was detected. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with transmission and radiator failure. The transmission and radiator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 88,700.

Power Train
Filed Jul 28, 202182,000 milesOR

The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated while driving 75 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. There was no warning light before or after the failure. The vehicle was towed by an independent mechanic. The mechanic performed a diagnostic test and found that coolant had leaked into the transmission and caused the transmission to fail. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 82,000.

Air Bags
Filed Feb 9, 2021160,000 milesNY

AIRBAG LIGHT BLINKS CONSTANTLY. POSSIBLE FRONT AIR BAG SENSOR DEFECTIVE

Unknown or Other
Filed Nov 28, 202083,490 milesCA

YEAR 2013 RECALLED RADIATOR LEAKAGE INTERNAL AND CAUSED ( TRANMISSION FLUID GOT INTO RADIATOR ) . I REPORT TO NISSAN USA : THEY DENIED TO PAY FOR ITS BECAUSE HAVE BEEN TO LONG BUT NOW ITS HAPPENING TO MY TRUCK ON DATE : 10/19/2020 . PLEASE , HELP . THANKS !

Power Train
Filed Oct 20, 2020137,000 milesUT

MY 2005 NISSAN FRONTIERS TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 137,000 MILES. I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN IT SEEMED TO JOLT OUT OF 5TH GEAR TO 4TH. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I HEADED TO NISSAN BUT IT SEEMED TO ONLY REMAIN IN A HIGH GEAR (3RD OR 4TH). THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS A FAILED TRANSMISSION DUE TO COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. ITS A KNOWN PROBLEM. I CALLED NISSAN HEADQUARTERS AND ASKED FOR HELP THEY SAID NO. I HAD AN EXTENDED POWERTRAIN WARRANTY THROUGH AUL, BUT BECAUSE IT WAS THE RADIATOR THAT LEAKED AND NOT A TRANSMISSION FAILURE THEY WON'T COVER IT.

Engine
Filed Aug 4, 2020113,010 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE ECM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND PROGRAMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE THEN WAS THEN TAKEN TO NISSAN AT THE AVENUES (10859 PHILIPS HWY, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32256) BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V517000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 113,010.

Power Train
Filed Jul 7, 2020120,000 milesPA

WHEN THE TRUCK HIT ABOUT 115,000 MILES, IT STARTED SHIFTING ODDLY. AT 120,000 MILES IT WOULD NOT DRIVE. I LET IT SIT FOR A WEEK AND THEN IT WOULD DRIVE. I CAN ONLY DRIVE IT 5 MILES OR LESS IN ORDER FOR IT TO DRIVE. ANYMORE THAN THAT, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND IT DOESN'T HAVE THE POWER TO GO OVER 10MPH. AFTER DRIVING, EVEN LESS THAN 5 MILES, IT LEAKS ANTIFREEZE.

Power Train
Filed Feb 28, 2020142,463 milesPA

TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO CROSS CONTAMINATION WITH RADIATOR. TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED.

Air Bags
Filed Feb 13, 2020160,000 milesNY

AIR BAG DIAGNOSTIC CODE INDICATES FRONT CRASH SENSOR DEFECTIVE

Power Train
Filed Feb 7, 2020160,000 milesLA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. ORR NISSAN LOCATED AT 2323 VIKING DR, BOSSIER LA, WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.

Air Bags
Filed Jan 29, 2020160,000 milesNY

FRONT AIR BAG SENSOR NOT OPERATING.AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHES

Structure › Body
Filed Jan 22, 202065,000 milesVA

DRIVERS DOOR DOES NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE ONLY FROM THE INSIDE THE TEMP OUTSIDE WAS LIKE 40F

Power Train
Filed Jan 10, 2020139,000 milesGA

TRANSMISSION FAILURE CAUSED BY MIXING OF RADIATOR COOLANT WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID THROUGH CRACKS IN COOLANT TUBES. TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE, LOSS OF POWER EXPERIENCED ON LOCAL TRIP, HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO MECHANIC.

Engine
Filed Dec 11, 201998,750 milesMS

WAS ON A VACATION TRIP DECEMBER 6, 2019(FRIDAY). TRAVELING ON FOLEY BEACH EXPRESS AND THE ENGINE STARTED SHACKING, FELT LIKE WAS FALLING APART, ENGINE DIED.TRIED TO RESTART ENGINE, CRANKED AND IMMEDIATELY STOPPED, TRIED SEVERAL TIMES AND AND THE SAME THING EVERY TIME. HAD TO PUSH OFF EXPRESS WAY, WITH HELP. FORTUNALLY WAS A MECHANIC. HE SAID SEAMED AS WAS NOT GETTING FUEL. FUTHER CHECKING MORE THE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS IN THE INTELLIGENT POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULE (IPDM) OR THE (ECM) RELAY. I AM BROKE DOWN 190 MILES FROM HOME. HAD TO HAVE MY VEHICLE 90 MILES TO MOBILE,A>> AND AM STUCK. HAD TO RENT AN VEHICLE TO GET HOME COSTING ME $214.00 TO GET HOME TO GO TO WORK MONDAY. MY VEHICLE IS STUCK IN MOBILE, AL. THERE IS A NISSAN DEALERSHIP THERE. THIS VEHICLE 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER XE THE MECHANIC SAID REPORTEDLY HAD A RECALL ON THIS SIMULAR PROBLEM. WHAT IS THE PROCEDURE ON GETTING THIS DEFECT FIXED. THANKS. I HAVE NO PICTURES TO UPLOAD, AS WAS 10:30 AT NIGHT AND I AM NOW 100 MILES FROM THE VEHICLE.

Engine
Filed Dec 11, 201998,750 milesMS

FILED A COMPALINT #11288301.JJUST WANT TO BE PUT ON THE RECALL UPDATE LIST IN THE FUTURE. THANKS

Air Bags
Filed Oct 26, 2019160,000 milesNY

AIR BAG LIGHTS STAY ON BLINKING

Power Train
Filed Sep 17, 20191,180,000 milesTN

LOST POWER COULD NOT MOVE TRUCK ON CITY STREET. DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WARINESS THE GEARS AND THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS A RECALL BUT I NEVER RECEIVED A NOTICE THEY SAID THE RECALL HAS EXPIRED AND I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 23, 201991,000 milesVA

ERRATIC GAS GAUGE AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. SAME ISSUE HAS RECALL ON 2006 AND ABOVE NISSAN FRONTIERS. HAS TO BE SAME ISSUE WITH SENDING UNIT USED IN 2005. TSB IS OPEN TO INCLUDE 2005 VEHICLES

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jul 18, 2019137,650 milesOH

FUEL GAUGE READS HALF TANK WHEN ACTUALLY EMPTY. VERY DANGEROUS. RAN OUT OF GAS ON A MAJOR INTERSTATE THAT WAS 3 LANES WIDE. I WAS IN THE FAR LEFT LANE WHEN ENGINE STOPPED. POWER STEERING AND BRAKES GO TO MANUAL WHEN ENGINE STOPS. HAD TO MANEUVER TO THE SHOULDER ACROSS 2 LANES TO THE RIGHT WITH NO POWER STEERING AND NO POWER BRAKES WHILE VEHICLE WAS QUICKLY LOSING SPEED. NEARLY WAS HIT SEVERAL TIMES WHILE CHANGING LANES. VEHICLE HAD SLOWED TO ABOUT 25 MPH. WHEN SEMI MUST HAVE FIGURED I HAD NO POWER AND STAYED BEHIND ME BLOCKING TWO LANES SO I COULD GET TO THE SHOULDER. PROBABLY SAVED MY LIFE AND PREVENTED A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THIS UNRELIABLE FUEL GAUGE PROBLEM SHOULD BE RECALLED REGARDLESS OF AGE OF VEHICLE BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED.

Power Train
Filed Jun 11, 2019120,000 milesMO

TOTAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO A FAULTY TRANSMISSION RADIATOR , RESULTING IN A TOTAL TRANSMISSION REBUILD.

Engine
Filed May 15, 2019123,000 milesPA

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK IN THE MORNING , ABOUT 10 MILES TO WORK ON THE HIGHWAY NOT A TREE OR CAR INSIGHT , I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A LOUD POP / I HAD NO IDEA WHAT IT WAS , NOT A TIRE OR ANYTHING I LOOK UP AND SEE MY SUNROOF SHATTERED

Electrical System
Filed Mar 26, 2019130,000 milesTX

I HAVE REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH CAR STALLING. THEY'VE REPLACED THE CAMSHAFT AND CRANK SHAFT SENSORS BUT IT KEEPS COMING BACK. I KNOW THERE'S A RECALL ON OTHER NISSAN FRONTIERS WITH ECM PROBLEMS AND THINK MINE COULD BE AFFECTED.. IT'S NOT INCLUDED IN THE REALL HOWEVER.

Engine
Filed Mar 8, 201993,450 milesCA

TRANSMISSION DAMAGE CAUSED BY TRANSMISSION COOLER.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jan 21, 2019OH

THE GAS GAUGE MOSTLY SHOWS EMPTY ON A FULL TANK OF GAS AND THE FUEL LIGHT ON THE DASH STAYS LIT. THE DIAGNOSTIC READS P0463, WHICH IS A FUEL LEVEL SENSOR HIGH INPUT CIRCUIT A. SOMETIMES THE FUEL GAUGE WILL READ DIFFERENTLY AS THE TANK GETS CLOSER TO EMPTY. I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK USED AND THIS WAS THE ISSUE AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE SO I'M NOT SURE WHEN THIS BEGAN.

Power Train
Filed Aug 26, 2018197,000 milesLA

TRUCK WOULD NOT CRANK. THE INDICATOR FOR THE GEARS WENT OUT. I WAS AT HOME PARKED WHEN IT WOULD NOT START. HAD A MECHANIC TEST IT. THE TEST INDICATED THE TRANSMISSION COMPUTER IS THE PROBLEM. THERE IS TRANSMISSION FLUID IN THE ANTIFREEZE. THIS IS A DEFECT FROM NISSAN.

Engine
Filed Aug 20, 2018100,908 milesFL

THE DEALER TOLD ME THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A WHIRRING SOUND

Power Train
Filed Aug 20, 2018CA

RADIATOR/TRANSMISSION FAILED, CAUSED TRANSMISSION TO FAIL, HAD TO BE REPLACED

Power Train
Filed Aug 3, 2018145,717 milesIN

WHEN TRUCK GETS WARM FIRST GEAR START SLIPPING AND HARD TO GET THE TRUCK TO MOVE FLUID LEVELS ARE WHERE THEY SHOULD BE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT A DRIVE-THRU TOBACCO SHOP

Engine
Filed Jun 25, 201843,000 milesHI

TIMING CHAIN HAS TO BE REPAIRED AT LESS THAN 50,000 MILES. A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST NISSAN WAS JUST COMPLETED ROLAND TELLIS BARON & BUDD ATTORNEYS FOR OWNERS OF NISSAN FRONTIERS IN THE STATES OF CALIFORNIA AND WASHINGTON WHERE OWNERS ARE TO BE REIMBURSED EXPENSE OF REPLACING FAULTY FRONTIER TIMING CHAIN THAT NISSAN MANUFACTURER ALLEGEDLY KNEW WERE IN THE TRUCKS THAT THEY HAD SOLD. IN THE SUIT IT STATES THAT IF YOU HAVE LESS THAN 120K MILES ON YOUR VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE CENTER THAT REPLACING TIMING CHAIN AT 50K MILES IS NORMAL. I BELIEVE THEY MISPRESENTED THE TRUTH IN THIS INSTANCE AND THAT I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR A REPAIR THAT IS A RESULT OF MANUFACTURER ERROR. RECENTLY ENGINE STALLED IN THE INTERSECTION, I WAS LUCKY THE CHAIN HAD NOT SHATTERED AND DESTROYED MY ENGINE.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 20, 2018131,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD EMERGING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE NOISE WENT AWAY WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS NOT DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED FIVE OTHER TIMES WITHIN A TWO WEEK PERIOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THE RADIATOR FLUID WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION, RADIATOR, AND THE TRANSMISSION MODULE NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,000.

Air Bags
Filed May 30, 2018CA

SPANISH - M NISSAN FRONTIER TIENE PROBLEMAS DE VELOCIDAD LOS MECNICOS ME DICEN QUE SON LOS 4 CATALIZADORES ADEMS LA LUZ DE CHECK INGINE EST PRENDIDA Y TAMBIN LA LUZ DE AIR BAR LLEVA 5 MESES PRENDIDA

Power Train
Filed May 15, 2018GA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING NORMALLY AND THEN SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM AN EXTENDED WARRANTY CAMPAIGN AND THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THERE WERE FOUR TSBS FOR THE POWER TRAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Unknown or Other
Filed May 1, 2018119,000 milesCA

AFTER STOPPING AND TURNING OFF TRUCK AT AN ALLEY. IT WOULD NOT RESTART UNTIL SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AND STEPPING ON BRAKE. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING IN BUSINESS PARKING LOT, ENGINE STALLED; TRUCK STOPPED LOCKING THE STEERING WHEEL; UNABLE TO RESTART THE TRUCK AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AND STEPPING ON BRAKE.

Power Train
Filed Apr 17, 2018CA

VEHICLE SHAKING AND COMPLETE TURN OFF. A/T CONT FUSE BLOWS OUT. KNOWN ISSUE IN INTERNET REGARDING TRANSMISSION AND COOLANT LEAK.

EngineCrashFire1 killed
Filed Apr 11, 2018HI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SON WAS DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND CRASHED INTO A JERSEY WALL. THE DRIVER WAS TRAPPED INSIDE THE VEHICLE WHEN IT SUDDENLY BURST INTO FLAMES. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S SON PASSED AWAY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD AND DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE ENGINE POWER FAILURE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V517000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER THE COLLISION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *TT *CN

Engine
Filed Apr 7, 201880,800 milesNV

MY TRUCK JUST REACHED 80,800 MILES AND IT HAS LOST POWER. I TOOK IT TO THE NISSAN DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND IT CAME BACK WITH THE RADIATOR, TRANSMISSION AND THE FUEL PUMP ALL NEED TO BE REPLACED. THEY TOLD ME I HAD NO WARRANTY ON ANY OF THESE PARTS AS OF 2010 AND THEY QUOTED ME ALMOST $7,000 TO REPLACE ALL. AFTER GOING HOME AND LOOKING UP TRANSMISSION SHOPS I FOUND HUNDREDS OF ARTICLES ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THOUSANDS OF NISSAN CARS. I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED A NOTICE OF RECALL ON MY TRUCK. THEN I FIND THEY HAVE SNEAKILY EXTENDED THEIR WARRANTY WITHOUT NOTIFYING US AND NOW MY TRUCK IS 12YEARS OLD WITH ONLY 80,800 MILES AND I NEED TO COME UP WITH $7,000 BECAUSE THEY FAILED TO NOTIFY THEIR CLIENTS ABOUT THEIR MISTAKES.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Mar 19, 2018102,000 milesCA

AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY @ 70MPH IN THE FAST LANE ON INTERSTATE 80 IN THE SAN FRANCISCO'S BAY AREA, MY TRUCK SUDDENLY TURNED OFF. I HAD TO FIGHT TO GET FROM THE FAST LANE, TO GET OVER 4 LANES TO THE SHOULDER. I HAD JUST FILLED UP MY TRUCK IN BERKELEY AT A CHEVRON, I PUT $60.00 IN. SO I KNEW I HAD FUEL. I ENDED UP HAVING MY TRUCK TOWED HOME. THE FOLLOWING DAY I WENT TO AUTO ZONE AND HOOKED UP THE DIAGNOSTIC READER. IT SAID THAT I NEEDED A NEW FUEL PUMP. UPON FURTHER READ EACH I FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A TYPICAL ISSUE FOR THE NISSAN FRONTIER. IT HAS BEEN SO MUCH AN ISSUE NISSAN RECALLED 2004 & 2006 MODELS BUT DID NOT INCLUDE THE 2005 MODEL EVEN THOUGH ITS THE SAME FAULTY PART! I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO HAVE THE FUEL PUMP SENSOR REPLACED DUE TO COST AND I AM A SINGLE MOTHER. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND IS A SEVERE HAZARD THAT SHOULD BE ENFORCED BY YOU TO GET NISSAN TO INCLUDE THE 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER FOR THIS DEATH HAZARD FUEL PUMP SENSOR ISSUE!!!

Engine
Filed Feb 10, 2018118,159 milesVA

THE SERPENTINE DRIVE BELT CAME OFF 4/26/17, 12/7/17, AND 2/10/18 . WHEN IT WAS REINSTALLED ON 12/7/17 THE MECHANIC SAID THEY FOUND A REFERENCE THAT SAID NISSAN HAS NEW SERPENTINE DRIVE BELT KIT AVAILABLE AND IF CAME OFF AGAIN THEY RECOMMENDED I GET THE NEW KIT INSTALLED. ALL THREE TIMES THE BELT CAME OFF WHEN I STARTED THE ENGINE IN MY DRIVEWAY. SEVERAL TIMES IT FELT LIKE SOMETHING WAS SLIPPING WHEN I STEPPED ON THE GAS AFTER STOPPING FOR A STOP SIGN PRIOR TO THE 3D TIME IT CAME OFF.AFTER STOPPING

Structure › Body
Filed Jan 3, 2018200,000 milesAS

CHASSIS RUST THE CHASSIS ON THE REAR OF MY 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER IS ALMOST BROKEN INTO PIECES

Power Train
Filed Dec 20, 2017129,500 milesIA

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THE RADIATOR FAILED LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION RESULTING IN THEM BOTH NEEDING TO BE REPLACED.

Power Train
Filed Nov 30, 2017700,000 milesCA

HI ,IM JUST GONNA MAKE THIS SHORT . IVE OWNED 2 NISSAN FRONTIERS BOTH 2005 SE MODELS AND 4 TRANMISSIONS LATER IM DONE WITH NISSAN NEVER AGAIN MY FIRST TRANNY REPLACEMENT WAS AT 70,000 RIGHT WHEN MY WARRENTY ENDED NONETHESS 7,000 DOLLARS LATER I AM DONE WITH NISSAN FOREVER !!! BELIEVE ME I HAVE ALL PAPER WORK FOR WORK DONE BUT IM NOT GONNA WASTE MY TIME INPUTING ANYMORE CRAP ABOUT NISSAN.

Power Train
Filed Nov 26, 2017155,448 milesTX

CHUGGING, SLIPPING, HARD SHIFTING TRANSMISSION WHEN DRIVING MOST ANY SPEED. OVER THE LAST 1 1/2 YEARS

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Nov 10, 201753,000 milesMA

SAFETY RECALL FUEL SENSOR SENDING UNIT - OUR VEHICLE IS IN IMPECCABLE SHAPE AND GARAGED WITH 53,000 MILES - WARRANTY/RECALL ON ISSUE. NISSAN WILL NOT FIX THIS SAFETY ISSUE. FUEL SENSOR MALFUNCTION. ALSO HAPPENED ON OUR 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER AND WAS COVERED. FULL TANK OF GAS READS EMPTY.

Engine
Filed Nov 7, 201791,000 milesWV

AFTER 2 AND A HALF MONTHS OF FIGHTING WITH NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS, NISSAN HAS BASICALLY TOLD ME THEY DO NOT CARE ABOUT ME OR THE OTHER PEOPLE AFFECTED BY THIS ISSUE OR THEIR SAFETY. AS SAD AS IT SOUNDS ITS GOING TO TAKE SOMEONE GETTING KILLED BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE BEFORE THEY OPEN THEIR EYES.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Oct 30, 201798,111 milesNV

AS I WAS DRIVING, MY 05 NISSAN FRONTIER STALLED, SHUT DOWN AND LOST ALL POWER. IT TOOK A WHILE FOR IT TO RESTART AND IT WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED ON THE 2 LANE ROAD IN HENDERSON, NV. I AM OBVIOUSLY PETRTIFIED TO DRIVE SO I BEGAN TO TO RESEARCH THIS SITUATION. JUST FOR THE HELL OF IT, I TRIED TO START THE NEXT MORNING AND IT DIDN'T START. AFTER A FEW HOURS, HOWEVER, IT STARTED. JUST TO MAKE SURE, I HAD MY STARTER AND BATTERY LOOKED AT AND WAS TOLD THEY WERE FINE, BUT I WAS TOLD IT COULD BE THE ECM RELAY. THIS WAS RECALLED IN 2011 AND I HAD IT CHANGED OUT AT HENDERSON NISSAN. I ALSO REPLACED THE ECM RELAY LAST WEEK TO MAKE SURE THE PART DIDN'T GO BAD, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS STILL STALLING AND INTERMITTENTLY STARTING. UPON MORE RESEARCH I FOUND THAT DIFFERENT TYPES OF NISSANS WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE TITANS, EXTERRAS, AND PATHFINDERS. LOTS OF OLDER MODELS, BUT EVEN NEW VEHICLES THAT WERE JUST PURCHASED FROM THE DEALERSHIP. I PROCEEDED TO HENDERSON NISSAN AND DESCRIBED WHAT WAS HAPPENING AND WAD TOLD IT WAS THE IPDM UNIT. I ALSO SPOKE WITH CERTIFIED MECHANICS AND THEY SAID THE SAME THING. I PURCHASED THE PARTS. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. IF ONE OF THESE VEHICLES EVER STALLS AND LOSES POWER ON A BUSY HIGHWAY OR ROAD THE AFTERMATH CAN BE DEADLY FOR THE OWNER OF THE NISSAN AND THEIR PASSENGERS AND OTHER INNOCENT DRIVERS ON THE ROAD. THIS SERIOUS CONDITION CAN CAUSE BODILY HARM, AND EVEN DEATH. I WAS LUCKY I WASN'T IN AN ACCIDENT THE DAY IT HAP

Complaints 1-50 of 532, newest first, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2006
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
202611100Routine
202510300Routine
202422310Routine
202366130Routine
2022112630Routine
202120200Routine
202023200Routine
201928110Routine
201825200Routine
201738111Fatalities reported
201644110Routine
201533010Routine
201442210Routine
201348110Routine
201280300Routine
201164110Routine
201059600Routine
200937510Routine
2008136620Routine
2007520200Above average
2006617721Fatalities reported
2005 — this page532681Fatalities reported
200466430Routine
200377721Fatalities reported
2002124820Routine
2001134782Fatalities reported
2000189640Routine
199978500Routine
1998129500Routine

Compare every Frontier year →

2005 Nissan Frontier: questions buyers ask

Is the 2005 Nissan Frontier a good car?

Going by the federal record, it is one of the Frontier years to avoid: owners filed 532 complaints, 7.4 times as many as a typical Frontier year. The most common complaint is about the transmission (37%).

What is the most common problem with the 2005 Nissan Frontier?

The transmission: 195 of the 532 complaints (37%) are about it. Owners most often say it leaks oil or fluid (31%), slips or will not engage a gear (14%) and vibrates or shakes (13%). The typical report comes at 103,000 miles.

How many recalls does the 2005 Nissan Frontier have?

6 safety recalls on file with NHTSA, the most recent filed Oct 28, 2010. The largest, 10V517000, covered 747,480 vehicles. Recall repairs are free at a dealer; whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

At what mileage do 2005 Nissan Frontier problems start?

Half of the complaints that record an odometer reading came in before 90,000 miles. For the transmission the midpoint is 103,000 miles.

Has NHTSA investigated the 2005 Nissan Frontier?

Yes, once. DP12004 ("Transmission Failures") was opened Jun 11, 2012 and closed Oct 22, 2016.

Are there service bulletins for the 2005 Nissan Frontier?

The manufacturer filed 109 technical service bulletins and other notices for it with NHTSA, most of them about the electrical system (17), the engine (13) and the fuel system (9). They include a service campaign, NTB05-086A, filed Aug 24, 2026. A bulletin is a repair instruction to dealers, not a recall: the fix is usually free only under warranty.

Reading this record

1 death reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Oct 28, 2010. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.