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2005 Nissan Frontier problems

The most common problem on the 2005 Nissan Frontier is transmission and drivetrain, typically around 102,235 miles. It has 8.3 times the complaints of a typical Frontier model year.

Year to avoid8.3x the typical complaints
Year score
5/100
Owner complaints
532
Recalls
3
Service bulletins
110
Worst area
Transmission
Fuel economy
16-21mpg
Typical repair
$500

The worst 2005 Nissan Frontier problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2005 Nissan Frontier

Fuel gauge 137Check engine light 65Transmission failure 65Stalling 38Slipping 33Overheating 30Loss of power 24Shudder 20Jerking 16Won't start 12Fuel pump 9Hesitation 9Harsh shifting 6Airbag light 5Won't shift 5

Trouble codes owners of the 2005 Nissan Frontier mention

P0463 22P1754 2

Recalls 3

Engine and engine coolingReported October 28, 2010 · 747,480 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.

Recall number 10V517000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontalReported December 29, 2008 · 242,720 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.

Recall number 08V690000 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and capReported March 30, 2006 · 42,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.

Recall number 06V092000 · Recall details

See all 3 recalls for the 2005 Nissan Frontier

Defect investigations

Transmission FailuresOpened June 11, 2012, closed October 22, 2016

On February 29, 2012 the federal safety agency 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.the federal safety agency 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.

DP12004

Technical service bulletins for the 2005 Nissan Frontier 110

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 110 bulletins for the 2005 Nissan Frontier

2005 Nissan Frontier fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.5L 4‑cylRWD17-1922-2319-21
4.0L 6‑cylRWD14-1519-2016-17
4.0L 6‑cyl4WD14-151916-17

What 2005 Nissan Frontier owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jan 9, 2025 · Airbags · CA

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.

Filed Jul 31, 2024 · Airbags · IL

The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Frontier. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency 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.

Filed Sep 8, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · TX

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

Filed Jul 4, 2023 · Transmission · GA

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

Filed May 18, 2023 · Engine · 189,000 miles · CA

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 federal safety agency 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.

Filed Dec 16, 2021 · Transmission · 88,700 miles · WA · fire

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.

Filed Jul 28, 2021 · Transmission · 82,000 miles · OR

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.

Filed Feb 9, 2021 · Airbags · 160,000 miles · NY

Airbag light blinks constantly. Possible front air bag sensor defective

Filed Nov 28, 2020 · 83,490 miles · CA

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 !

Filed Oct 20, 2020 · Transmission · 137,000 miles · UT

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.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2005 Nissan Frontier before you buy

Compare the 2005 Nissan Frontier

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Other model years

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Questions about the 2005 Nissan Frontier

Is the 2005 Nissan Frontier reliable?

Owners have filed 532 complaints about the 2005 Nissan Frontier, 8.3 times a typical Frontier model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.

What is the 2005 Nissan Frontier year score?

The 2005 Nissan Frontier scores 5 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the Nissan Frontier: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

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

Transmission and drivetrain, with 262 complaints, typically around 102,235 miles. Next is engine (186).

How many recalls does the 2005 Nissan Frontier have?

3 recalls, covering engine and engine cooling, air bags and fuel system, gasoline.

What year does the Nissan Frontier have bad transmission?

The Nissan Frontier model years with the most transmission complaints are 2005 (262 complaints), 2007 (222 complaints) and 2006 (220 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2005 Nissan Frontier get?

Official estimates for the 2005 Nissan Frontier range from 16 to 21 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.5L 4-cyl, RWD) gets 17-19 city and 22-23 highway.

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