2005 Nissan Frontier
This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1998 | 129 |
| 1999 | 78 |
| 2000 | 189 |
| 2001 | 134 |
| 2002 | 124 |
| 2003 | 77 |
| 2004 | 66 |
| 2005 | 532 |
| 2006 | 616 |
| 2007 | 520 |
| 2008 | 136 |
| 2009 | 37 |
| 2010 | 59 |
| 2011 | 64 |
| 2012 | 78 |
| 2013 | 48 |
| 2014 | 42 |
| 2015 | 33 |
| 2016 | 42 |
| 2017 | 38 |
| 2018 | 25 |
| 2019 | 28 |
| 2020 | 22 |
| 2021 | 17 |
| 2022 | 110 |
| 2023 | 62 |
| 2024 | 17 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 | 5 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
44% of complaints: power train — 234 distinct reports on file.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20211216
IN NOVEMBER 2010 MY TRANSMISSION FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. 3 MONTHS AFTER HAVING THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE NEW TRANSMISSION, I DISCOVERED I HAD TO HAVE THE RADIATOR REPLACED BUT IT WAS TOO LATE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120404
21% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 111 distinct reports on file.
16% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 85 distinct reports on file.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
IN NOVEMBER 2010 MY TRANSMISSION FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. 3 MONTHS AFTER HAVING THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE NEW TRANSMISSION, I DISCOVERED I HAD TO HAVE THE RADIATOR REPLACED BUT IT WAS TOO LATE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120404
15% of complaints: engine — 80 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE DEATHShow complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180411
The timing chain has gone out. Other crankshaft sensor went out while driving the vehicle at about 30mph.
NHTSA ODI report, 20230908
7% of complaints: electrical system — 36 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 40MPH MY FRONTIER SUDDENLY CUT OFF , HAD NO BRAKES OR POWER STEERING. I WENT OFF THE ROAD AND HIT SOME TREES. MY INSURANCE FIXED MY TRUCK, EVEN AFTER I TOLD THEM AND THE BODY SHOP I WANTED IT CHECKED OUT FIRST.
NHTSA ODI report, 20131219
The timing chain has gone out. Other crankshaft sensor went out while driving the vehicle at about 30mph.
NHTSA ODI report, 20230908
SAFETY TIMELINE
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 UNSCREW
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.
Campaign 06V092000 — check if this car was fixed
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: 1010476
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.
Campaign 07E046000 — check if this car was fixed
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, MA
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. THE
Campaign 08V690000 — check if this car was fixed
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT AND REAR LOWER LINKS, P/NOS. 54501ZQ00A, 54500ZQ00A, 551A1ZQ00A, 551A0ZQ00A , 54501EA00A, 54500EA00A, 551A1EA500, 551A0EA500, 54501ZR00A, AND 54500ZR00A, SOLD BETWEEN
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.
Campaign 10E019000 — check if this car was fixed
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) ASSEM
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.
Campaign 10V517000 — check if this car was fixed
Transmission Failures
CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.
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.
Campaign 06E064000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2005 Nissan Frontier — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for power train issues (234 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (111 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (85 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 06E064000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06V092000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07E046000 (equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 08V690000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 10E019000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 10V517000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2005 Nissan Frontier reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2005 Nissan Frontier is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Nissan Frontier?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 44% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2005 Nissan Frontier have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.