VehicleVerdict

2005 Nissan Frontier problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 750 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 8.9 times the median Frontier year — the 2005 model ranks #2 of 29 Frontier years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 13 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Transmission leads the complaint categories with 264 reports (35% of the total).

750

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

1

Investigations

11

Crash-involved

12

Fires reported

13

Injuries

1

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other Frontier years?

See all Frontier years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Nissan Frontier problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission26435%
Engine18625%
Fuel System16422%
Electrical System426%
Body & Structure172%
Other162%
Speed Control152%
Airbags142%
Brakes81%
Tires & Wheels51%
Steering51%
Latches & Locks41%
Suspension41%
Lighting30%
Visibility & Wipers20%
Seats10%

Does the 2005 Nissan Frontier have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

10V517000EngineOctober 28, 2010 · 747,480 units

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.

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.

10E019000SuspensionMay 20, 2010 · 1,873 units

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.

Consequence

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.

08V690000AirbagsDecember 29, 2008 · 242,720 units

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.

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.

07E046000OtherJuly 3, 2007 · 3,500 units

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.

Consequence

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.

06E064000LightingJuly 17, 2006 · 4,029 units

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.

Consequence

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.

06V092000Fuel SystemMarch 30, 2006 · 42,000 units

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.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

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. THE NEW TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN RUIN DUE TO A FAULTY RADIATOR…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · November 16, 2010 · fire

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. THE NEW TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN RUIN DUE TO A FAULTY RADIATOR…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 16, 2010 · fire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT SMELLED A FUEL ODOR IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 TO 25 MPH, A PUFF OF SMOKE WAS NOTICED FOLLOWED BY FLAMES IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE TIRES WERE ALSO BURNED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · April 13, 2008 · fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. AFTER THE DRIVER PARKED THE VEHICLE, SMOKE EMITTED UNDER THE HOOD WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS PLUG CONNECTED TO THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 17, 2016 · fire

ELECTRICAL COMPONENT MOUNTED OVERHEAD IN THE CAB HIDDEN BY THE HEADLINER IS RUNNING SO HOT IT HAS BLISTERED EXTERIOR PAINT ABOVE IT. OVER TIME THE AFFECTED AREA IS NOW ABOUT ONE SQUARE FOOT AND IS IMMEDIATELY OBVIOUS BECAUSE OF PAINT LOSS ON TOP OF CAB JUST BEHIND TOP OF WINDSHIELD. WE ARE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · May 31, 2016

2005 Nissan Frontier — common questions

Is the 2005 Nissan Frontier reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 750 complaints put the 2005 model at #2 of 29 Frontier years. It is one of the Frontier years to avoid.

What are the most common 2005 Frontier problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (264 complaints), engine (186 complaints), fuel system (164 complaints).

Does the 2005 Nissan Frontier have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 Nissan Frontier. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2005 Nissan Frontier under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Nissan Frontier years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Frontier years to avoid are 2006, 2005, 2007, 2000, 2022, 2008, 2001, 2002, 1998. The cleanest record among Frontier years belongs to 2026.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.