CarModelProblems.com

2005 Nissan Frontier Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Power Train — runs 5.6× the fleet median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.
532Complaints
6Recalls
9Crashes
8Fires
11Injured
1Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Power Train (44% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.

Power Train complaints here are 5.6× the median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Power Train234 · 44%not available
Fuel System, Gasoline111 · 20.9%RecalledRecall 06V092000
Engine And Engine Cooling85 · 16%RecalledRecall 10V517000
Engine80 · 15%RecalledRecall 10V517000
Electrical System36 · 6.8%not available
Fuel/propulsion System25 · 4.7%RecalledRecall 06V092000

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

POWER TRAIN234 · 44%
ENGINE80 · 15%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM25 · 4.7%
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION19 · 3.6%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL15 · 2.8%
Unspecified / other14 · 2.6%
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER12 · 2.3%

Percentages are the share of the 532 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 6 campaigns

Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm

NHTSA campaign 10E019000 · 2010 · reported 05/20/2010

IF THE COLLAR WELD SEPARATES, THE VEHICLE HANDLING WILL DETERIORATE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Engine And Engine Cooling

NHTSA campaign 10V517000 · 2010 · reported 10/28/2010

THIS COULD CAUSE ENGINE STALLING INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal

NHTSA campaign 08V690000 · 2008 · reported 12/29/2008

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting

NHTSA campaign 06E064000 · 2006 · reported 07/17/2006

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap

NHTSA campaign 06V092000 · 2006 · reported 03/30/2006

THIS MAY RESULT IN A FUEL SPILL WHICH IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Equipment

NHTSA campaign 07E046000 · 2007 · reported 07/03/2007

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.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“GEAR OIL LEAKING PAST BOTH REAR AXLE SEALS RESULTED IN INOPERATIVE PARKING BRAKE AND MINIMAL REGULAR REAR BRAKING. ACCIDENT WAS CAUSE WHEN CAR ROLLED INTO…”NHTSA complaint 10249615 — filed 11/23/2008 · POWER TRAIN
“I HAD TO HAVE EMERGENCY SERVICE TO THE U-JOINTS. STRONG VIBRATION UNDER DRIVER SEAT, AFRAID TO DRIVE ANY FURTHER. PERUZZI NISSAN REFUSING TO REIMBURSE A…”NHTSA complaint 10247658 — filed 11/04/2008 · POWER TRAIN

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

88201057642012154782014775220163421201813122020342023112025

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Nissan Frontier?

Power train issues are the most-reported category, cited in 234 of 532 NHTSA complaints (44%), followed by fuel system, gasoline (111), engine and engine cooling (85), engine (80). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2005 Nissan Frontier have?

532 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 9 involved a crash, 8 involved a fire, and 11 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.

Does the 2005 Nissan Frontier have any recalls?

Yes — 6 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 10E019000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2005 Nissan Frontier's reported problems?

Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.