2005 Nissan Frontier Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 80about this part
- Share
- 15%of 532 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 107,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 80 complaints about the engine of the 2005 Nissan Frontier, 15% of the 532 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 107,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11044241, filed 2017-11, 91,000 miles“The coolant is mixing with the transmission fluid. It's a known and widespread defect yet Nissan ignores it. We paid $14,000 for the truck less than a year ago, but Nissan has squeezed us out of any rebate because the truck is over 100,000 miles. Now we have to pay another $7,000 to fix it. That's wrong. They should fix it no matter how old.”
NHTSA complaint #10507021, filed 2013-04, 105,000 miles“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”
NHTSA complaint #11207829, filed 2019-05, 123,000 miles“Transmission cross contamination with coolant. 72,000 miles on odometer. Had transmission failure on the freeway driving full speed, forcing me to quickly move over 6 lanes with no high gear. Now I have a $4900 repair bill. I was in the Nissan dealership just 1 week prior for an oil change and have had the vehicle serviced at Nissan since it was new. I was never told of the recall or that I should bypass the radiator or beware of the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10957695, filed 2017-02, 72,000 miles“Complaint re: transmission failure with my 2005 Nissan Frontier. Is locked in 3rd gear in automatic transmission. Overdrive gear was gone due to coolant mixing with transmission fluid. Had replaced radiator & flushed transmission 3 months ago hoping to buy me some more miles before having to replace transmission. Didn't work. Told by Nissan that I was sol due to over 100,000 miles. ## VIN passed ## Nissan Frontier v6 4x4 2005 ##”
NHTSA complaint #10919372, filed 2016-10, 115,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10152515Nov 28, 2018OBD II EVAP Tube Warranty Enhancement The update below was sent out to Regions and Dealers in August of this year. We are re-circulating this update to make regional and dealer…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | 9% |
| 2023 | 13 | 20% |
| 2022 | 6 | 5% |
| 2021 | 2 | 10% |
| 2020 | 5 | 22% |
| 2019 | 2 | 7% |
| 2018 | 1 | 4% |
| 2017 | 4 | 11% |
| 2016 | 8 | 18% |
| 2015 | 2 | 6% |
| 2013 | 4 | 8% |
| 2012 | 13 | 16% |
| 2011 | 4 | 6% |
| 2010 | 7 | 12% |
| 2009 | 2 | 5% |
| 2008 | 26 | 19% |
| 2007 | 72 | 14% |
| 2006 | 82 | 13% |
| 2005 | 80 | 15% |
| 2004 | 6 | 9% |
| 2003 | 1 | 1% |
| 2002 | 2 | 2% |
| 2001 | 3 | 2% |
| 2000 | 2 | 1% |
| 1998 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2005 Nissan Frontier
262 complaintsFuel system
160 complaintsEngine cooling
106 complaintsElectrical system
38 complaintsBody and structure
17 complaintsVehicle speed control
15 complaintsAir bags
14 complaintsOther or unknown
14 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsElectronic stability control
4 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 Nissan Frontier
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology