CarComplaints.com Notes: In a very limited selection on small pickup trucks, the Frontier is one of the best options except -- and I cannot emphasize this enough -- for one problem that makes it an avoid-at-all-costs pain in you know what: the radiator ruptures and leaks coolant into the transmission, killing it. Such a buzzkill.
This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The radiator cracked and leaked coolant into the transmission, mixing with the transmission fluid creating a toxic fluid that irreversibly damaged everything around it. The vehicle was being driven when first noticed. I had the radiator replaced and the transmission flushed at my local Nissan dealership. I could not afford to replace the transmission so flushing it was my only option. It lasted for a few years but now it needs to be replaced. This is a defect that has affected thousands of customers.
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Frontier. While driving various speeds and shifting gears, the vehicle hesitated and jerked. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the radiator water and coolant fluid leaked into the transmission. The transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and the dealer were not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 49,000.
Fluid from my radiator mixed into my transmission rendering it inoperable. After doing research on it I learned that Nissan was aware of the problem, and failed to notify the customers
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Frontier. While parked, the vehicle failed to shift into reverse without warning. The contact called an independent mechanic who stated that the shift cable grommet linkage failed and needed to be replaced. The contact repaired the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 125,375.
Bought used, transmission replaced by seller 2 months before sale, no issues on test drive. After purchase many issues with changing of gears and apparent transmission issues. Seller was very aware of issue. It is an obvious hazard if the transmission has issues while driving which can cause injury and death if an accident happens. The investigation of this issue needs to be reopened and Nissan needs to be held responsible to create and fix this lethal fault in design and application.
Transmission failure diagnosed by repair shop as caused by radiator coolant contamination into the transmission. Total rebuild of transmission at a cost of $3,980. I purchased this vehicle new in 2005 and was not made aware of this issue by Nissan. I have learned this is an ongoing issue the manufacturer has been aware of for years. My vehicle has 129,000 miles and more than 10 years since purchase. I find this matter disturbing that owners are now facing such an avoidable cost for repair and this could have been prevented by the manufacturer.
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Frontier. While driving various speeds, antifreeze leaked into the transmission. The failure destroyed the transmission. The contact stated that the vehicle would not change gears when prompted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Butler Nissan of macon, Georgia was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 79,365.
Vehicle was driving then hurt a loud thud. Engine raced. Took it to mechanic. Then a transmission shop. They said coolant leaked into transmission. Need new tranny and radiator.
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Frontier. While driving approximately 40 mph, the gear shifted abruptly and the vehicle jerked and vibrated. The contact noticed an odor of burning transmission fluid. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission fluid leaked into the transmission. The dealer also diagnosed that the transmission fluid was corrosive and destroyed the components of the transmission. The dealer recommended that the transmission be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 82,500...updated 06/14/17
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Frontier. While driving approximately 55 mph, the vehicle jerked front to back and then stalled. The engine and other warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was pushed into a parking lot. The driver attempted to start the vehicle, but was unsuccessful. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was able to be started the next day; however, the failure recurred a week later. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the radiator liquid was leaking into the transmission, which caused the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer who confirmed the mechanic's diagnosis and replaced a faulty sensor. The failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer again, but was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.
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.
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 ##
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Frontier. The contact noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. The contact pulled the vehicle into an empty parking lot and the smoke dissipated. The contact removed the key from the ignition and exited the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the radiator fluid mixed with the transmission fluid. A remedy was not provided. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000. The VIN was not included.
While driving to work with out notice the transmission failed, and would not engage, leaving me with out controll of the pickup, while I was in motion, the engine raced but lost controll of the drive, which could have been serious. I found out after the fact, that Nissan had been in a class action law suite because of this problem, but only remedy the problem when you break down out of controll. I was told 3 months before I bought it, Nissan should have notified someone, and the dealer pushed it off till the 6 mon. Warranty ran out from haldeman Ford of allentown. The Nissan dealer at rothrock Nissan in allentown said it was a Nissan problem, but Nissan Corp refused to help because the pickup broke down a few months too late after a 10 year period of fixing this dangerous problem that could have been very serious..the transmission cooling lines at the radiator leek fluid back into the transmission and then width no warning fails to engage while you are driving.
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that the transmission slipped and the vehicle experienced abnormal vibration. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the transmission fluid mixed with the radiator fluid. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was confirmed that the transmission fluid mixed with the radiator fluid and stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure occurred without warning. The failure mileage was 81,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Meraux, LA, USA