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 problem affects most 2005-2008 (and maybe beyond) Frontiers.

2.0

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
79,757 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

2005 Nissan Frontier fuel system problems

fuel system problem

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2005 Nissan Frontier Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #25

Jul 172019

Frontier

  • 137,650 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Fuel gauge reads half tank when actually empty. Very dangerous. Ran out of gas on a major interstate that was 3 lanes wide. I was in the far left lane when engine stopped. Power steering and brakes go to manual when engine stops. Had to maneuver to the shoulder across 2 lanes to the right with no power steering and no power brakes while vehicle was quickly losing speed. Nearly was hit several times while changing lanes. Vehicle had slowed to about 25 mph. When semi must have figured I had no power and stayed behind me blocking two lanes so I could get to the shoulder. Probably saved my life and prevented a very serious accident. This unreliable fuel gauge problem should be recalled regardless of age of vehicle before someone is killed or seriously injured.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #24

Jan 012019

Frontier

  • miles
The gas gauge mostly shows empty on a full tank of gas and the fuel light on the dash stays lit. The diagnostic reads P0463, which is a fuel level sensor high input circuit a. sometimes the fuel gauge will read differently as the tank gets closer to empty. I bought this truck used and this was the issue at the time of purchase so I'm not sure when this began.

- Portsmouth, OH, USA

problem #23

Jan 192018

Frontier

  • miles
Spanish - M Nissan Frontier tiene problemas de velocidad los mecnicos me dicen que son los 4 catalizadores adems la luz de check ingine est prendida Y tambin la luz de air bar lleva 5 meses prendida

- San Bernardino, CA, USA

problem #22

Apr 042018

Frontier

  • 80,800 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My truck just reached 80,800 miles and it has lost power. I took it to the Nissan dealer for a diagnostic test and it came back with the radiator, transmission and the fuel pump all need to be replaced. They told me I had no warranty on any of these parts as of 2010 and they quoted me almost $7,000 to replace all. After going home and looking up transmission shops I found hundreds of articles about the same problem with thousands of Nissan cars. I have never received a notice of recall on my truck. Then I find they have sneakily extended their warranty without notifying us and now my truck is 12years old with only 80,800 miles and I need to come up with $7,000 because they failed to notify their clients about their mistakes.

- North Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #21

Dec 222017

Frontier

  • 102,000 miles
As I was driving down the freeway @ 70mph in the fast lane on interstate 80 in the san francisco's bay area, my truck suddenly turned off. I had to fight to get from the fast lane, to get over 4 lanes to the shoulder. I had just filled up my truck in berkeley at a chevron, I put $60 in. So I knew I had fuel. I ended up having my truck towed home. The following day I went to auto zone and hooked up the diagnostic reader. It said that I needed a new fuel pump. Upon further read each I found out that this is a typical issue for the Nissan Frontier. It has been so much an issue Nissan recalled 2004 & 2006 models but did not include the 2005 model even though its the same faulty part! I have not been able to have the fuel pump sensor replaced due to cost and I am a single mother. This has happened on numerous occasions and is a severe hazard that should be enforced by you to get Nissan to include the 2005 Nissan Frontier for this death hazard fuel pump sensor issue!!!

- Fairfield, CA, USA

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problem #20

Nov 012017

Frontier

  • 53,000 miles
Safety recall fuel sensor sending unit - our vehicle is in impeccable shape and garaged with 53,000 miles - warranty/recall on issue. Nissan will not fix this safety issue. Fuel sensor malfunction. Also happened on our 2006 Nissan pathfinder and was covered. Full tank of gas reads empty.

- Wakefield, MA, USA

problem #19

Jul 202017

Frontier

  • 77,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Radiator leaked into transmission cooler and destroyed transmission. Rebuild of transmission and radiator replacement cost of over 5000 vehicle stalled in middle of intersection

- Glen Allen, VA, USA

problem #18

Jun 152014

Frontier

  • 78,000 miles
Nissan Frontier 2005 truck: Fuel tank sending unit started showing variable fuel levels, fluctuating wildly, then completely stopped functioning. This after some 75,000 miles. No prior warning. No extreme use conditions, just normal everyday driving on this vehicle. Dealer refused replacement because it was over 75,000 miles.

- Mahomet, IL, USA

problem #17

Apr 132016

Frontier

  • 94,000 miles
Vehicle shut off while driving on the highway. I was driving down the highway at 65 mph when the truck made a quick jerk and them completely shut off. I came very close to causing a highway pile up!! I had no power, no steering no nothing. Luckily I was able to get across 3 lanes safely. Cars were slamming on brakes and luckily I didnt kill myself or anyone else. Once I got the the side of the road I was able to get the truck going and safely get to an exit. I creeped home on a wing a prayer and now the truck is sitting in my driveway. I dont dare to use it and I need it. I am scared to drive it, ithas given me anxiety, it was horrific. My truck has 94220 miles on it.

- Wells, ME, USA

problem #16

Feb 032016

Frontier

  • 128,232 miles
My trucks fuel gauge does not register, I understand there was a recall. So I called 2 dealers they told me that my VIN/truck is not covered. But what I've seen is that it is an accident waiting to happen. It does it all the time, parked, on the streets or freeway which I drive daily for work. No injury, crash or fatality yet. I love my truck, work in a level 1 trauma center, I see many car accident victim's when it could have been avoided, like with me now. Please help me I would be forever grateful!! I pray Nissan will do what is right!!

- Glendale, AZ, USA

problem #15

Dec 012014

Frontier 6-cyl

  • 87,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

#1recently I noticed that my fuel gauge has been unreliable. It will show the actual fuel amount, then it will show that there is no fuel in the tank just a few moments later. Sometimes this issue lasts for a week where it shows the fuel tank to be empty while it is full. Also there is a check engine light that accompanies. #2 I live in Alaska and require the defroster vent to work in the winter. This winter starting in December I noticed that air will not blow out of the defroster vent below the windshield. I have tried numerous selections on the dial/controls without resolve. It also makes a "bubbling and clicking sound" that to me sounds mechanical in the dashboard, when the vent is trying to change from the floor vent, to the head vents, and then up to the windshield vent.

- Sitka, AK, USA

problem #14

Feb 162015

Frontier

  • 155,000 miles
Driving along at 65 miles per hour seemed like transmission went into neutral and engine revved up. Rolled to side of road. Truck would no longer move. Had truck towed to garage where they informed me that the transmission had coolant in it and had wiped it out. To replace trans and radiator was 5300 dollars.

- Springfield, OH, USA

problem #13

Sep 162014

Frontier 6-cyl

  • 101,000 miles
Fuel gauge readings inaccurate. Gauge reads that there is approximately 1/4 tank of fuel when in fact the tank is close to or completely empty.

- Dawsonville, GA, USA

problem #12

Aug 152013

Frontier 6-cyl

  • 68,000 miles
My Nissan Frontier truck's "check engine soon" light appeared. The warning was dtc P0463 (fuel level sensor circuit high input). It corresponds with Nissan's technical bulletin EL07-027B, reference ntb07-069B. After filling the tank, the fuel guage took approximately 20 minutes to register full. Now my fuel gauge does not work at all- it simply displays zero fuel present in the tank. I've already ran out of fuel once this week, on the highway.this problem is caused by the deterioration of the unit based on use and not time.

- Laredo, TX, USA

problem #11

Feb 152013

Frontier

  • miles
They know about this fuel pump bad, pay about $600.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #10

Oct 012013

Frontier

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that fuel level sensor failed and would not read when the fuel tank was full or empty. The failure was experienced several times and caused the vehicle to stall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 120,000 and the current mileage was 131,000.

- Bluff City , TN, USA

problem #9

Jun 012013

Frontier

  • 65,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph, he noticed that the fuel gauge displayed an inaccurate reading. The failure recurred twice. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, who stated that the fuel gauge sending unit would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.

- Brookline, NH, USA

problem #8

Jul 022013

Frontier 6-cyl

  • 86,852 miles
I brought my truck into the Nissan dealer after transmission problems. Nissan acknowledged that there is a known defect with the 2005 Frontier that causes cross contamination between the radiator and transmission. Despite only being 6K over the 80K free repair, I had to pay $2500 out of pocket for deductible. This seems unreasonable as it is a known defect affecting 2005-2009 Frontiers and xterras.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #7

Mar 272013

Frontier 6-cyl

  • 114,000 miles
Service engine soon led illuminated after starting vehicle. Checked code is P0463 fuel level sensor a circuit high input. Fuel level gauge is not accurate. Driver does not know when fuel tank is empty. Should be a recall.

- Conifer, CO, USA

problem #6

Jan 092013

Frontier 6-cyl

  • 150,000 miles
My vehicle has developed a vibration while I am driving which has been very uncomfortable, however, nothing major in the performance of the vehicle, however, now my vehicle has decided to randomly turn off while driving. This is extremely dangerous and could cause an accident. I took it to the Nissan dealership and they said that they found trans fluid mixing with coolant due to leaking trans cooler in radiator and the total cost would come out to $5,000. I am unable to afford this bill so I have not been able to repair my vehicle.

- Orlando, FL, USA

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