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.

8.8

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,950
Average Mileage:
131,500 miles
Total Complaints:
5 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (3 reports)
  2. disconnect from radiator and add small cooling unit (1 reports)
  3. replace computer (1 reports)
2005 Nissan Frontier transmission problems

transmission problem

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2005 Nissan Frontier Owner Comments

problem #5

May 012017

Frontier SE 4.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 119,200 miles

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

Water is in transmission. Hard shift while driving. Need Nissan to step up. I hear they would have covered my vehicle if it had less

than 100k miles. Why can't they cover it ..it's a problem with the vehicle.

- Robert M., Delano, US

problem #4

Jul 202016

Frontier LE 4.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

I've owned Nissan products from a Q45 to a basic pickup and everything in between. This is the 1st time I've encountered a real problem. I can't believe Nissan hasn't stepped up and done the right thing...FIX IT!!! I'll never own another one...

- bjg427, Dawsonville, GA, US

problem #3

Mar 012016

Frontier ES 4.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 165,000 miles

Bought my Frontier with 55,000 miles on it. Has been a good reliable truck until I started getting the check engine light around 165,000 miles. The transmission sometimes does not down shift, so I have to start out slow and gain speed. I can not run it in overdrive because the engine will race after around 30 mph. I know I am running on borrowed time until it will completely break down.

Transmission shops (not Nissan) have quoted me around $3500 to replace the computer and reroute the cooling lines. Like all of the other similar complaints, I can not sell this truck until I put a lot of money into it to fix it. If I do that, I might as well keep it for a little longer and run it until it drops again. Only hope is for Nissan to belly up to the bar and fix this obvious engineering defect, no matter how many miles are on the vehicles (as a recall).

Very disappointed with the customer service from Nissan. Will probably go back to Toyota. Have had great luck with my 2006 Sienna (206K miles and counting!). The Toyota has been a super vehicle and the customer service has been excellent for us so far.

- Dan B., New Albany, MS, US

problem #2

Mar 022015

Frontier SE V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 128,000 miles

I think Nissan needs to fix the problem or at least help with the cost

- James W., Semmes, AL, US

problem #1

Mar 232012

Frontier Nismo 4.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 125,231 miles

This is the secound major problem with this truck that nissan knows about and won't fix the first one was the fuel sending unit.

- James V., Titusville, FL, US

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