Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Nissan Frontier owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 $60.00 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. …
#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.
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.
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.
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.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Nissan Frontier. The contact smelled a fuel odor in the passenger compartment. While driving approximately 15 to 25 MPH, a puff of smoke was noticed followed by flames in the front end of the vehicle. The tires were also burned. The fire department extinguished the fire. There were no warning lights illuminated prior to the fire. The failure was due to a leak in the fuel system in the engine compartment. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact has photos and a video of the failure available. The failure mileage was 23,000. Updated 5/20/08 the fire was a result of a fuel leak in the fuel line. Updated 05/20/08
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!!
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.
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.
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.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap
On certain king cab trucks, in a severe side impact crash, there is a possibility that deformation of the vehicle's body could cause the fuel filler cap tether to be stretched to the point of unscrewing the fuel filler cap.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel cap tether pin assembly with a modified one free of charge. The recall began on April 24, 2006. Owners May contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Fuel System complaints in other Frontier years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2005 Nissan Frontier?
NHTSA has 160 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2005 Nissan Frontier, 30% of the model year's 532 complaints. The component named most often is storage › fuel gauge system (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Nissan Frontier fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 06V-092 (filler pipe and cap, Mar 30, 2006). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2005 Nissan Frontier fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 2% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to fuel & propulsion system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.