Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the vehicle came to a complete stop and then hesitated to accelerate. Additionally, a burning odor was detected. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with transmission and radiator failure. The transmission and radiator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 88,700.
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated while driving 75 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. There was no warning light before or after the failure. The vehicle was towed by an independent mechanic. The mechanic performed a diagnostic test and found that coolant had leaked into the transmission and caused the transmission to fail. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 82,000.
Tl* 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
Check engine light came on, got scanned at auto zone, all codes referenced transmission & sensors (I.e. Cam shaft)...took to geurlich's auto for an inspection and transmission was suggested to be replaced...took it to aamco for an inspection/2nd opinion and same diagnosis, replace/re-build transmission. Finally accumulated the funds to have a mechanic rebuild our transmission and upon return of our vehicle, and unbeknownst to us, he mentioned the know issues/investigation stemming back to 2012 with the radiator leaking into the transmission and causing it to fail, which is ultimately what he felt happened. Since we purchased the vehicle on 08/08/2012 with an odometer reading of 100,340. We would have been entitled to none of the repair options or concessions Nissan offered under the proposed class action, since all were offered only up to 100K miles. …
Last November 6th I hit a deer, front impact. Took truck to local garage to have it serviced. The only damage they said occurred was body damage. 3wks later got my truck back with body damage repaired. About 3wks after that I started to notice a slight vibration in my truck when I got to a certain speed. I really didn't think nothing of it and thought maybe I had a tire out of balance. Well the vibration started getting worse and I started to notice a strong vibration and decrease in power when it shifted. So I took the truck back to the garage to see if they could figure anything out. I thought maybe the deer caused more damage than expected but they couldn't find anything. The didn't charge me anything because they found nothing wrong. So I drove it for another 2 weeks and it got worse. …
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. …
There was a class action lawsuit settlement alleging Nissan north America concealed from consumers a cross-contamination of engine coolant and transmission fluid for 2005-2010 frontiers. On June 18, 2015 my truck lost power and stopped working, in the middle of an intersection, almost creating an accident. I towed my truck to get it repaired, I paid $120 and $1800, they fixed half of the problem. Since my truck was still not working I did some research and found out about the extended warranty. I towed my truck to buena park Nissan where I had to pay $3000 to fix my truck. I contacted Nissan na to see if I could get a refund for cost I had already made, they told me to send them invoices of what I had paid. Later they said that they could not reimburse me since it was not repaired at a Nissan dealership. …
Tl* 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. …
Nissan has admitted to faulty radiators in their 05-10 midsize vehicles. Mine being a Frontier but also used in xterra, pathfinders and I believe titans.these radiators when they go, take the transmission with them. 4700 dollar bill later Nissan says I'm 2 months beyond my 10 years and will not honor any help, even though I'm 10K under the 100K mile limit. So because I kept my miles low and have taken care of my pickup I am still at fault for their faulty equipment. My family will ***never*** own another Nissan as long as we live. At anytime they could have said hey for $275 we won't recall these radiators but they are $275 to replace you should do it before it goes and takes the transmission too. [redacted] you Nissan.... Poor business.
While driving at speeds of approximately 40 MPH the truck made a sound as though it was driving over rumble strips and it feels as though the transmission is slipping or about to fail. This will last 5 to 10 seconds and then it will seem normal, and then after a short while the sound and slippage will again occur. I am concerned that the transmission is experiencing the problem which has plagued other 2005-2010 Nissan models where transmission fluid becomes contaminated with antifreeze from cracks which develop in the transmission cooling line where it passes thru the radiator. I have called Nissan to report this. It was assigned case #[redacted].
NHTSA investigations
Transmission Failures
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject.
Transmission complaints in other Frontier years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2005 Nissan Frontier?
NHTSA has 262 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2005 Nissan Frontier, 49% of the model year's 532 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (19 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Nissan Frontier transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2005 Nissan Frontier, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2005 Nissan Frontier transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 102,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 3 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.