2005 Nissan Frontier Power Train Problems
- 227
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 227 stored complaint records:
- 0 indicate a crash
- 0 indicate injury
- 2 indicate fire
What owners report
- transmission fluid · 28 records
- transmission failure · 15 records
- radiator transmission · 13 records
- failure mileage · 11 records
- transmission radiator · 11 records
- coolant transmission · 11 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 100–150k mi | 101 |
| 60–100k mi | 83 |
| 150–400k mi | 14 |
| 30–60k mi | 8 |
| 1–30k mi | 2 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Engine And Engine Cooling · Power Train
Automatic transmission began stumbling and then i lost 5th gear. Took to durabuild transmission shop and was told that engine coolant had gotten into the transmission from the radiator transmission cooling lines. Transmission had to be cleaned & repaired. The valve body assembly had to be replaced along with the solenoid. Repair bill came to $4100.00. *tr
ODI 10519796
Engine And Engine Cooling · Power Train
I was driving the nissan frontier about 50 mph when the rpm shot up then dropped and the transmission quit causing the vehicle to stop. I had to cross two lanes of traffic to avoid a major accident. I managed to get the truck to the dealer and was told it was a problem with the transmission leaking fluid into the radiator causing the transmission to fail with out any warning. I was told the fix would cost me around…
ODI 10513676
Engine And Engine Cooling · Power Train
Took my truck in for air-conditioning service. Nissan dealer found transmission fluid in my coolant. They stated i needed a new radiator due to transmission cooler in radiator failure. They changed out the radiator, the cost was over 1200.00. Once radiator was fixed they stated they found a small amount of coolant in my transmission. They flushed the transmission twice (additional 250.00) but could not tell me if…
ODI 10513732
Engine And Engine Cooling · Power Train
Engine warning light came on, shudders at 40mph, transmission shifting erratic. Took into nissan service center who told us that coolant had leaked into transmission from a faulty radiator and it would cost $5500 to replace transmission as we were out of warranty. Nissan knows about this problem. *tr
ODI 10513444
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 nissan frontier. The contact observed an oil leave in the driveway. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostics, who stated that coolant fluid was leaking and the transmission fluid was mixing with the coolant fluid. The vehicle was repaired by replacing the radiator and the transmission assembly. The failure was not reported to the manufacturer. The failure and current mileage…
ODI 10513465
Engine And Engine Cooling · Power Train
Found out today that my 2005 nissan frontier is affected by defective radiator that is causing coolant to mix in with the transmission fluid thus fatally damaging transmission. Understand that this a wide spread problem for this year and model nissan. Radiator has to be replaced at a cost of $1400.00 that nissan won't pay for because mileage is over 100,000 miles. I don't know yet if transmission is damaged. This is…
ODI 10509415
Engine · Power Train
Just bought an 05' nissan frontier and upon getting onto a highway i sped up to 55-60mph to feel a vibration like going over speed bumps and a loss of power. It turns out that the intercooler from the radiator broke inside the transmission causing a leak of antifreeze inside the transmission. Which caused something in the transmission to breakdown. I am not very proficient in car repair so i am not sure the exact…
ODI 10509309
Engine And Engine Cooling · Power Train
Transmission atf is contaminated with coolant cause transmission to deteriorate. Transmission rattles at speeds over 45 miles per hour when shifting into and out of overdrive. Becoming noticeably more jerky over time in lower gears. Heat does not work while engine is idling and takes a long time to warm up while moving. Cold air blowing across windshield on cold days has caused windshield to fog up from the inside…
ODI 10509675
Power Train
The transmission seems lack it trying to lockup while driving at a speed of 45 miles per hour. It has got so bad that i have park the truck at home because the transmission may lock up while i am driving. And may cause someone to get killed. *tr
ODI 10508683
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 nissan frontier. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start. The vehicle was taken to dealer where it was determined that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure however, no assistance was provided. The vin was unavailable. The failure and current mileage was 280,000.
ODI 10505719
Engine And Engine Cooling · Power Train
Transmission failing sounds and feels like driving over rumble strips. Also noticed cabin heater does not work when at a stop. Signs indicative of radiator/transmission seal failure and radiator coolant in transmission. *tr
ODI 10511911
Engine · Power Train
My truck began displaying symptoms of catastrophic transmission failure. For example, gear slippage and shuddering as if rolling over rumble strips. I took it to a mechanic and they found the coolant had transformed into a thick pink substance. It was determined that a seal had failed in the radiator causing coolant to mix with the transmission fluid. This then baked inside the transmission. We replaced the radiator…
ODI 10512677
Engine And Engine Cooling · Power Train
While traveling at highway speeds my 2005 frontier began shuddering and then lost power which could have resulted in a rear end collision. An independent service technician determined that the transmission fluid is contaminated. It appears nissan has been long aware of this issue, with the numerous complaints across the board from the 2005 - 2010 frontiers, pathfinders and xterras nissan should be responsible for…
ODI 10510577
Engine · Power Train
Experienced sudden jerking when traveling at highway speeds. The problem was diagnosed as a failed transmission cooler which allowed coolant to mix with the transmission fluid, causing internal damage to the radiator and transmission. Prior to this, there was nothing amiss with the operation of the vehicle. Apparently this is common and even though several complaints have been filed to nhtsa, nissan still claims…
ODI 10505689
Engine · Power Train
The coolant is mixing with the transmission fluid. It's a known and widespread defect yet nissan ignores it. We paid $14,000 for the truck less than a year ago, but nissan has squeezed us out of any rebate because the truck is over 100,000 miles. Now we have to pay another $7,000 to fix it. That's wrong. They should fix it no matter how old. *tr
ODI 10507021
Engine And Engine Cooling · Power Train
$6219.70 for a remanufactured transmission because i'm ~2000 miles out of their recently "extended" warranty. Transmission and radiator/cooling system were recommended to be replaced by nissan today because of contamination of transmission fluid by a (known but not recalled) defective transmission cooler line. At approximately 98,000k the truck began to experience vibration with overdrive engaged. It felt like…
ODI 10503911
Engine · Power Train
Coming home from work the truck started to overheat and the transmission started to skip. I had to turn on the heater to keep the truck from overheating and then the transmission started to engage and disengage. The problem is that the antifreeze is leaking in to the transmission. This is a known problem with nissan, but they are not fixing the problem. I have three children that are in the truck with me. If that…
ODI 10504744
Engine And Engine Cooling · Power Train
Sitting at a stop light with right foot on brake, waiting for light to change. As light changed applied pressure to gas pedal but the vehicle would not move the engine would just rev up. Put the vehicle in park and turn off the engine waited a moment then turned the vehicle back on and put the transmission in drive, vehicle began to move but the transmission acted like it was slipping. Drove vehicle to dealer and…
ODI 10567084
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 nissan frontier. The contact stated that while driving 20 mph, he attempted to accelerate but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact mentioned that there was an increase in engine rpms and the maintenance required warning message illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware…
ODI 10502664
Engine And Engine Cooling · Power Train
Transmission coolin in the radiator ruptured causing complete failure of the transmission. *tr
ODI 10576064
Engine · Power Train
Transmission cooler line failure, causing cross contamination from the radiator to the transmission. Contacted nissan, through phone and certified letters to the president of nissan. Nissan would not except any responsibility. My vehicle was non drivable for 6 months due to the cost of repairs. *tr
ODI 10671223
Engine · Power Train
Radiator leaked into the transmission. We had to replace transmission. Nissan would not stand behind anything since it happened at 111k miles rather than under 100k. *tr
ODI 10503339
Power Train
While traveling 65 mph in 6 lanes of traffic during rush hour the truck lost power and rolled to a stop. I was stranded in the middle lane with cars flying by me. I am very lucky i 2 as not hit by traffic. Had the truck towed to transmission shop $4700 later was told it was radiator fluid in the transmission. This i later researched and is a common problem in these vehicles. Nissan is fully aware and does nothing…
ODI 10598681
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 nissan frontier. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 mph, the vehicle began to slightly jerk as the transmission failed to respond. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who stated that the transmission would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
ODI 10564388
Engine And Engine Cooling · Power Train
I was driven @ 45 mph i fell the roughness of the truck, i took the truck to the dealer the technician said that the transmission got mixed up w/ the coolant and they told me that it need to replace the transmission and radiator. Anyway i purchased outside extended warranty for my truck last year and i cannot used it because their policy that it doesn't cover cooling system. I call north nissan they said they give…
ODI 10535043