2005 Nissan Frontier Engine Problems
- 75
- 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 75 stored complaint records:
- 1 indicate a crash
- 0 indicate injury
- 2 indicate fire
- 1 indicate a death
What owners report
- transmission fluid · 13 records
- timing chain · 8 records
- radiator transmission · 8 records
- coolant transmission · 7 records
- transmission failure · 5 records
- replaced radiator · 5 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 100–150k mi | 35 |
| 60–100k mi | 25 |
| 150–400k mi | 5 |
| 1–30k mi | 1 |
| 30–60k mi | 1 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Engine · Unknown Or Other
I was driving to work in the morning , about 10 miles to work on the highway not a tree or car insight , i heard what sounded like a loud pop / i had no idea what it was , not a tire or anything i look up and see my sunroof shattered
ODI 11207829
Engine · Power Train
Transmission damage caused by transmission cooler.
ODI 11185423
Engine
The dealer told me the timing chain needed to be replaced due to a whirring sound
ODI 11121005
Engine
Timing chain has to be repaired at less than 50,000 miles. A class action suit against nissan was just completed roland tellis baron & budd attorneys for owners of nissan frontiers in the states of california and washington where owners are to be reimbursed expense of replacing faulty frontier timing chain that nissan manufacturer allegedly knew were in the trucks that they had sold. In the suit it states that if…
ODI 11103888
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System · Power Train
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…
ODI 11083756
Engine · Power Train · Vehicle Speed Control
After 2 and a half months of fighting with nissan consumer affairs, nissan has basically told me they do not care about me or the other people affected by this issue or their safety. As sad as it sounds its going to take someone getting killed because of this issue before they open their eyes.
ODI 11044241
Electrical System · Engine · Unknown Or Other
Truck cuts off while driving no matter what speed your at. Have to wait a few seconds to get it to start again.
ODI 10985554
Engine
The serpentine drive belt came off 4/26/17, 12/7/17, and 2/10/18 . When it was reinstalled on 12/7/17 the mechanic said they found a reference that said nissan has new serpentine drive belt kit available and if came off again they recommended i get the new kit installed. All three times the belt came off when i started the engine in my driveway. Several times it felt like something was slipping when i stepped on the…
ODI 11072107
Engine · Power Train
Transmission cross contamination with coolant. 72,000 miles on odometer. Had transmission failure on the freeway driving full speed, forcing me to quickly move over 6 lanes with no high gear. Now i have a $4900 repair bill. I was in the nissan dealership just 1 week prior for an oil change and have had the vehicle serviced at nissan since it was new. I was never told of the recall or that i should bypass the…
ODI 10957695
Engine · Power Train
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…
ODI 10983129
Engine
Takata inflators timing chain and tensioner system.
ODI 10940246
Engine · Power Train
Complaint re: transmission failure with my 2005 nissan frontier. Is locked in 3rd gear in automatic transmission. Overdrive gear was gone due to coolant mixing with transmission fluid. Had replaced radiator & flushed transmission 3 months ago hoping to buy me some more miles before having to replace transmission. Didn't work. Told by nissan that i was sol due to over 100,000 miles. *tr ## vin passed ## nissan…
ODI 10919372
Engine
Vehicle engine has shut off completely while at a full stop and while driving. Once while making a turn and once while in motion. Many frontier owners have experienced the same. Took it to one of the best auto techs in florida. Diagostic showed "no codes"
ODI 10916006
Engine · Power Train
Radiator leaking fluid into transmission . Notices slight shutter at high speed, approximately 65 mph, in the transmission. Vehicle was checked by dealer at 89,000 miles without any issue at that time . Dealer would not replace radiator due to no problem at that time. Vehicle is at 112000 and now radiator fails. Nissan would not cover due to out of extended warranty. Faulty designed system and potential safety…
ODI 10874642
Engine · Power Train
Transmission oil leaking into coolant system and coolant leaking into transmission.
ODI 10877152
Engine
Radiator and transmission failure due to coolant leaking into the transmission. This poses a significant safety issue when i lose power on a busy interstate. The transmission loses power when trying to upshift. Inspection completed via an authorized nissan dealership. Efforts to rectify with nissan have failed. This issue has been known for quite some time and is marked as an open nhtsa investigation.
ODI 10871662
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System · Service Brakes
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…
ODI 10860461
Engine · Power Train · Vehicle Speed Control
Timing chain on 2005 nissan frontier. The engine makes a loud whining noise due to the chain contact. When the vehicle is stationary or motion it make the noise. When the vehicle in motion it changes gears at a higher rpm. I have sensors that were operable because of the timing chain issue.
ODI 10859816
Engine · Unknown Or Other
Nissan transmission destroyed by engine coolant leak. Had no problem with transmission until one day, shifted into drive and transmission was stuck in higher gear. Thought it was electrical. Turned the car off then back on. Would not engage in reverse, but forward was back to normal. Took to aamco transmission repair and was told this was a common problem with nissans in that the design flaw allows engine coolant to…
ODI 10853806
Engine · Power Train
In 2013 i received a notice of class action about a nissan vehicles related to possible radiator fluid leak into the transmission due a defect that permits cross-contamination of engine coolant and transmission fluid. It did not include vehicles before it happens. In 2013, i went to a authorized nissan dealer to check if my radiator can be affected but they told me that in that moment the radiator was working well…
ODI 10845833
Engine
TIMING CHAIN COMPONENT FAILURE
ODI 10811644
Engine
Had to have timing chains and related parts replaced. Cost $1700 out of pocket, no help from nissan.
ODI 10779556
Engine · Power Train
Engine coolant is leaking into the transmission and vice versa
ODI 10724593
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 nissan frontier. While driving 50 mph, an abnormal noise emitted from the engine and the vehicle lost power. The vehicle was shifted into park and restarted. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was…
ODI 10747853
Engine
With no warning the truck would not start, and just stopped working. We hooked it up to the code reader and did some research online. What we found was really troubling. We bit the bullet and paid to have it towed to the dealer. The dealer looked it over and said that the radiator contaminated the transmission causing a failure in both. They would have to replace the transmission, all the seals and hoses, the…
ODI 10714195