Model year
2005 Nissan Frontier
NHTSA lists 3 recalls and 532 complaints for the 2005 Nissan Frontier (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are POWER TRAIN (234), FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE (111), ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (85). NHTSA lists 1 investigation. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 16–21 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $3,200–$4,200, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 189 complaints
- 2001 134 complaints
- 2002 124 complaints
- 2003 77 complaints
- 2004 66 complaints
- 2005 532 complaints
- 2006 617 complaints
- 2007 520 complaints
- 2008 136 complaints
- 2009 37 complaints
- 2010 59 complaints
- 2011 64 complaints
- 2012 80 complaints
- 2013 48 complaints
- 2014 42 complaints
- 2015 33 complaints
- 2016 43 complaints
- 2017 38 complaints
- 2018 25 complaints
- 2019 28 complaints
- 2020 23 complaints
- 2021 20 complaints
- 2022 112 complaints
- 2023 66 complaints
- 2024 22 complaints
- 2025 9 complaints
- 2026 11 complaints
- 2027 0 complaints
Recalls
10V517000 · Oct 28, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 ARMADA, TITAN, INFINITI QX56 AND MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 FRONTIER, PATHFINDER AND XTERRA VEHICLES. THE INTELLIGENT POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULE (IPDM) ASSEMBLY CONTAINS AN ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) RELAY THAT HAS A DIODE FOR…
08V690000 · Dec 29, 2008
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
NISSAN IS RECALLING 242,720 MY 2005-2009 PATHFINDER, FRONTIER AND XTERRA VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW…
06V092000 · Mar 30, 2006
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.
Complaints
532 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 9, fire flag on 8, injury field 11, deaths field 1. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| DP12004 | Transmission Failures · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM); POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND… | Jun 11, 2012 | Oct 22, 2016 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frontier 2WD · 2.5L · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 17 | 22 | 19 | — | — | $3,550 |
| Frontier 2WD · 2.5L · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 19 | 23 | 21 | — | — | $3,200 |
| Frontier V6 2WD · 4L · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 14 | 19 | 16 | — | — | $4,200 |
| Frontier V6 2WD · 4L · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 15 | 20 | 17 | — | — | $3,950 |
| Frontier V6 4WD · 4L · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 14 | 19 | 16 | — | — | $4,200 |
| Frontier V6 4WD · 4L · Manual 6-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 15 | 19 | 17 | — | — | $3,950 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2005 Nissan Frontier at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.