2005 Nissan Frontier Transmission Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD EMERGING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE NOISE WENT AWAY WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS NOT DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED FIVE OTHER TIMES WITHIN A TWO WEEK PERIOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THE RADIATOR FLUID WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION, RADIATOR, AND THE TRANSMISSION MODULE NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,000.

NHTSA ID

11102787

Incident

Jun 17, 2018

Mileage

131,000 mi

2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO MALFUNCTION IN THE RADIATOR LEAKING, THAT RESULTED IN COMPLETELY DAMAGING THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION *TGW

NHTSA ID

10456245

Incident

Apr 2, 2012

GRADUAL FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION DUE TO RUPTURED TRANSMISSION COOLER INSIDE RADIATOR ALLOWING COOLANT INTO TRANSMISSION FLUID. SYMPTOM STARTED AS SMALL VIBRATION AND NUMEROUS SERVICE ATTEMPTS COULD NOT IDENTIFY PROBLEM. HAD TRANSMISSION FLUSHED AND SERVICE CENTER DID NOT MENTION ANY DISCOLORATION OF FLUID OR OTHER PROBLEM. HAD RADIATOR DRAINED AND FLUSHED AND THERMOSTAT REPLACED,SERVICE CENTER DID NOT CITE ANY DISCOLORATION OF FLUID. TRANSMISSION NOW BUCKS HEAVILY AND WEB RESEARCH UNCOVERED THE PROBLEM WITH SIMILIAR MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE. *KB

NHTSA ID

10452406

Incident

Aug 1, 2011

Mileage

103,000 mi

MY NISSAN 2005 FRONTIER HAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WHERE THE RADIATOR IS LEAKING COOLANT IN THE TRANSMISSION. THIS HAS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO NOT CHANGE GEARS PROPERLY AND IS A DANGER AS IT DOES NOT ACCELERATE AS IT SHOULD. *TR

NHTSA ID

10422483

Incident

Jun 1, 2011

Mileage

140,000 mi

DEAR SIR OR MA'AM; I HAVE A NISSAN FRONTIER 2005 V^ 4.0L ENGINE NISMO 4X4 MODEL. IT HAS 91K MILES IN IT AND HAVE RECENTLY BEEN EXPERIENCING SLUGGISHNESS AND A "THUD" WHILE IN LOW POWER (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). SO I HAVE BEEN READING FORUMS AND ONLINE SITES TO GET AN IDEA OF WHAT THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM MAYBE. MECHANICS AND AUTO PART STORES HAVE DIAGNOSED IT AS AN ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION BRAKE CONTROL VALVE (INTERNAL). MY TRUCKS DISCREPANCY MIGHT BE ISOLATED BUT WHAT CONCERNS ME GOES NOT ONLY FOR MY VEHICLE BUT ALSO AND MORE FOR ALL THESE CONSUMERS WHO HAVE REPORTED PROBLEMS WITH THEIR RADIATION+TRANSMISSION. THEY HAVE SPENT MONEY AND IT SEEMS FROM THEIR COMMENTS NISSAN DEALERSHIPS AND COMPANY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO HELP OR ADDRESS A KNOWN ISSUE (IT SOUNDS LIKE A COVER-UP--HOPEFULLY THE CONSUMERS ARE ACCURATE IN THEIR DESCRIPTION). WHAT FURTHER CONCERNS ME IS THAT THEY SEEM TO BE STUCK WITH THEIR SITUATION AND UNABLE TO GO FURTHER. ONE CONSUMER CONTACTED A LOCAL TV STATIONS CONSUMER AFFAIRS SECTION AND GOT HELP. SO IT SEEMS THAT WHAT THESE CONSUMERS NEED IS BACKING FROM A LEGITIMATE INSTITUTION OR AGENCY. IF THE DEALERSHIP/COMPANY WILL NOT LISTEN TO THEIR COSTUMERS AND ADDRESS THE ISSUE (WHICH I BELIEVE IS A SAFETY ISSUE), PERHAPS WE CAN GET YOUR (NHTSA) HELP. I PROPOSE THAT NHTSA PLS LOOK INTO THIS MECHANICAL SAFETY CONCERN AND LOOK INTO POSSIBILITY OF POOR MATERIALS/MANUFACTURING OF SOME OF THE NISSAN FRONTIER COMPONENTS. APPRECIATE YOUR RESPONSE ON THIS MATTER. FOR THE CONSUMER CONCERNS/PROBLEM DESCRIPTIONS, PLEASE REFERENCE: HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/AUTOMOTIVE/NISSAN_FRONTIER.HTML. *TR

NHTSA ID

10422384

Incident

Aug 15, 2011

Mileage

91,000 mi

2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. TRANSMISSION FAILURE.. VEHICLE SHUTTERS AROUND 40 MPH AND SOME LOUD CLUNKING NOISES WHEN THE TRANNY SHIFTS. DEALER TRIED TO BLAME MY BRAKES. TOOK TO TRANSMISION SHOP AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE $5000 TO REPLACE TRANNY BECAUSE COOLANT CONTAMINATED THE TRANSMISION. *TT

NHTSA ID

10421674

Incident

Jun 15, 2011

Mileage

110,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER PICKUP TRUCK. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE INTO THE NEXT GEAR. THE CONTACT WOULD RELEASE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THE VEHICLE SPEED WOULD INCREASE EXCESSIVELY. THE CONTACT WAS FORCED TO SHIFT INTO OVER DRIVE IN ORDER TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,600. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000. UPDATED 08/15/11 *BF THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PROBLEM HAS SINCE BEEN DIAGNOSED BY A NISSAN DEALERSHIP AS BEING AN INTERMIX OF RADIANT COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID. THIS MIX RUINED THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. UPDATED 06/07/12 *JS

NHTSA ID

10415003

Incident

Jul 15, 2011

Mileage

94,600 mi

TOOK MY TRUCK TO PELTIER IN TYLER FOR AN ECM RELAY RECALL. MECHANIC LOOKED AT TRUCK AND FOUND THAT THE RADIATOR TRANSMISSION COOLER WAS LEAKING ANTI-FREEZE INTO MY TRANSMISSION. WAS TOLD TO REPLACE RADIATOR IMMEDIATELY AND FLUSH TRANSMISSION. DID THIS HOWEVER TRANSMISSION WENT INTO LIMP MODE AND PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE. A MECHANIC REPLACED THE VALVE BODY WHICH COST OVER $1000 FOR THE PART ALONE AND CHECKED THE CLUTCH PACKS IN THE TRANSMISSION. CLUTCH PACKS CHECKED OKAY HOWEVER THE MECHANIC COULD NOT GUARANTEE THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS OKAY. VEHICLE SEEMED TO DRIVE OKAY AFTER THE REPAIR. NOW THE TORQUE CONVERTER SEEMS TO BE GOING OUT AND THE VEHICLE WILL GO INTO THE LIMP MODE. I HAVE TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY TO RESET THE CODE AND IT WILL DRIVE OKAY FOR ABOUT 10 MILES AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE VEHICLE GOES INTO THE LIMP MODE. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT HE THINKS THE TORQUE CONVERTER IS SHOT AND WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. UPDATE AS OF 07/192011 - MECHANIC REPLACED MY TORQUE CONVERTER AND REBUILT TRANSMISSION. THE OLD TORQUE CONVERTER CAME APART AND AFTER PULLING THE TRANSMISSION, HE SAW A LOT OF METALLIC SHAVINGS ON THE SCREEN ON THE VALVE BODY. WHILE DRIVING TO WORK ON 07/22/2011, I WAS DRIVING AROUND 70 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON. ALL OF A SUDDEN MY RPM GAUGE REDLINED AND MY TRANSMISSION WENT INTO NEUTRAL. I IMMEDIATELY RELEASED THE CRUISE CONTROL BY TAPPING THE BRAKE PEDAL. WITH NO SHOULDER ON THE ROAD AT MY LOCATION, AN 18 WHEELER WAS QUICKLY COMING UP ON MY REAR. I PUT MY FLASHERS ON AND WAS ABLE TO COAST TO AN EXIT. THE 18 WHEELER CAME WITHIN INCHES HITTING MY REAR END. NOW MY FRONTIER IS IN DUNN'S TRANSMISSION SHOP IN TYLER, TX TO BE REPAIRED. AS OF THIS WRITING, THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BUT I AM SURE THE PROBLEM WILL BE IN THE VALVE BODY SINCE SOMETHING CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO GO INTO NEUTRAL. PROBABLY SOME METALLIC MATERIAL GOT INSIDE SOMETHING IN THE VALVE BODY WHICH WAS REPLACED IN MARCH 2011. *TR

NHTSA ID

10414904

Incident

Jul 22, 2011

Mileage

111,007 mi

DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSIONS AND FUEL SENSORS ON NISSAN TRUCKS. NISSAN IS VERY AWARE OF THESE PROBLEMS BUT REFUSES TO REMEDY OR REPAIR. MY CURRENT VEHICLE IS A NISSAN FRONTIER 2005 BUT I HAD THE FUEL SENSOR PROBLEMS ON MY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA AS WELL. PLEAS SEE LINK TO CONSUMER AFFAIRS COMPLAINT PAGE LISTING HUNDREDS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM; HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/AUTOMOTIVE/NISSAN_FRONTIER.HTML *TT

NHTSA ID

10412025

Incident

Jul 7, 2011

Mileage

79,500 mi

2005 NISSAN FRONTIER LE (TRANSMISSION FAILURE). DRIVING AT INTERSTATE SPEED (70MPH), TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSING SUDDEN DECELERATION. FAILED ONCE, TRANSMISSION MUST BE REPLACED. NISSAN SERVICE DEPARTMENT IS NOT ABLE TO REPAIR DUE TO HIGH DEMAND FOR PARTS. POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCE HIGH SPEED COLLISION DUE TO SUDDEN DECELERATION. *TR

NHTSA ID

10406286

Incident

Jun 3, 2011

Mileage

110,000 mi

3/10/08-TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AND CLUNKING, TOOK TO DEALER-TURN AWAY, 59994 MILES. 4/21/08-62,597 MILES RETURNED TO DEALER AND AGAIN WAS TOLD NO PROBLEM. THAT DAY TOOK TO LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE DRAINED TRANSMISSION FLUID. RESEMBLED A MILK SHAKE AND HE DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A BROKEN TRANSMISSION LINE IN THE RADIATOR. RETURNED TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY ONCE AGAIN TURNED ME AWAY REFUSING TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. LOCAL MECHANIC FLUSHED TRANSMISSION AND REPAIRED RADIATOR. TRANSMISSION STILL SLIPS AND CLUNKS AND IS PRESENTLY PARKED.(NOT DRIVABLE) RECEIVED A LETTER FROM NISSAN ADMITTING TO THIS VERY PROBLEM AND THEY STILL REJECTED MY REQUEST FOR REPAIRS. BELIEVE ENGINE MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED AS A RESULT OF THIS PROBLEM. BURNS OIL AND STALLS AS WELL. MADE MANY REQUESTS TO NATIONAL CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND TOTALLY REJECTED MY CONCERNS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10399700

Incident

Mar 10, 2008

Mileage

59,994 mi

VIBRATION OCCURRED WHILE SHIFTING. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP PF WHICH THEY STATED PROBLEM RELATED TO ENGINE COOLANT GETTING MIXED WITH TRANSMISSION OIL DUE TO FAILED COOLER INSIDE RADIATOR. COSTS FOR REBUILDING TRANSMISSION OVER $6,000THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURING OR DESIGN DEFECT, NOTHING TO DO WITH NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. NISSAN WILL NOT REIMBURSE THE REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10399378

Incident

Apr 15, 2011

Mileage

85,000 mi

RADIATOR & TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10392653

Incident

Feb 25, 2011

Mileage

89,500 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN INTERNAL LEAK IN THE RADIATOR WHILE SPILLED ONTO THE TRANSMISSION AND CAUSED IT TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ID

10383054

Incident

Feb 17, 2009

Mileage

150,000 mi

HAD BEEN GETTING SOME NOISES FROM THE TRANSMISSION FOR A LITTLE WHILE, BUT MECHANIC NEVER CAUGHT THE REAL ISSUE. TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING 100KM/H, OVERDRIVE AND 4TH GEARS NO LONGER WORKED. WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME AND DO QUICK INTERNET SEARCH WHERE IT BECAME OBVIOUS THAT MY PROBLEM WAS RELATED TO ENGINE COOLANT GETTING MIXED WITH TRANSMISSION OIL DUE TO FAILED COOLER INSIDE RADIATOR. OPENED UP RADIATOR CAP WHICH CONFIRMED THIS FACT, TRANNY OIL FLOATING ON TOP OF THE ENGINE COOLANT. COSTS FOR REBUILDING TRANSMISSION OVER $5,000, HOOKED UP OIL TO EXTERNAL COOLER ALREADY IN THE TRUCK, THEREFORE SAVED COST OF REPLACING RADIATOR (BYPASSED THIS COOLER). THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURING OR DESIGN DEFECT, NOTHING DO WITH NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. NISSAN WILL NOT REIMBURSE THE REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10381634

Incident

Oct 1, 2010

Mileage

98,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER SE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE RADIATOR RUPTURED. THE TRANSMISSION ALSO BEGAN SLIPPING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO E REPLACED AS THE ANTIFREEZE MIXED WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

NHTSA ID

10381323

Incident

Dec 9, 2010

Mileage

82,000 mi

WHY HAS THERE BEEN NO RECALL ON NISSAN FRONTIER PICKUP TRUCKS? THEY HAVE HAD THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS REPORTED ONLINE ABOUT TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO CROSS CONTAMINATION OF TRANSMISSION FLUID AND ENGINE COOLANT DUE TO A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION COOLER PIPE DESIGN. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. ALSO I HAVE A FAILED GAS GAUGE SENDING UNIT. AGAIN THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS ONLINE. THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS ON OTHER VEHICLES FOR THE SAME REASON, YET NOT ON THE NISSAN FRONTIER PICKUP. THE RECALLS ON OTHERS WAS ISSUED BECAUSE THERE WOULD BE FALSE READINGS OF FUEL LEVELS AND A PERSON COULD RUN OUT OF GAS IN TRAFFIC AND CAUSE AND ACCIDENT. THE SAME PROBLEM CAN OCCUR WITH THE NISSAN FRONTIER BECAUSE THE GAUGE GIVES AN INACCURATE READING OR SHOWS EMPTY YET THERE IS FUEL IN THE TANK AND THE OPERATOR WOULD HAVE NO IDEA IF HE IS ABOUT TO RUN OUT OF GAS OR NOT. BACK TO THE TRANSMISSION, THE TRANSMISSION CAN GO OUT COMPLETELY WITHOUT NOTICE DUE TO THE CROSS CONTAMINATION. THERE IS NO WAY TO NO IF THERE IS A PROBLEM UNTIL IT WAS TO LATE. THE TRANSMISSION WILL FAIL AND THERE IS NO WAY OF KNOWING THERE IS A PROBLEM UNLESS YOU CHECK THE RADIATOR PERIODICALLY. THAT IS THE ONLY WAY TO FIND THE PROBLEM WITH OUT HAVING AN ACTUAL BREAKDOWN. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE A RADIATOR, HAVE MY TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY CLEANED OUT TWICE TO REMOVE ANY COOLANT, AND NOW MY TRANSMISSION HAS COMPLETELY FAILED. I AM ASKING FRO AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE NISSAN FRONTIER PROBLEMS AND THE NUMBERS OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS. I AM SURE THERE WOULD BE A BASIS FOR A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10346076

Incident

Nov 18, 2009

Mileage

96,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN TRAVELING AT SPEEDS OF AT LEAST 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT UNUSUAL SHAKING AND HARD VIBRATIONS. THE DEALER ADVISED THE COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND BOTH THE TRANSMISSION AND THE COOLANT SYSTEM WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CROSS CONTAMINATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER BEING UTILIZED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 91,000.

NHTSA ID

10328601

Incident

Apr 21, 2010

Mileage

91,000 mi

I HAD TO HAVE EMERGENCY SERVICE TO THE U-JOINTS. STRONG VIBRATION UNDER DRIVER SEAT, AFRAID TO DRIVE ANY FURTHER. PERUZZI NISSAN REFUSING TO REIMBURSE A WARRANTY PART. *TR

NHTSA ID

10247658

Incident

Oct 24, 2008

Mileage

50,000 mi

NISSAN FRONTIER 2005 - 27,000 MILES CLUTCH AND FLYWHEEL WENT OUT NISSAN DEALERSHIP HERE ON KAUAI SAID THAT IT WAS DUE TO "DRIVER ERROR" AND NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY - WANTED TO CHARGE ME $1700 TO FIX I HAVE BEEN DRIVING STANDARD SHIFT CARS FOR 30 YEARS AND NEVER HAD A CLUTCH GO OUT ON ME. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO ANOTHER MECHANIC WHO SAID A. HE GOT SEVERAL DIFFERENT STORIES FROM THE NISSAN MECHANICS, B. IN HIS OPINION NISSAN HAD NEVER TAKEN THE CLUTCH APART TO LOOK AT IT THEREFORE HOW COULD THEY TELL IT WAS DRIVER ERROR AND C. IN HIS OPINION THE MATERIALS USED TO MAKE THE TRUCK WERE TOO SOFT. HOW CAN I GET NISSAN TO ADMIT THAT THIS WAS A FACTORY DEFECT AND PAY FOR REPAIRS? *JB

NHTSA ID

10206024

Incident

Sep 29, 2007

DT: THE CONTACT PURCHASED A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER ON 5/18/2005. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE TRANSMISSION POPPED OUT OF SECOND GEAR ON FOUR OCCASIONS. ONCE ON A BUMPY ROAD, TWICE ON WASHBOARD ROADS, AND ONCE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT ON DRY PAVEMENT. ALL ROADS FREQUENTLY USED BY PASSENGER VEHICLES AND TRAVELING AT LOW SPEEDS UNDER 20 MPH. NISSAN ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM BY ADDING WHEEL WEIGHTS TO THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY TO DAMPEN THE SHIFTER VIBRATION, AND THEN REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. BOTH TIMES THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM ON WASHBOARD ROAD USED BY PASSENGER VEHICLES. THEN NISSAN GAVE THE CONTACT A 2005 SE FRONTIER OFF THE LOT ,AND ONCE AGAIN THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE CONTACT REALIZED THAT HE MUST BE CAREFUL WHEN USING THE SECOND GEAR. THE EXCESSIVE VIBRATION AND POPPING OUT OF GEAR WILL CAUSE ABNORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THE CONTACT CONSIDERED THIS PROBLEM DANGEROUS. IT NEVER HAPPENED WHILE USING 4-WHEEL DRIVE. IT COULD CREATE A DANGEROUS SITUATION DEPENDING ON THE ROAD BEING TRAVERSED, SUCH AS EXPOSURE TO DROPS AND/OR THE INCLINE ON NARROW MOUNTAIN ROADS. THROUGH A LAWYER THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT NISSAN WOULD NOT FIX THE TRANSMISSION BUT WOULD GIVE HIM $3000 FOR TIME AND INCONVENIENCE. THE CONTACT REFUSED, THE OFFER, AND INSISTED THAT TRANSMISSION WILLGET WORSE, AND WOULD HAVE TO USE THE $3000 TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION.*AK UPDATED 1/4/2006 - *NM

NHTSA ID

10144083

Incident

May 23, 2005

Mileage

500 mi