2005 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab NISMO 4x4 from North America - Comments

Rear u-Joint @ 22000 miles

Right Engine Head @ 21000 miles

Continuous coolant smell

BSR galore.

Had good luck with Nissan until this one.

Apparently the new generation of Frontiers have u-joint problems. Good thing if you have a warranty since you cannot purchase individual u-joints at this time and you can only get the complete driveline assembly ($500).

Took the vehicle in for routine service and it was noted after 3 days that I had to replace my thermostat as there was blockage in the cooling system. After 5 days of driving the truck with an extensive coolant smell in the cab and also the exterior of the truck, I checked the coolant and it was down 2 litres. I had assumed that the smell was due to coolant burning off since they never cleaned the engine compartment. After 2 days of it sitting at the dealership they informed me that it had low compression in cylinder # 5 (30% of what it should be) as well as the other two cylinders on that bank. 5 weeks later I got my truck back after they installed a new head, machined and reset the valves. All of this was done because they stated that it was overheating which was never displayed on the instrumentation nor the computer. The dealer had to subcontract all the work because they were not familiar with the new 4.0L engine.

The truck has been back to the dealership 3 more times as the coolant smell is still strong but this time there is no coolant loss.

Not pleased with Nissan at all as they cannot locate the cause of the smell which wasn't there until they changed out the thermostat. The rear u-joint went 1000 miles after the engine rebuild.

Very expensive vehicle to own if the warranty expired. Will be selling this soon.

The only plus I have to offer is that the engine does perform well and the Rockford Fosgate stereo system is very very good (even better than the Bose system I had in the 2004 Maxima). The sunroof and roof racks finishes the exterior nicely in this truck. 4 wheel drive system works flawlessly too but I still won't buy another Nissan as they are nowhere near as reliable as they used to be.

Wow! Sorry about your Lemon. I have 2005, got it with 17K miles in 2006 and it now has over 45K miles with no problems here in May 2008. It's a 6-speed manual and I average 19-21 mpg in mixed driving (65% freeway, 35% city). I read Edmunds, Consumer Reports and JD Powers combines and it's not perfect but overall positive reviews (Edmunds ranks it best over Tacoma for the same model year). Do you live in a Lemon Law state? Might check into that.

I have a 2005 Frontier Quad Cab... bought with 49k on it... it was also in great condition.

At 59k a rear u-joint went, and like all the others, they had to put in a whole new drive shaft.

At 61k a front drive shaft also failed. I asked my Nissan dealer, is this normal... their reply was no... but this will cost you about 430.00 to have a new drive shaft put in.

I asked for Nissan's number and called them while my truck was on the rack and told them my situation... they told me this is not normal, so I asked if there was anything they could do for me... their response was what do you think Nissan should do for you? I asked that if this is not normal, why would 2 different drive shafts (front and rear) go bad so close in time and with only 61k on the vehicle. I had a 89 Dakota and put 200k on that, and also a 95 Dakota and put 277k on that before I traded in on the Frontier. Both Dodges gave me no problems but routine maintenance. I have this Nissan, and in 112k have put in 2 new shafts.

They forwarded my problem to a Nissan customer service rep and told me I would have a answer in 1 day for what Nissan will do for me. I said fine and thank you, and they were very nice, but we will see what they will do. If nothing I think I see another Dakota in my future.

I own a 2005 frontier with 36k. I am taking Nissan to small claims court next month because all my you joints have failed and they told me it wasnt under warranty. I paid to have it fixed, than they told me it was actually under warranty. I am determined to get my reimbursement!!!

I am selling my Nissan Truck with 36k miles.

GOOD LUCK!

M. RUSSO.

I own a 2005 Frontier "Nismo" and have also had 2 joint failures now. First at 57k on rear drive shaft. 2nd now at 87 k on the front drive shaft. Got 1st one covered under warranty but that was over at 60 k. Now I am having local Napa auto parts press new bearings in for me.

I removed the front drive shaft myself and had no trouble, but am fuming over this myself, especially after reading you guys' great feedback.

The truck has been used only as transport, no off-roading except an occasional outburst. (Outburst may be more frequent now with this steam I need to vent!) I have put many highway / long distance miles on.

Other than this, I'm happy and love the thing. Thanks guys. Bill A., Kenosha, WI.

Update from the original post owner.

Took the truck to another dealer where I knew the head shop mechanic (should have taken it there in the first place). They found the source of the coolant smell - a missing clamp that was from an overflow from the thermostat!!! This is after telling the initial dealership that the smell only originated after they changed it out.

Bottom line is that the new head was not required as I spoke with the shop who rebuilt the head and they stated that they only rebuilt it because the dealer told them to.

Truck now has 40000km's and is primarily used for towing boats long distances. Each 8 hour trip results in almost 1L oil loss... so this will be sold once I sell my boat. Goodbye Frontier... HELLO G35 COUPE!!!

I have a 2005 Frontier Nismo that I bought new and love it. Just lost my first U Joint this week at 42K... Bringing it to the dealer on monday... First time in over three years its been back to the dealer so I can't complain. Thank god I bought the extended warranty. Never had any problems till today. I will say that for the money its one of the best trucks out there. Good power, decent gas mileage and plenty of room in the cab.

Having purchased a 2005 Nismo crew cab brand new off the dealer lot with an extended warranty and a so called maintenance plus gold plan, I thought my vehicle issues were over, boy was I mistaken.

First my tailgate suddenly opened and popped off its safety latch and drug on the asphalt. Dealer told me I should have checked the bolts?? Not just one rear end, but two, transmission, catalytic converter, and to top it all off being denied my 60000 mile service because, I was 75 miles over?? Wow that's customer satisfaction. I want to SHIFT into another truck. O WHAT A FEELING.

Sorry to hear about all the problems. I've owned cars like that and it's no fun. Fortunately no such problems with my Frontier. It's an SE 4.0L/Auto Crew Cab 4x4 that has been solid since I bought it a couple years ago with 34k on the clock. It now has 56k and I've only had to fix a couple of TSB's; a noisy serpentine belt/auto tensioner, and a flaky fuel sending unit. Total repair costs $130 because I did the work myself. I am aware of the tailgate and U-joint problems but I inspect these parts often and they're solid. Maybe the previous owner had them replaced, I don't know.

The Frontier is an awesome truck if you can get one that's solid or at least get all of the known problems fixed right away. I love mine and plan on keeping it for many years to come.

I have had similar difficulties with my 2005 Frontier. Front set of u-joints replaced under 50k. And the rear ones before 75K, be aware that the rear drive shaft has two different u-joints that apparently not all dealerships are aware of. Timing chain replaced at 91k. Oh, forgot the two different replacements of the infamous rear axle oil seals. And the special, very expensive transmission fluid J and D matic. This is my third and last. Customer service and vehicle reliabililty just isn't there anymore.