IllustrationTAMARA RECALL PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION SHIFTING WAS MOVING GOT CODE, TRANSMISSION SLOW TO MOVE
2007 Nissan Frontier
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Frontier years
Owner complaints for the 2007 Nissan Frontier are substantially higher than the model-year median of 64.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Frontier years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
230–25K
6525–50K
10050–75K
10575–100K
147100–150K
21150K+
461 reports with mileage · 59 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Power Train. Review the 222 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 113 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 75 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
6 crash reports0 fire reports3 injury reports
Unknown Or Other complaints
22 reportsI NOTICED THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT UP WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND WHEN THIS HAPPENED THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULD GET WARMER. WHEN I SLOWED DOWN TO 50-55 MPH THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WOULD RETURN TO THE NORMAL POSITION. I ALSO BEGAN TO NOTICE THAT THE TRUCK WAS NO LONGER SHIFTING SMOOTHLY AT TIMES. I TOOK THE VEHICLE INT…
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I NOTICED THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT UP WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND WHEN THIS HAPPENED THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULD GET WARMER. WHEN I SLOWED DOWN TO 50-55 MPH THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WOULD RETURN TO THE NORMAL POSITION. I ALSO BEGAN TO NOTICE THAT THE TRUCK WAS NO LONGER SHIFTING SMOOTHLY AT TIMES. I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLER AND COOLER CONTAMINATION SO THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STOP. LUCKILY I DID NOT GET STRANDED ON THE ROAD, BUT NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND MY PORTION OF THE BILL WILL BE $3500-$3700. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE SINCE I KEEP MY MAINTENANCE UP AND GET PROBLEMS HANDLED PROMPTLY.
TOOK MY NISSAN FRONTIER TO PACIFIC NISSAN IN SAN DIEGO FOR A CONSISTENT JERK/KNOCK WITH SOUND OF LIQUID GURGLING. NOTIFIED THAT I WAS LUCKY THAT THE TRUCK MADE IT TO THE SHOP. NOTIFIED THAT THERE IS A FLUID INTERMIX BETWEEN MY COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUIDS. HOW CAN THAT BE WHEN THEY ARE TWO TOTALLY DIFFERENT SYSTEMS? NISSA…
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TOOK MY NISSAN FRONTIER TO PACIFIC NISSAN IN SAN DIEGO FOR A CONSISTENT JERK/KNOCK WITH SOUND OF LIQUID GURGLING. NOTIFIED THAT I WAS LUCKY THAT THE TRUCK MADE IT TO THE SHOP. NOTIFIED THAT THERE IS A FLUID INTERMIX BETWEEN MY COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUIDS. HOW CAN THAT BE WHEN THEY ARE TWO TOTALLY DIFFERENT SYSTEMS? NISSAN IS OFFERING THAT I PAY THE DEDUCTIBLE OF 3000$ TO GET IT FIXED. I JUST FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR ALL FRONTIERS, XTERRAS AND PATHFINDERS AND NISSAN IS NOT BEING PRO-ACTIVE IN ISSUING REPAIRS PRIOR TO THIS PROBLEM HAPPENING AND STICKING THE CONSUMERS WITH THE COST TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. HOW CAN THIS BE ALLOWED TO HAPPEN?
NISSAN IS AWARE OF LEAKING RADIATORS AND NOT UNTIL A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WAS FILED THEY DID NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND ONLY HELP PAY WITH A COPAY IF THE VEHICLE IS LESS THEN 90,000 MILES. WHICH IS RIDICULOUS BECAUSE IT SHOULD IT BE UNLIMITED MILEAGE FOR THAT TYPE OF REPAIR. RADIATOR LEAKED COOLANT FLUID INTO TRANSMISSION AND C…
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NISSAN IS AWARE OF LEAKING RADIATORS AND NOT UNTIL A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WAS FILED THEY DID NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND ONLY HELP PAY WITH A COPAY IF THE VEHICLE IS LESS THEN 90,000 MILES. WHICH IS RIDICULOUS BECAUSE IT SHOULD IT BE UNLIMITED MILEAGE FOR THAT TYPE OF REPAIR. RADIATOR LEAKED COOLANT FLUID INTO TRANSMISSION AND CORRODED AND BROKE SEALS ON TRANSMISSION CAUSED IT TO BRAKE AND HAVE CAR SHUT DOWN
FOR APPROXIMATELY 1 MONTH PRIOR TO THE TRANSMISSION FAILING, I NOTICE A "BUCKING" FROM THE TRANSMISSION FOLLOWING SHIFTS AND ONLY AT LOW RPM'S. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVELS CHECKED DURING AN OIL CHANGE IN JANUARY 2014, AND FLUID WAS ADDED (THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT FLUSHED.) THE "BUCKING" SEEMED TO SUBSIDE FOR A FEW DAYS,…
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FOR APPROXIMATELY 1 MONTH PRIOR TO THE TRANSMISSION FAILING, I NOTICE A "BUCKING" FROM THE TRANSMISSION FOLLOWING SHIFTS AND ONLY AT LOW RPM'S. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVELS CHECKED DURING AN OIL CHANGE IN JANUARY 2014, AND FLUID WAS ADDED (THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT FLUSHED.) THE "BUCKING" SEEMED TO SUBSIDE FOR A FEW DAYS, HOWEVER WHAT I NEXT EXPERIENCED NEXT WAS FAR WORSE. ON THREE OR FOUR OCCASSIONS, THE TRUCK SUDDENLY ACTED AT THOUGH THE TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED, AS IF IT WERE IN NEUTRAL. EACH OF THESE INCIDENTS OCCURRED ON 4 LANE HIGHWAYS, AT HIGHWAY SPEED. AS I RECALL, ON AT LEAST ONE OF THESE OCCASSIONS TRAFFIC WAS VERY LIGHT, AND I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY EXIT THE HIGHWAY. HOWEVER, ON THE OTHER OCCASSIONS, THE SUDDEN LOSS OF SPEED AND ABILITY TO ACCELERATE VERY VERY NEARLY CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT.
TRANSMISSION FAILURE. DRIVING ON FREEWAY VEHICLE WOULDN'T SHIFT INTO GEAR. I WAS STUCK AND ON MY WAY HOME IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. TRUCK STARTED SHAKING. TOOK IT TO AAMCO ON 5/2/15. COST ME OVER $3770.00. ON 9/6/15 TOOK FIRST TRIP TO THE MOUNTAINS, AGAIN MY TRANSMISSION GOES OUT. THIS TIME WE'RE IN THE MOUNTAINS GOING UP HILL WH…
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TRANSMISSION FAILURE. DRIVING ON FREEWAY VEHICLE WOULDN'T SHIFT INTO GEAR. I WAS STUCK AND ON MY WAY HOME IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. TRUCK STARTED SHAKING. TOOK IT TO AAMCO ON 5/2/15. COST ME OVER $3770.00. ON 9/6/15 TOOK FIRST TRIP TO THE MOUNTAINS, AGAIN MY TRANSMISSION GOES OUT. THIS TIME WE'RE IN THE MOUNTAINS GOING UP HILL WHEN MY TRUCK WON'T SHIFT INTO GEAR. ONCE AGAIN I HAVE TO HAVE MY TRUCK FIXED. I DON'T OWN A BANK AND I NEED MY TRUCK TO WORK. WHAT THE HELL AM I GOING TO DO TO MAKE A LIVING? WHAT IS NISSAN WAITING FOR SOMEONE OR A FAMILY GETTING KILLED???
I WAS REAR ENDED 04/20/2015 ,BACK INJURY, POLICE REPORT, OTHER DRIVER INSURANCE TAKING CARE OF BILLS, NO SETTLEMENT YET. IN JUNE, NOTICED TRANSMISSION SLIP & LEAK IN DRIVE WAY. IN REPAIR SHOP ON FRIDAY, 07/31/2015. THEY ADVISED ME RADIATOR CRACK AND TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED INTO RADIATOR. $1,200.00 TO REPAIR ALL. THEY INSTRU…
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I WAS REAR ENDED 04/20/2015 ,BACK INJURY, POLICE REPORT, OTHER DRIVER INSURANCE TAKING CARE OF BILLS, NO SETTLEMENT YET. IN JUNE, NOTICED TRANSMISSION SLIP & LEAK IN DRIVE WAY. IN REPAIR SHOP ON FRIDAY, 07/31/2015. THEY ADVISED ME RADIATOR CRACK AND TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED INTO RADIATOR. $1,200.00 TO REPAIR ALL. THEY INSTRUCTED TO DO SO.
I BOUGHT A USED 2007 NISSAN FRONTIER CREW CAB AT HYUNDAI OF ROSEVILLE, CA A YEAR AND HALF AGO ON JAN 2014 AND THEY NEVER DISCLOSE TO ME THAT THIS CAR WAS KNOWN FOR COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND EVENTUALLY DESTROYING IT. AFTER BUYING THIS, I ONLY DROVE IT FOR ABOUT 8,000 MILES AND THIS PROBLEM HITS ME JUNE 2015. I BOU…
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I BOUGHT A USED 2007 NISSAN FRONTIER CREW CAB AT HYUNDAI OF ROSEVILLE, CA A YEAR AND HALF AGO ON JAN 2014 AND THEY NEVER DISCLOSE TO ME THAT THIS CAR WAS KNOWN FOR COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND EVENTUALLY DESTROYING IT. AFTER BUYING THIS, I ONLY DROVE IT FOR ABOUT 8,000 MILES AND THIS PROBLEM HITS ME JUNE 2015. I BOUGHT IT FOR $12,500 AND STILL OWE $8,000. THE COSTS TO REPAIR THIS ACCORDING TO NISSAN WOULD COSTS ME $7,500. I BOUGHT AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR $1,200, BUT IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED BECAUSE THIS IS A "KNOWN PRE-EXISTING PROBLEM OR DEFECT BY THE MANUFACTURER." SO, THIS USED FRONTIER WOULD COSTS ME OVER $20,000 WHICH IS ABOUT WHAT THE NEW ONES ARE GOING FOR. THIS IS TERRIBLE AND I NEED SOME KIND OF JUSTICE. EITHER NISSAN, THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP THAT I BOUGHT THIS FROM AND OR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY COMPANY NEED TO PAY FOR THIS. NISSAN SHOULD PAY BECAUSE THIS WAS A KNOWN MANUFACTURER DEFECT. HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP THAT I BOUGHT IT FROM SHOULD ALSO PAY BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T DISCLOSE OF THIS KNOWN DEFECT. THE EXTENDED WARRANTY COMPANY CALLED BUY DIRECT AUTO WARRANTY SHOULD HAD NOT OFFER ME A WARRANTY KNOWING THAT CAN'T PAY FOR THIS KIND OF REPAIR. THEY SHOULD EITHER PAY FOR THE REPAIR OR GIVE ME A FULL REFUND. I NEED JUSTICE!!!
WHILE I WAS DRIVING I FELT A HEAVY VIBRATION WHILE SHIFTING, AND ACCELERATING, ABRUPT STALLING, AND SHUDDERING NOISES. IT WAS SO DANGEROUS TO BE ON THE ROAD WITH THIS VEHICLE. I HAD TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR IMMEDIATELY ON A VEHICLE THAT HAD ONLY 53,452 MILES ON IT.
THE RADIATOR IN THE VEHICLE RUPTURED, ALLOWING COOLANT INTO TRANSMISSION. THIS LED TO LOSS OF POWER, HARD SHIFTING, AND SLIPPAGE WHILE ACCELERATING. CONTACTED NISSAN, THEY INFORMED ME WARRANTY HAD BEEN EXTENDED BUT I WAS 1,600 MILES OVER THEIR ARBITRARILY EXTENDED LIMIT. THEY SUGGESTED I CONTACT THE DEALER FOR ASSISTANCE. THE DE…
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THE RADIATOR IN THE VEHICLE RUPTURED, ALLOWING COOLANT INTO TRANSMISSION. THIS LED TO LOSS OF POWER, HARD SHIFTING, AND SLIPPAGE WHILE ACCELERATING. CONTACTED NISSAN, THEY INFORMED ME WARRANTY HAD BEEN EXTENDED BUT I WAS 1,600 MILES OVER THEIR ARBITRARILY EXTENDED LIMIT. THEY SUGGESTED I CONTACT THE DEALER FOR ASSISTANCE. THE DELAER REPEATED THAT IT WAS OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY PERIOD, AND ESTIMATED REPAIR COSTS AT $7000. I TOOK TRUCK TO LOCAL SHOP, WHO QUOTED $5500, AND NOW FIND OUT THAT THE TRANSMISSION PARTS ARE ON BACKORDER AND I WILL BE WITHOUT MY WORK VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 1 MONTH. NISSAN IS CLEARLY AWARE OF THIS DRIVELINE FAILURE ISSUE, BUT THEY ARE ATTEMPTING TO PUSH OFF THE COST OF THEIR FAULTY PARTS ONTO THE CONSUMER, RATHER THAN REMEDY WHAT IS A COSTLY AND POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS DEFECT.
Official recalls
108V690000 · Air Bags:frontal
Dec 29, 2008
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 JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN THOSE AREAS OF THE COUNTRY WHICH USE HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT IN THE WINTER, A MIXTURE OF SNOW/WATER AND SALT CAN ENTER INTO THE FRONT CRASH ZONE SENSOR (CZS) HOUSING. IF THIS OCCURS, THE CZS MAY INTERNALLY RUST RESULTING IN A SIGNAL INTERRUPTION. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE RED AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE TO ALERT THE VEHICLE OPERATOR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS ISSUE COULD RESULT IN THE NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAGS IN A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT CZS WITH A REDESIGNED SENSOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 26, 2009. OWNERS IN THE OTHER STATES WILL RECEIVE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR THE SENSOR TO 10 YEARS. THESE OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE WARRANTY EXTENSION BY MAIL AND WILL RECEIVE A STICKER TO PLACE IN THEIR WARRANTY BOOKLET EXPLAINING THE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1DP12004 · Transmission Failures
Opened Jun 11, 2012 · Closed Oct 22, 2016
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train; Power Train:automatic Transmission; Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm); Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines; Power Train:automatic Transmission:torque Converter
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
Additional source detail variants (5)
Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
Power Train:automatic Transmission
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:torque Converter
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
Power Train
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.