IllustrationMY TRANSMISSION STARTING SLIPPING. THE PROBLEM WAS THAT THE RADIATOR CRACKED AND ALLOWED ANTI-FREEZE TO LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION. OUR WINTERS ARE VERY SNOWY,ICY AND COLD LEAVING ME WITHOUT HEAT AND IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION IN WINTRY CONDITIONS. *TR
2007 Nissan Xterra
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Xterra years
Owner complaints for the 2007 Nissan Xterra are substantially higher than the model-year median of 78.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Xterra 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
310–25K
7425–50K
8950–75K
9475–100K
162100–150K
48150K+
498 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 231 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 136 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 85 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
3 crash reports3 fire reports5 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
75 reportsCOOLANT MIXES WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID AND CAUSES CAR TO SHUDDER AND FAIL. THIS CAUSES A SITUATION IN TRAFFIC THAT COULD CAUSE A CRASH. *TR
I TOOK MY NISSAN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION FOR RADIATOR/TRANSMISSION DEFECT. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED NO WAY OF KNOWING IF MY VEHICLE IS ONE OF THE ONES WHERE THIS PART WILL FAIL. IS THIS TRUE? *TR
STRONG VIBRATION AND NOISE FROM THE TRANSMISSION AND THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS FOR TIME PERIODS UP TO 10 SECONDS. HAPPENS REPEATEDLY. UPON LATER EXAMINATION BY THE DEALERSHIP, THEY SAY THAT RADIATOR LEAKS COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING IT TO BE DESTROYED AND REQUIRING REPLACEMENT. *TR
MY NISSAN WHICH I LOVED ORIGINALLY WHEN I PURCHASED IT BRAND NEW HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS AND I HAVE MAINTAINED IT AND SERVICED IT FAITHFULLY. I HAD TAKEN MY TRUCK FOR SERVICE TWICE PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND NOTHING WAS DETECTED AS FAR AS THE RADIATOR CRACKING. THIS IS WHAT CAUSES THE TRANSMISSION T…
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MY NISSAN WHICH I LOVED ORIGINALLY WHEN I PURCHASED IT BRAND NEW HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS AND I HAVE MAINTAINED IT AND SERVICED IT FAITHFULLY. I HAD TAKEN MY TRUCK FOR SERVICE TWICE PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND NOTHING WAS DETECTED AS FAR AS THE RADIATOR CRACKING. THIS IS WHAT CAUSES THE TRANSMISSION TO GO. THE FIRST TIME I WENT FOR SERVICE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY NOTHING WAS SAID. THE SECOND TIME AT 80588 ANOTHER SERVICE WAS DONE BASIC OIL CHANGE AND TIRE ROTATION SUPPOSEDLY EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT FINE EACH TIME A MULTI POINT INSPECTIONS WAS DONE. I IMAGINE THIS INCLUDES PLACING THE VEHICLE ON THE DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTERIZED MACHINE. WELL, SHORTLY AFTER THIS IS WHEN MY MAJOR PROBLEMS BEGAN. MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE AS IF I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY RIDING ON THE SHOULDER WERE THE WARNING STRIPS WITH THE GRIDS VIBRATES YOUR CAR WHEN YOU GO OVER ONTO THEM. I RELATED THE VIBRATION TO THE RECENT TIRE ROTATION I CHECKED THE TIRES MADE SURE NUTS WERE TIGHT AND NOTHING WAS OFF; EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT FINE. THE AWKWARD VIBRATION CONTINUED SO I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY LOCAL NISSAN DEALER AND THAT?S WHEN I GOT THE DEVASTATING NEWS A WHOPPING $7371.00 IN REPAIRS FOR A CRACKED RADIATOR AND DAMAGED TRANSMISSION. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS WHAT SO EVER NO ENGINE LIGHT, NO OVERHEATING, AND NO SMELL OF ANTIFREEZE. NISSAN IS FULLY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND SO ARE THE DEALERS. NOTHING WAS SAID TO ME WITH PRIOR VISITS AND THEY QUICKLY KNEW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND WERE CERTAIN OF THE PROBLEM. THESE DEALERS ARE DEFINITELY AWARE AND MAKING MONEY OFF INNOCENT CONSUMERS FOR THESE UNJUST OUT OF POCKET REPAIRS. WHERE IS THE JUSTICE IN ALL OF THIS? *TR
COOLANT LEAK INTO TRANSMISSION. COMMON PROBLEM TO DESIGN FLAW. COSTLY $5,000+ REPAIR. *TR
TIMINS CHAINS WEAR DOWN TOO EASILY. *TR
MY CHECK ENGINE SON LIGHT CAME ON, I WENT TO AUTOZONE AND I WAS TOLD THE ERROR CODE STATED FUEL SENDING UNIT/SENSOR. I WAS TOLD THAT NISSAN RECOMMENDS YOU KEEP A HALF A TANK OF GAS IN THE TANK. MY XTERRA GUAGE IS VERY UNPREDICTABLE 90% OF THE TIME EVEN WHEN I FILL THE TANK UP THE GUAGE DOESN'T REGISTER, AND IT'S STUCK ON E WITH …
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MY CHECK ENGINE SON LIGHT CAME ON, I WENT TO AUTOZONE AND I WAS TOLD THE ERROR CODE STATED FUEL SENDING UNIT/SENSOR. I WAS TOLD THAT NISSAN RECOMMENDS YOU KEEP A HALF A TANK OF GAS IN THE TANK. MY XTERRA GUAGE IS VERY UNPREDICTABLE 90% OF THE TIME EVEN WHEN I FILL THE TANK UP THE GUAGE DOESN'T REGISTER, AND IT'S STUCK ON E WITH THE GAS LIGHT ON CONSTANTLY, WHICH HAS CAUSED ME A SINGLE MOTHER OF 3 TO RUN OUT OF GAS TWICE. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A VOLUNTARY RECALL, BUT I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE WASN'T. I ALSO LIVE IN A CITY WHERE THERE IS EMISSIONS TESTING WHICH I CAN'T PASS BECAUSE OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, I CANNOT RECEIVE MY VEHICLE TAG, WHICH MEANS I CAN'T WORK OR DRIVE. I WOULD LIKE THIS SENSOR REPLACED AT NO CHARGE TO ME BECAUSE AS READING ONLINE THERE HAS BEEN 53,000 PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS AND THE NEXT STEP I CAN TAKE TO GET THIS RESOLVED. *TT
MY CAR 2007 NISSAN XTERRA STARTED TO MAKE A REVVING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD ON SUNDAY 10/2/2011. THE NEXT DAY I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I CAUTIOUSLY DROVE THE MIN SPEED LIMIT TO THE MID-CITY NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHICH WAS LESS THAN 2 MILES AWAY AT THIS POINT. THE NEXT DAY, MID-C…
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MY CAR 2007 NISSAN XTERRA STARTED TO MAKE A REVVING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD ON SUNDAY 10/2/2011. THE NEXT DAY I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I CAUTIOUSLY DROVE THE MIN SPEED LIMIT TO THE MID-CITY NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHICH WAS LESS THAN 2 MILES AWAY AT THIS POINT. THE NEXT DAY, MID-CITY NISSAN INFORMED ME THAT I NEEDED THE TIMING CHAIN REPAIRED ASAP. THIS SIGHT ISN'T THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU SO I'LL SAVE YOU THE EXTRANEOUS LIES NISSAN TRIED TO SELL ME SO THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO FIX MY CAR WHICH WAS UNDER 46000 MILES AND STILL UNDER EXTENDED NISSAN FACTORY WARRANTY. NOT WANTING TO SPEND $2000 ON A CAR THAT I AM STILL PAYING FOR AND IS STILL CONSIDERABLY NEW AT 46000 MILES. SO I CALLED MY TRUSTED NEIGHBORHOOD MECHANIC TO LOOK AT IT. HE CONCLUDED THAT THE GUARDS ON THE SECONDARY BELT ARE WORN AWAY AND IT NEED TO BE REPLACED. LOOKING INTO "TIMING CHAINS ON NISSAN TRUCKS" BECOMES QUITE A FRUITFUL SEARCH WHEN BROWSING THE INTERNET. RIGHT NOW THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR DEFECTIVE ENGINES IN TRUCKS LIKE MINE. THIS IS THE FIRST TRUCK I'VE OWNED AND I BELIEVED THAT THE HIGH PITCHED WHINING SOUND COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE WAS NORMAL FOR SUCH A BIG, POWERFUL CAR. I'M AFRAID THAT THE ENGINE HAS SOUNDED LIKE THIS FOR THE LAST FEW THOUSAND MILES. I FEEL IF IT'S SUCH A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM AMONG NISSAN TRUCK OWNERS, IT COULD ONE DAY RESULT IN SOMEONES ENGINE STALLING ON THE HIGHWAY. THANK GOODNESS IT WASN'T ME. NISSAN NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THESE ENGINE PARTS. *TR
NO FAILURE OCCURRED, THOUGH WHILE AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPLACEMENT OF A FAULTY FACTORY PART, I WAS INFORMED OF ANOTHER FAILING FACTORY PART (THE TIMING CHAIN GUIDES) THAT WAS A WELL KNOWN AND DOCUMENTED PROBLEM THAT NISSAN FAILED TO ADDRESS FOR ITS CONSUMERS. THE COST OF THE REPAIR WAS ESTIMATED AT $1533.64. *TR
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.