SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

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 →
557Owner complaints

Model-year median: 78

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
84
2004845
2005780
2006557
2007119
200819
200938
2010
Compare all Xterra years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Power Train
231Fuel System, Gasoline
136Engine
85Engine And Engine Cooling
75Fuel/propulsion System
63
All reported categories
Fuel System, Other
32Unknown Or Other
30Electrical System
27Air Bags
26Suspension
11Vehicle Speed Control
7Electronic Stability Control (esc)
6Steering
6Structure
5Service Brakes
4Wheels
3Equipment
2Seat Belts
2Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2Visibility
2Equipment Adaptive/mobility
1Exterior Lighting
1Forward Collision Avoidance
1Fuel System, Diesel
1Interior Lighting
1Latches/locks/linkages
1Parking Brake
1Tires
1Visibility/wiper
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Equipment complaints

2 reports
Clear category filter
130,649 miles · Jul 21, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentPower Train

NISSAN UNSAFE FAILURE PARTS TRANSMISSION AND RADIATORS HI MY NAME IS [XXX] MY STORY BEGINS AS A HAPPY ONE, BUT SOON TURNS OUT TO BE MY WORST NIGHTMARE BACK IN NOVEMBER 2007. I BOUGHT MY FIRST CAR A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA FROM AVONDALE NISSAN BRAND NEW WHICH IS NOW PAID OFF. IT WAS A VERY NICE VEHICLE, HAD REALLY SMALL ISSUES WITH NO…

Read full complaint

NISSAN UNSAFE FAILURE PARTS TRANSMISSION AND RADIATORS HI MY NAME IS [XXX] MY STORY BEGINS AS A HAPPY ONE, BUT SOON TURNS OUT TO BE MY WORST NIGHTMARE BACK IN NOVEMBER 2007. I BOUGHT MY FIRST CAR A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA FROM AVONDALE NISSAN BRAND NEW WHICH IS NOW PAID OFF. IT WAS A VERY NICE VEHICLE, HAD REALLY SMALL ISSUES WITH NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR AND NORMAL MAINTENANCE WHICH I KEPT UP ON MYSELF. RIGHT NOW I'M ATTENDING ASU FOR PREMED AND I NEED MY VEHICLE TO GET TO SCHOOL. THE ISSUE STARTED WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, ALL OF SUDDEN I HEARD A NOISE AND THE BACK END SHUDDERED AS IF I WAS DRIVING OVER RUMBLE STRIPS. I TOOK IT IN ON MY NEXT OIL CHANGE TO DISCOVER THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID HAD LEAKED INTO THE COOLANT, THEN I HAD THE RADIATOR REPLACED, THEN A COUPLE MONTHS LATER MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE SAME ISSUE WHICH I WAS PREVIOUSLY HAVING WITH THE MY TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING INTO THE COOLANT BEGAN AGAIN. IN ADDITION TO THAT INCIDENT, I WAS TOLD FROM NUMEROUS DEALERSHIPS INCLUDING NISSAN THAT THE RADIATOR WAS DAMAGED AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION WAS ALSO DAMAGE. I THEN STARTED GOOGLING THE PROBLEM AND TO MY SURPRISE TO FIND OUT THAT SO MANY OTHER NISSAN OWNERS WERE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS HORRIFIED ME WHEN I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT NEW IN 2007. THE SERVICE ADVISOR IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME THIS IS A TERRIBLE PROBLEM BECAUSE NISSAN IS AWARE OF THIS HORRIBLE DESIGN FLAW ON NISSAN'S PART AND THEY'RE NOT DOING ANYTHING TO HELP THEIR CUSTOMERS, HE SAID THAT NISSAN IS NOT GOING TO DO A RECALL AT ALL ITS JUST A DEFECT. HE ALSO STATED THAT TO FIX THE TRANSMISSION AND GET ANOTHER RADIATOR WOULD COST $500 FOR THE RADIATOR AND $5155 FOR TRANSMISSION NOT INCLUDING TAX OR LABOR. I WILL NEVER IN MY LIFE EVER BUY A NISSAN AGAIN NOR WOULD I RECOMMEND SOMEONE TO PURCHASE IT! I'M NOT GETTING ANY ANSWERS FROM THEM THEY ARE FULLY AWARE OF THIS UNSAFE DEFECT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *KB

NHTSA ODI #10414031

Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentFuel System, Other

I HAVE A 2007 XTERRA WITH 42K. I FILLED IT AT THE GAS STATION AND NOTICED RIGHT AFTER LEAVING THE STATION THAT THE GAUGE STILL SAID A QUARTER OF A TANK. SO I PULLED OVER AND TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND THEN RESTARTED IT THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT WAS ON. AS I WERE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE GAUGE SLOWLY STARTED RISING TO THE FULL…

Read full complaint

I HAVE A 2007 XTERRA WITH 42K. I FILLED IT AT THE GAS STATION AND NOTICED RIGHT AFTER LEAVING THE STATION THAT THE GAUGE STILL SAID A QUARTER OF A TANK. SO I PULLED OVER AND TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND THEN RESTARTED IT THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT WAS ON. AS I WERE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE GAUGE SLOWLY STARTED RISING TO THE FULL MARK. MY CAR DIDN'T PASS STATE REGISTRATION WITH THE SES ON. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10413472

Official recalls

1

08V690000 · 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

1

DP12004 · 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.