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

Fuel/propulsion System complaints

63 reports
Clear category filter
121,000 miles · Sep 21, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System

THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED AND THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER EACH REFUELING, THE GAUGE REGISTERS EMPTY FOR A WHILE AND THEN REPORTS ERRATICALLY ON THE FUEL LEVEL AND IS NOT RELIABLE. I SEE ON-LINE THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND WAS ADDRESSED WITH AN EXTENDED WARRANTY UP TO 72000 MILES. IF THIS IS A KNOWN PART FAIL…

Read full complaint

THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED AND THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER EACH REFUELING, THE GAUGE REGISTERS EMPTY FOR A WHILE AND THEN REPORTS ERRATICALLY ON THE FUEL LEVEL AND IS NOT RELIABLE. I SEE ON-LINE THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND WAS ADDRESSED WITH AN EXTENDED WARRANTY UP TO 72000 MILES. IF THIS IS A KNOWN PART FAILURE, WHY WASN'T IT/ ISN'T IT HANDLED AS A RECALL?

NHTSA ODI #10766402

170,000 miles · Sep 18, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE REFUELING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WAS INOPERABLE. THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000.

NHTSA ODI #10765137

75,000 miles · Aug 6, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System

FUEL GAUGE IS GIVING AN ERRONEOUS READING. PROBLEM STARTED AT AROUND JULY 2014 WITH MILEAGE AT AROUND 75,000 BUT CORRECTED ITSELF THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN FEW MONTHS AFTER WITH THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ON AND HAS BEEN ON SINCE. EMPTY LIGHT IS ON EVEN THOUGH THERE'S GAS IN TANK OR IT WILL READ FULL EVEN THOUGH THERE'S LESS THAN FUL…

Read full complaint

FUEL GAUGE IS GIVING AN ERRONEOUS READING. PROBLEM STARTED AT AROUND JULY 2014 WITH MILEAGE AT AROUND 75,000 BUT CORRECTED ITSELF THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN FEW MONTHS AFTER WITH THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ON AND HAS BEEN ON SINCE. EMPTY LIGHT IS ON EVEN THOUGH THERE'S GAS IN TANK OR IT WILL READ FULL EVEN THOUGH THERE'S LESS THAN FULL IN TANK. EITHER WAY IT IS ERRATIC & NOT GIVING YOU THE CORRECT READING. APPARENTLY THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH NISSAN AND A RECALL IN A FORM OF A WARRANTY EXTENSION SPECIFIC TO THAT PART AND PROBLEM HAS BEEN SENT OUT AND OF COURSE IT HAPPENS TO MY CAR AFTER THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. IT'S AUG 2015 AND MILEAGE IS NOW AT 82,650 AND WAY PAST THE WARRANTY EVEN WITH THE EXTENDED ONE THAT THEY HAD PUT OUT. CONTACTED NISSAN CONSUME AFFAIRS BUT WAS JUST TOLD THEY COULDN'T HELP AND TO FILE COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA AND/OR BBB WHICH I AM DOING AND HOPING THIS WOULD BE ATTENDED TO AS REPAIRS ARE TOO COSTLY FOR SOMETHING THAT IS A KNOWN DEFECT WITH THESE VEHICLES.

NHTSA ODI #10746861

98,500 miles · Aug 6, 2015
Fuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

MY COOLANT SYSTEM HAS LEAKED INTO MY TRANSMISSION SYSTEM CAUSING MALFUNCTION OF BOTH. THIS CAUSES MY CAR TO HESITATE WHEN ACCELERATING AND WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION TO GIVE OUT COMPLETELY WHILE IN MOTION.THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM THAT NISSAN IS AWARE OF AND HAS NOT ADEQUATELY ADDRESSED.

NHTSA ODI #10746856

80,500 miles · May 15, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE FUEL GAUGE IMPROPERLY DISPLAYED THAT THE FUEL TANK HAD OVER 1/4 OF FUEL ALTHOUGH THE TANK WAS NEARLY EMPTY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE FUEL GAUGE IMPROPERLY DISPLAYED THAT THE FUEL TANK HAD OVER 1/4 OF FUEL ALTHOUGH THE TANK WAS NEARLY EMPTY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V075000 (FUEL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,500.

NHTSA ODI #10716643

85,000 miles · May 14, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System

DEC. 2014: GAS GAUGE READING BECAME ERRATIC. CONTACTED DEALER WHO SAID SENSOR IN TANK WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $400. MAY 12, 2015, DELIVERED VEHICLE TO DEALER TO REPAIR GAS GAUGE SENSOR, ALSO EXPERIENCING VIBRATION AND RUMBLE AT 40 TO 45 MPH WHICH STARTED 10 DAYS AGO (88,000 MILES). DEALER INFORMED ME…

Read full complaint

DEC. 2014: GAS GAUGE READING BECAME ERRATIC. CONTACTED DEALER WHO SAID SENSOR IN TANK WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $400. MAY 12, 2015, DELIVERED VEHICLE TO DEALER TO REPAIR GAS GAUGE SENSOR, ALSO EXPERIENCING VIBRATION AND RUMBLE AT 40 TO 45 MPH WHICH STARTED 10 DAYS AGO (88,000 MILES). DEALER INFORMED ME THAT VIBRATION WAS DO TO "INSULATING SLEEVE" ON DRIVESHAFT THAT HAD BROKEN LOOSE AND DRIVESHAFT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $750. VIBRATION AT 40-45 MPH SOUNDS SUSPICIOUSLY SIMILAR TO PROBLEM OTHERS HAVE REPORTED AS TRANSMISSION GOES OUT DUE TO COOLANT CONTAMINATION.

NHTSA ODI #10716431

160,000 miles · May 4, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System

2007 NISSAN XTERRA FUEL SENDING UNIT FAILED. THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON AND THE FUEL GAUGE IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NEAR EMPTY BEFORE WE REALIZED THE FUEL GAUGE WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10714397

139,000 miles · Apr 2, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System

WENT TO THE GAS STATION TO FILL UP AND THE GAS HAND STAYED AT THE SAME POSITION. WHEN STARTING THE IGNITION THE FUEL GAUGE DROPPED BELOW E. WHEN RESTARTING THE CAR THE NEXT DAY, THE FUEL GAUGE SAID I HAD 1/4 TANK. THE VEHICLE STAYED AT 1/4 TANK AND CHANGED BACK AND FORTH TO BELOW E. THE CAR THEN RAN OUT OF GAS IN THE MIDDLE OF T…

Read full complaint

WENT TO THE GAS STATION TO FILL UP AND THE GAS HAND STAYED AT THE SAME POSITION. WHEN STARTING THE IGNITION THE FUEL GAUGE DROPPED BELOW E. WHEN RESTARTING THE CAR THE NEXT DAY, THE FUEL GAUGE SAID I HAD 1/4 TANK. THE VEHICLE STAYED AT 1/4 TANK AND CHANGED BACK AND FORTH TO BELOW E. THE CAR THEN RAN OUT OF GAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10703262

118,760 miles · Mar 21, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System

TRAVELING ON BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC AND ALMOST WAS HIT BY A TRACTOR TRAILER DUE TO FUEL GAUGE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD NOT COME ON YET. SEVERAL HOURS LATTER IT DID COME ON. THIS IS SAFETY I WAS LUCK TO NOT BE HIT AT HIGH RATE OF SPEED BY TRACTOR TRAILER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10700821

118,630 miles · Mar 21, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System

GAUGE SAID I HAD GAS RAN OUT IN BUMPER TO BUMPER 75-80 MILE AN HOUR TRAFFIC NARROWLY MISSED BEING CRUSHED BY SEMI TRACTOR TRAILER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10700818

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.