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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

Power Train complaints

231 reports
Clear category filter
127,000 miles · Oct 17, 2019
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REBUILT OR REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REBUILT OR REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.

NHTSA ODI #11269234

Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2019
EnginePower Train

RADIATOR DEFECT CAUSED TRANSMISSION FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #11234925

160,000 miles · Jul 10, 2019
EnginePower TrainStructure

IN MARCH 2019 THE TRANSMISSION STARTED GETTING SLUGGISH WHILE DROPPING MY DAUGHTER AT SCHOOL ONE DAY. EVENTUALLY IT WOULD NOT SWITCH GEARS AS I PULLED IN MY DRIVEWAY FROM MY 1.5 MILE TRIP TO/FROM THE SCHOOL. EVENTUALLY IT WOULDN'T EVEN START IN MY DRIVEWAY EVEN WITH GOOD BATTERY. REPLACED A FUSE FOR THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODU…

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IN MARCH 2019 THE TRANSMISSION STARTED GETTING SLUGGISH WHILE DROPPING MY DAUGHTER AT SCHOOL ONE DAY. EVENTUALLY IT WOULD NOT SWITCH GEARS AS I PULLED IN MY DRIVEWAY FROM MY 1.5 MILE TRIP TO/FROM THE SCHOOL. EVENTUALLY IT WOULDN'T EVEN START IN MY DRIVEWAY EVEN WITH GOOD BATTERY. REPLACED A FUSE FOR THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE AND WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE BUT IT BLEW THE FUSE. HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO OUR MECHANIC AND HE DISCOVERED DISCOVERED THAT THE COOLANT MIXED WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID AND NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE EVERYTHING INVOLVED. ALSO, THE MECHANISM THAT OPENS THE TAILGATE/TRUNK DOOR/LIFTGATE WILL NOT STAY OPEN, ESPECIALLY IN COLDER WEATHER. IT HAS HIT SEVERAL PEOPLE IN THE HEAD AND IS A DEFINITE HAZARD.

NHTSA ODI #11230660

120,000 miles · Apr 30, 2019
Power Train

THE RADIATOR HAD FAILED AND ALLOWED RADIATOR FLUID TO MIX WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. THIS RUINED THE TRANSMISSION WHICH WILL COST THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. WE ALWAYS TOOK CARE OF OUR SUV SO WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE DEALING WITH THESE PROBLEMS. WE CURRENTLY CANNOT AFFORD THE REPAIRS SO WE WILL HAVE AN SUV PARKED AND THAT WE CANNOT DRIV…

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THE RADIATOR HAD FAILED AND ALLOWED RADIATOR FLUID TO MIX WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. THIS RUINED THE TRANSMISSION WHICH WILL COST THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. WE ALWAYS TOOK CARE OF OUR SUV SO WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE DEALING WITH THESE PROBLEMS. WE CURRENTLY CANNOT AFFORD THE REPAIRS SO WE WILL HAVE AN SUV PARKED AND THAT WE CANNOT DRIVE. WE HAD TO PULL OVER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY DUE TO THE VEHICLE'S EXTREMELY HOT TEMPERATURE.

NHTSA ODI #11204886

120,000 miles · Mar 11, 2019
Power Train

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A BUSY CITY STREET WHEN THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED SHIFTING. THE SPEED OF THE CAR DECREASED AND LEFT ME RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. I THAN HAD IT TOWED TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND SAID IT HAS BEEN CROSS CONTAMINATED WITH THE RADIATOR AND WILL BE A $4,800.00 FIX.

NHTSA ODI #11185840

165,780 miles · Feb 17, 2019
EnginePower Train

TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO LEAK FROM RADIATOR COOLING SYSTEM FLUID INTERMIXING WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING, WENT TO REPAIR SHOP THE CODE P0717 CAME UP. UPON INSPECTION BY THE REPAIR SHOP IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION, RADIATOR, AND ALL HOSES,ETC. THAT INTERCONNECTED THE TRANSMISS…

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TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO LEAK FROM RADIATOR COOLING SYSTEM FLUID INTERMIXING WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING, WENT TO REPAIR SHOP THE CODE P0717 CAME UP. UPON INSPECTION BY THE REPAIR SHOP IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION, RADIATOR, AND ALL HOSES,ETC. THAT INTERCONNECTED THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED.I LIVE IN CALIFORNIA AND THE PROBLEM OCCURED IN ARIZONA.

NHTSA ODI #11180680

100,000 miles · Jan 7, 2019
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE VEHICLE WAS MOVING. RESEARCH SHOWS THAT TRANSMISSION FAILURE IS DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW WHERE ENGINE COOLANT CAN LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ODI #11164819

160 miles · Sep 8, 2018
Power Train

IN 2015 MY FIANC TRUCK BROKE DOWN LEAVING HER STRANDED. SHE HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO THE LOCAL NISSAN COMPANY WHERE SHE PURCHASED THE SUV NEW. THEY DID A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK AND IT SHOWED WHERE THE RADIATOR LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING IT TO MALFUNCTION. SHE WAS TOLD THAT THE REPAIRS WOULD BE MORE THAN $6,000. WE WERE TOLD TO…

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IN 2015 MY FIANC TRUCK BROKE DOWN LEAVING HER STRANDED. SHE HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO THE LOCAL NISSAN COMPANY WHERE SHE PURCHASED THE SUV NEW. THEY DID A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK AND IT SHOWED WHERE THE RADIATOR LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING IT TO MALFUNCTION. SHE WAS TOLD THAT THE REPAIRS WOULD BE MORE THAN $6,000. WE WERE TOLD TO CONTACT NISSAN CORPERATE. NISSAN REP STATED THERE WASN'T ANYTHING THEY COULD DODO TO THE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE. THERE'S NO WAY YOU CAN PREDICT HOW LONG A TRANSMISSION WOULD LAST. WE'VE REACHED OUT TO NISSAN ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND WERE TOLD THAT BASED ON THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE THEY WON'T PAY FOR ANY REPAIRS. MY FIANC TRAVELS DUE TO HER JOB SO OF COURSE IT WOULD HAVE HIGH MILEAGE.NISSAZN EXTENDED THERE WARRANTY FROM 30K TO 80K THEN 100K, AGAIN THERE NO WAY YOU CAN PREDICT A FAILURE. NISSAN NEEDS TO STAND BEHIND THESE FAULTY RADIATORS AND FIX THESE VEHICLES. I AM A NISSAN OWNER IVE HAD 4 NISSANS THIS LEAVES A BAD LOOK ON NISSAN. I MYSELF WILL NOT NOR WILL I REFER ANYONE ELSE TO BUY OR LEASE ANOTHER NISSAN PRODUCT. I'M IN NC AND I'VE REFFERD AT LEAST 60 OF ,MY FRIENDS AND COLLEGES TO PURCHASE NISSAN. ALL THE STAFF AT DEACON JONES KNOW ME AND KNOW MY REPUTATION. I WAS TOLD BY A REP AT COOPERATE TO SPEAK WITH THE MANAGEMENT TO SEE IF THEY WOULD DISCOUNT MY REPAIR. MANAGEMENT STATED, THEY COULD ONLY COVER IT IF COORPERATE AGREED TO FIX IT. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS CASE, ITS BEEN ONGOING. WE'VE REACHED OUT TO COORPERATE SEVERAL TIMES AND EACH TIME WE GET THE RUN AROUND TELLING US THAT THE VEHICLE IS OVER 10 YEARS OLD NOW. WE'VE ALSO ASKED TO SPEAK TO MANAGEMENT AND CONTINUE TO BE TOLD THERE BUSY OR SOMEONE WILL CONTACT US. AGAIN NO RETURN CALLS. WE HAVE RECEIVED EMAILS SURVEYS.

NHTSA ODI #11128249

Mileage unknown · Aug 26, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power Train

LOSS OF POWER DUE TO LEAK OF THE RADIATOR TO THE TRANSMISSION, FOLLOW BY TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE VEHICLE RUNS IN ONE GEAR AND THE DEALER SUGGESTED CHANGING THE TRANSMISSION FOR $4,000 ARE THEY CRAZY..........2007 NISSAN XTERRA WITH LOW MILES 89,000 ONE OWNER. I AM NEVER BUYING NISSAN AGAIN

NHTSA ODI #11122458

176,029 miles · Jul 30, 2018
Power Train

TRANSMISSION/ COOLANT LEAK VEHICLE PARKED AND STARTED TO DRIVE LESS THAN 10 MPH , VEHICLE FAILED HAD TO BE TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP

NHTSA ODI #11114585

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.