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

Power Train complaints

231 reports
Clear category filter
81,000 miles · Jan 30, 2013
EnginePower Train

AFTER MY VEHICLE WAS MAKING SHUDDERING NOISES BETWEEN 40 AND 50 MPH I DECIDED TO BRING IT TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP TO BE CHECKED. I WAS TOLD THE RADIATOR LEAKED COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION. I WAS ALSO TOLD THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR NISSAN SO THEY WOULD COVER PART OF THE REPAIR AND I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR $2500 OF THE REPA…

Read full complaint

AFTER MY VEHICLE WAS MAKING SHUDDERING NOISES BETWEEN 40 AND 50 MPH I DECIDED TO BRING IT TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP TO BE CHECKED. I WAS TOLD THE RADIATOR LEAKED COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION. I WAS ALSO TOLD THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR NISSAN SO THEY WOULD COVER PART OF THE REPAIR AND I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR $2500 OF THE REPAIR SINCE I WAS 1300 MILES OVER THE LIMIT. I WAS NOTIFIES THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I TOLD THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE I DID NOT HAVE THE MONEY AT MY DISPOSAL AND ASKED IF THERE WAS ANYTHING I COULD DO. I WAS TOLD WHEN I GET THE MONEY TO CALL AND THEY WILL REPAIR IT, BUT TO ALSO HURRY BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION COULD LOCK UP ANYTIME AND CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT. I WAS SHOCKED THEY WOULD EVEN LET ME LEAVE THE DEALERSHIP. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED NISSAN CUSTOMER AFFAIRS AND EXPLAINED MY SITUATION. THEY TOLD ME I WAS THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ASSIST ME IN ANY WAY AND SUGGESTED THE SAME AS THE DEALERSHIP, TO QUICKLY GET IT REPAIRED BECAUSE I CAN CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT. I WAS APPALLED THEY WOULD ALLOW THEIR CUSTOMERS BE IN DANGER AND ENDANGER OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROADS ESPECIALLY WHEN NISSAN ADMITS TO THIS BEING A QUALITY ISSUE THAT A MAJORITY OF THEIR CONSUMERS ARE HAVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10495290

91,143 miles · Jan 27, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

COOLANT MIXES WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID AND CAUSES CAR TO SHUDDER AND FAIL. THIS CAUSES A SITUATION IN TRAFFIC THAT COULD CAUSE A CRASH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10494840

85,000 miles · Jan 17, 2013
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE DOWN SHIFTED, A LOUD THUMPING NOISE WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAI…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE DOWN SHIFTED, A LOUD THUMPING NOISE WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10493355

90,000 miles · Jan 17, 2013
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED. THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED. THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,000. UPDATED 03/01/13*LJ

NHTSA ODI #10493334

104,000 miles · Jan 15, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

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

NHTSA ODI #10493076

99,953 miles · Jan 8, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

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

NHTSA ODI #10491892

124,000 miles · Jan 3, 2013
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

I'VE NOTICED THAT NISSAN HAS BEEN UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR RECEIVING A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS IN REGARDS TO SUDDEN, CATASTROPHIC TRANSMISSION FAILURES IN 2005-2010 NISSAN PATHFINDER, FRONTIER AND XTERRA'S. WELL I AM WRITING TO TELL YOU THAT MY 2007 NISSAN XTERRA HAS FALLEN VICTIM TO THIS. IT HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH T…

Read full complaint

I'VE NOTICED THAT NISSAN HAS BEEN UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR RECEIVING A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS IN REGARDS TO SUDDEN, CATASTROPHIC TRANSMISSION FAILURES IN 2005-2010 NISSAN PATHFINDER, FRONTIER AND XTERRA'S. WELL I AM WRITING TO TELL YOU THAT MY 2007 NISSAN XTERRA HAS FALLEN VICTIM TO THIS. IT HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH THE PROBLEM OF THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLER LOCATED IN THE RADIATOR ASSEMBLY THAT ALLOWED COOLANT TO MIX WITH AND CONTAMINATE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID, RESULTING IN DAMAGED INTERNAL TRANSMISSION COMPONENTS AND A DAMAGED INTERNAL TRANSMISSION COMPUTER. I HAD NO WARNING SIGNS LEADING UP TO OR JUST PRIOR TO THE FAILURES. WHAT IS NISSAN GOING TO DO ABOUT THIS???? RECALL ?? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10490939

80,500 miles · Dec 18, 2012
EnginePower Train

LAST MONTH THE CAR SEEMED TO START SLIPPING GEARS WHEN I GOT UP TO AROUND 40 MILES PER HOUR. IT WAS SPORADIC AND ONCE I LET ME FOOT OFF THE GAS FOR A SECOND IT SEEMED TO CLEAR AND BE OK. I STARTED TO SEE A SLOW LEAK OF WHAT I THOUGHT WAS OIL IN THE GARAGE WHERE I PARKED THE YESTERDAY. WHEN I MENTIONED THE LEAK TO A BUDDY …

Read full complaint

LAST MONTH THE CAR SEEMED TO START SLIPPING GEARS WHEN I GOT UP TO AROUND 40 MILES PER HOUR. IT WAS SPORADIC AND ONCE I LET ME FOOT OFF THE GAS FOR A SECOND IT SEEMED TO CLEAR AND BE OK. I STARTED TO SEE A SLOW LEAK OF WHAT I THOUGHT WAS OIL IN THE GARAGE WHERE I PARKED THE YESTERDAY. WHEN I MENTIONED THE LEAK TO A BUDDY AND ALSO TOLD HIM THAT MY HEATER WAS NOT WORKING, HE SAID WE SHOULD CHECK THE COOLANT IN THE RADIATOR. WHEN WE OPENED THE RADIATOR CAP, THERE WAS A SLIMY BROWNISH SLUDGE ALL OVER THE BOTTOM OF THE CAP. THAT AFTERNOON, I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC ACROSS THE STREET AND HE SAID THAT I HAD A RADIATOR FAILURE OF SOME THAT HAS CAUSED RADIATOR FLUID TO GET INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS WHERE THE BROWN SLUDGE HAS COME FROM. HE SAID THE CAR NEEDED A NEW RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE FLUSHED, DROPPED, AND SERVICED AND IT WOULD NOT GUARANTEE THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED SOMETIME SOON AFTER. THE ENTIRE THING HE QUOTED ME AS COSTING $3K. I CALLED MY NISSAN DEALER WHERE I HAD PURCHASED THE CAR FROM NEW IN APRIL 2007 AND THE GENTLEMAN IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SEEMED QUITE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND INFORMED ME THAT THE RADIATOR REPLACEMENT IS UNDER AND EXTENDED WARRANTY FROM NISSAN, BUT I WOULD STILL BE OUT OF POCKET FOR AT LEAST A $2500 CO-PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10489208

126,000 miles · Nov 13, 2012
Power Train

XTERRA WOULD NOT CRANK. TOWED TO LANDERS MCLARTY NISSAN. RECEIVED CALL THIS MORNING FROM NISSAN SERVICE TECH INDICATING THAT THERE IS A RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION ISSUE RESULTING IN COOLANT MIXING WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CAUSING TRANSMISSION FAILURE. REPAIR WILL COST $7500.00. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10484484

Mileage unknown · Oct 22, 2012
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE LINES GOING FROM THE RADIATOR TO THE TRANSMISSION WERE TOO CLOSE IN PROXIMITY. AS A RESULT, THE LINES WERE BREAKING DOWN AND CAUSING COOLANT TO …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE LINES GOING FROM THE RADIATOR TO THE TRANSMISSION WERE TOO CLOSE IN PROXIMITY. AS A RESULT, THE LINES WERE BREAKING DOWN AND CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED UNTIL IT WAS NO LONGER OPERATIONAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,542.

NHTSA ODI #10481399

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.