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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
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171,000 miles · Jun 2, 2018
Power Train

I WAS DRIVING IN AN INTERSECTION WHEN MY GEARS SLIPPED ALMOST CAUSING A MULTI-CAR COLLISION BECAUSE MY CAR WAS SHIFTING CORRECTLY. I WASN'T SURE WHAT HAPPENED UNTIL IT HAPPENED A COUPLE OF MORE TIMES THE SAME DAY. I KNEW IMMEDIATELY THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION ON MY AUTOMATIC 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. I'VE HAD NO IS…

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I WAS DRIVING IN AN INTERSECTION WHEN MY GEARS SLIPPED ALMOST CAUSING A MULTI-CAR COLLISION BECAUSE MY CAR WAS SHIFTING CORRECTLY. I WASN'T SURE WHAT HAPPENED UNTIL IT HAPPENED A COUPLE OF MORE TIMES THE SAME DAY. I KNEW IMMEDIATELY THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION ON MY AUTOMATIC 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. I'VE HAD NO ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION OR CAR AT ALL UNTIL THEN. THE ENGINE IS STRONG AND SOUND. EVERYTHING WORKS EXCEPT NOW THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED. I USE THIS VEHICLE SIMPLY TO DRIVE TO WORK AND STATE TO STATE HIGHWAY TRAVELING. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AFTER THE INCIDENTS AND NOTICING A MILKY BROWN SUBSTANCE LEAKING FROM THE RADIATOR. OPENED IT UP AND THE RADIATOR WAS COMPLETELY MIXED WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. APPARENTLY, THE HOSES FROM RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION ARE INTERTWINED FROM THE FACTORY MANUFACTURE BUILD. THIS MISTAKE IS NOW GOING TO COST ME THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS AND COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY COSTS HUMAN LIVES IN A HORRIFIC ACCIDENT! AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE THIS SEEMS TO HAVE HAPPENED TO THOUSANDS OF XTERRA AND FRONTIER OWNERS. THESE CARS NEED TO BE RECALLED OR ELSE SEVERAL HIGHWAY/SAFETY ISSUES WILL OCCUR. IMAGINE DRIVING AND SUDDENLY YOU HAVE NO POWERTRAIN TO REDIRECT YOUR VEHICLE FROM ONCOMING CARS ON A STREET OR HIGHWAY. OR IN MY CASE WHEN YIELDING AND TURNING IN AN INTERSECTION WHERE VEHICLES ARE TRAVELING TOWARDS YOU AND YOU CANNOT MOVE. LUCKILY SOME CARS SWERVED OUT OF THE WAY. ALSO, THE FINANCIAL COST OF THE VEHICLE IS ABSURD FOR SOMETHING THAT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED FROM THE MANUFACTURING BUILD ALTOGETHER.

NHTSA ODI #11099352

125,000 miles · May 11, 2018
Power Train

RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FLUID MIXED NOW IT`S GOING TO COST $5000.00 DOLLARS FOR NEW TRANS.

NHTSA ODI #11093289

143,683 miles · Apr 9, 2018
Power TrainSteering

STOP AND FILLED IT UP WITH GAS STARTER DOWN THE ROAD AN CHECK ENGIN CAME ON STOP AND TURN IT OFF NOW TTHE MOTOR WONT TURN THE TRANSMISSION WAS WORKING PERFEICT THE CODES C1163 SENT IT TO TED RUSSELL NISSAN THEY TELL ME ITS THE TRANSMISSION IS BAD NO PINK WATER IN THE RADIATOR COST 5000 DOLLARS TO FIX WHY CANT A BUNCH OF …

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STOP AND FILLED IT UP WITH GAS STARTER DOWN THE ROAD AN CHECK ENGIN CAME ON STOP AND TURN IT OFF NOW TTHE MOTOR WONT TURN THE TRANSMISSION WAS WORKING PERFEICT THE CODES C1163 SENT IT TO TED RUSSELL NISSAN THEY TELL ME ITS THE TRANSMISSION IS BAD NO PINK WATER IN THE RADIATOR COST 5000 DOLLARS TO FIX WHY CANT A BUNCH OF PEOPLE THATS HAVING THE PROBLEM SUE NISSAN I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD

NHTSA ODI #11084059

Mileage unknown · Apr 6, 2018
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE IDLING AT A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE PUSHED OFF THE ROADWAY AND TOWED HOME. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR RUPTURED, CAUSING COOLANT TO ENTER INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE IDLING AT A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE PUSHED OFF THE ROADWAY AND TOWED HOME. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR RUPTURED, CAUSING COOLANT TO ENTER INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT CALLED AUTONATION NISSAN (811 THORNTON RD, LITHIA SPRINGS, GA 30122, (770) 674-6080), BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11083600

20 miles · Feb 28, 2018
Power Train

VEHICLE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP AND NOW, THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ENGAGE AT RANDOM TIMES CAUSING POWER LOSS WHILE IN MOTION WHETHER DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS OR CITY STREETS. THIS PROBLEM IS NOT WORSEN OR ALIVIATED BY TURNING OR BREAKING. THE TRANSMISSION WILL EVENTUALY ENGAGE AFTER SLOWING THE VEHICLE DOWN AND LATER ACCELERATIN…

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VEHICLE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP AND NOW, THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ENGAGE AT RANDOM TIMES CAUSING POWER LOSS WHILE IN MOTION WHETHER DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS OR CITY STREETS. THIS PROBLEM IS NOT WORSEN OR ALIVIATED BY TURNING OR BREAKING. THE TRANSMISSION WILL EVENTUALY ENGAGE AFTER SLOWING THE VEHICLE DOWN AND LATER ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO A TRAINED MECHANIC WHO FOUND THAT THE COOLANT FLUID WAS ENTERING THE TRANSMISSION AND OIL WAS MIXING WITH THE COOLANT FLUID. A SECOND OPINION FROM ANOTHER TRAINED MECHANIC VERIFIED THE SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11075503

155,573 miles · Feb 26, 2018
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

TRANSMISSION FLUID IN RADIATOR IN 2016, HAD TO REBUILD RADIATOR. 2018 GAS GAUGE FUEL SENSOR NOT READING ACCURATELY. ONLY REGISTERS 1/4 TANK EVEN WHEN FILLED.

NHTSA ODI #11075064

130,000 miles · Jan 5, 2018
Power Train

WAS DRIVING HOME FROM ALBUQUERQUE NM TO MORIARTY NM WHEN HAD VEHICLE OVERHEAT STOPPED VEHICLE AND CHECKED ANTIFREEZE AND IN THE RESERVOIR FOUND PINK LOOKING LIQUID LET IT COOL DOWN HAD HUSBAND CHECK IT AND HAD COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID MIXED AFTER THIS VEHICLE WOULDN'T SHIFT PROPERLY ALSO I WAS ON I40 WHEN IT OCCURRED

NHTSA ODI #11060679

180,000 miles · Jan 3, 2018
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO RADIATOR LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION

NHTSA ODI #11058393

125,000 miles · Dec 2, 2017
Power Train

LACK OF RECALL FOR THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE TRANSMISSION DOES SHIFT FROM PARK TO NEUTRAL TO REVERSE AND THEN DRIVE BUT ONCE IN DRIVE IT STAYS IN A LOWER GEAR LIKE 1ST. WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET ALL OF THE SUDDEN I NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A SOUND AS IF IT WERE NOT SHIFTING TO A HIGHER GEAR. I THEN NOTICED T…

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LACK OF RECALL FOR THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE TRANSMISSION DOES SHIFT FROM PARK TO NEUTRAL TO REVERSE AND THEN DRIVE BUT ONCE IN DRIVE IT STAYS IN A LOWER GEAR LIKE 1ST. WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET ALL OF THE SUDDEN I NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A SOUND AS IF IT WERE NOT SHIFTING TO A HIGHER GEAR. I THEN NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY CHECKED THE ENGINE CODE AND THEY SAID IT WAS A TRANSMISSION ISSUE AND THAT WE NEEDED TO TAKE IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP. WE TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP AND THEY SAID THAT THE CODES IS FOR TRANSMISSION FAILURE. REPAIR COST WILL BE ABOUT 5000.

NHTSA ODI #11051883

126,000 miles · Nov 21, 2017
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainUnknown Or Other

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A BUMPY RIDE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD DECELERATE, THE ODOMETER WOULD DECREASE, AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE SEPARATE TIMES. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A BUMPY RIDE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD DECELERATE, THE ODOMETER WOULD DECREASE, AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE SEPARATE TIMES. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS LEAKING INTO THE RADIATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000.

NHTSA ODI #11047713

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.