IllustrationCAR TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AND STOP MOVING. TRANSMISSION OIL LEAK. RADIATOR WATER LEAK.
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Xterra years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
310–25K
7425–50K
8950–75K
9475–100K
162100–150K
48150K+
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 reportsWHILE DRIVING, WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE CUT OFF, LOSING ALL POWER INCLUDING BRAKING POWER, NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. AFTER MULTIPLE SHOPS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT COOLANT HAD ENTERED THE TRANSMISSION THROUGH A WELL KNOWN FAILURE. THIS FAILURE CAUSING COOLANT TO ENTER THE TRANSMISSION DESTROYED THE TRAN…
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WHILE DRIVING, WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE CUT OFF, LOSING ALL POWER INCLUDING BRAKING POWER, NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. AFTER MULTIPLE SHOPS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT COOLANT HAD ENTERED THE TRANSMISSION THROUGH A WELL KNOWN FAILURE. THIS FAILURE CAUSING COOLANT TO ENTER THE TRANSMISSION DESTROYED THE TRANSMISSION. THIS FAILURE IS ALSO DOCUMENTED THROUGH A CLASS ACTIONS LAWSUIT AS WELL AS HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR CLAIMS FOUND ONLINE.
THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE READ OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE, SO DISAPPOINTED THIS HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL. I JUST MISSED GETTING HIT FROM BEHIND DUE TO THE SUDDEN STOP.
EXITING PARKING LOT, VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN, "ACCUTE" OUT OF CONTROL - ACCELERATION. IMMEDIATELY DEPRESSED BRAKE PEDAL, YET XTERRA CONTINUED FORWARD SOME 40 - 50 FEET UNIMPEDED, IN A SEVERE BUCKING FASHION. FORTUNATELY NO PERSON, NOR OBJECT WAS IN MY PATH. CONTACTED NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, WAS DIRECTED TO TAKE SUV TO LOCAL DEA…
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EXITING PARKING LOT, VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN, "ACCUTE" OUT OF CONTROL - ACCELERATION. IMMEDIATELY DEPRESSED BRAKE PEDAL, YET XTERRA CONTINUED FORWARD SOME 40 - 50 FEET UNIMPEDED, IN A SEVERE BUCKING FASHION. FORTUNATELY NO PERSON, NOR OBJECT WAS IN MY PATH. CONTACTED NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, WAS DIRECTED TO TAKE SUV TO LOCAL DEALER (VALLEJO NISSAN) FOR INSPECTION. COMPUTER ANALYSIS DISPLAYED NO MECHANICAL ISSUES. THERE ARE WITHOUT A DOUBT, CRITICAL FLAWS, JUST WAITING TO BE UNLEASHED ON AN UNSUSPECTING PUBLIC. NISSAN HAS STAUNCHLY REFUSED ANY FURTHER EVALUATION.YOUR ASSISTANCE WOULD BE APPRECIATED. THANKS SO MUCH.
RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION AND NOW I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY FOR THIS REPAIR. THERE NEEDS TO BE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AS THIS IS HAPPENING TO NISSAN OWNERS AFTER THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND NISSAN KNOWS ABOUT THIS. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE MAIN STREET AND VEHICLE SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON AN…
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RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION AND NOW I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY FOR THIS REPAIR. THERE NEEDS TO BE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AS THIS IS HAPPENING TO NISSAN OWNERS AFTER THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND NISSAN KNOWS ABOUT THIS. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE MAIN STREET AND VEHICLE SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN I COULD ONLY GO ABOUT 10-15 MPH BECAUSE OF THE TRANSMISSION
5 MONTHS AGO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED INTO THE RADIATOR CAUSING ANTIFREEZE AND TRANSMISSION FLUID TO MIX NOW THE TRANSMISSION HAS GONE OUT BECAUSE OF THIS CAUSED BE TO BE STUCK ON THE ROAD I NOW NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,000.
LEFT MY HOUSE GARAGE AND SUDDENLY I NOTICES THAT THE CAR WAS LOOSING THE POWER, SO I WENT BACK TO THE HOUSE AFTER FEW MILES DRIVING. AND NEXT MORNING, I WAS GOING TO TAKE MY CAR TO THE MECHANIC, THE ENGINE DIDN'T START. SO I CALLED TO TOW MY CAR TO THE MECHANIC. ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC, CAR WOULDN'T BE FUNCTION DUE TO THE …
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LEFT MY HOUSE GARAGE AND SUDDENLY I NOTICES THAT THE CAR WAS LOOSING THE POWER, SO I WENT BACK TO THE HOUSE AFTER FEW MILES DRIVING. AND NEXT MORNING, I WAS GOING TO TAKE MY CAR TO THE MECHANIC, THE ENGINE DIDN'T START. SO I CALLED TO TOW MY CAR TO THE MECHANIC. ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC, CAR WOULDN'T BE FUNCTION DUE TO THE TRANSMISSMISSION AND COMPUTER FAILURE. MY CAR IS STILL IN THE SHOP, SO I DONT KNOW THE EXACT ODOMETER.
TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND COULDN'T ACCELERATE, MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING, ABOUT RAN OVER BY TRAILER. RESEARCHED AND FOUND OUT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT NISSAN ISN'T TAKING CARE OF.
THE ENGINE COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR ARE RUINED. I AM A SINGLE MOM RAISING 2 KIDS TRYING TO SAVE MONEY TO GET IT FIXED. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THIS EXACT PROBLEM.
Official recalls
108V690000 · 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
1DP12004 · 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.