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

What owners actually said

557 reports
143,000 miles · Mar 12, 2016
Power Train

I BOUGHT A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. 2 DAYS LATER MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON NISSAN TOLD ME I WOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION IT WOULD COST ME 4900 TO REPLACE. THEY CLEAR THE LIGHT OFF.THEY FAILED TO TELL ME ABOUT THE 2 RECALLS OR THE FACT THEY WERE UNDER INVESTIGATION. WHEN I CALLED TO FILE A COMPLAINT THE LADY SAID I WOULD BE CONT…

Read full complaint

I BOUGHT A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. 2 DAYS LATER MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON NISSAN TOLD ME I WOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION IT WOULD COST ME 4900 TO REPLACE. THEY CLEAR THE LIGHT OFF.THEY FAILED TO TELL ME ABOUT THE 2 RECALLS OR THE FACT THEY WERE UNDER INVESTIGATION. WHEN I CALLED TO FILE A COMPLAINT THE LADY SAID I WOULD BE CONTACTED THE FOLLOWING MONDAY. IT NEVER HAPPENED. I CALLED NISSAN THEY TOLD ME EITHER TO PAY THE 4900 OR DO WITHOUT AND I WAS HUNG UP ON. THE FOLLOWING DAY I LOST ALL GEARS IN MY CAR WAS ALMOST HIT BY A SEMI WITH MY 3 YOUNG KIDS IN THE CAR.MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NEVER CAME BACK ON.I CALLED NISSAN THE TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO.WHEN I BROUGHT UP ABOUT THE INVESTIGATION THEY HUNG UP ON ME WHEN I CALLED THE COMPLAINT LINE BACK THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD LOOK INTO IT AND I WOULD HEAR BACK.STILL NOTHING. NISSAN SHOULD BE ASHAMED AND SUED AND BE PUT OUT OF BUSINESS FOR KNOWINGLY ENDANGERING LIVES AND NOT CARING

NHTSA ODI #10846276

180,900 miles · Mar 12, 2016
EnginePower Train

THIS COMPLAINT IS IN REFERENCE TO A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA OFF ROAD 4X4 WITH180,900 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SPONTANEOUSLY DOWNSHIFT TO LOW GEARS WHILE MOVING AT SPEEDS ABOVE 25 MILE PER HOUR. AT ONE POINT, THE TRANSMISSION SEIZED AND LOCKED UP WHILE TRAVELING AT 45 MILES PER HOUR, WHICH RESULTED IN A SUDDEN STOP IN THE MID…

Read full complaint

THIS COMPLAINT IS IN REFERENCE TO A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA OFF ROAD 4X4 WITH180,900 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SPONTANEOUSLY DOWNSHIFT TO LOW GEARS WHILE MOVING AT SPEEDS ABOVE 25 MILE PER HOUR. AT ONE POINT, THE TRANSMISSION SEIZED AND LOCKED UP WHILE TRAVELING AT 45 MILES PER HOUR, WHICH RESULTED IN A SUDDEN STOP IN THE MIDST OF THE TRAFFIC FLOW ON A TWO LANE ROAD. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE NISSAN DEALER FOR SERVICE IMMEDIATELY. INSPECTION REVEALED COOLANT HAD LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION VIA A LEAKING TRANSMISSION COOLER ASSEMBLY INTEGRATED INTO THE MAIN ENGINE RADIATOR. THE TRANSMISSION SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL INTERNAL DAMAGE FROM THE COOLANT MIXING WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID AND CIRCULATING THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE RADIATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO MAKE THE VEHICLE ROADWORTHY AGAIN. TOTAL COST OF THE REPAIR WITH TAXES WAS $4800.00. NISSAN SERVICE MANAGER AND TECHS AT DEALERSHIP INDICATED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE XTERRA AND FRONTIER MODEL VEHICLES, YET NO PROACTIVE ACTION WAS TAKEN DURING PREVIOUS SERVICE APPOINTMENTS AT 30,000 MILE SERVICE INTERVALS, ROUTINE MAINTENANCE APPOINTMENTS, AND DURING YEARLY STATE VEHICLE INSPECTIONS CONDUCTED AT THE SAME NISSAN DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA ODI #10846242

62,000 miles · Feb 25, 2016
Engine

ENGINE MAKES A LOUD SQUEAL AT STARTUP THEN WHINES AT IDLE AND DURING ACCELERATION. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO NISSAN FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THEY EXPLAINED TO ME THE COMPONENTS OF THE TIMING CHAIN NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE COST FOR THE REPAIR IS $2700. MILEAGE IS VERY LOW AT 62000.

NHTSA ODI #10838464

130,000 miles · Feb 15, 2016
Power Train

WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, MY XTERRA HAD SUDDEN JERKING FELT THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANICS HAVE DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAILED TRANSMISSION COOLER WHICH HAS ALLOWED COOLANT TO MIX WITH MY TRANSMISSION FLUID, CAUSING INTERNAL DAMAGE TO ITS INTERNAL COMPONENTS. PRIOR TO THIS FAILURE, I HAVE HAD NO OTHER ISSUES W…

Read full complaint

WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, MY XTERRA HAD SUDDEN JERKING FELT THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANICS HAVE DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAILED TRANSMISSION COOLER WHICH HAS ALLOWED COOLANT TO MIX WITH MY TRANSMISSION FLUID, CAUSING INTERNAL DAMAGE TO ITS INTERNAL COMPONENTS. PRIOR TO THIS FAILURE, I HAVE HAD NO OTHER ISSUES WHAT-SO-EVER WITH THE OPERATION OF MY VEHICLE. THIS DAMAGE TO MY TRANSMISSION HAS COST IN THE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO REPAIR, AND ALL DUE TO A FAULTY RADIATOR THAT WAS INSTALLED BY NISSAN

NHTSA ODI #10836234

115,000 miles · Feb 2, 2016
Engine

TIMING CHAIN AND TENSIONER FAILURE . NISSAN KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM IN SEVERAL OF IT MODELS FOR YEARS AND REFUSES TO REPAIR AS A KNOWN DEFECT OR ISSUE A RECALL

NHTSA ODI #10823859

114,000 miles · Jan 27, 2016
Engine

RADIATOR/TRANSMISSION COOLANT LEAK. HAD TO REPLACE BOTH RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. CAUSE STALL ON BUSY HIGHWAY. KNOWN ISSUE WITH X-TERRA, PATHFINDER, FRONTIER. NISSAN WOULD NOT COMPENSATE ON ANY LEVEL. US VEHICLE IN CANADA WHEN HAPPENED

NHTSA ODI #10822530

150,000 miles · Jan 19, 2016
Power Train

I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 60MPH WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO SPEED UP AND SWITCH LANES THE TRUCK SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND SHUT OFF. I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED THREE TIMES LUCKY THERE WAS NO ONE IN THE OTHER LANE SO THEY WENT AROUND I HAD NO POWER STEERING OR POWER BRAKES WHILE TRYING TO PAY ATTENTION AND NOT GET HIT I HAD TO PUT TH…

Read full complaint

I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 60MPH WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO SPEED UP AND SWITCH LANES THE TRUCK SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND SHUT OFF. I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED THREE TIMES LUCKY THERE WAS NO ONE IN THE OTHER LANE SO THEY WENT AROUND I HAD NO POWER STEERING OR POWER BRAKES WHILE TRYING TO PAY ATTENTION AND NOT GET HIT I HAD TO PUT THE TRUCK IN NEUTRAL AND TRY TO START IT BACK UP THE TRUCK STARTED AND SEEMED TO IDLE FINE I PUT IT BACK IN DRIVE AND LIMPED IT TO THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE WHITEOUT GETTING HIT LUCKILY AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND HAD IT TOWED TO A SHOP I HAD MY WIFE AND TWO SMALL CHILDREN IN THE TRUCK THANK GOD NOTHING HAPPENED. THE SHOP TOLD ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND RADAITOR FLUID MIXED CAUSING MY TRANSMISSION TO FAIL THEY TOLD ME THAT MY RADIATOR IS CRACK AND COOLANT MIXED WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID I DIDN'T FIX IT YET I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY I JUST PAID IT OFF AND I'M TRYING TO BUY A HOUSE AND NOW LOOKING ON LINE THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF CASES OF THIS AND A LAWSUIT THAT WAS ONE BUT MY TRUCK HAS 150,000 MILES ON IT ALL INTERSTATE MAINLY BUT I'M WAY OUT OF THE MILES FOR WARRANTY, SO WHY ISN'T THIS A RECALL ? IF THIS HAS HAPPENED SO MANY TIMES IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE I WAS WAS ALMOST HIT THREE TIMES AND I HAD TO LIMP MY TRUCK TO THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE WERE I COULD HAVE BEEN HIT SITTING STILL . I'M VERY UPSET OVER THIS NISSAN WANTS 5K TO FIX IT SO I GUESS I WILL START SAVING MY MONEY HOPEFULLY THIS WILL BE A RECALL SOON.

NHTSA ODI #10821139

Mileage unknown · Dec 20, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System

THE FUEL GAUGE IN OUR XTERRA DOES NOT READ ACCURATELY. WE WERE TOLD IT NEEDS A FUEL SENSOR. EVEN WHEN THE TANK IS FULL WE HAVE TO TRACK THE NUMBER OF MILES TRAVELED BECAUSE THE GAUGE FLOATS OR READS "EMPTY." I HAVE READ OVER 30 SIMILAR COMPLAINTS JUST ON THIS SITE. AN INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE LAUNCHED SINCE THIS WAS A PROBL…

Read full complaint

THE FUEL GAUGE IN OUR XTERRA DOES NOT READ ACCURATELY. WE WERE TOLD IT NEEDS A FUEL SENSOR. EVEN WHEN THE TANK IS FULL WE HAVE TO TRACK THE NUMBER OF MILES TRAVELED BECAUSE THE GAUGE FLOATS OR READS "EMPTY." I HAVE READ OVER 30 SIMILAR COMPLAINTS JUST ON THIS SITE. AN INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE LAUNCHED SINCE THIS WAS A PROBLEM FOR VEHICLES UP TO 2006 AS WELL. OBVIOUSLY IT WASN'T FIXED FOR 2007.

NHTSA ODI #10811298

149,921 miles · Dec 20, 2015
EnginePower Train

CAR TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AND STOP MOVING. TRANSMISSION OIL LEAK. RADIATOR WATER LEAK.

NHTSA ODI #10811296

80,500 miles · Dec 1, 2015
Power Train

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 TRAN…

Read full complaint

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.

NHTSA ODI #10807747

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.