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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

What owners actually said

557 reports
109,200 miles · Mar 26, 2015
Power Train

I WAS DRIVING MY XTERRA ON THE FREEWAY AT 5:30 AM AND SUDDENLY MY CAR QUIT ACCELERATING, IT WAS AS IF IT WENT INTO NEUTRAL. I HAD TO IMMEDIATELY PULL OVER ONTO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY SO THAT I WOULDN'T GET HIT FROM BEHIND. I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND BACK ON AND THE CAR GOT ME TO MY DESTINATION. I HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THAT THIS…

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I WAS DRIVING MY XTERRA ON THE FREEWAY AT 5:30 AM AND SUDDENLY MY CAR QUIT ACCELERATING, IT WAS AS IF IT WENT INTO NEUTRAL. I HAD TO IMMEDIATELY PULL OVER ONTO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY SO THAT I WOULDN'T GET HIT FROM BEHIND. I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND BACK ON AND THE CAR GOT ME TO MY DESTINATION. I HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THAT THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE IS COMMON IN XTERRA'S AND I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT NISSAN HAS NOT MADE THIS ISSUE KNOWN TO OWNERS. IT MAY WELL CAUSE A BAD ACCIDENT. ADDITIONALLY, IT IS A VERY COSTLY REPAIR FOR WHICH NISSAN TAKES LITTLE TO NO RESPONSIBILITY THOUGH THE DEFECT IS THEIRS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10701939

118,760 miles · Mar 21, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System

TRAVELING ON BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC AND ALMOST WAS HIT BY A TRACTOR TRAILER DUE TO FUEL GAUGE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD NOT COME ON YET. SEVERAL HOURS LATTER IT DID COME ON. THIS IS SAFETY I WAS LUCK TO NOT BE HIT AT HIGH RATE OF SPEED BY TRACTOR TRAILER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10700821

118,630 miles · Mar 21, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System

GAUGE SAID I HAD GAS RAN OUT IN BUMPER TO BUMPER 75-80 MILE AN HOUR TRAFFIC NARROWLY MISSED BEING CRUSHED BY SEMI TRACTOR TRAILER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10700818

98,000 miles · Mar 19, 2015
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

MY 2007 NISSAN XTERRA STARTED HAVING BOTH TRANSMISSION AND COOLING SYSTEM ISSUES BACK IN SEPTEMBER 2014. AFTER A FEW TRIPS TO OUR MECHANIC IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A CRACKED RADIATOR AND WAS ALLOWING BOTH COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND TRANSMISSION FLUID INTO THE COOLING THE SYSTEM. APPARENTLY THIS IS A WELL KNO…

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MY 2007 NISSAN XTERRA STARTED HAVING BOTH TRANSMISSION AND COOLING SYSTEM ISSUES BACK IN SEPTEMBER 2014. AFTER A FEW TRIPS TO OUR MECHANIC IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A CRACKED RADIATOR AND WAS ALLOWING BOTH COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND TRANSMISSION FLUID INTO THE COOLING THE SYSTEM. APPARENTLY THIS IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE AND THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST NISSAN, HOWEVER THE TERMS OF THE SETTLEMENT ONLY COVER VEHICLES UNDER 100K MILES. BY THE TIME WE FOUND OUT THE VEHICLE HAD JUST PASSED 100K (106K) AND NOW NISSAN REFUSED TO COVER IT! I'M NOW LOOKING AT A $5K - $6K REPAIR BILL AND NISSAN REFUSED TO BUDGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10695411

114,300 miles · Mar 12, 2015
Power Train

VEHICLE VIBRATES AT 40 MPH- MAKING IT UNSAFE - TURNS OUT IT'S TRANSMISSION ISSUE.. WAS INFORMED THIS IS NOT A NEW ISSUE AFTER READING ONLINE ..... NISSAN HAS NEVER RECALLED THESE VEHICLES AND INSTEAD WAS SUED DUE TO THIS TRANSMISSION ISSUE MANY OTHER NISSANS HAVE HAD...I WAS NEVER INFORMED REGARDING SUCH AN ISSUE. THIS IS UNSAF…

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VEHICLE VIBRATES AT 40 MPH- MAKING IT UNSAFE - TURNS OUT IT'S TRANSMISSION ISSUE.. WAS INFORMED THIS IS NOT A NEW ISSUE AFTER READING ONLINE ..... NISSAN HAS NEVER RECALLED THESE VEHICLES AND INSTEAD WAS SUED DUE TO THIS TRANSMISSION ISSUE MANY OTHER NISSANS HAVE HAD...I WAS NEVER INFORMED REGARDING SUCH AN ISSUE. THIS IS UNSAFE DUE TO THE SHAKING SHUDDER THIS PROBLEM CAUSES ESPECIALLY IN A HIGH TRAFFIC AREA AND IT ISN'T FSIR THAT THE CUSTOMER STAYS STUCK WITH A FAULTY VEHICLE ... THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE FIXED AT ANY MILEAGE SINCE IT IS NISSANS FAULTY DESIGN AT FAULT! SHAME ON YOU NISSAN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10693861

131,000 miles · Mar 10, 2015
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

CONTAMINATION OF THE TRANSMISSION WITH ANTI FREEZE DUE TO LEAK IN COOLING SYSTEM, RESULTING IN TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10693189

109,000 miles · Mar 5, 2015
EnginePower Train

TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR DEFECT-INTERNAL LEAKAGE BETWEEN THE 2 ENGINE PARTS -NISSAN DID NOT NOTIFY ME, THE ORIGINAL OWNER, OF THE DEFECT OR OF THE SUCCESSFUL LAWSUIT AGAINST THEM FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10692388

134,000 miles · Feb 23, 2015
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED BUT THE SPECIFICS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: DP12004 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NO…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED BUT THE SPECIFICS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: DP12004 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000.

NHTSA ODI #10690047

115,000 miles · Feb 12, 2015
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V690000 (AIR BAGS). THE AP…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V690000 (AIR BAGS). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10682879

104,332 miles · Feb 4, 2015
Electrical SystemEngine

I PARK THE CAR AND WHEN I CAME BACK COULDN'T START. THOUGHT IT WAS A BATTERY PROBLEM. TRIED JUMP START WITH MY OTHER CAR, NO LUCK. LEFT IN THE PARKING LOT FOR A FEW DAYS. CAME BACK AND HOOK MY CODE READER AND IT SHOWS U1000. U1000 IS GROUND HARNESS PROBLEM. I TRIED TO CLEAN THE BATTERY TERMINALS BOTH SIDES BUT NO LUCK. SO TOWED …

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I PARK THE CAR AND WHEN I CAME BACK COULDN'T START. THOUGHT IT WAS A BATTERY PROBLEM. TRIED JUMP START WITH MY OTHER CAR, NO LUCK. LEFT IN THE PARKING LOT FOR A FEW DAYS. CAME BACK AND HOOK MY CODE READER AND IT SHOWS U1000. U1000 IS GROUND HARNESS PROBLEM. I TRIED TO CLEAN THE BATTERY TERMINALS BOTH SIDES BUT NO LUCK. SO TOWED THE CAR TO DARCARS NISSAN AND THEY TOLD ME NEED TO REPLACE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. THEY SAID WILL COST $4700?.SO I STARTED RESEARCHING AND FOUND OUT THAT NISSAN XTERRA 2005-2007 AND EVEN NEW MODELS HAD RADIATION FLUID LEAK INTO TRANSMISSION. SO HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO KNOW IF I HAVE HARNESS GROUNDING PROBLEMS OR ?RADIATION FLUID LEAK INTO TRANSMISSION? DANG. DARCARS NISSAN SERVICE CENTER NEVER MENTIONED ANYTHING ABOUT CODE U1000 WHEN WE TOOK THE CAR. SO NOW WHAT??? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10681194

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.