IllustrationRADIATOR LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION JUST AFTER 100,000 MILES. SO WHY DIDN'T NISSAN TELL US THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN? *TR
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
What owners actually said
557 reportsFIRST NOTICED A STUTTERING WHEN DRIVING AND A CLUNKING SOUND WHEN MOVING THE SHIFTER FROM PARK TO REVERSE TO DRIVE IN FEBRUARY. ALSO EXPERIENCED NO HEAT AND OVER HEATING IN MARCH. UPON REPAIR OF THERMOSTAT, DRAINING THE RADIATOR SHOWED AN ACCUMULATION OF THICK GREY GUNK IN THE COOLANT. THERMOSTAT SEAL ITSELF WAS MELTED. HAD DE…
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FIRST NOTICED A STUTTERING WHEN DRIVING AND A CLUNKING SOUND WHEN MOVING THE SHIFTER FROM PARK TO REVERSE TO DRIVE IN FEBRUARY. ALSO EXPERIENCED NO HEAT AND OVER HEATING IN MARCH. UPON REPAIR OF THERMOSTAT, DRAINING THE RADIATOR SHOWED AN ACCUMULATION OF THICK GREY GUNK IN THE COOLANT. THERMOSTAT SEAL ITSELF WAS MELTED. HAD DEALER EVALUATE CLUNKING SOUND AND THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS INTERMIX (THE PROBLEM IDENTIFIED BY THE COOLANT) A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE RADIATOR/TRANSMISSION COOLING COMPONENTS THAT ALLOWS THE COOLANT TO CONTAMINATE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CAUSING TRANSMISSION DAMAGE. AS A RESULT OF CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT, DEALERSHIP EXPLAINED THAT MILEAGE WAS OVER THE NISSAN WARRANTY LIMIT OF 100,000 EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEM DID NOT MANIFEST UNTIL ALMOST 120,000 MILES. RECOMMENDED FIX WAS IN STAGES - 1) REPLACE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FLUSH $1200++ 2) IF PROBLEM IS NOT SOLVED, REPLACE TRANSMISSION $4000++ HAVE TALKED WITH NISSAN CORPORATE TO NO AVAIL. CASE # IS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *JS
THERE IS A KNOWN SERVICE PROBLEM AND BULLETIN ON DEFECTIVE TIMING CHAIN GUIDES THAT CAUSE A CHAIN TO SKIP, BREAK LOSE , OR BREAK CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO GO INTO A HIGH SPEED STALL. MY IS JUST GRINDING, WILL REPAIR, BUT NISSAN IS WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND WON'T PARTICIPATE IN A SOLUTION. *JS
I HAVE A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA WHICH STARTED TO "STUTTER" AND HESITATE WHEN PRESSING THE GAS. THE CAR ALMOST FELT LIKE IT WAS SHUTTING OFF WHILE ON I-4 HIGHWAY. THE SHUTS DOWN AND WONT START. I HAD THE CAR CHECKING AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN MY RADIATOR AND THAT THE FLUID HAD LEAKED OVER INTO THE TRANSMISSION. I HA…
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I HAVE A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA WHICH STARTED TO "STUTTER" AND HESITATE WHEN PRESSING THE GAS. THE CAR ALMOST FELT LIKE IT WAS SHUTTING OFF WHILE ON I-4 HIGHWAY. THE SHUTS DOWN AND WONT START. I HAD THE CAR CHECKING AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN MY RADIATOR AND THAT THE FLUID HAD LEAKED OVER INTO THE TRANSMISSION. I HAD THE RADIATOR REPLACED, A FEW MONTHS LATER, TRANSMISSION IS STILL NOT WORKING. I TOOK THE CAR TO NISSAN, THEY TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION WHICH WOULD RUN ABOUT $5200. I CALLED THE NISSAN HEADQUARTERS AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE MY TRUCK WAS AT 109,000 MILES. *TR
THE RADIATOR LEAKED AND THE COOLANT WENT INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND NOW HAS TOTALLY SCREWED UP THE TRANSMISSION TO THE POINT OF HAVING TO REPLACE IT AND THE RADIATOR. NISSAN KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND WILL NOT MAKE A RECALL ON EITHER PARTS WHICH IS COMPLETELY WRONG. *TR
FAILED TRANSMISSION COOLER-ENGINE JERKS AT SPEEDS 40 MPH AND HIGHER. *TR
WHILE DRIVING, IT WOULD FEEL/SOUND LIKE I RAN OVER THE SPEED BUMPS ON THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE. THE VEHICLE THEN STARTED JERKING INTO GEAR. WE IMMEDIATELY STARTED LOOKING ON THE INTERNET FOR POSSIBLE PROBLEMS, THE ONLY ONE THAT WE CAME UP WITH WAS THE TRANSMISSION/COOLANT ISSUE. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO NISSAN AND WAS TOLD TH…
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WHILE DRIVING, IT WOULD FEEL/SOUND LIKE I RAN OVER THE SPEED BUMPS ON THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE. THE VEHICLE THEN STARTED JERKING INTO GEAR. WE IMMEDIATELY STARTED LOOKING ON THE INTERNET FOR POSSIBLE PROBLEMS, THE ONLY ONE THAT WE CAME UP WITH WAS THE TRANSMISSION/COOLANT ISSUE. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO NISSAN AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND WOULD COST $6,000 TO FIX. SINCE THERE WAS NO RECALL WE WOULD BE BUYING ANOTHER FAULTY TRANSMISSION/COOLANT AND COULD HAPPEN AGAIN. THIS IS NOT A NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR PROBLEM FROM WHAT WE HAVE BEEN READING, BUT A FAULTY DESIGN. WE CALLED NISSAN AND MADE A COMPLAINT WITH THEM AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. MY VEHICLE STARTED OVERHEATING TODAY 4/7/14 AND WHEN WE CHECKED THE COOLANT, IT IS THE CONSISTENCY OF A MILKSHAKE. IF NISSAN STOOD BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT THEY WOULD DO A RECALL AND GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED. WE ARE PROBABLY GOING TO HAVE TO GET A LOAN TO GET THIS FIXED SINCE WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO SAVE THE MONEY UP AND THE PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE. IT'S JUST A SHAME THAT WHEN WE DO GET THIS FIXED WE ARE BUYING ANOTHER FAULTY TRANSMISSION. IT'S A LOSE/LOSE SITUATION. WE THOUGHT ABOUT TRADING IN AND GETTING A NEWER VEHICLE BUT WOULD BE UPSIDE DOWN ON OUR PURCHASE. VERY DISSATISFIED CUSTOMER! *TR
RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, PART WAS SETTLED IN CLASS ACTION SUITE AND OWNER WAS NEVER MADE AWARE OF DEFECT AND OR HOW IT CAN BE FIXED UNTIL FAILURE ON HIGHWAY WITH FAMILY OF FOUR IN IT ON 3/28/2014, THE OWNER IS THE SOLE OWNER OF VEHICLE SINCE 2007, OWNER NEVER RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION AT ALL FRO…
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RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, PART WAS SETTLED IN CLASS ACTION SUITE AND OWNER WAS NEVER MADE AWARE OF DEFECT AND OR HOW IT CAN BE FIXED UNTIL FAILURE ON HIGHWAY WITH FAMILY OF FOUR IN IT ON 3/28/2014, THE OWNER IS THE SOLE OWNER OF VEHICLE SINCE 2007, OWNER NEVER RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION AT ALL FROM NISSAN REGARDING THIS MANUFACTURER ISSUE UNTIL SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT NISSAN INFORMED OWNER OF ISSUE AND ALSO INFORMED OWNER OF $3,000.00 REPAIR CHARGE FOR THE FAULTY PARTS. *TR
RADIATOR CRACKED CAUSING COOLANT TO MIX WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. *TR
THE RADIATOR FLUID AND TRANSMISSION FLUID HAVE SOME HOW MIXED TOGETHER CAUSE DAMAGE TO BOTH MY RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. I PURCHASE MY XTERRA BRAND NEW IN 2007 AND KEPT UP WITH THE MAINTENANCE. I HAVE READ SEVERAL ARTICLES AND EVEN RECEIVED A LETTER ABOUT A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. BUT AT THE TIME NO SYMPTOMS WERE SHOWING ON MY …
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THE RADIATOR FLUID AND TRANSMISSION FLUID HAVE SOME HOW MIXED TOGETHER CAUSE DAMAGE TO BOTH MY RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. I PURCHASE MY XTERRA BRAND NEW IN 2007 AND KEPT UP WITH THE MAINTENANCE. I HAVE READ SEVERAL ARTICLES AND EVEN RECEIVED A LETTER ABOUT A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. BUT AT THE TIME NO SYMPTOMS WERE SHOWING ON MY VEHICLE. SO UPSET THAT THIS IS NOT A RECALL!!! I AM A SINGLE MOM AND THIS WAS MY ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION. NOW IT JUST SITS IN MY YARD. FRUSTRATING!!! *TR
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.