IllustrationFUEL GAUGE WORKS ERRATICALLY, SOMETIMES STAYS AT 1/4 OTHER TIMES WILL GO TO 1/2, AND NEVER SEEMS TO WARN OF EMPTY. *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 reportsFILLED MY VEHICLE WITH FUEL, AND I NOTICED THAT THE FUEL LEVEL GAGE READ EMPTY, AFTER I HAD PUT 17 GALLONS OF FUEL IN IT. THIS OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD ABOUT 55,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THE FUEL GAGE HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY UNRELIABLE, READING EMPTY WHEN FULL; THIS HAS CAUSED ME TO RUN OUT OF FUEL ON TWO OCCASIONS. AS …
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FILLED MY VEHICLE WITH FUEL, AND I NOTICED THAT THE FUEL LEVEL GAGE READ EMPTY, AFTER I HAD PUT 17 GALLONS OF FUEL IN IT. THIS OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD ABOUT 55,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THE FUEL GAGE HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY UNRELIABLE, READING EMPTY WHEN FULL; THIS HAS CAUSED ME TO RUN OUT OF FUEL ON TWO OCCASIONS. AS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON, MY VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS THE SAFETY INSPECTION WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECTIVE PART; NISSAN WILL CHARGE ABOUT $400 PLUS TAX TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A PERVASIVE PROBLEM FOR NISSANS; I HAVE A FRIEND WHO ALSO OWNS THE SAME VEHICLE; HIS FAILED AT THE SAME ODOMETER READING. AUTOMOTIVE WEBSITES WHERE CONSUMERS DISCUSS NISSAN VEHICLES ARE FILLED WITH COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. *TR
"I HAD 1/4 OF A TANK OF GAS AND WENT TO FILL UP. AFTER FILLING UP MY GAS TANK, I TURNED ON THE CAR, AT WHICH POINT THE NEEDLE DID NOT REGISTER THE FULL TANK. AFTER DRIVING A COUPLE MILES, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER RETURNING HOME AND DOING RESEARCH, I WENT ONLINE TO X.NISSANHELP.COM AFTER PERFORMING A SEARCH, I CAME A…
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"I HAD 1/4 OF A TANK OF GAS AND WENT TO FILL UP. AFTER FILLING UP MY GAS TANK, I TURNED ON THE CAR, AT WHICH POINT THE NEEDLE DID NOT REGISTER THE FULL TANK. AFTER DRIVING A COUPLE MILES, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER RETURNING HOME AND DOING RESEARCH, I WENT ONLINE TO X.NISSANHELP.COM AFTER PERFORMING A SEARCH, I CAME ACROSS MANY OTHERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. APPARENTLY IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. A SIMILAR PROBLEM WAS FOUND ON THE 2000-2004 XTERRA MODELS AND A RECALL WAS PERFORMED WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD STOP AFTER NOT GETTING ANY FUEL, POSING A GREAT DANGER. IT SEEMS THAT SOMETHING IN THE UNIT IS FAULTY AND WILL CORRODE OVER TIME. THERE IS A GENERAL CONSENSUS THAT EVERYONE WHO IS HAVING THE PROBLEM IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE FOR OVER 2 YRS AND WITH AROUND 39K-49K. IF THIS PROBLEM EXISTED IN PREVIOUS MODELS, AND IT WAS RECALLED, THE 2005-2007 XTERRAS, FRONTIERS, AND PATHFINDERS SHOULD GET THIS FIXED AT NO CHARGE TO THE CUSTOMER!! WHY WAIT FOR ACCIDENTS AND POSSIBLE DEATHS, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE PROBLEM LIES IN AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE VEHICLE. COST OF REPAIR RANGES FROM $300-600." *TR
2007 NISSAN XTERRA FUEL GAUGE BEGAN BY NOT RESPONDING TO CHANGE IN FUEL TANK AFTER FILL-UP. THEN SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER SOME DRIVING IT CAME BACK, BUT THEN AFTER FILLING TANK AGAIN IT DID THE SAME THING. AFTER THIRD TIME IT SEEMS TO BE STUCK THERE AT EXTREME EMPTY WITH LIGHT LIT AND SES LIGHT ON. I UNDERSTA…
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2007 NISSAN XTERRA FUEL GAUGE BEGAN BY NOT RESPONDING TO CHANGE IN FUEL TANK AFTER FILL-UP. THEN SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER SOME DRIVING IT CAME BACK, BUT THEN AFTER FILLING TANK AGAIN IT DID THE SAME THING. AFTER THIRD TIME IT SEEMS TO BE STUCK THERE AT EXTREME EMPTY WITH LIGHT LIT AND SES LIGHT ON. I UNDERSTAND THIS MAY BE FROM THE FUEL SENDING UNIT, WHICH I HAVE FOUND FROM RESEARCH THAT MANY XTERRA OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL SINCE THE PART IS OBVIOUSLY FAULTY AND COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC AND RUNNING OUT OF GAS. *TR
MY 2007 NISSAN XTERRA HAS A FUEL GAUGE THAT DOES NOT GO TO FULL AFTER THE TANK IS FILLED. THE GAUGE DROPS TO EMPTY AND THE FUEL INDICATOR LIGHT GOES ON INDICATING LOW FUEL. IN ADDITION, THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON MESSAGE INDICATOR LIGHT GOES ON. THIS COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF GAS AND STALL IN TRAFFIC, INCREASING THE …
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MY 2007 NISSAN XTERRA HAS A FUEL GAUGE THAT DOES NOT GO TO FULL AFTER THE TANK IS FILLED. THE GAUGE DROPS TO EMPTY AND THE FUEL INDICATOR LIGHT GOES ON INDICATING LOW FUEL. IN ADDITION, THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON MESSAGE INDICATOR LIGHT GOES ON. THIS COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF GAS AND STALL IN TRAFFIC, INCREASING THE RISK OF CRASH. THERE CURRENTLY IS A RECALL ON THE 2006 AND 2008 MODELS (NHTSA #10V075000) RELATED TO A FAULTY FUEL SENDER FLOAT ARM CAUSING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TO MISLEAD. THIS IS VERY COMMON AS THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME ISSUE. *TR
ON 4/16/2010 I FILLED UP MY 2007 NISSAN XTERRA 4X4 WITH GAS. WHEN I STARTED THE ENGINE I NOTICED THE FUEL GAUGE ONLY READ 1/2 TANK AND THAT THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LAMP WAS ON. THE LIGHT HAS REMAINED ON SINCE AND I HAVE HAD TO RESET THE TRIP MILEAGE EVERYTIME I REFUEL SO THAT I DON'T RUN OUT OF GAS. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THE…
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ON 4/16/2010 I FILLED UP MY 2007 NISSAN XTERRA 4X4 WITH GAS. WHEN I STARTED THE ENGINE I NOTICED THE FUEL GAUGE ONLY READ 1/2 TANK AND THAT THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LAMP WAS ON. THE LIGHT HAS REMAINED ON SINCE AND I HAVE HAD TO RESET THE TRIP MILEAGE EVERYTIME I REFUEL SO THAT I DON'T RUN OUT OF GAS. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID MOST LIKELY IT IS THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR AND THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO DROP THE TANK AND REPLACE THE SENSOR/PUMP ASSEMBLY. FINE I SAID, THEN THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD COST AROUND $600, NOT FINE. I DECIDED TO SHOP AROUND BECAUSE THE PRICE WAS TOO HIGH. WHILE DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE I FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND WAS THE CAUSE FOR RECALLS ON THE '02-'03 XTERRAS. IF THIS WAS A RECALL IN EARLIER MODELS WHY HAS IT NOT BEEN FIXED IN THE LATER MODELS. I AM VERY UPSET AND DO NOT WANT TO BE RIPPED OFF FOR A MALFUNCTIONING PART. *TR
FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT STOPPED WORKING SHORTLY AFTER WARRANTY RAN OUT. SPOKE TO DEALERSHIP ABOUT IT AND THEY HAVE HAD MULTIPLE XTERRAS AND FRONTIERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. NISSAN ISSUED A RECALL FOR SOME BUT NOT ALL OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES, AND UNFORTUNATELY MINE IS ONE OF ONES THAT IS NOT COVERED. *TR
MY GAS GAUGE SENSOR WENT OUT AT 50,000 MILES. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON TO LET ME KNOW. THE GAS GAUGE IS COMPLETELY IN ACCURATE WHICH OPENS ME UP TO THE POSSIBILITY OF BECOMING STRANDED. *TR
I HAVE A 07 XTERRA, AFTER 27,000 MILES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON, GAS TANK METER IS STUCK IN FULL OR EMPTY. I HAVE TO KEEP TRACK BY MILES TO NOT RUN OUT OF GAS. THE PART IS IN BACK ORDER. *TR
SERVICE LIGHT APPEARS DUE TO FUEL GAUGE. AFTER FUELING THE VEHICLE TO FULL, THE FUEL GAUGE WILL READ EMPTY AND EMPTY FUEL LIGHT WILL APPEAR. *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.