IllustrationTIMING CHAIN TENSIONERS. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME TO REPLACE IN JUST A FEW YEARS. THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED ISSUE ONLINE FOR THE XTERRRA. CLEARLY THIS IS A DEFECT IN EITHER THE CAR OR THE TENNSIONERS. AT A COST OF OVER $2000 TO REPAIR THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT IS COSTLY. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER RECALLS.
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 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE IDLING AT A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE PUSHED OFF THE ROADWAY AND TOWED HOME. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR RUPTURED, CAUSING COOLANT TO ENTER INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE IDLING AT A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE PUSHED OFF THE ROADWAY AND TOWED HOME. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR RUPTURED, CAUSING COOLANT TO ENTER INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT CALLED AUTONATION NISSAN (811 THORNTON RD, LITHIA SPRINGS, GA 30122, (770) 674-6080), BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
VEHICLE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP AND NOW, THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ENGAGE AT RANDOM TIMES CAUSING POWER LOSS WHILE IN MOTION WHETHER DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS OR CITY STREETS. THIS PROBLEM IS NOT WORSEN OR ALIVIATED BY TURNING OR BREAKING. THE TRANSMISSION WILL EVENTUALY ENGAGE AFTER SLOWING THE VEHICLE DOWN AND LATER ACCELERATIN…
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VEHICLE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP AND NOW, THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ENGAGE AT RANDOM TIMES CAUSING POWER LOSS WHILE IN MOTION WHETHER DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS OR CITY STREETS. THIS PROBLEM IS NOT WORSEN OR ALIVIATED BY TURNING OR BREAKING. THE TRANSMISSION WILL EVENTUALY ENGAGE AFTER SLOWING THE VEHICLE DOWN AND LATER ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO A TRAINED MECHANIC WHO FOUND THAT THE COOLANT FLUID WAS ENTERING THE TRANSMISSION AND OIL WAS MIXING WITH THE COOLANT FLUID. A SECOND OPINION FROM ANOTHER TRAINED MECHANIC VERIFIED THE SAME PROBLEM.
TRANSMISSION FLUID IN RADIATOR IN 2016, HAD TO REBUILD RADIATOR. 2018 GAS GAUGE FUEL SENSOR NOT READING ACCURATELY. ONLY REGISTERS 1/4 TANK EVEN WHEN FILLED.
WAS DRIVING HOME FROM ALBUQUERQUE NM TO MORIARTY NM WHEN HAD VEHICLE OVERHEAT STOPPED VEHICLE AND CHECKED ANTIFREEZE AND IN THE RESERVOIR FOUND PINK LOOKING LIQUID LET IT COOL DOWN HAD HUSBAND CHECK IT AND HAD COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID MIXED AFTER THIS VEHICLE WOULDN'T SHIFT PROPERLY ALSO I WAS ON I40 WHEN IT OCCURRED
TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO RADIATOR LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MERGE INTO ANOTHER LANE AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS TOTALED A…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MERGE INTO ANOTHER LANE AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND WAS TOWED AWAY BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,000.
I PURCHASED MY FIRST VEHICLE IN JANUARY 2016 AT KIA DEPOT OF SANTA ANA (NOW KIA OF ORANGE).. AND I FEEL IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. ONE MONTH AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, I NOTICED BATTERY CORROSION. ABOUT A WEEK LATER I WAS DRIVING AND THERE WAS A LOUD THUD THAT FORCED ME OFF THE ROAD ON A BUSY STREET AND I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK…
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I PURCHASED MY FIRST VEHICLE IN JANUARY 2016 AT KIA DEPOT OF SANTA ANA (NOW KIA OF ORANGE).. AND I FEEL IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. ONE MONTH AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, I NOTICED BATTERY CORROSION. ABOUT A WEEK LATER I WAS DRIVING AND THERE WAS A LOUD THUD THAT FORCED ME OFF THE ROAD ON A BUSY STREET AND I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK. TURNS OUT THE EMERGENCY BREAK WAS COMPLETED RUSTED AND CRUMBLED AWAY FROM THE CAR - THIS WAS NOT THE ONLY THING THAT WAS RUSTED I DISCOVERED. THE ENTIRE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE CAR IS TOTALLY COVERED AND BEING EATEN ALIVE BY RUST - THIS CAR WAS SOLD TO ME, BY KIA, AS A "AS IS" CAR - HOWEVER, I REFUSE TO LET THEM HID BEHIND THAT. SINCE I HAVE BOUGHT THIS CAR, WHICH WAS SOLD TO ME FOR A TOTAL OF $12,592.00,MONTHLY PAYMENTS OF $285.85- I FOUND OUT THAT IT WAS ACTUALLY SITTING IN NEW YORK AROUND THE TIME OF HURRICANE KATRINA - LEGALLY IF ITS FROM A DIFFERENT STATE, THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO DISCLOSE THAT TO ME & THEY DIDN'T. SO FAR I'VE HAD TO GET A NEW BATTERY, NEW BRAKES, EMERGENCY BRAKE IS GONE, NEW MUFFLER, NEW SWAY BAR, AC RECHARGED, AND JUST RECENTLY A PIECE OF THE LEAF SPRING UNDER THE TIRE COMPLETELY SNAPPED OFF AND BROKE IN HALF WHILE DRIVING - THESE GUYS SOLD ME A RUSTY NIGHTMARE AND THEY HAVE SINCE CLOSED UP SHOP. ALSO THE SALESMAN PADDED MY LOAN APPLICATION AND I JUST RECENTLY FOUND OUT THAT IS TOTALLY ILLEGAL - I DO NOT WANT TO WAIT UNTIL ANOTHER PIECE OF THIS THING FALLS APART ON ME AGAIN, I HAD MY 7 YEAR OLD NIECE IN THE CAR WITH ME THE FIRST TIME WHEN THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CRUMBLED. I HAVE LEFT REVIEWS AND COMPLAINTS - MY NEXT STEP IS A ATTORNEY. HERE IS A REPORT I FILED ON RIPOFF REPORT -HTTP://WWW.RIPOFFREPORT.COM/REPORTS/KIA-DEPOT-OF-SANTA-ANA/SANTA-ANA-CALIFORNIA-92701/KIA-DEPOT-OF-SANTA-ANA-SOLD-ME-A-RUSTED-OUT-CAR-THAT-WAS-IN-HURRICANE-SANDY-SANTA-ANA-CA-1312221
LACK OF RECALL FOR THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE TRANSMISSION DOES SHIFT FROM PARK TO NEUTRAL TO REVERSE AND THEN DRIVE BUT ONCE IN DRIVE IT STAYS IN A LOWER GEAR LIKE 1ST. WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET ALL OF THE SUDDEN I NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A SOUND AS IF IT WERE NOT SHIFTING TO A HIGHER GEAR. I THEN NOTICED T…
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LACK OF RECALL FOR THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE TRANSMISSION DOES SHIFT FROM PARK TO NEUTRAL TO REVERSE AND THEN DRIVE BUT ONCE IN DRIVE IT STAYS IN A LOWER GEAR LIKE 1ST. WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET ALL OF THE SUDDEN I NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A SOUND AS IF IT WERE NOT SHIFTING TO A HIGHER GEAR. I THEN NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY CHECKED THE ENGINE CODE AND THEY SAID IT WAS A TRANSMISSION ISSUE AND THAT WE NEEDED TO TAKE IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP. WE TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP AND THEY SAID THAT THE CODES IS FOR TRANSMISSION FAILURE. REPAIR COST WILL BE ABOUT 5000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A BUMPY RIDE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD DECELERATE, THE ODOMETER WOULD DECREASE, AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE SEPARATE TIMES. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A BUMPY RIDE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD DECELERATE, THE ODOMETER WOULD DECREASE, AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE SEPARATE TIMES. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS LEAKING INTO THE RADIATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000.
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.