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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
117,000 miles · Nov 10, 2017
Power Train

"TAKATA RECALL" I HAVE A 2007 NISSAN EXTERRA 4WD. I CHECKED MY RADIATOR FLUID SINCE I WAS NOT GETTING HEAT DURING PARKED IDLE. AFTER LETTING THE MOTOR COOL ENOUGH TO REMOVE THE RADIATOR CAP, TO MY SURPRISE THERE IS TRANSMISSION FLUID IN MY RADIATOR. I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR APPROXIMATELY THREE YEARS AND NEVER ONCE GOT A LETTER. WHE…

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"TAKATA RECALL" I HAVE A 2007 NISSAN EXTERRA 4WD. I CHECKED MY RADIATOR FLUID SINCE I WAS NOT GETTING HEAT DURING PARKED IDLE. AFTER LETTING THE MOTOR COOL ENOUGH TO REMOVE THE RADIATOR CAP, TO MY SURPRISE THERE IS TRANSMISSION FLUID IN MY RADIATOR. I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR APPROXIMATELY THREE YEARS AND NEVER ONCE GOT A LETTER. WHEN I CALLED NISSAN TODAY 11/10/2017 I WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL ENDED IN 2016 OR AT 100,000 MILES. IN WHICH CASE I WAS TOLD NOTHING COULD BE DONE.

NHTSA ODI #11045220

190,000 miles · Nov 2, 2017
Air Bags

TAKATA RECALL

NHTSA ODI #11042774

185,000 miles · Oct 24, 2017
Power Train

MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT DUE TO A RADIATOR DEFECT IN THE 2005-2010 XTERRAS. I KNOW THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT INVOLVING THIS ISSUE AND CONSUMERS ARE ATTEMPTING TO FORCE A RECALL OF THIS GENERATION OF NISSANS. THE REPAIR COST $4,200 AND I WAS WITHOUT A VEHICLE FOR OVER TWO WEEKS. THE REPAIR SHOP STATED THAT I HAD SIGNIFIC…

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MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT DUE TO A RADIATOR DEFECT IN THE 2005-2010 XTERRAS. I KNOW THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT INVOLVING THIS ISSUE AND CONSUMERS ARE ATTEMPTING TO FORCE A RECALL OF THIS GENERATION OF NISSANS. THE REPAIR COST $4,200 AND I WAS WITHOUT A VEHICLE FOR OVER TWO WEEKS. THE REPAIR SHOP STATED THAT I HAD SIGNIFICANT WATER DAMAGE TO THE COMPUTER, WHICH IS TYPICAL OF THIS DEFECT. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE TO THE SHOP, BUT I WAS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT DRIVING IT FROM MY LOCATION SINCE I WAS HIKING IN THE MOUNTAINS APPROXIMATELY 40 MILES FROM HOME WHEN IT BECAME APPARENT THERE WAS A MAJOR ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11039469

155,534 miles · Oct 24, 2017
Engine

TRANSMISSION SLIPPING, CONTAMINATION IN RADIATOR. VEHICLE IS NOW RENDERED USELESS UNTIL TRANSMISSION/RADIATOR REPLACEMENT.

NHTSA ODI #11039205

76,811 miles · Sep 27, 2017
Power Train

MY VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THE TRANSMISSION WAS DAMAGED AS A RESULT OF A FAULTY RADIATOR ISSUE ALLOWING FLUID TO LEAK INTO AND DESTROY THE TRANSMISSION. NISSAN WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO HELP REPAIR.

NHTSA ODI #11030109

98,178 miles · Sep 27, 2017
Power Train

WHILE ON A CAMPING TRIP FROM CALIFORNIA TO NEBRASKA TO WATCH THE ECLIPSE, MY XTERRA SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING (NO WARNING LIGHTS) LOST POWER AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP IN AN INTERSECTION NEAR ALIANCE, NE. WE WERE DRIVING THE SPEED LIMIT BUT COULD EASILY HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT IF THIS HAD BEEN A MORE POPULATED AREA. WE …

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WHILE ON A CAMPING TRIP FROM CALIFORNIA TO NEBRASKA TO WATCH THE ECLIPSE, MY XTERRA SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING (NO WARNING LIGHTS) LOST POWER AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP IN AN INTERSECTION NEAR ALIANCE, NE. WE WERE DRIVING THE SPEED LIMIT BUT COULD EASILY HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT IF THIS HAD BEEN A MORE POPULATED AREA. WE WERE ABLE TO "COAST" IT OFF THE HIGHWAY INTO A PARKING AREA AND ARRANGE FOR A TOW TRUCK TO PICK US UP.THE NEAREST NISSAN DEALER IS 500MI. AWAY IN DENVER SO HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO AAA RECOMMENDED SHOP. THEY DIAGNOSED TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO RADIATOR CRACK AND UNIT SENDING COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION. MY VEHICLE HAS LESS 98K MI. ON IT.! ESTIMATED COST OF REPAIRS $3-8,000.00. TO COMPLETE REPAIRS THEY WOULD HAVE TO HAVE PARTS SENT FROM CALIFORNIA, SO THEY ADVISED ME JUNK THE VEHICLE OR TOW BACK TO CALIFORNIA. SINCE I'M A SENIOR LIVING ON FIXED INCOME I DO NOT HAVE FUNDS TO PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE. SO I HAD TO RENT A CAR ($800.00) TO GET BACK TO CALIFORNIA AND HAVE THE XTERRA TRANSPORTED ($1,100.00) BACK TO BE REPAIRED. THINK IT IS SHAMEFUL THAT THERE WAS NO NOTICE FROM NISSAN ABOUT THIS SO CONSUMERS COULD TAKE PREVENTATIVE MEASURES. I HAVE BEEN A LOYAL CUSTOMER,THIS IS THE SECOND NISSAN PRODUCT I'VE OWNED, BUT NOW BECAUSE NISSAN IS NOT STANDING BEHIND ITS PRODUCT, EVEN AFTER THE REPAIRS I WILL HAVE A "WORTHLESS" VEHICLE THAT I HAVE HAD TO PUT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS INTO..SO THIS WILL BE MY LAST PURCHASE FROM THIS COMPANY.

NHTSA ODI #11030096

Mileage unknown · Sep 26, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion System

THE FUEL GAUGE IS GIVING INCORRECT READING

NHTSA ODI #11029898

150,000 miles · Aug 31, 2017
EnginePower Train

TOTAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE CAUSED BY A CRACKED RADIATOR THAT ALLOWED ENGINE COOLANT TO MIX WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. COST TO FIX IS MORE THAN THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEFECTIVE RADIATOR HAS NO RECALL ON IT ALTHOUGH THE PROBLEM IS WELL KNOWN TO NISSAN.

NHTSA ODI #11020740

165,000 miles · Aug 16, 2017
Power Train

WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, TRANSMISSION STARTED DOWNSHIFTING. I PULLED OVER, POPPED THE HOOD, AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. I CHECKED IT, AND IT WAS NORMAL LEVEL BUT EXTREMELY HOT. I LET IT COOL DOWN, AND I STARTED DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AGAIN, AND THE OVERDRIVE STARTS RUMBLING; FEELS AN…

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WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, TRANSMISSION STARTED DOWNSHIFTING. I PULLED OVER, POPPED THE HOOD, AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. I CHECKED IT, AND IT WAS NORMAL LEVEL BUT EXTREMELY HOT. I LET IT COOL DOWN, AND I STARTED DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AGAIN, AND THE OVERDRIVE STARTS RUMBLING; FEELS AND SOUND LIKE I'M DRIVING OVER A RUMBLE STRIP. TRANSMISSION SHOP SAYS, THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS REPLACING.

NHTSA ODI #11015715

130,000 miles · Aug 13, 2017
Power Train

RADIATOR CRACKED AND COOLING GOT INTO MY TRANSMISSION. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED AT A DEALERSHIP IN 2014. WHICH I THINK DEALERSHIP SHOULD HAVE WARNED ME ABOUT THE PROBLEM TOO. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND OVERDRIVE STARTED SHUTTERING AND SO I HAD TO PUT IT INTO 4TH GEAR TO MAKE IT ON DOWN THE HIGHWAY. SO THEN I LOOKED IT UP ON…

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RADIATOR CRACKED AND COOLING GOT INTO MY TRANSMISSION. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED AT A DEALERSHIP IN 2014. WHICH I THINK DEALERSHIP SHOULD HAVE WARNED ME ABOUT THE PROBLEM TOO. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND OVERDRIVE STARTED SHUTTERING AND SO I HAD TO PUT IT INTO 4TH GEAR TO MAKE IT ON DOWN THE HIGHWAY. SO THEN I LOOKED IT UP ONLINE WHAT I COULD DO WHAT CAUSES IT TO SHUTTER AND THEN I SEEN THE NOTIFICATIONS ABOUT THE COOLANT IN THE TRANSMISSION SO I CHECKED THE RADIATOR AND SURE ENOUGH THERE WAS WHITE FOAM OR STICKY STUFF IN THERE. SO NOW IT'S GOING TO COST ABOUT $3,000 FOR A TRANSMISSION AND TO HAVE IT PUT IN AND I STILL OWE $4,000 ON THE VEHICLE WHICH IS NOW A YARD ORNAMENT UNTIL I SAVE THE MONEY UP TO PAY FOR THE TRANSMISSION

NHTSA ODI #11014890

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.