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2007 Nissan Frontier

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Frontier years

Owner complaints for the 2007 Nissan Frontier are substantially higher than the model-year median of 64.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

461 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 222 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 113 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 75 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports0 fire reports3 injury reports

Engine complaints

72 reports
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118,000 miles · Jun 7, 2019
EnginePower Train

WE HAD JUST HAD OUR OIL CHANGED IN OUR NISSAN FRONTIER AND HAD A GENERAL CHECK OF THE VEHICLE BEFORE DRIVING IT ON A VACATION TO ANOTHER STATE. EVERYTHING WAS IN PERFECT WORKING ORDER. WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW AND IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN WELL-MAINTAINED. IT HAS 118,000 MILES. WHILE DRIVING HOME LESS THAN A WEEK AFTER WE LEFT…

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WE HAD JUST HAD OUR OIL CHANGED IN OUR NISSAN FRONTIER AND HAD A GENERAL CHECK OF THE VEHICLE BEFORE DRIVING IT ON A VACATION TO ANOTHER STATE. EVERYTHING WAS IN PERFECT WORKING ORDER. WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW AND IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN WELL-MAINTAINED. IT HAS 118,000 MILES. WHILE DRIVING HOME LESS THAN A WEEK AFTER WE LEFT, WE NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING AND COOLANT WAS SUDDENLY LEAKING FROM THE TRUCK. WE ALSO NOTICED A PINK OR ORANGE FLUID MIXED WITH THE COOLANT. WE WERE >3 HOURS AWAY FROM HOME WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE GOT WORSE AS WE WERE DRIVING. WE WERE LUCKILY ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME AND TOOK OUR VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE. WE FOUND OUT THAT THIS TRUCK HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS OTHER NISSANS--COOLANT MIXED WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO SUDDENLY FAIL. NOW THE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVEABLE AND WERE ARE SUDDENLY LEFT WITH A VERY BIG COST TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THIS SUDDEN FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION WITHOUT ANY WARNING IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE. WE COULD HAVE BEEN STRANDED FAR FROM HOME OR WORSE, THE TRANSMISSION COULD HAVE FAILED WHILE WE WERE DRIVING, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I KNOW THAT NISSAN HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM SINCE 2007 AND HAS FAILED TO ISSUE A RECALL TO FIX IT AND FAILED TO CHANGE THE DESIGN OF LATER VEHICLES. WE HAD NO IDEA THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH OUR VEHICLE UNTIL IT HAPPENED TO US. SINCE EVERYTHING WAS IN PERFECT WORKING ORDER WHEN WE LEFT, WE HAD NO REASON TO SUSPECT THAT IN LESS THAN A WEEK, OUR VEHICLE WOULD BECOME UNDRIVEABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11218433

Mileage unknown · May 17, 2019
Engine

TRANSMISSION WAS DAMAGE DUE TO WATER COMING FROM THE RADIATOR. MECHANIC EXPLAINED IT TO ME TO BE A RECALL

NHTSA ODI #11208369

75,704 miles · Feb 13, 2019
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND THE VEHICLE SPEED WOULD NOT EXCEED 30 MPH. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,704.

NHTSA ODI #11179822

120,000 miles · Jul 12, 2018
EnginePower Train

TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION. DRIVING CONDITION RESULTED IN SUDDEN HARD DOWNSHIFTS AND EVENTUALLY LED TO A NO START CONDITION. UPON INSPECTING, THE AT CONTROL FUSE WAS BLOWN AND WHEN REPLACED THE VEHICLE CRANKED, ONLY TO HAVE THE FUSE BLOW AGAIN. THE TRANSMISSION, LIKELY NEED TO BE REPLA…

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TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION. DRIVING CONDITION RESULTED IN SUDDEN HARD DOWNSHIFTS AND EVENTUALLY LED TO A NO START CONDITION. UPON INSPECTING, THE AT CONTROL FUSE WAS BLOWN AND WHEN REPLACED THE VEHICLE CRANKED, ONLY TO HAVE THE FUSE BLOW AGAIN. THE TRANSMISSION, LIKELY NEED TO BE REPLACED TO REMEDY THE ISSUE. THIS ISSUE IS KNOWN AND UNFORTUNATELY, LITTLE HAS BEEN DONE TO HOLD THE MANUFACTURER ACCOUNTABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11110959

108,000 miles · Jun 3, 2018
EnginePower Train

IN JANUARY 2018 MY NISSAN WAS RUNNING GREAT ....DROVE TO WORK AND WHEN I CAME OUT TO GO HOME THE TRUCK WOULDN'T START..MY TRUCK HAS BEEN SITTING SINCE THEN..CANT AFFORD A NEW TRANSMISSION BUT I WAS TOLD IT IS THE MAIN BOARD TO THE TRANSMISSION..I HAVE POWER BUT IT WILL NOT START.THE VEHICLE REMAINS IN MY GARAGE...I HAD NO WARNIN…

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IN JANUARY 2018 MY NISSAN WAS RUNNING GREAT ....DROVE TO WORK AND WHEN I CAME OUT TO GO HOME THE TRUCK WOULDN'T START..MY TRUCK HAS BEEN SITTING SINCE THEN..CANT AFFORD A NEW TRANSMISSION BUT I WAS TOLD IT IS THE MAIN BOARD TO THE TRANSMISSION..I HAVE POWER BUT IT WILL NOT START.THE VEHICLE REMAINS IN MY GARAGE...I HAD NO WARNING BEFORE THE THIS HAPPENED.HAD TO PAY A TOW FEE STRAIGHT TO NISSAN DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS MY BATTERY AND STARTER..WE \REPLACED BOTH AND STILL NOTHING.I SURE HOPE SOMEONE CAN HELP ME BECAUSE THE COST TO FIX THE PROBLEM AS I WAS TOLD WAS GONNA BE AROUND $4500 THEY WANNA REPLACE THE TRANMISSION

NHTSA ODI #11099440

89,000 miles · Apr 23, 2018
Engine

THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION COOLER THAT IS INTERNAL TO THE RADIATOR LEAKED COOLANT INTO THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CAUSING EXCESSIVE FRICTION DESTROYING IT. NISSAN KNEW OF THE PROBLEM YET FAILED TO WARN OWNERS THAT THEY COULD AVOID A $6000 REPAIR BY REPLACING THE KNOW DEFECTIVE RADIATOR FOR LESS THAN $1000. NISSAN OFFERED A PRO…

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THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION COOLER THAT IS INTERNAL TO THE RADIATOR LEAKED COOLANT INTO THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CAUSING EXCESSIVE FRICTION DESTROYING IT. NISSAN KNEW OF THE PROBLEM YET FAILED TO WARN OWNERS THAT THEY COULD AVOID A $6000 REPAIR BY REPLACING THE KNOW DEFECTIVE RADIATOR FOR LESS THAN $1000. NISSAN OFFERED A PRORATED WARRANTY EXTENSION OF UP TO 10 YRS/90,000 MILES (MINE IS A 2007 WITH 88934 SO NOT COVERED) BUT ONLY COVERING A SMALL PORTION OF THE COST TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. NISSAN SHOULD BE PUNISHED FOR FAILING TO WARN OWNERS THEY COULD HAVE AVOIDED THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. A MANUFACTURE SHOULD HAVE A DUTY TO WARN CONSUMERS IN THIS CASE. THIS COULD CAUSE A SAFETY ISSUE IF THE FAILURE OCCURRED IN A CRITICAL SITUATION. IN MY CASE THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING ON STATE HIGHWAY 460 NEAR NARROWS, VIRGINIA.

NHTSA ODI #11089759

117,000 miles · Mar 22, 2018
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT FAILED TO START. AN UNKNOWN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT ANTIFREEZE LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER (NISSAN GADSDEN IN GADSDEN, ALABAMA) WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER W…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT FAILED TO START. AN UNKNOWN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT ANTIFREEZE LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER (NISSAN GADSDEN IN GADSDEN, ALABAMA) WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

NHTSA ODI #11080950

Mileage unknown · Sep 29, 2017
EngineUnknown Or Other

TRANSMISSION FLUID IN THE RADIATOR !!ITONLY HAS 75 THOUSAND MILES ORIGINAL ONLY ONE OWNER DEALERS TOLD ME IT WOULD BE 6,000 DOLLARS PLUS TO FIX ,PLEASE HELP

NHTSA ODI #11030590

73,249 miles · Jul 7, 2017
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

NISSAN RECOGNIZED LEAK IN RADIATOR, LEADING TO CORROSION IN TRANSMISSION RESULTING IN CLUNKING SHIFTING WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, UNTIL TRANSMISSION CANNOT SHIFT BY ITSELF. SECRET WARRANTY BULLETIN PUT OUT BUT ONLY TO NISSAN SERVICE CENTRES AND NOT SHARED WITH VEHICLES OWNERS UNTIL TO LATE FOR MOST. IF THEY RECALLED OR FIXE…

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NISSAN RECOGNIZED LEAK IN RADIATOR, LEADING TO CORROSION IN TRANSMISSION RESULTING IN CLUNKING SHIFTING WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, UNTIL TRANSMISSION CANNOT SHIFT BY ITSELF. SECRET WARRANTY BULLETIN PUT OUT BUT ONLY TO NISSAN SERVICE CENTRES AND NOT SHARED WITH VEHICLES OWNERS UNTIL TO LATE FOR MOST. IF THEY RECALLED OR FIXED THE RADIATOR, WOULD NOT NOW NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION REPAIR FOR ~$7000. TRUCK WILL NO LONGER GO UP HILLS UNLESS ONE SHIFTS AS IF IT WERE MANUAL

NHTSA ODI #11003741

191,000 miles · Jul 4, 2017
EnginePower Train

WHEN DRIVING MY 2007 NISSAN FRONTIER WITH A 191000 MILES AND TRUCK STARTS TO SLOW DOWN, IT WOULD DOWN SHIFT ROUGH. MADE APPT FOR NEXT DAY WITH MECHANIC. IT STILL BEING THE SAME DAY I DROVE MY SON TO THE PARK AND CAME TO A STOP , TRUCK DOWN SHIFT WAS ROUGH AGAIN AND SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON, PUSHED ON GAS AND TRUCK …

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WHEN DRIVING MY 2007 NISSAN FRONTIER WITH A 191000 MILES AND TRUCK STARTS TO SLOW DOWN, IT WOULD DOWN SHIFT ROUGH. MADE APPT FOR NEXT DAY WITH MECHANIC. IT STILL BEING THE SAME DAY I DROVE MY SON TO THE PARK AND CAME TO A STOP , TRUCK DOWN SHIFT WAS ROUGH AGAIN AND SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON, PUSHED ON GAS AND TRUCK FELT LIKE IT LOST POWER. GOT TO PARK A BLOCK AWAY, TURNED TRUCK OFF AND IT NEVER STARTED AGAIN. TOWED TO A MECHANIC . $1100 LATER, MECHANIC SAYS TOW IT TO THE NISSAN DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC BECAUSE THE MODULAR INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT WORKING AND THEY CAN TELL WHAT'S WRONG. I GET IT TOWED TO NISSAN DEALER FOR $90 AND $450(3HRS OF LABOR TO DIAGNOSE TRUCK) LATER, NISSAN SAID RADIATOR FLUID CROSS CONTAMINATED WITH TRANSMISSION AND RUINED IT. ALSO FOUND TRANSMISSION FLUID AND ENGINE OIL IN RADIATOR. SO THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FOR $6800. NISSAN DEALER SENDS ME SERVICE COUPONS, FLYERS TO TRADE THE FRONTIER FOR NEWER A MODEL TO MY HOUSE. THEY ALSO TEXT AND CALL. IN 2012 THEY SETTLED TO EXTEND POWER TRAIN WARRANTY BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. WHY WASN'T I INFORMED OF PREVENTATIVE MAINTENCE ON A KNOWN DEFECT.

NHTSA ODI #11002923

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.