IllustrationTHE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT CHANGE GEAR PROPERLY. IT IS SLOW IN CHANGING GEAR AND THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" BLINKS.
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Frontier 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
230–25K
6525–50K
10050–75K
10575–100K
147100–150K
21150K+
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 reportsI OWN A 2007 NISSAN FRONTIER LE CREW CAB 4X4 AND I HAVE OWNED SINCE IT HAS HAD 72,000 MILES ON IT. LAST MONDAY WHILE DRIVING TO WORK MY TRUCK SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF HWY 53 AND LOCKED UP THE STEERING AND ALMOST TOOK MY LIFE. DUE TO THE FACT NISSAN HAS IGNORED THEIR RADIATORS ARE FAULTY LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION, I AM LEFT…
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I OWN A 2007 NISSAN FRONTIER LE CREW CAB 4X4 AND I HAVE OWNED SINCE IT HAS HAD 72,000 MILES ON IT. LAST MONDAY WHILE DRIVING TO WORK MY TRUCK SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF HWY 53 AND LOCKED UP THE STEERING AND ALMOST TOOK MY LIFE. DUE TO THE FACT NISSAN HAS IGNORED THEIR RADIATORS ARE FAULTY LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION, I AM LEFT WITH MY TRUCK SITTING IN THE YARD. I AM A 22 YEAR OLD MALE WITH 2 JOBS AND A FULL TIME STUDENT WITHOUT A WAY TO CONTINUE TO PURSE MY DREAM OF BECOMING A PHYSICAL THERAPIST.
NOISE FROM FRONT OF ENGINE WHEN STARTING OR WHILE RUNNING. HAVE REPLACED ALL SERPENTINE BELT SYSTEM PARTS PROBLEM PERSISTS. I HAVE NOW PARKED THE VEHICLE AS PROBLEM IS WORSE, AND DO NOT WANT TO RUIN THE ENGINE. MILEAGE 46450.
MY TRUCK STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY AND WHEN IT WAS TAKEN TOTHE MECHANIC IT WAS COLLANT IN THE TRANSMISSION. NOT ONKY DO INEED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION BUT ALSO THE RADIATOR. THERE WERENO SIGNS OF THIS ISSUE OR ANY WARNINGS.
WHEN ENTERING HWY 17 (70 MPH SPEED LIMIT) I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR TO ENTER ONCOMING TRAFFIC. INSTEAD OF INCREASING SPEED THE TRUCK STALLED. I PULLED ONTO THE RIGHT SIDE EMERGENCY LANE IN ORDER TO PREVENT TRAFFIC FROM RUNNING OVER MY VEHICLE. I PLACED THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK AND IT SEEMED TO SMOOTH OUT . MOTOR WAS R…
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WHEN ENTERING HWY 17 (70 MPH SPEED LIMIT) I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR TO ENTER ONCOMING TRAFFIC. INSTEAD OF INCREASING SPEED THE TRUCK STALLED. I PULLED ONTO THE RIGHT SIDE EMERGENCY LANE IN ORDER TO PREVENT TRAFFIC FROM RUNNING OVER MY VEHICLE. I PLACED THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK AND IT SEEMED TO SMOOTH OUT . MOTOR WAS RUNNING WITH EXCESS RPM'S AND TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. THIS WAS A NEAR ACCIDENT. I COULD HEAR CARS BEHIND PLACING ON BRAKES AND BLOWING HORN. WHEN RETURNING HOME WAS TOLD BY NISSAN DEALERSHIP RADIATOR COOLER AND TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO FAULTY LINES. NISSAN SHOULD HAVE RECALLED THIS PROBLEM.
THERE IS A HIGH FREQUENCY BUZZING / WHINING NOISE COMING FROM THE SECONDARY TIMING CHAIN SYSTEM. THIS HAS STARTED TO HAPPEN ON A 2007 NISSAN FRONTIER VQ40 4.0L V6 ENGINE. THE NOISE INCREASES IN FREQUENCY WITH ENGINE SPEED (RPM). ATTACHED IS THE SERVICE BULLETIN. SERVICE BULLETIN REFERENCE: NTB09-128 CLASSIFICATION: EM0…
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THERE IS A HIGH FREQUENCY BUZZING / WHINING NOISE COMING FROM THE SECONDARY TIMING CHAIN SYSTEM. THIS HAS STARTED TO HAPPEN ON A 2007 NISSAN FRONTIER VQ40 4.0L V6 ENGINE. THE NOISE INCREASES IN FREQUENCY WITH ENGINE SPEED (RPM). ATTACHED IS THE SERVICE BULLETIN. SERVICE BULLETIN REFERENCE: NTB09-128 CLASSIFICATION: EM09-007 DATE: NOVEMBER 16, 2009
WHILE IN THE FREEWAY, SPEED SLOWED DOWN TO 25 MPH. GOT OUT OF THE FREEWAY AND OPENED HOOD. FOUND OUT RADIATOR COOLANT LOW AND SOME WHITE STUFF I COULD SEE. RIGHT THEN IT CAME TO MY MIND THAT I HAVE THE NISSAN FAMOUS RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION AND WOULD NOT THINK IT WOULD HAPPEN TO MY TRUCK AT 38000 MILES. TR…
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WHILE IN THE FREEWAY, SPEED SLOWED DOWN TO 25 MPH. GOT OUT OF THE FREEWAY AND OPENED HOOD. FOUND OUT RADIATOR COOLANT LOW AND SOME WHITE STUFF I COULD SEE. RIGHT THEN IT CAME TO MY MIND THAT I HAVE THE NISSAN FAMOUS RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION AND WOULD NOT THINK IT WOULD HAPPEN TO MY TRUCK AT 38000 MILES. TRANSMISSION HAD MILKY LIKE FLUID. WHY IS THERE NO SAFETY RECALL WHEN SO MANY CARS ARE AFFECTED THAT PUT A LOT OF PEOPLE ON DANGER. INSTEAD I GOT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY OF RADIATOR. THE DEALER COULD HAVE REPLACED THE RADIATOR 5 YEARS AGO. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM FOR YEARS.
TOOK MY NISSAN FRONTIER TO PACIFIC NISSAN IN SAN DIEGO FOR A CONSISTENT JERK/KNOCK WITH SOUND OF LIQUID GURGLING. NOTIFIED THAT I WAS LUCKY THAT THE TRUCK MADE IT TO THE SHOP. NOTIFIED THAT THERE IS A FLUID INTERMIX BETWEEN MY COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUIDS. HOW CAN THAT BE WHEN THEY ARE TWO TOTALLY DIFFERENT SYSTEMS? NISSA…
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TOOK MY NISSAN FRONTIER TO PACIFIC NISSAN IN SAN DIEGO FOR A CONSISTENT JERK/KNOCK WITH SOUND OF LIQUID GURGLING. NOTIFIED THAT I WAS LUCKY THAT THE TRUCK MADE IT TO THE SHOP. NOTIFIED THAT THERE IS A FLUID INTERMIX BETWEEN MY COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUIDS. HOW CAN THAT BE WHEN THEY ARE TWO TOTALLY DIFFERENT SYSTEMS? NISSAN IS OFFERING THAT I PAY THE DEDUCTIBLE OF 3000$ TO GET IT FIXED. I JUST FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR ALL FRONTIERS, XTERRAS AND PATHFINDERS AND NISSAN IS NOT BEING PRO-ACTIVE IN ISSUING REPAIRS PRIOR TO THIS PROBLEM HAPPENING AND STICKING THE CONSUMERS WITH THE COST TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. HOW CAN THIS BE ALLOWED TO HAPPEN?
TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO COOLANT INTERMIXING WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD CATASTROPHIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO A CRACK IN THE COOLING SYSTEM. FIRST TIME WAS JUST OVER THE WARRANTY SO I WAS FORCED TO PAY A $2500 COPAY. THE VIHICLE STARTED SHOWING SIGNS OF A SECONDARY FAILURE JUST PRI…
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TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO COOLANT INTERMIXING WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD CATASTROPHIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO A CRACK IN THE COOLING SYSTEM. FIRST TIME WAS JUST OVER THE WARRANTY SO I WAS FORCED TO PAY A $2500 COPAY. THE VIHICLE STARTED SHOWING SIGNS OF A SECONDARY FAILURE JUST PRIOR TO 100000 MILES AND WHEN I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER THEY LIED TO ME AND SAID THERE WAS JUST RESIDUAL OIL IN THE RADIATOR FROM THE FIRST FAILURE... NOW I AM PAST ANY WARRANTY COPAY AND THE TRANSMISSION IS FAILING AT JUST 100500 MILES. THAT IS JUST TWO YEARS (LESS THAN 18000 MILES) AFTER THEY REPLACED THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE THAT CONSUMERS ARE BEING FORCED TO PAY FOR A KNOWN ISSUE OF POOR ENGINEERING ESPECIALLY WHEN IT WAS SUPPOSEDLY FIXED BY THE DEALER WITH NISSAN PARTS. THEY HAVE OBVIOUSLY NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM BUT JUST REPLACED WITH ANOTHER DEFECTIVE PART. ON TOP OF THAT THEY DENIED THERE WAS A PROBLEM TO SO I WOULD CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT WAS PAST THE EXTENDED WARRANTY (FROM 2012 CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT). WHILE THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT IN EITHER INDECENT THERE WAS A NEAR COLLISION THE FIRST TIME AS I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION AND THE SECOND THERE WAS TRAFFIC BEHIND ME THAT HAD TO AVOID REAR-ENDING ME AS THE VEHICLE STOPPED, THIS IS A DANGEROUS DEFECT THAT COULD RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH.
ENTERING 4 LANE HIGHWAY WITH 70 MPH TRAFFIC. KICKED FRONTIER INTO PASSING GEAR TO ENTER ONGOING TRAFFIC. FRONTIER STALLED AND SLOWED INSTEAD OF INCREASING SPEED. TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE AND JERKING CAUSED MOTOR TO INCREASE RPMS. I HAD TO MOVE MY TRUCK OVER TO RIGHT OF PAVED LANE AND ONTO PULLOFF AREA IN ORDER TO PREVENT ACCIDENT. …
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ENTERING 4 LANE HIGHWAY WITH 70 MPH TRAFFIC. KICKED FRONTIER INTO PASSING GEAR TO ENTER ONGOING TRAFFIC. FRONTIER STALLED AND SLOWED INSTEAD OF INCREASING SPEED. TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE AND JERKING CAUSED MOTOR TO INCREASE RPMS. I HAD TO MOVE MY TRUCK OVER TO RIGHT OF PAVED LANE AND ONTO PULLOFF AREA IN ORDER TO PREVENT ACCIDENT. I WAS TOLD AT THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP THAT I HAD TRANSMISSION DAMAGE DUE TO RADIATOR FLUID LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION . IT COST ME $2500 TO REPAIR A PROBLEM THAT COULD HAVE COST LIVES. I UNDERSTAND THIS WAS A PROBLEM THAT WAS NOT RECALLED BY NISSAN.
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.