IllustrationTOOK IT TO THE DEALER "NEMER" THEY TOLD US THAT THERE WAS COOLANT IN THE TRANSMISSION TOLD US IT WOULD COST $5000 TO $7000 TO FIX WE TOOK IT TO A PLACE TO HAVE IT FLUSHED OUT THAT HELPED THEN AFTER 109000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION DIED BEEN PARKED IN DRIVEWAY SENSE 12/13/13. *JS
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
Power Train complaints
222 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSE THAT THE RADIATOR HOUSING FRACTURED WHICH CAUSED THE RADIATOR FLUID TO PENETRATE THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSE THAT THE RADIATOR HOUSING FRACTURED WHICH CAUSED THE RADIATOR FLUID TO PENETRATE THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK INTO RADIATOR. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION CROSS CONTAMINATED DUE TO A CRACKED ATF LINE. *TR
TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO RADIATOR LEAKAGE INTO TRANSMISSION FLUID. JUST OUT OF WARRANTY! NISSAN CLAIMS POWERTRAIN WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER SINCE IT IS A RADIATOR PROBLEM WHICH CAUSES THE FAILURE. ----- LEAKING COOLANT CAUSES TRANSMISSION FAILURE AN ALARMING NUMBER OF NISSAN XTERRA, PATHFINDER AND FRONTIER OWNERS ARE STEPPI…
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TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO RADIATOR LEAKAGE INTO TRANSMISSION FLUID. JUST OUT OF WARRANTY! NISSAN CLAIMS POWERTRAIN WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER SINCE IT IS A RADIATOR PROBLEM WHICH CAUSES THE FAILURE. ----- LEAKING COOLANT CAUSES TRANSMISSION FAILURE AN ALARMING NUMBER OF NISSAN XTERRA, PATHFINDER AND FRONTIER OWNERS ARE STEPPING FORWARD WITH STORIES ABOUT HOW CRACKED RADIATORS ARE CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION. ONCE MIXED WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID THIS LETHAL COMBINATION KILLS THE VALVES, SEALS AND TORQUE CONVERTER -- RENDERING YOUR ENTIRE TRANSMISSION USELESS. THIS ISSUE IS CURRENTLY CONTAINED TO THE 2005'2010 MODEL YEARS. SOME ARTICLES ONLINE CLAIM THAT BEING AWARE OF THE PROPER WARNING SIGNS MAY HELP PREVENT YOUR NISSAN FROM NEEDING A REBUILT TRANSMISSION. THESE WARNING SIGNS ARE: HEAVY VIBRATION WHILE SHIFTING HEAVY VIBRATION WHILE ACCELERATING ABRUPT STALLING SHUDDERING NOISES CAR DOESN'T WARM UP WHEN SITTING OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THEIR RADIATOR CRACK ARE CLAIMING THAT EVEN IF YOU CATCH IT EARLY, YOUR TRANSMISSION IS STILL DOOMED TROUBLE DUE TO THIS ENGINEERING / MANUFACTURING DEFECT. YOU CAN READ THEIR STORIES OVER AT CARCOMPLAINTS.COM FOR THE THREE NISSAN MODELS THAT ARE SHOWING THE DEFECT: PATHFINDER: 2007, 2006, 2005 XTERRA: 2005, 2006, 2007 FRONTIER: 2005. 2006, 2007 PERHAPS EVEN MORE TROUBLING IS OWNERS WHO HAVE ALREADY HAD THEIR TRANSMISSIONS "REPAIRED" BY AN AUTHORIZED NISSAN DEALER ARE STILL REPORTING CATASTROPHIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THROUGH NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN, NISSAN OWNERS WHO ARE OUT OF WARRANTY ARE LEFT TO COVER THE HEFTY REPAIR BILL, WHICH CAN BE OVER $4,500 WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE. *TR
OVER THE COURSE OF APPROX 2 WEEKS THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE AND ENGINE OVERHEATING. THEN THE TRANSMISSION CEASED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKAGE INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE NEEDED A COMPLETELY REBUILT AUTOMATIC…
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OVER THE COURSE OF APPROX 2 WEEKS THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE AND ENGINE OVERHEATING. THEN THE TRANSMISSION CEASED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKAGE INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE NEEDED A COMPLETELY REBUILT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, AND RADIATOR. TOTAL REPAIR FEES WERE $3495.00 INCLUDING TOWING. WAS TOLD BY TRANSMISSION SHOP THAT THIS WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR NISSAN RADIATORS. CALLED NISSAN LOCAL DEALERSHIP, THEY QUOTED A PRICE OF OVER $5500.00 JUST FOR THE TRANSMISSION. RADIATOR AND TOWING WOULD BE EXTRA. I WAS INFORMED THAT NISSAN REFUSED TO OFFER WARRANTY OR OTHER COMPENSATION. *TR
I WAS DRIVING DOWN A BACK ROAD. WHILE TRAVELING UP A SLIGHT HILL THE TRUCK SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR. WHEN I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL THE ENGINE WOULD REV BUT IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF THE TRUCK. WHEN I RESTARTED AND PUT IT IN DRIVE I STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS. I ENDED UP GETTING TOWED TO MY…
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I WAS DRIVING DOWN A BACK ROAD. WHILE TRAVELING UP A SLIGHT HILL THE TRUCK SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR. WHEN I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL THE ENGINE WOULD REV BUT IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF THE TRUCK. WHEN I RESTARTED AND PUT IT IN DRIVE I STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS. I ENDED UP GETTING TOWED TO MY MECHANIC. IF THIS WAS THE ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION I COULD UNDERSTAND THAT AT 155K MILES IT COULD FAIL, HOWEVER THIS TRUCK HAS NOW GONE THROUGH THE FACTORY TRANSMISSION AS WELL AS A FACTORY REFURBISHED TRANSMISSION ALL WITHIN 7 YEARS. I READ ONLINE ABOUT MANY FRONTIER OWNERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AS I HAVE. I BROUGHT THE TRUCK TO MY MECHANIC WHO INFORMED ME THAT THE RADIATOR FAILS WHICH CAUSES THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. I FEEL LUCKY THAT I WAS ON A BACK ROAD BECAUSE THE FAILURE HAPPENED QUICKLY, HAD I BEEN ON A HIGHWAY WITH MODERATE TRAFFIC I COULD EASILY BEEN STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. *JS
TRANSMISSION COOLER FAILED...TRANSMISSION OIL LEAKED INTO THE ENGINE COOLANT AND ENGINE COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THIS CAUSED THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT AND THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. VEHICLE STALLED ON MAJOR ROADWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING OF ANY PROBLEMS. *JS
THE TRANSMISSION COOLING UNIT IN THE RADIATOR LEAKED. MY COOLANT SYSTEM BECAME A BROWN SLUDGE DUE TO HAVING TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK INTO IT. MY TRANSMISSION FLUID HAD COOLANT LEAK INTO IT AND TRANSMISSION IS DAMAGED. *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.