IllustrationTRANSMISSION HAS WATER IN THE FLUID. *TR
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 reportsWHILE DRIVING MY 2007 NISSAN FRONTIER I NOTICED A HEAVY GRINDING NOISE OCCURRING AT 40 MPH. THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING BEFORE SHIFTING INTO OVERDRIVE. I TOOK MY TRUCK TO TWO DIFFERENT CERTIFIED MECHANICS TO FIND OUT THAT I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR. THE RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING CON…
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WHILE DRIVING MY 2007 NISSAN FRONTIER I NOTICED A HEAVY GRINDING NOISE OCCURRING AT 40 MPH. THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING BEFORE SHIFTING INTO OVERDRIVE. I TOOK MY TRUCK TO TWO DIFFERENT CERTIFIED MECHANICS TO FIND OUT THAT I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR. THE RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING CONTAMINATION OF THE TRANSMISSION FLUID RESULTING IN FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION. I PURCHASED THIS TRUCK NEW FROM A NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND PLANNED TO DRIVE THIS TRUCK BEYOND ITS CURRENT MILEAGE. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ONLINE AND READING ALL THE COMPLAINTS I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER NISSAN. THE COST TO GET THIS FIXED IS $4700.00 FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR. THIS COST IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS BECAUSE THE PRICE OF ALL THE REBUILT TRANSMISSIONS OUT THERE FOR THE FRONTIER HAVE ESCALATED DUE TO THE DEMAND ON THEM. NISSAN SHOULD HAVE PUT A RECALL ON ALL THEIR VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM AND ALL THIS COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED. NISSAN LOST A LOYAL CUSTOMER AND IF THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN MARYLAND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW. NISSAN SHOULD PAY FOR THIS.....TOTALLY RIDICULOUS AND A TIME CONSUMING EXPENSIVE NIGHTMARE. *TR
MY TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO RADIATOR COOLANT MIXING WITH MY TRANSMISSION FLUID. NISSAN KNEW ABOUT THE FACTORY DEFECT BUT FAILED TO NOTIFY THE CONSUMERS OR REPLACE THE TRANSMISSIONS. NISSAN WAS INVOLVED IN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AND INCREASED THE TRANSMISSION WARRANTY TO 10 YEARS OR 100K MILES. BUT THEY REQUIRED THE CUSTOMER TO…
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MY TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO RADIATOR COOLANT MIXING WITH MY TRANSMISSION FLUID. NISSAN KNEW ABOUT THE FACTORY DEFECT BUT FAILED TO NOTIFY THE CONSUMERS OR REPLACE THE TRANSMISSIONS. NISSAN WAS INVOLVED IN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AND INCREASED THE TRANSMISSION WARRANTY TO 10 YEARS OR 100K MILES. BUT THEY REQUIRED THE CUSTOMER TO PROVIDE A CO-PAY OF $3000.00 (WHICH IS RIDICULOUS). HOWEVER I NOTICED SYMPTOMS OF MY TRUCK SHUTTERING AND THUMPING INTO GEAR AROUND 95,000 MILES, MY VEHICLE HAD APPX110,000 MILES ON IT WHEN THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP OFFICIALLY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM. FURTHERMORE, MILEAGE SHOULD NOT MATTER BECAUSE THIS IS A "FACTORY DEFECT". I BOUGHT MY NISSAN FRONTIER NEW IN 2007 AND IT WAS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO THE "FACTORY DEFECT". PLEASE INFORM ME IF THERE IS ANY RECOURSE/RECALL FOR THIS SITUATION. THANK YOU. *TR
I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGED AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD ANTI-FREEZE CONTAMINATION AND COULD RESULT IN SUDDEN CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION, AND THAT NISSAN WAS AWARE OF THIS BUT WOULD TAKE NO ACTION TO REPAIR OR RECALL THE VEHICLE. IF THIS IS A KNOW MANUFACTURE DEFECT AND IS…
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I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGED AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD ANTI-FREEZE CONTAMINATION AND COULD RESULT IN SUDDEN CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION, AND THAT NISSAN WAS AWARE OF THIS BUT WOULD TAKE NO ACTION TO REPAIR OR RECALL THE VEHICLE. IF THIS IS A KNOW MANUFACTURE DEFECT AND IS RESULTING IN CATASTROPHIC FAILURE WITH POTENTIAL CRASH, AND INJURY POTENTIAL, WHY AREN'T THE VEHICLES BEING RECALLED AND REPAIRED? *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP. THE VEHICLE STARTED SLOWING DOWN AND MAKING A GRINDING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE COOLANT FROM THE RADIATOR LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP. THE VEHICLE STARTED SLOWING DOWN AND MAKING A GRINDING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE COOLANT FROM THE RADIATOR LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,000. *TR
TRANSMISSION COOLER FAILURE, COOLANT CONTAMINATED TRANSMISSION FLUID. BURNED CLUTCHES. FAILED SHIFT SOLENOIDS, SHORTED TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE. *TR
THE CAR WAS BROUGHT IN FOR FLUID CHANGES SINCE THE CAR WAS NEARLY AT THE 100,000 MILE MARK. THEY EXPLAINED THE RADIATOR HAD FAILED AND CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO BE CONTAMINATED. THIS CAR WAS BROUGHT IN SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE YEARS AND THEY NEVER DISCLOSED THAT THIS KNOWN PROBLEM CAN RUIN A TRANSMISSION. I PAID 3000.00 TO HAVE T…
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THE CAR WAS BROUGHT IN FOR FLUID CHANGES SINCE THE CAR WAS NEARLY AT THE 100,000 MILE MARK. THEY EXPLAINED THE RADIATOR HAD FAILED AND CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO BE CONTAMINATED. THIS CAR WAS BROUGHT IN SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE YEARS AND THEY NEVER DISCLOSED THAT THIS KNOWN PROBLEM CAN RUIN A TRANSMISSION. I PAID 3000.00 TO HAVE THE CAR FIXED BECAUSE I WAS IN THE 80-100,000 K MILE RANGE. THIS CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT IS A BAD DEAL FOR NISSAN CONSUMERS. WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED THAT THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN. I WOULD HAVE GLADLY PAID 600.00 TO HAVE THE RADIATOR REPLACED. ITS A GOOD THING THIS HAPPENED WHILE AT THE DEALERSHIP. I UNDERSTAND THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN STRANDED. NISSAN KNOWS THIS AND FAILS TO TELL ITS CUSTOMERS. THIS IS UNSAFE, AND I THINK IT SHOULD BE A FULL RECALL. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION HESITATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000. *TR
I WAS DRIVING MY TRUCK ON A TWO LANE ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN THE TRUCK STARTED TO SHAKE AND SHUTTER AND WOULD NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED ON A BEND IN THE ROAD BECAUSE OF THE REDUCED SPEED I HAD TO DRIVE TO KEEP THE TRUCK FROM SHAKING. I HAVE RESEARCHED MY NISSAN FRONTIER'S TRANSMISSION ISSUE AND IT A…
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I WAS DRIVING MY TRUCK ON A TWO LANE ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN THE TRUCK STARTED TO SHAKE AND SHUTTER AND WOULD NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED ON A BEND IN THE ROAD BECAUSE OF THE REDUCED SPEED I HAD TO DRIVE TO KEEP THE TRUCK FROM SHAKING. I HAVE RESEARCHED MY NISSAN FRONTIER'S TRANSMISSION ISSUE AND IT APPEARS TO BE A CROSS CONTAMINATION ISSUE WHERE THE TRANSMISSION COOLER LEAKS ALLOWING TRANSMISSION FLUID AND RADIATOR COOLANT TO MIX CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE NOT DRIVEN THE TRUCK SINCE THE INCIDENT FOR FEAR OF A TOTAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHICH HAS HAPPEND TO OTHER NISSAN FRONTIER OWNERS CAUSING THEM TO BE STANDED ON THE ROADWAY. NISSAN SEEMS TO NOT WANT TO RECALL THE TRUCKS FOR THE CROSS CONTAMINATION ISSUE WHICH I FEEL PUTS PEOPLES LIVES IN DANGER. *TR
I PARKED MY TRUCK AND LATER TRIED TO START IT AND IT WOULDN'T. HAD IT TOWED TO ONE REPAIR SHOP ($45.00 PLUS $75.00 TO THE REPAIR SHOP) AND THEY REFERRED ME TO A TRANSMISSION MECHANIC. SO I HAD IT TOWED THERE ($45.00) AND HE SAID THAT RADIATOR FLUID HAD LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. I'VE HAD THE TRUCK ABOUT 2 WEEKS BEFORE THIS H…
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I PARKED MY TRUCK AND LATER TRIED TO START IT AND IT WOULDN'T. HAD IT TOWED TO ONE REPAIR SHOP ($45.00 PLUS $75.00 TO THE REPAIR SHOP) AND THEY REFERRED ME TO A TRANSMISSION MECHANIC. SO I HAD IT TOWED THERE ($45.00) AND HE SAID THAT RADIATOR FLUID HAD LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. I'VE HAD THE TRUCK ABOUT 2 WEEKS BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. THE ESTIMATE ON REPAIRS IS $3,500. WATCH AND SEE WHAT GOD MAKES HAPPEN! *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.