IllustrationTRANSMISSION AND COOLANT MIXED CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION NOT TO SHIFT PROPERLY IN TRAFFIC. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THEIR FAULTY COMPONENTS AND SHOULD BE FORCED TO RECALL AND FIX, AT THEIR EXPENSE.
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
What owners actually said
520 reportsTRANS COOLER DEFECTED CAUSING WATER TO ENTER TRANSMISSION AND TRANSMISSION IS NOT LONGER FUNCTIONING.
THE TRANSMISSION LINE RUNS THROUGH THE RADIATOR IN THESE VEHICLES. IT BROKE INSIDE RADIATOR AND PUT TRANSMISSION FLUID INTO COOLING SYSTEM AND COOLANT INTO TRANSMISSION, CAUSING FAILURE OF BOTH SYSTEMS. WHEN PROBLEM WAS DETECTED(SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND TRANSMISSION SLIPPING) I TOOK TO MECHANIC, WE FLUSHED TRANSMISSION A…
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THE TRANSMISSION LINE RUNS THROUGH THE RADIATOR IN THESE VEHICLES. IT BROKE INSIDE RADIATOR AND PUT TRANSMISSION FLUID INTO COOLING SYSTEM AND COOLANT INTO TRANSMISSION, CAUSING FAILURE OF BOTH SYSTEMS. WHEN PROBLEM WAS DETECTED(SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND TRANSMISSION SLIPPING) I TOOK TO MECHANIC, WE FLUSHED TRANSMISSION AND COOLING SYSTEM. TRANSMISSION IS SYSTEMATICALLY FAILING ,
THE TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO A KNOWN DESIGN FLAW THAT ALLOWS COLLAR FROM THE RADIATOR TO LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING IT TO FAIL. ON MY VEHICLE IT FAILED AT 100,800 MILES, JUST BARELY OUTSIDE WARRANTY. IT WILL NO LONGER CLIMB HILLS AND HAS GREAT DIFFICULTY GAINING INITIAL MOMENTUM ON FLATTER ROADS. IT DOESN'T STALL, JUS…
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THE TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO A KNOWN DESIGN FLAW THAT ALLOWS COLLAR FROM THE RADIATOR TO LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING IT TO FAIL. ON MY VEHICLE IT FAILED AT 100,800 MILES, JUST BARELY OUTSIDE WARRANTY. IT WILL NO LONGER CLIMB HILLS AND HAS GREAT DIFFICULTY GAINING INITIAL MOMENTUM ON FLATTER ROADS. IT DOESN'T STALL, JUST SITS IN ONE PLACE, ROLLS BACKWARD INSTEAD OF FORWARD, OR EXCELERATES LIKE A 3 TOED SLOTH. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED WE WERE DRIVING UP STEEP DRIVEWAY AND IT JUST STOPPED MOVING. THE SECOND TIME WE WERE ON A LESS STEEP BUSY ROADWAY AND WE'RE FORCED TO ROLL BACKWARDS IN TRAFFIC UNTIL WE COULD FIND A PLACE TO TURN AROUND. ISSUE HAD NOT BEEN SPECIFICALLY NOTICEABLE PRIOR TO THIS.
FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM FAILURE, REPLACEMENT REQUIRED. RECALL 10E019000 IS NOTED AND DID NOT INCLUDE THIS SPECIFIC VIN. THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED AT 114K MILES BUT WAS FELT IN THE IRREGULAR HANDLING MOVEMENTS FROM THE FRONT END WHILE STOPPING AND TURNING. DEALER REPLACED STRUTS AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS DUE TO FAILURE. I BELIEVE THI…
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FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM FAILURE, REPLACEMENT REQUIRED. RECALL 10E019000 IS NOTED AND DID NOT INCLUDE THIS SPECIFIC VIN. THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED AT 114K MILES BUT WAS FELT IN THE IRREGULAR HANDLING MOVEMENTS FROM THE FRONT END WHILE STOPPING AND TURNING. DEALER REPLACED STRUTS AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS DUE TO FAILURE. I BELIEVE THIS FAILURE WAS PREMATURE TO THE LIFE OF WHAT SHOULD BE EXPECTED FROM THESE ITEMS FROM THE DIFFERENCE AFTER REPAIR THESE CONTROL ARMS WERE NOT 100% I RETAINED THE OLD PARTS FOR EVALUATION OF FAILURE DUE TO POOR CONSTRUCTION OR DESIGN. THE DEFECT WAS NOTICED AS A ;OUD CLUNGING NOISE DURING TURNS.
TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AND VIBRATION WHEN DRIVING ALSO HARD KNOCK. THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY OR HIGH WAYS
FUEL GAUGE IS NOT ACCURATE OR INDICATES EMPTY WITH FUEL WARNING LIGHT DISPLAYED, EVEN WHEN TANK IS FULL. RESEARCH SHOWS THAT IT IS A DEFECTIVE FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR REPAIR BY NISSAN. RUNNING OUT OF FUEL, UNEXPECTEDLY ON THE HIGHWAY COULD HAVE VERY DANGEROUS CONSEQUENCES.
I NOTICED THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT UP WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND WHEN THIS HAPPENED THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULD GET WARMER. WHEN I SLOWED DOWN TO 50-55 MPH THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WOULD RETURN TO THE NORMAL POSITION. I ALSO BEGAN TO NOTICE THAT THE TRUCK WAS NO LONGER SHIFTING SMOOTHLY AT TIMES. I TOOK THE VEHICLE INT…
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I NOTICED THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT UP WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND WHEN THIS HAPPENED THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULD GET WARMER. WHEN I SLOWED DOWN TO 50-55 MPH THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WOULD RETURN TO THE NORMAL POSITION. I ALSO BEGAN TO NOTICE THAT THE TRUCK WAS NO LONGER SHIFTING SMOOTHLY AT TIMES. I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLER AND COOLER CONTAMINATION SO THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STOP. LUCKILY I DID NOT GET STRANDED ON THE ROAD, BUT NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND MY PORTION OF THE BILL WILL BE $3500-$3700. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE SINCE I KEEP MY MAINTENANCE UP AND GET PROBLEMS HANDLED PROMPTLY.
MY NISSAN FRONTIER PICK UP WENT COMPLETELY DEAD AND WOULD NOT START AFTER I HAD REFUELED AT A GAS STATION. I CHECKED OUT THE BATTERY CONNECTIONS AND IGNITION AND FOUND NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY. I THEN CALLED A LOCAL DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND HAD IT TOWED IN FOR DIAGNOSIS FOR REPAIR. THE SERVICE MANAGER CALLED ME THE N…
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MY NISSAN FRONTIER PICK UP WENT COMPLETELY DEAD AND WOULD NOT START AFTER I HAD REFUELED AT A GAS STATION. I CHECKED OUT THE BATTERY CONNECTIONS AND IGNITION AND FOUND NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY. I THEN CALLED A LOCAL DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND HAD IT TOWED IN FOR DIAGNOSIS FOR REPAIR. THE SERVICE MANAGER CALLED ME THE NEXT DAY AND INFORMED ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY WAS IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT AT A COST OF $1800.00. AFTER A WEEK OR SO I CALLED AND WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE WAS READY. I PICKED IT UP AND PAID THE BILL. SHORTLY AFTERWARD I NOTICED THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTING AN LITTLE HARD BUT DISMISSED IT AS POSSIBLE CHARACTERISTIC OF A NEW PART FUNCTIONING DIFFERENTLY. AFTER ABOUT 4 MONTHS I NOTICED AN INCREASE IN THIS SHIFTING AND SO I CHECKED TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL WHICH WAS A LITTLE LOW BUT A HEALTHY COLOR. I ADDED TRANSMISSION FLUID AND TRANSMISSION OPERATED OK FOR ABOUT 6 WEEKS NOW THE TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTING VERY HARD AND SLIPS AND SOME TIMES THE VEHICLE JUMP FORWARD JUST SLIGHTLY WHEN AT A STOP SIGN OR STOP LIGHT. I HAVE BEGAN INVESTIGATING THIS PROBLEM ONLINE AND DISCOVERED THIS IS HAPPENING A LOT WITH NISSANS VEHICLES NOT JUST THE FRONTIERS, BUT ALSO PATHFINDERS AND EXTERRAS. SOME CONSUMER GROUP ARE SEEKING A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM AND I HOPE THEY GET IT BECAUSE I CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY $1800.00 EVERY SIX MONTHS.
VEHICLE IS WELL MAINTAINED WITH 115,000 MILES ODOMETER READING. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THE REAR AXLE SEAS HAVE FAILED, RESULTING IN GEAR OIL SOAKING REAR BRAKES, RESULTING IN OIL CONTAMINATION OF BRAKE PADS AND RENDERING THE PARKING BRAKE INEFFECTIVE. THE REASON WAS EXPLAINED BY NISSAN AS A RUSTED $14 BREATHER TUBE IN THE DIFFER…
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VEHICLE IS WELL MAINTAINED WITH 115,000 MILES ODOMETER READING. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THE REAR AXLE SEAS HAVE FAILED, RESULTING IN GEAR OIL SOAKING REAR BRAKES, RESULTING IN OIL CONTAMINATION OF BRAKE PADS AND RENDERING THE PARKING BRAKE INEFFECTIVE. THE REASON WAS EXPLAINED BY NISSAN AS A RUSTED $14 BREATHER TUBE IN THE DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING CAUSING PRESSURE BUILD UP TO RUIN THE $7 DOLLAR SEALS. THE RESULT IS A REPAIR ANY WHERE FRO $1500 FOR A DIFFICULT AXLE PULL TO GET TO THE SEALS OR UP TO$6500 TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE REAR ASSEMBLY. THE PROBLEM WITH SEAL REPLACEMENT IS IT IS DIFFICULT AND TIME CONSUMING AND MUST BE PERFORMED PERFECTLY OR THE SEALS WILL LEAK AGAIN. THE ROOT CAUSE IS A POOR BREATHER SYSTEM,. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE DEFECTIVE DESIGN AND APPLICATION. CONTINUED USE WILL CAUSE PREMATURE REAR BRAKE FAILURE AND TOO MUCH STRESS ON THE FRONT BRAKES TO STOP THE VEHICLE.
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.