IllustrationWAS TOLD THE TIMING CHAIN AND TENSIONERS NEED TO BE REPLACED FOUND OUT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH NISSANS AND THEY WILL DO NOTHING TO REMEDY THE SITUATION
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 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THERE WAS AN ODOR EMITTED INTO THE VENTS AND THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT COASTED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED OIL AND ANTIFREEZE FLUID SPILLING FROM THE RESERVE TANK ONTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THERE WAS AN ODOR EMITTED INTO THE VENTS AND THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT COASTED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED OIL AND ANTIFREEZE FLUID SPILLING FROM THE RESERVE TANK ONTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SPILL CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR TO FAIL. BOTH THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000. UPDATED 04/14/16*LJ UPDATED 04/18/16. *JB
TRANS COOLER RUPTURE AND MIXING COOLANT WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. RUINED TRANSMISSION/COMPUTER/RADIATOR AND LEFT STRANDED ON ROAD. VERY EXPENSIVE FIX FOR A PROBLEM THAT NISSAN HAS WITH 2005-2010 MODELS AND WERE AWARE OF. NISSAN DECEIVED THE CONSUMERS AND HAS NOT DONE ENOUGH TO SATISFY CUSTOMERS. I WILL NOT PURCHASE ANOTHER NISSA…
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TRANS COOLER RUPTURE AND MIXING COOLANT WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. RUINED TRANSMISSION/COMPUTER/RADIATOR AND LEFT STRANDED ON ROAD. VERY EXPENSIVE FIX FOR A PROBLEM THAT NISSAN HAS WITH 2005-2010 MODELS AND WERE AWARE OF. NISSAN DECEIVED THE CONSUMERS AND HAS NOT DONE ENOUGH TO SATISFY CUSTOMERS. I WILL NOT PURCHASE ANOTHER NISSAN VEHICLE. I THINK THEY NEED TO SEND LETTER TO EACH VIN WITH PROPER INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO FIX THIS ISSUE SO IT DOES NOT HAPPEN AGAIN.
THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR HAS FAILED CAUSING A SAFETY ISSUE. THE 2006 AND THE 2008 MODEL YEARS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS SAME ISSUE BUT NOT THE 2007 MODEL
AROUND 3 MONTHS AGO I STARTED NOTICING BETWEEN 1000 AND 2000 RPMS AND USUALLY BETWEEN 40 AND 60 MPH MY VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE LIKE I WAS DRIVING ON RUMBLE STRIPS. TURNS OUT I HAD A CROSS CONTAMINATION ISSUE WITH COOLANT AND ATF. LOOKING IN MY RADIATOR LOOKED LIKE A STRAWBERRY MILKSHAKE. ALSO DROPPED THE TRANSMISSION PAN AND FOUND…
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AROUND 3 MONTHS AGO I STARTED NOTICING BETWEEN 1000 AND 2000 RPMS AND USUALLY BETWEEN 40 AND 60 MPH MY VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE LIKE I WAS DRIVING ON RUMBLE STRIPS. TURNS OUT I HAD A CROSS CONTAMINATION ISSUE WITH COOLANT AND ATF. LOOKING IN MY RADIATOR LOOKED LIKE A STRAWBERRY MILKSHAKE. ALSO DROPPED THE TRANSMISSION PAN AND FOUND A BROWN SHINEY MIXTURE OF ATF AND COOLANT. I IMMEDIATELY WENT OUT AND BOUGHT A NEW RADIATOR AND FLUIDS FOR MY TRUCK. TOTAL COST AROUND $400 SO FAR. AFTER THE FLUID FLUSHES AND NEW RADIATOR TRUCK RAN GOOD FOR ABOUT 1700 MILES. ABOUT A WEEK AGO 01/20/2016 A SLIGHT RUMBLING STARTED AGAIN. 2 DAYS AGO THE ISSUE TURNED VERY SEVERE. RPMS WERE STAYING VERY HIGH AROUND 3000 THEN WOULD GET A VERY VIOLENT CLUNK AS THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED GEARS. THIS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. I DROVE THE TRUCK YESTERDAY AND WAS SITTING IN TRAFFIC AND WENT TO START WENT LIGHT TURNED GREEN. RPMS WENT TO ALMOST 3 WITH NO MOVEMENT FROM THE TRUCK THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN TRUCK GAVE THE VIOLENT CLUNK AGAIN AND SLAMMED INTO GEAR AND STARTED MOVING. I DID NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE TODAY IN FEAR OF A CATISTRROPHIC BREAKDOWN OR WORSE. LIKE A TRANSMISSION LOCK UP AT 60 MPH CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE BEEN SHOPPING TRANSMISSION SHOPS AND IT LOOKS LIKE DEFINITELY NEED TRANSMISSION REBUILD OR REPLACEMENT AT AN ESTIMATED FEE OF $3000 TO $6000. THIS IS FOR AN ISSUE THAT NISSAN HAS BEEN AWARE OF AND FAILED TO COMMUNICATE OR TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR WITH THEIR CUSTOMERS. ISSUE SEEM TO BE WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT CITY OR HIGHWAY AT THE ABOVE SPEEDS AND RPMS RANGE.
RADIATOR FLUID MIXED WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID DUE TO FAULTY RADIATOR, BEYOND USELESS EXTENDED WARRANTY, RESULTING IN MY BURDEN TO PAY, ACCORDING TO NISSAN A 2500.00 DOLLAR DEDUCTIBLE, PLUS TAXES. NICE, MY TRUCK HAS ONLY 49,000 MILES ON IT, NO OFF ROAD USE, AND NOW GETTING TO THE POINT OF USELESS. THANKS NISSAN. OH, DON'T FORGET…
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RADIATOR FLUID MIXED WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID DUE TO FAULTY RADIATOR, BEYOND USELESS EXTENDED WARRANTY, RESULTING IN MY BURDEN TO PAY, ACCORDING TO NISSAN A 2500.00 DOLLAR DEDUCTIBLE, PLUS TAXES. NICE, MY TRUCK HAS ONLY 49,000 MILES ON IT, NO OFF ROAD USE, AND NOW GETTING TO THE POINT OF USELESS. THANKS NISSAN. OH, DON'T FORGET THE TOWING CHARGE TO THE NEAREST DEALER OVER ONE HOUR AWAY FOR REPAIRS. I JUST STARTED WITH TRANSMISSION SYMPTOMS OF INTERMITTENT GRINDING WITH OVERDRIVE ENGAGED ON THE SHIFTIER. TOOK MY TRUCK TO GARAGE FOR INSPECTION, THEY CHECKED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND, YA YOU GUESSED IT, RADIATOR FLUID MIXED WITH IT.
WHILE DRIVING FUEL GAUGE SUDDENLY DROPPED TO EMPTY AND CAUSED SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON 5 OCCASIONS. PROBLEM SEEMS RELATED TO THAT ADDRESSED BY NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 10V075000 FOR 2006 AND 2008 NISSAN FRONTIERS ALTHOUGH THE 2007 FRONTIER IS NOT ADDRESSED IN THIS CAMPAIGN.
MY FRONTIER DIED ON 12/6 / ON 12/7/2015, I HAD IT TOWED TO THE BOARDWALK NISSAN AND PAID $100 TO HAVE THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSED. I WAS TOLD THE REPAIRS WOULD COST $10,500. THE RADIATOR CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO GO OUT IN TURN CAUSING THE COMPUTER PANEL TO BURN OUT. I ASKED THE SERVICE ADVISER WAS THERE SOMETHING I COULD'VE DONE …
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MY FRONTIER DIED ON 12/6 / ON 12/7/2015, I HAD IT TOWED TO THE BOARDWALK NISSAN AND PAID $100 TO HAVE THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSED. I WAS TOLD THE REPAIRS WOULD COST $10,500. THE RADIATOR CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO GO OUT IN TURN CAUSING THE COMPUTER PANEL TO BURN OUT. I ASKED THE SERVICE ADVISER WAS THERE SOMETHING I COULD'VE DONE TO PREVENT THE PROBLEM. HE SAID NO, THE PROBLEM HAPPENS. I THEN HAD THE TRUCK TOWED HOME. NOW, I FIND OUT THERE WAS A PROBLEM THAT NISSAN SHOULD'VE KNOWN ABOUT, HAD THEY MADE THE REPAIRS TO THE RADIATOR, MY TRUCK WOULD BE WORKING TODAY. THIS MAKES ME ANGRY. IT MAKES ME ANGRY THAT I JUST PAID $317.44 TO REPLACE TIRE SENSORS THAT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN NEEDED!! THE RADIATOR ISSUE RESULTED IN A $417.44 EXPENSE THAT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN NECESSARY ($100 FOR A DIAGNOSIS). THE TRUCK WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE. I ATTEMPTED TO START THE CAR ON 12/6/15, IT WOULDN'T START. THINKING IT WAS A BATTERY ISSUE, I WAITED UNTIL THE NEXT MORNING; ONLY TO FIND OUT IT WASN'T THE BATTERY. I CALLED BOARDWALK NISSAN AND HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSTICS & REPAIRS ONLY TO FIND OUT IT WOULD COST ME $10,500.
TIMING CHAIN GUIDES, TENSIONERS, GUIDES, SHOES AND SEALS, WITCH MADE NOISE THE WHOLE TIME I HAD THE TRUCK AND THE DEALER NEVER SAID ANYTHING UNTIL AFTER MY WARRANTY EXPIRED. *JS
TIMING CHAIN, GUIDE AND TENSIONER MUST BE REPLACED
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.