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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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 reports
111,000 miles · May 20, 2014
Power Train

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

NHTSA ODI #10592845

155,000 miles · May 19, 2014
EnginePower Train

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

NHTSA ODI #10592363

108,000 miles · May 17, 2014
Power Train

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

NHTSA ODI #10592096

116,000 miles · May 15, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

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

NHTSA ODI #10588485

113,000 miles · May 13, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

TRANSMISSION ABRUPTLY STOPPED TRANSFERRING POWER. OWNER CHECKED TRANSMISSION FLUID AFTER INCIDENT IN WHICH IT WAS FILLED WITH RADIATOR COOLANT AND RADIATOR HAD A MIX OF COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10588168

127,000 miles · May 9, 2014
EnginePower Train

TRUCK SUDDENLY RUNNING ROUGH. PLUGS REPLACED. TOOK IN FOR RELEARN IDLE. TOLD ME ALSO 3 OF 4 CATS CLOGGED AND COOLANT IN THE TRANSMISSION. KNEW NOTHING OF THIS ISSUE WITH THESE TRUCKS UNTIL I LOOKED ONLINE TO TRY AND FIGURE WHAT WAS HAPPENING WITH MY TRUCK. I AM SO ANGRY RIGHT NOW. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL AS IT TRULY IS A SAFETY…

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TRUCK SUDDENLY RUNNING ROUGH. PLUGS REPLACED. TOOK IN FOR RELEARN IDLE. TOLD ME ALSO 3 OF 4 CATS CLOGGED AND COOLANT IN THE TRANSMISSION. KNEW NOTHING OF THIS ISSUE WITH THESE TRUCKS UNTIL I LOOKED ONLINE TO TRY AND FIGURE WHAT WAS HAPPENING WITH MY TRUCK. I AM SO ANGRY RIGHT NOW. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL AS IT TRULY IS A SAFETY HAZARD. TO IMAGINE THE THOUGHT OF DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND HAVE YOUR TRANNIE LOCK UP...? HELLO! THIS HAS CAUGHT ME UNAWARE AND I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THIS UNTIL NOW AND AT 127K MILES, I AM SOL ON ANY KIND OF REFUND, REPAIR, OR ANYTHING? THEY SHOULD BE LIABLE AS I SHOULD NOT BE IN THIS POSITION WITH NO RECOURSE FOR A KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE THAT IS NOW GOING TO COST ME MORE MONEY THAT I CAN AFFORD. THIS IS THEIR ISSUE AND THEY SHOULD FIX IT, NOT ME. THEY KNEW AND THEY SHOULD FIX. REGARDLESS, WHO KNOWS HOW MUCH ACTUAL DAMAGE THIS HAS CAUSED MY ENGINE NOW? I AM SO ANGRY RIGHT NOW.... DON'T KNOW WHAT I AM GOING TO DO NOW. BUT IF I BUY ANOTHER TRUCK, I DON'T THINK IT WILL BE A NISSAN...TOO MANY COVER UPS...NO RESPONSES OR FIXES... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10587493

135,000 miles · May 9, 2014
Power Train

I WENT TO DRIVE THE TRUCK AND STARTED TO NOTICE THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. I CALLED NISSAN AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID THERE WAS NOT A RECALL FOR MY TRUCK. I HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THE TRANSMISSION IS NO LONGER USABLE AND THAT MANY OTHER PEOPLE ARE NOTICING THE SAME PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10587460

98,000 miles · May 7, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2007 NISSAN FRONTIER AND HAVE ONLY HAD IT SINCE FEB 2014 AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE IS A STRONG VIBRATION AT 40 MPH IN THE REAR END. SO I HAD THE TIRES BALANCED THEN RE BALANCED THINKING IT WAS THE TIRES. EVEN WENT AS FAR AS REPLACING THE REAR TIRES. AFTER THAT DID NOT CORRECT THE ISSUE I THEN TOOK IT TO A …

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I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2007 NISSAN FRONTIER AND HAVE ONLY HAD IT SINCE FEB 2014 AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE IS A STRONG VIBRATION AT 40 MPH IN THE REAR END. SO I HAD THE TIRES BALANCED THEN RE BALANCED THINKING IT WAS THE TIRES. EVEN WENT AS FAR AS REPLACING THE REAR TIRES. AFTER THAT DID NOT CORRECT THE ISSUE I THEN TOOK IT TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND THEY DETERMINED THAT IT WAS A FAILURE IN THE RADIATOR THAT LEAKED COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THEY TOLD ME THAT MY RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION NEED TO BE REPLACED. IF I HAVE IT DONE BEFORE MY TRUCK REACHES 100K IT WILL ONLY COST ME 3000 TO GET IT FIXED AND NISSAN WILL PICK UP SOME OF THE COST. BUT IF I GO OVER 100K I WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FULL REPAIR COST. MY CURRENT MILEAGE IS 98910. I HAD PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THROUGH THE PLACE I HAD PURCHASED THE TRUCK AND BECAUSE THEY DON'T COVER THE RADIATOR I AM NOW LIABLE FOR THE REPAIRS. SO NOW I AM AT A LOSS, JUST STARTED PAYING ON THE VEHICLE AND NOW I HAVE TO SPEND 3000 AT MIN TO GET IT FIXED. I SHOULD NOT BE PUTTING THIS KIND OF MONEY INTO THIS TRUCK AFTER OWNING IT FOR LESS THAN 6 MONTHS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10586912

144,074 miles · May 6, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

COOLANT BACKED UP INTO TRANSMISSION AND DESTROYED THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10586809

Mileage unknown · May 5, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

I TOOK MY TRUCK INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. I WAS TOLD THAT I NEED A NEW TIMING CHAIN. NISSAN HAS BEEN AWARE THAT THE TIMING CHAIN SYSTEMS INSTALLED IN THE SUBJECT NISSAN VEHICLES ARE PRONE TO PREMATURE FAILURE, AND NISSAN CONTINUED TO INSTALL DEFECTIVE TIMING CHAIN SYSTEMS IN THE SUBJECT NISSAN VEHICLES KNOWING T…

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I TOOK MY TRUCK INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. I WAS TOLD THAT I NEED A NEW TIMING CHAIN. NISSAN HAS BEEN AWARE THAT THE TIMING CHAIN SYSTEMS INSTALLED IN THE SUBJECT NISSAN VEHICLES ARE PRONE TO PREMATURE FAILURE, AND NISSAN CONTINUED TO INSTALL DEFECTIVE TIMING CHAIN SYSTEMS IN THE SUBJECT NISSAN VEHICLES KNOWING THAT THEY WERE PRONE TO PREMATURE FAILURE. NISSAN NOT ONLY REFUSED TO DISCLOSE THE PROBLEM, BUT ALSO ACTIVELY CONCEALED KNOWLEDGE OF IT. NISSAN UNDERTOOK AFFIRMATIVE EFFORTS TO CONCEAL THE FAILURES THROUGH, AMONG OTHER THINGS, TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS ISSUED TO REPAIR FACILITIES. ALTHOUGH NISSAN WAS AWARE ENOUGH OF THE PROBLEM TO ISSUE MULTIPLE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS TO REPAIR FACILITIES, INFORMING THEM OF THE NEED FOR TIMING CHAIN SYSTEMS TO BE REPLACED, NISSAN SELECTIVELY CHOSE NOT TO INFORM CONSUMERS OF THIS FACT. NISSAN CONCEALED THIS SO THAT THE WARRANTY PERIOD ON THE SUBJECT NISSAN VEHICLES WOULD EXPIRE BEFORE OWNERS BECOME AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THROUGH THIS PRACTICE, NISSAN UNLAWFULLY TRANSFERS THE COST OF REPLACEMENT FROM ITSELF TO THE OWNERS OF THE SUBJECT NISSAN. THE FACT THAT THE TIMING CHAIN SYSTEMS WERE PRONE TO SUDDEN PREMATURE FAILURE IS MATERIAL TO CONSUMERS BECAUSE IT PRESENTS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND PLACES THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS AT A RISK OF HARM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10586585

Official recalls

1

08V690000 · 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

1

DP12004 · 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.