SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

2007 Nissan Xterra

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Xterra years

Owner complaints for the 2007 Nissan Xterra are substantially higher than the model-year median of 78.

About this comparison →
557Owner complaints

Model-year median: 78

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
84
2004845
2005780
2006557
2007119
200819
200938
2010
Compare all Xterra years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Power Train
231Fuel System, Gasoline
136Engine
85Engine And Engine Cooling
75Fuel/propulsion System
63
All reported categories
Fuel System, Other
32Unknown Or Other
30Electrical System
27Air Bags
26Suspension
11Vehicle Speed Control
7Electronic Stability Control (esc)
6Steering
6Structure
5Service Brakes
4Wheels
3Equipment
2Seat Belts
2Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2Visibility
2Equipment Adaptive/mobility
1Exterior Lighting
1Forward Collision Avoidance
1Fuel System, Diesel
1Interior Lighting
1Latches/locks/linkages
1Parking Brake
1Tires
1Visibility/wiper
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

498 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 231 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 136 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 85 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports3 fire reports5 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

26 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Jan 12, 2009
Air Bags

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REMEDY REFERENCED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V690000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL) WAS INSUFFICIENT IN PROVIDING A REMEDY TO THE PROPER POPULATION OF VEHICLES, WHICH WERE MANUFACTURED DURING THE LISTED PRODUCTION DATES. THE REMEDY REFERENCED IN THE RECALL WOULD ONLY…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REMEDY REFERENCED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V690000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL) WAS INSUFFICIENT IN PROVIDING A REMEDY TO THE PROPER POPULATION OF VEHICLES, WHICH WERE MANUFACTURED DURING THE LISTED PRODUCTION DATES. THE REMEDY REFERENCED IN THE RECALL WOULD ONLY BE PROVIDED TO VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR REGISTERED IN THE SALT BELT STATES. HOWEVER, MANY CONSUMERS RESIDE IN NON-SALT BELT STATES, BUT FREQUENTLY TRAVEL IN SALT BELT STATES. AS A CONSEQUENCE, THE NON-SALT BELT STATE VEHICLE OWNERS WOULD INCUR THE SAME FAILURES, BUT WOULD BE DENIED A FAIR REMEDY. THE SAFETY RISK WOULD ALSO BE INCREASED. IN ADDITION, THERE ARE OTHER ELEMENTS WITH SIMILAR PROPERTIES AS SALT, WHICH WOULD CAUSE AN IDENTICAL FAILURE. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS NOT APPLICABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10254705

10 miles · Nov 20, 2007
Air Bags

THERE IS SIGNIFICANT VARIANCE IN WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DISENGAGEMENT LIGHT WILL COME ON WHEN MY WIFE IS IN THE CAR. MY WIFE IS APPROXIMATELY 115 POUNDS AND THERE IS NOT ANY CONSISTENCY AS TO WHEN THE AIRBAG BECOMES TURNED OFF. FOR EXAMPLE I WILL BE CRUISING AT 60 MILES PER HOUR WITH HER SITTING PERFECTLY CENTERED ON …

Read full complaint

THERE IS SIGNIFICANT VARIANCE IN WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DISENGAGEMENT LIGHT WILL COME ON WHEN MY WIFE IS IN THE CAR. MY WIFE IS APPROXIMATELY 115 POUNDS AND THERE IS NOT ANY CONSISTENCY AS TO WHEN THE AIRBAG BECOMES TURNED OFF. FOR EXAMPLE I WILL BE CRUISING AT 60 MILES PER HOUR WITH HER SITTING PERFECTLY CENTERED ON HER SEAT. WITH THESE CONDITIONS CONSTANT THE LIGHT WILL GO ON FOR A VARIABLE AMOUNT OF TIME AND THEN TURN BACK OFF. THE SAME RESULTS CAN BE OBSERVED REGARDLESS OF WHAT SPEED WE ARE GOING. FOR EXAMPLE, THE SAME SITUATION CAN BE OBSERVED CRUISING AT 30 MPH. THE DEALERSHIP, SERVICE CENTER AND REGIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM. THERE REASONING IS THAT THIS IS THE WAY SAFETY FEATURE IS DESIGNED AND THE VEHICLE PASSES THEIR DIAGNOSTIC TEST. WHEN I ASK FOR THE DESIGN PARAMETERS THAT CAUSE THE LIGHT TO GO ON AND OFF THEY DO NOT GIVE ME A SPECIFIC ENOUGH REASON OR PARAMETERS AS TO WHY THE LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DESIGN FAILURE OR SAFETY DEFECT, BUT NO ONE AT NISSAN IS IS WILLING TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY TO HELP US. WE ARE BASICALLY STUCK WITH A VERY UNSAFE VEHICLE FOR ANYBODY WITH A PASSENGER BETWEEN 100 TO 130 POUNDS. THIS IS A WEIGHT RANGE WHERE CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS ARE SPECIFICALLY AT RISK TO THIS SAFETY DEFECT. I CAN UNDERSTAND HOW THE AIRBAGS CAN BE OPTIMIZED TO TURN ON AND OFF BASED ON VARIOUS FACTORS. BUT THERE IS NO CONSISTENCY ON WHAT THOSE THRESHOLDS ARE. WE APPRECIATE ANY HELP SOMEONE CAN PROVIDE IN HELPING TO GET A RECALL FOR THIS VERY DANGEROUS VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10209549

7,300 miles · Oct 23, 2007
Air BagsInjury

I HAVE PURCHASED A NEW 2007 NISSAN XTERRA S 4X4 SUV SO THAT I CAN GO OFF-ROADING FOR SPORTS ACTIVITIES SUCH AS SKIING (SNOW), HUNTING (MOUNTAINS, DIRT ROADS). HOWEVER, I HAVE WENT TO TEST THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM OF MY VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES TO OHV PARKS, AND THE LAST TIME I VISITED A PARK, I WAS DRIVING THROUGH PLAIN MUD ON A …

Read full complaint

I HAVE PURCHASED A NEW 2007 NISSAN XTERRA S 4X4 SUV SO THAT I CAN GO OFF-ROADING FOR SPORTS ACTIVITIES SUCH AS SKIING (SNOW), HUNTING (MOUNTAINS, DIRT ROADS). HOWEVER, I HAVE WENT TO TEST THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM OF MY VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES TO OHV PARKS, AND THE LAST TIME I VISITED A PARK, I WAS DRIVING THROUGH PLAIN MUD ON A PLAIN DIRT GROUND AND WITHOUT ANY IMPACT NOR ANY BAD DRIVING THE CURTAIN AIRBAGS FROM BOTH SIDES HAVE DEPLOYED GIVING ME A TRAUMA FOR AIRBAGS. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR FOR REPAIR TO CERRITOS NISSAN DEALER, BUT THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WILL NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE THE CAR HAD A ROCK DENT FROM PREVIOUS OFF-ROADING WHICH HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE DAY OF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. AS FOR EVIDENCE, I HAVE UPLOADED ON YOUTUBE THE VIDEO OF MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYING SO THAT PEOPLE CAN SEE THAT IT DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. IT IS BRAND NEW VEHICLE, WITH LESS THAN 7500 MILES ON IT, THE DEALER WILL NOT RESPOND, AND SO I HAD TO TALK WITH NISSAN AMERICA CORPORATE OFFICE IN WHICH THEY WILL MAKE ANOTHER ANALYSIS OF THIS VEHICLE IN WHICH I DO BELIEVE THAT IT IS A DEFECT. FOR THIS REPAIR, THEY WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ROOF CEILING IN WHICH I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT IT WILL BE THE SAME AS BEFORE, AND SO I HAVE REQUESTED THEM TO GET ME A NEW VEHICLE BECAUSE I LOST CONFIDENCE OF MY DEFECTIVE ONE. FROM NOW ON, I WILL HAVE THE TRAUMA OF AIRBAGS DEPLOYING AT ANY TIME, AND I AM DOING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE I DO THINK THAT IT IS DANGEROUS TO LET THEM HAVE SUCH SYSTEM BECAUSE I CAN IMAGINE THAT BECAUSE OF THESE AIRBAGS, I COULD HAVE GOTTEN INTO A BIG ACCIDENT, AND WISH THAT IT IS FIXED FOR EVERYONE FOR THE SAFETY OF HUMAN KIND!!! I HAVE RESEARCHED ONLINE, AND I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH THIS SAME EXPERIENCE... THERE ARE FEW MORE OUT THERE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. FOR THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN REVIEWING THE VIDEO THE LINK IS: HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=GW6HUOQ2GVI. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10206593

20 miles · Oct 1, 2007
Air Bags

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS DEACTIVATED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT IT WAS A NORMAL OCCURRENCE AND COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE VIN AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20 A…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS DEACTIVATED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT IT WAS A NORMAL OCCURRENCE AND COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE VIN AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,000. *UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10204532

12 miles · Aug 31, 2007
Air Bags

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE THE PASSENGER WAS SEATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS UNRECOGNIZABLE AND THAT THE PASSENGER MAY BE TOO SMALL (5'7, 110 LBS). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 950 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12. *UP…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE THE PASSENGER WAS SEATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS UNRECOGNIZABLE AND THAT THE PASSENGER MAY BE TOO SMALL (5'7, 110 LBS). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 950 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12. *UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10201317

12 miles · Aug 19, 2007
Air Bags

PASSENGER AIR BAG WILL NOT GO ON WHEN MY WIFE WHO WAYS 110 LBS. SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. WE TRIED TO GET THE AIR BAG TO GO ON A COUPLE OF THE SAME VEHICLES. NONE WORKED. WE HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN OF NORTH AMERICA TO NO AVAIL. THE DEALER TOLD US THAT 110 LBS. IS THE CUT OFF FOR THE SWITCH. IN THIS DAY AND AGE THERE ARE WA…

Read full complaint

PASSENGER AIR BAG WILL NOT GO ON WHEN MY WIFE WHO WAYS 110 LBS. SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. WE TRIED TO GET THE AIR BAG TO GO ON A COUPLE OF THE SAME VEHICLES. NONE WORKED. WE HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN OF NORTH AMERICA TO NO AVAIL. THE DEALER TOLD US THAT 110 LBS. IS THE CUT OFF FOR THE SWITCH. IN THIS DAY AND AGE THERE ARE WAY TO MANY CHILDREN THAT WAY 110 LBS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10200041

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.