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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

Engine complaints

85 reports
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Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 2025
EnginePower TrainService Brakes

Oil is getting into the radiator and causing a gray gunk build up in radiator and possibly the engine. I have had the car less than a 1 1/2 years And I've already had to have the same issue fixed 3 × first time. The heater hose blew out caused an air bubble in the radiator which caused us to have to burp the radiator Which is wh…

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Oil is getting into the radiator and causing a gray gunk build up in radiator and possibly the engine. I have had the car less than a 1 1/2 years And I've already had to have the same issue fixed 3 × first time. The heater hose blew out caused an air bubble in the radiator which caused us to have to burp the radiator Which is when we found it the first time had sent it to the mechanic. Had it flushed, had it fixed. it was fine or so we thought until about a month ago. Car overheats radiator fluid spews out everywhere. Fix the hose, add radiator fluid and start. The burping process again and out comes the gray gunk. Sent it back to mechanic had it flush had gaskets to the transmission cooler and Oil cooler fixed. Mechanic cannot find how it's getting into radiator. Break pads wear prematurely due to calipers constantly sticking. Rust is everywhere on frame, suspension, shocks undercarriage and body. Vdc/slip light will come on while driving causing the car to stall at any speed. Fixed those sensors 2 times since I bought the car in December 2023 from a used car lot. State I I've in has no laws to protect people buying from used car lots but they do for new cars even though new cars come with warranties. Should be the other way around protect the people who can't afford the 30000 dollar cars. There's a reason we go to used car lots. Paid 4500 after taxes and registration and have put almost 5000 into it. Nissan is aware of the problem just not enough to deem a recall.

NHTSA ODI #11656933

Mileage unknown · Jun 17, 2024
Engine

The vehicle was driving just fine, then about a month later the heat gauge started to fluctuate, i replaced the radiator caps, thermostat...it ran good for another month, started to overheat....i made sure water was in radiator and overflow...about a month went by the gauge started to fluctuate again, i had it towed to sayre aut…

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The vehicle was driving just fine, then about a month later the heat gauge started to fluctuate, i replaced the radiator caps, thermostat...it ran good for another month, started to overheat....i made sure water was in radiator and overflow...about a month went by the gauge started to fluctuate again, i had it towed to sayre auto parts in sayre, al to have a water pump installed and the mechanic told me their is now there is water in my oil, meaning a cracked head gasket...the vehicle never got over the 3/4 mark on gauge and this is the 2nd vehicle ive purchased that the same thing has happened to.

NHTSA ODI #11594708

Mileage unknown · Oct 14, 2021
Engine

The radiator has cracked at the top which caused me to break down because the car stopped moving.

NHTSA ODI #11436726

144,600 miles · Jul 13, 2020
Engine

TRANSMISSION FLUID AND ANTI FREEZE LIQUID MIXED IN BOTH RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION AND DISABLED THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #11339162

110,000 miles · Jun 8, 2020
EnginePower Train

PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE JULY 2019 FROM OWNER. AFTER 3 WEEKS TRANSMISSION STARTED ACTING WEIRD WHILE ON VACATION TRANSMISSION SEIZED DUE TOO COOLANT LEAKING FROM RADIATOR COOLER INTO TRANSMISSION. TOTAL REPAIRS TOW COSTS AND RENTAL CAR RENTAL EXCEED $5000.00. I UNDERSTAND THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE FOR TRANSMISSION AND COO…

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PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE JULY 2019 FROM OWNER. AFTER 3 WEEKS TRANSMISSION STARTED ACTING WEIRD WHILE ON VACATION TRANSMISSION SEIZED DUE TOO COOLANT LEAKING FROM RADIATOR COOLER INTO TRANSMISSION. TOTAL REPAIRS TOW COSTS AND RENTAL CAR RENTAL EXCEED $5000.00. I UNDERSTAND THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE FOR TRANSMISSION AND COOLING SYSTEM RELATED PROBLEMS. THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAD APPROX. 100,000 MILES ON IT WHEN PURCHASED. AND ONLY HAS APPROX. 128,000 ON IT. NOW. CAN I GET ANY TYPE OF REIMBURSEMENT FOR COSTS PAID OUT OF POCKET???? *TR

NHTSA ODI #11327823

19,844 miles · Nov 29, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineFuel/propulsion SystemFire

I KELP VEHICLE REGULARLY MANTIANCED SHUT IT OFF ONE EVENING NEXT MORNING IT WOULD START WHEN FINALLY STARTED IT WOULDN'T PULL IN 1ST GEAR. TOOK IT TO TRANSMISSION SHOP AND FOUND OUT THAT A CRACK HAD ACCURED AND THERE WAS COOLANT MIXED WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID .SO 3 DAYS AFTER I PD IT OFF ON A 3 YR PAYMENT PLAN IT BROKE DOWN ON ME…

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I KELP VEHICLE REGULARLY MANTIANCED SHUT IT OFF ONE EVENING NEXT MORNING IT WOULD START WHEN FINALLY STARTED IT WOULDN'T PULL IN 1ST GEAR. TOOK IT TO TRANSMISSION SHOP AND FOUND OUT THAT A CRACK HAD ACCURED AND THERE WAS COOLANT MIXED WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID .SO 3 DAYS AFTER I PD IT OFF ON A 3 YR PAYMENT PLAN IT BROKE DOWN ON ME . VERY HARD TO FIND D A PLACEMENT AND SOMEONE WHO WILL DO WORK ON IT BC IT'S SO COMMO

NHTSA ODI #11282818

Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2019
EnginePower Train

RADIATOR DEFECT CAUSED TRANSMISSION FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #11234925

160,000 miles · Jul 10, 2019
EnginePower TrainStructure

IN MARCH 2019 THE TRANSMISSION STARTED GETTING SLUGGISH WHILE DROPPING MY DAUGHTER AT SCHOOL ONE DAY. EVENTUALLY IT WOULD NOT SWITCH GEARS AS I PULLED IN MY DRIVEWAY FROM MY 1.5 MILE TRIP TO/FROM THE SCHOOL. EVENTUALLY IT WOULDN'T EVEN START IN MY DRIVEWAY EVEN WITH GOOD BATTERY. REPLACED A FUSE FOR THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODU…

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IN MARCH 2019 THE TRANSMISSION STARTED GETTING SLUGGISH WHILE DROPPING MY DAUGHTER AT SCHOOL ONE DAY. EVENTUALLY IT WOULD NOT SWITCH GEARS AS I PULLED IN MY DRIVEWAY FROM MY 1.5 MILE TRIP TO/FROM THE SCHOOL. EVENTUALLY IT WOULDN'T EVEN START IN MY DRIVEWAY EVEN WITH GOOD BATTERY. REPLACED A FUSE FOR THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE AND WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE BUT IT BLEW THE FUSE. HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO OUR MECHANIC AND HE DISCOVERED DISCOVERED THAT THE COOLANT MIXED WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID AND NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE EVERYTHING INVOLVED. ALSO, THE MECHANISM THAT OPENS THE TAILGATE/TRUNK DOOR/LIFTGATE WILL NOT STAY OPEN, ESPECIALLY IN COLDER WEATHER. IT HAS HIT SEVERAL PEOPLE IN THE HEAD AND IS A DEFINITE HAZARD.

NHTSA ODI #11230660

83,761 miles · Apr 10, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED EMPTY WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS FILLED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE FUEL GAUGE REMAINED ON EMPTY. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND D…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED EMPTY WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS FILLED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE FUEL GAUGE REMAINED ON EMPTY. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,761. *DT

NHTSA ODI #11195400

165,780 miles · Feb 17, 2019
EnginePower Train

TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO LEAK FROM RADIATOR COOLING SYSTEM FLUID INTERMIXING WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING, WENT TO REPAIR SHOP THE CODE P0717 CAME UP. UPON INSPECTION BY THE REPAIR SHOP IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION, RADIATOR, AND ALL HOSES,ETC. THAT INTERCONNECTED THE TRANSMISS…

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TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO LEAK FROM RADIATOR COOLING SYSTEM FLUID INTERMIXING WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING, WENT TO REPAIR SHOP THE CODE P0717 CAME UP. UPON INSPECTION BY THE REPAIR SHOP IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION, RADIATOR, AND ALL HOSES,ETC. THAT INTERCONNECTED THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED.I LIVE IN CALIFORNIA AND THE PROBLEM OCCURED IN ARIZONA.

NHTSA ODI #11180680

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.