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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
Clear category filter
190,000 miles · Jun 14, 2016
Engine

TIMING CHAIN FAILED. APPARENTLY NISSAN WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TO ITS DEALERS TO REPAIR THE ISSUE FOR THOSE WHO CAME IN, THE BULLETIN IS NTB09-128 DATE NOVEMBER 16, 2009. NISSAN KNEW OF THE ISSUE AND DID NO ISSUE A RECALL THE FIX IT FOR ALL OF THOSE EFFECTED. I WAN NOT NOTIFIED OF THIS…

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TIMING CHAIN FAILED. APPARENTLY NISSAN WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TO ITS DEALERS TO REPAIR THE ISSUE FOR THOSE WHO CAME IN, THE BULLETIN IS NTB09-128 DATE NOVEMBER 16, 2009. NISSAN KNEW OF THE ISSUE AND DID NO ISSUE A RECALL THE FIX IT FOR ALL OF THOSE EFFECTED. I WAN NOT NOTIFIED OF THIS BULLETIN BY THE DEALER AND WAS CHARGED FOR THE REPAIRS.

NHTSA ODI #10874140

116,000 miles · Jun 9, 2016
Engine

TIMING CHAIN SYSTEM IS FAILING DUE TO MANUFACTURER DEFECTIVE CHAIN GUIDES. NISSAN WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TO ITS DEALERS TO REPAIR THE ISSUE FOR THOSE WHO CAME IN, THE BULLETIN IS NTB09-128 DATE NOVEMBER 16, 2009. NISSAN KNEW OF THE ISSUE AND DID NO ISSUE A RECALL THE FIX IT FOR ALL OF …

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TIMING CHAIN SYSTEM IS FAILING DUE TO MANUFACTURER DEFECTIVE CHAIN GUIDES. NISSAN WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TO ITS DEALERS TO REPAIR THE ISSUE FOR THOSE WHO CAME IN, THE BULLETIN IS NTB09-128 DATE NOVEMBER 16, 2009. NISSAN KNEW OF THE ISSUE AND DID NO ISSUE A RECALL THE FIX IT FOR ALL OF THOSE EFFECTED.

NHTSA ODI #10873378

119 miles · Jun 5, 2016
Engine

THIS CAR GAVE ME NO WARNING, I WAS DRIVING AND THE CAR STOPPED AND I WAS TOLD I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION DUE TO A SENSOR IN THE TRANSMISSION GOING OUT AND MIXING OIL WITH THE COOLANT WHICH CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. NOW A FAMILY OF 5 HAS ONE CAR LIVING PAY CHECK TO PAY CHECK AND NO WAY TO FINA…

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THIS CAR GAVE ME NO WARNING, I WAS DRIVING AND THE CAR STOPPED AND I WAS TOLD I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION DUE TO A SENSOR IN THE TRANSMISSION GOING OUT AND MIXING OIL WITH THE COOLANT WHICH CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. NOW A FAMILY OF 5 HAS ONE CAR LIVING PAY CHECK TO PAY CHECK AND NO WAY TO FINANCE ANOTHER CAR OT BUY ONE

NHTSA ODI #10872582

123,000 miles · May 20, 2016
Engine

I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA AND THE RADIATOR LEAKED. I HAD NO IDEA THAT IN 2013 THEY HAD A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT AGAINST THEM FOR THIS VERY ISSUE. THE COOLANT LEAKS INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND DESTROYS IT. I WAS DRIVING WITH MY CHILD COMING OFF OF A HIGHWAY ONTO A ROTARY AND MY CAR SHIFTED DOWN AND I COULDN'T GET MY CAR TO MOVE MO…

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I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA AND THE RADIATOR LEAKED. I HAD NO IDEA THAT IN 2013 THEY HAD A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT AGAINST THEM FOR THIS VERY ISSUE. THE COOLANT LEAKS INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND DESTROYS IT. I WAS DRIVING WITH MY CHILD COMING OFF OF A HIGHWAY ONTO A ROTARY AND MY CAR SHIFTED DOWN AND I COULDN'T GET MY CAR TO MOVE MORE THAN 10MPH WHILE WE WERE IN INCOMING TRAFFIC. NISSAN WILL NOT RECALL THIS PROBLEM AND THEY SETTLED THE LAWSUIT EXTENDING THE WARRANTIES WITH A $3000 COPAY. IT'S CRIMINAL.

NHTSA ODI #10869991

140,000 miles · Apr 8, 2016
Engine

THE RADIATOR STARTED LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION. CAR WOULD START SHAKING WHILE DRIVING. NOW I NEED AN ENTIRE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. IF THIS WAS KNOWN TO NISSAN, THEY SHOULD HAVE TO REPAIR.

NHTSA ODI #10854459

81,000 miles · Mar 21, 2016
EnginePower Train

TRANSMISSION BEGAN FAILING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. CAR WOULD INTERMITTENTLY SLOW SUDDENLY AND BEGIN SHAKING AS IF RIDING ON A VERY ROUGH ROAD. NISSAN DEALER INFORMED US THIS WAS A KNOWN DEFECT WHEREIN THE RADIATOR FLUID AND THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID BECAME CROSS CONTAMINATED, RESULTING IN TRANSMISSION FAILURE. ALTHOUGH NISS…

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TRANSMISSION BEGAN FAILING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. CAR WOULD INTERMITTENTLY SLOW SUDDENLY AND BEGIN SHAKING AS IF RIDING ON A VERY ROUGH ROAD. NISSAN DEALER INFORMED US THIS WAS A KNOWN DEFECT WHEREIN THE RADIATOR FLUID AND THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID BECAME CROSS CONTAMINATED, RESULTING IN TRANSMISSION FAILURE. ALTHOUGH NISSAN KNEW OF THIS ISSUE, THEY DID NOT INFORM US TO HAVE OUR CAR INSPECTED FOR THIS PROBLEM. NISSAN CURRENTLY COVERS THIS PROBLEM UP TO 8 YEARS AND 80,000 MILES, BUT WE ARE JUST OUTSIDE THIS LIMIT.

NHTSA ODI #10850812

111,000 miles · Mar 14, 2016
EngineUnknown Or Other

OUR 2007 NISSAN XTERRA HAD A LEAK IN THE RADIATOR, THAT COST $500 TO FIX, BUT IT LEAKED RADIATOR FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION WHICH IS GOING TO COST $3,500 TO $5,000 TO FIX.

NHTSA ODI #10849646

180,900 miles · Mar 12, 2016
EnginePower Train

THIS COMPLAINT IS IN REFERENCE TO A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA OFF ROAD 4X4 WITH180,900 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SPONTANEOUSLY DOWNSHIFT TO LOW GEARS WHILE MOVING AT SPEEDS ABOVE 25 MILE PER HOUR. AT ONE POINT, THE TRANSMISSION SEIZED AND LOCKED UP WHILE TRAVELING AT 45 MILES PER HOUR, WHICH RESULTED IN A SUDDEN STOP IN THE MID…

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THIS COMPLAINT IS IN REFERENCE TO A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA OFF ROAD 4X4 WITH180,900 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SPONTANEOUSLY DOWNSHIFT TO LOW GEARS WHILE MOVING AT SPEEDS ABOVE 25 MILE PER HOUR. AT ONE POINT, THE TRANSMISSION SEIZED AND LOCKED UP WHILE TRAVELING AT 45 MILES PER HOUR, WHICH RESULTED IN A SUDDEN STOP IN THE MIDST OF THE TRAFFIC FLOW ON A TWO LANE ROAD. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE NISSAN DEALER FOR SERVICE IMMEDIATELY. INSPECTION REVEALED COOLANT HAD LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION VIA A LEAKING TRANSMISSION COOLER ASSEMBLY INTEGRATED INTO THE MAIN ENGINE RADIATOR. THE TRANSMISSION SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL INTERNAL DAMAGE FROM THE COOLANT MIXING WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID AND CIRCULATING THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE RADIATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO MAKE THE VEHICLE ROADWORTHY AGAIN. TOTAL COST OF THE REPAIR WITH TAXES WAS $4800.00. NISSAN SERVICE MANAGER AND TECHS AT DEALERSHIP INDICATED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE XTERRA AND FRONTIER MODEL VEHICLES, YET NO PROACTIVE ACTION WAS TAKEN DURING PREVIOUS SERVICE APPOINTMENTS AT 30,000 MILE SERVICE INTERVALS, ROUTINE MAINTENANCE APPOINTMENTS, AND DURING YEARLY STATE VEHICLE INSPECTIONS CONDUCTED AT THE SAME NISSAN DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA ODI #10846242

62,000 miles · Feb 25, 2016
Engine

ENGINE MAKES A LOUD SQUEAL AT STARTUP THEN WHINES AT IDLE AND DURING ACCELERATION. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO NISSAN FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THEY EXPLAINED TO ME THE COMPONENTS OF THE TIMING CHAIN NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE COST FOR THE REPAIR IS $2700. MILEAGE IS VERY LOW AT 62000.

NHTSA ODI #10838464

115,000 miles · Feb 2, 2016
Engine

TIMING CHAIN AND TENSIONER FAILURE . NISSAN KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM IN SEVERAL OF IT MODELS FOR YEARS AND REFUSES TO REPAIR AS A KNOWN DEFECT OR ISSUE A RECALL

NHTSA ODI #10823859

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.