IllustrationRADIATOR/TRANSMISSION COOLANT LEAK. HAD TO REPLACE BOTH RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. CAUSE STALL ON BUSY HIGHWAY. KNOWN ISSUE WITH X-TERRA, PATHFINDER, FRONTIER. NISSAN WOULD NOT COMPENSATE ON ANY LEVEL. US VEHICLE IN CANADA WHEN HAPPENED
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Xterra 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
310–25K
7425–50K
8950–75K
9475–100K
162100–150K
48150K+
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 reportsCAR TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AND STOP MOVING. TRANSMISSION OIL LEAK. RADIATOR WATER LEAK.
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AT STATEN ISLAND NISSAN EXACTLY TWO YEARS AGO. SINCE THEN, I'VE ONLY PUT 4,000 MILES ON IT. I'VE ALWAYS SMELLED SOMETHING A BIT AWFUL WHEN FIRST STARTING THE VEHICLE. DURING IT'S LAST INSPECTION IT WAS DETERMINED THAT IT NEEDED NEW ROTORS. WHILE GETTING THE ROTORS REPLACED, A MECHANIC WHO'D FORMERLY …
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I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AT STATEN ISLAND NISSAN EXACTLY TWO YEARS AGO. SINCE THEN, I'VE ONLY PUT 4,000 MILES ON IT. I'VE ALWAYS SMELLED SOMETHING A BIT AWFUL WHEN FIRST STARTING THE VEHICLE. DURING IT'S LAST INSPECTION IT WAS DETERMINED THAT IT NEEDED NEW ROTORS. WHILE GETTING THE ROTORS REPLACED, A MECHANIC WHO'D FORMERLY WORKED AT NISSAN HAD DETERMINED NOTICED THAT THE SECONDARY TIMING CHAIN AND GASKET WERE BAD, CAUSING AN INTERNAL LEAK. AFTER BRIEF RESEARCH, I'VE DISCOVERED THAT THIS HAS BEEN A COMMON PROBLEM THAT NISSAN HAS NOT BEEN INFORMING THEIR CONSUMERS AND THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS/EXPENSIVE MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. I'VE SINCE PLACED SEVERAL CALLS TO STATEN ISLAND NISSAN AND HAVE BEEN RECEIVING THE RUN AROUND. I'VE ALSO CONTACTED THEIR CONSUMER AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT WHO'D INFORMED ME TO TAKE IT TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP TO GET IT INSPECTED. I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE INSPECTION.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,000.
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED. IT TURNED OUT TO BE THE RADIATOR LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND FRIED THE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS APPARENTLY A COMMON PROBLEM IN NISSANS. WHEN TAKEN TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC HE SAID IT WOULD COST $5000 PLUS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM.
STOPPED AT NISSAN DEALER TO TRADE 2007 XTERRA. DEALER TOLD ME MY TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $2,000 TO $3,000. NISSAN ISSUED TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN NTB09-128. INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TOLD ME IF CHAIN FAILS VALVE TRAIN AND ENGINE WILL BE RUINED AND COULD CAUSE ACCIDENT IF FAILURE OCCURS WHILE DRIVING.
I WAS DRIVING ON THE INNERLOOP OF THE BELTWAY 495 FROM FALLS CHURCH VA, TO CHEVY CHASE MD AFTER WORK AROUND 330PM. I WAS ON THE MIDDLE LANE ON THE AMERICAN LEGION BRIDGE WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY TRUCK LOST POWER AND I HAD NO CONTROL OR WAS ABLE TO ACCELERATE. THE RPM'S WERE MOVING BUT THE TRUCK BARELY MOVED. I PUT MY HAZARDS O…
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I WAS DRIVING ON THE INNERLOOP OF THE BELTWAY 495 FROM FALLS CHURCH VA, TO CHEVY CHASE MD AFTER WORK AROUND 330PM. I WAS ON THE MIDDLE LANE ON THE AMERICAN LEGION BRIDGE WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY TRUCK LOST POWER AND I HAD NO CONTROL OR WAS ABLE TO ACCELERATE. THE RPM'S WERE MOVING BUT THE TRUCK BARELY MOVED. I PUT MY HAZARDS ON AND SLOWLY MOVED TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER WHERE OTHER CARS COULD HAVE HIT ME. NISSAN'S FAILURE TO RECOGNIZE THE SERIOUSNESS OF THIS FAULTY RADIATOR THAT HAS AFFECTED THE TRANSMISSIONS OF BOTH THE XTERRA'S, PATHFINDERS, AND FRONTIERS IS UNACCEPTABLE. I WAS TOLD THAT SINCE I AM OVER 100,000 AND THAT I AM NOT COVERED UNDER THIS WARRANTY FOR NISSAN'S ISSUE. I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE AWARE THAT THIS COULD POSSIBLE LEAD TO A MORE SERIOUS ACCIDENT WITH THESE TRANSMISSION ISSUES.
TRANSMISSION OVER HEATS DUE TO RADIATOR HOSE CORROSION.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,00…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
A HESITATION IN THE VEHICLE'S ACCELERATION BEGAN OCCURRING FREQUENTLY UPON DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR AFTER A FULL STOP AT A STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT, BUT NOT AT ANY OTHER TIME IN DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM WAS FIRST NOTED WHEN DEPARTING THE DEALERSHIP AFTER WHICH A NEW TIMING CHAIN HAD BEEN REPLACED. WHEN REVIEWED BY THE DE…
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A HESITATION IN THE VEHICLE'S ACCELERATION BEGAN OCCURRING FREQUENTLY UPON DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR AFTER A FULL STOP AT A STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT, BUT NOT AT ANY OTHER TIME IN DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM WAS FIRST NOTED WHEN DEPARTING THE DEALERSHIP AFTER WHICH A NEW TIMING CHAIN HAD BEEN REPLACED. WHEN REVIEWED BY THE DEALERSHIP UPON RETURN TO THE SERVICE AREA (ANOTHER APPOINTMENT HAD BEEN MADE AT LATER TIME), A LOSS OF OVER ONE QUART OF TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS DETECTED (OVER WHAT TIME PERIOD WAS UNCLEAR), BUT NO KNOWN SOURCE OF EXTERNAL LEAKAGE WAS FOUND. THIS LED TO THE CONCLUSION THAT INTERNAL LEAKAGE WAS VERY LIKELY OCCURRING. DUE TO THE MANY INSTANCES OF RADIATOR CRACKS AND TOXIC MIXING OF FLUIDS AMONG SIMILAR YEAR MODELS (MID-2000 MODEL YEARS OF NISSAN XTERRA), THE DEALERSHIP RECOMMENDED THAT THE RADIATOR BE REPLACED AND THE TRANSMISSION THOROUGHLY FLUSHED, WHICH MIGHT PREVENT THE TRANSMISSION FROM REQUIRING A COMPLETE OVERHAUL IN THE FUTURE - ALTHOUGH THERE ARE NO GUARANTEES. THIS WORK WAS COMPLETED FOR A TOTAL OF $1500 INCLUDING DISCOUNT; THE INCIDENT OCCURRED WELL AFTER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY PROVIDED BY THE MANUFACTURER FOR RESOLVING ISSUES THAT HAD BEEN EXPERIENCED BY OTHERS, HENCE THE DEALERSHIP'S CHARGES. A REQUEST WAS NONETHELESS MADE TO GET REIMBURSED BY THE MANUFACTURER (NISSAN), CURRENTLY UNDER REVIEW. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THIS ISSUE WAS DEALT WITH AT A VERY EARLY STAGE AND MIGHT THEREFORE RESULT IN A LOWER PROBABILITY OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS IN THE FUTURE, WHICH COULD COST SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS ($6-7,000 OR MORE). OTHER DRIVERS/OWNERS HAVE TYPICALLY EXPERIENCED MORE SEVERE ISSUES, SUCH AS SHAKING/STALLING VEHICLES AND/OR ILLUMINATED DASHBOARD LIGHTS INDICATING ENGINE PROBLEMS.
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.