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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
124,000 miles · Jan 3, 2013
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

I'VE NOTICED THAT NISSAN HAS BEEN UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR RECEIVING A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS IN REGARDS TO SUDDEN, CATASTROPHIC TRANSMISSION FAILURES IN 2005-2010 NISSAN PATHFINDER, FRONTIER AND XTERRA'S. WELL I AM WRITING TO TELL YOU THAT MY 2007 NISSAN XTERRA HAS FALLEN VICTIM TO THIS. IT HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH T…

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I'VE NOTICED THAT NISSAN HAS BEEN UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR RECEIVING A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS IN REGARDS TO SUDDEN, CATASTROPHIC TRANSMISSION FAILURES IN 2005-2010 NISSAN PATHFINDER, FRONTIER AND XTERRA'S. WELL I AM WRITING TO TELL YOU THAT MY 2007 NISSAN XTERRA HAS FALLEN VICTIM TO THIS. IT HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH THE PROBLEM OF THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLER LOCATED IN THE RADIATOR ASSEMBLY THAT ALLOWED COOLANT TO MIX WITH AND CONTAMINATE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID, RESULTING IN DAMAGED INTERNAL TRANSMISSION COMPONENTS AND A DAMAGED INTERNAL TRANSMISSION COMPUTER. I HAD NO WARNING SIGNS LEADING UP TO OR JUST PRIOR TO THE FAILURES. WHAT IS NISSAN GOING TO DO ABOUT THIS???? RECALL ?? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10490939

80,500 miles · Dec 18, 2012
EnginePower Train

LAST MONTH THE CAR SEEMED TO START SLIPPING GEARS WHEN I GOT UP TO AROUND 40 MILES PER HOUR. IT WAS SPORADIC AND ONCE I LET ME FOOT OFF THE GAS FOR A SECOND IT SEEMED TO CLEAR AND BE OK. I STARTED TO SEE A SLOW LEAK OF WHAT I THOUGHT WAS OIL IN THE GARAGE WHERE I PARKED THE YESTERDAY. WHEN I MENTIONED THE LEAK TO A BUDDY …

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LAST MONTH THE CAR SEEMED TO START SLIPPING GEARS WHEN I GOT UP TO AROUND 40 MILES PER HOUR. IT WAS SPORADIC AND ONCE I LET ME FOOT OFF THE GAS FOR A SECOND IT SEEMED TO CLEAR AND BE OK. I STARTED TO SEE A SLOW LEAK OF WHAT I THOUGHT WAS OIL IN THE GARAGE WHERE I PARKED THE YESTERDAY. WHEN I MENTIONED THE LEAK TO A BUDDY AND ALSO TOLD HIM THAT MY HEATER WAS NOT WORKING, HE SAID WE SHOULD CHECK THE COOLANT IN THE RADIATOR. WHEN WE OPENED THE RADIATOR CAP, THERE WAS A SLIMY BROWNISH SLUDGE ALL OVER THE BOTTOM OF THE CAP. THAT AFTERNOON, I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC ACROSS THE STREET AND HE SAID THAT I HAD A RADIATOR FAILURE OF SOME THAT HAS CAUSED RADIATOR FLUID TO GET INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS WHERE THE BROWN SLUDGE HAS COME FROM. HE SAID THE CAR NEEDED A NEW RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE FLUSHED, DROPPED, AND SERVICED AND IT WOULD NOT GUARANTEE THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED SOMETIME SOON AFTER. THE ENTIRE THING HE QUOTED ME AS COSTING $3K. I CALLED MY NISSAN DEALER WHERE I HAD PURCHASED THE CAR FROM NEW IN APRIL 2007 AND THE GENTLEMAN IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SEEMED QUITE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND INFORMED ME THAT THE RADIATOR REPLACEMENT IS UNDER AND EXTENDED WARRANTY FROM NISSAN, BUT I WOULD STILL BE OUT OF POCKET FOR AT LEAST A $2500 CO-PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10489208

62,000 miles · Dec 11, 2012
Engine

MY 2007 XTERRA WITH 62K MILES BEGAN MAKING A WHINING NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING . NOT SURE WHAT IT WAS I TOOK IT TO THE NISSAN DEALER WHERE I GET ALL MY MAJOR SERVICES DONE .THE TECHNICIAN TOOK A LOOK AT THE PROBLEM AND WITHIN MIN NOTIFY ME IT IS THE TIMING BELT CHAIN AND GUIDES , KNOWN ISSUE FOR MY NISSAN XTERRA . WHEN I ASK H…

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MY 2007 XTERRA WITH 62K MILES BEGAN MAKING A WHINING NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING . NOT SURE WHAT IT WAS I TOOK IT TO THE NISSAN DEALER WHERE I GET ALL MY MAJOR SERVICES DONE .THE TECHNICIAN TOOK A LOOK AT THE PROBLEM AND WITHIN MIN NOTIFY ME IT IS THE TIMING BELT CHAIN AND GUIDES , KNOWN ISSUE FOR MY NISSAN XTERRA . WHEN I ASK HIM IF HE IS SURE HE CONFIRM HE DOES FEW OF THIS EVERY MONTH AND THAT THE PROBLEM IS SO KNOWN THAT NISSAN HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN, WITH THE TITLE DESCRIBING THE ISSUE AND THE SYMPTOM ! HE HAS CONFIRM THE ISSUE IS WITH THE PLASTIC GUIDE THAT IS PART OF THE DESIGN . LOOKING ONLINE I FIND MANY NISSAN OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM . I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE NISSAN BRAND AND NOT SURE WHAT TO DO , IF I REPLACE THE PART , WILL IT HAPPEN AGAIN AS IT IS A DESIGN ISSUE ? WHEN BUYING THE CAR, ONE OF THE SELLING POINT WAS THAT THE CAR DOES NOT HAVE A TIMING BELT ANYMORE BUT A CHAIN! THAT WILL MOST LIKELY ENGINE ITSELF . CALLING NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE DID NOT HELP AND I AM LEFT WITH A $2000 REPAIR DUE TO A KNOWN ISSUE AND BAD DESIGN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10488064

73,500 miles · May 14, 2012
EngineFuel System, OtherFuel/propulsion System

1/4 TANK OF GAS IN CAR SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WENT TO GAS STATION ON FILLED UP AND THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD NOT READ. AFTER 2 DAY GAUGE FOR FUEL LEVEL WORKED AND SES LIGHT WENT OFF 2 DAYS LATER SES LIGHT BACK ON AND FUEL GAUGE NOT WORKING WENT AND HAD TESTED SAID THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND HAS BEEN RECALLED ON OTHER YEA…

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1/4 TANK OF GAS IN CAR SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WENT TO GAS STATION ON FILLED UP AND THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD NOT READ. AFTER 2 DAY GAUGE FOR FUEL LEVEL WORKED AND SES LIGHT WENT OFF 2 DAYS LATER SES LIGHT BACK ON AND FUEL GAUGE NOT WORKING WENT AND HAD TESTED SAID THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND HAS BEEN RECALLED ON OTHER YEARS BUT FOR WHAT EVER REASON NISSAN DID NOT RECALL THIS YEAR. COMPANY NEED TO RECALL AND FIX THIS ISSUE. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10458422

73,355 miles · May 14, 2012
EngineFuel System, OtherFuel/propulsion System

GAS IN CAR WAS AT A 1/4 TANK AND SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WENT AND FILLED TANK UP AND GAS GAUGE NOT WORKING AFTER DRIVING THE CAR TWICE THE LIGHT WENT OFF AND THE GAUGE WAS WORKING 3 DAYS LATTER SAME ISSUE. I DO SEE WHERE THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE 2005, 2006, 2008 AND 2009 XTERRA FOR THE SAME ISSUE BUT THEY FAILED TO RECALL…

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GAS IN CAR WAS AT A 1/4 TANK AND SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WENT AND FILLED TANK UP AND GAS GAUGE NOT WORKING AFTER DRIVING THE CAR TWICE THE LIGHT WENT OFF AND THE GAUGE WAS WORKING 3 DAYS LATTER SAME ISSUE. I DO SEE WHERE THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE 2005, 2006, 2008 AND 2009 XTERRA FOR THE SAME ISSUE BUT THEY FAILED TO RECALL THE 2007 YEAR FOR THE SAME ISSUE. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10458420

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.