IllustrationCONTAMINATION OF THE TRANSMISSION WITH ANTI FREEZE DUE TO LEAK IN COOLING SYSTEM, RESULTING IN TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR
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 And Engine Cooling complaints
75 reports2007 NISSAN XTERRA. CONSUMER WAS TOLD TO PAY A $2500 COPAY BECAUSE HIS VEHICLE WAS OVER 80,000 MILES. CONSUMER DOESN'T COMPLY BECAUSE HE INQUIRED ABOUT VEHICLE PROBLEMS BEFORE THE 80,000 MILE MARK. *TA THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE HIS WAS DRIVING, SHE NOTICED THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE V…
Read full complaint
2007 NISSAN XTERRA. CONSUMER WAS TOLD TO PAY A $2500 COPAY BECAUSE HIS VEHICLE WAS OVER 80,000 MILES. CONSUMER DOESN'T COMPLY BECAUSE HE INQUIRED ABOUT VEHICLE PROBLEMS BEFORE THE 80,000 MILE MARK. *TA THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE HIS WAS DRIVING, SHE NOTICED THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST REVEALER THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO COOLANT AND OIL MIXING. *JP
I TOOK MY NISSAN XTERRA 2007 INTO BOULDER NISSAN IN OCTOBER 2013. AT THE TIME, IT HAD UNDER 100,000 MILES. UPON EXAMINATION OF THE CAR FOR LACK OF HEAT, THEY SAID THEY FLUSHED IT AND EVENTUALLY I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR. THEY DID NOT TELL ME THAT THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST NISSAN FOR DEFECTIVE PARTS LE…
Read full complaint
I TOOK MY NISSAN XTERRA 2007 INTO BOULDER NISSAN IN OCTOBER 2013. AT THE TIME, IT HAD UNDER 100,000 MILES. UPON EXAMINATION OF THE CAR FOR LACK OF HEAT, THEY SAID THEY FLUSHED IT AND EVENTUALLY I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR. THEY DID NOT TELL ME THAT THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST NISSAN FOR DEFECTIVE PARTS LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION. I RETURNED TO NISSAN IN JAN. 2015 FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND WAS HIT WITH A BILL FOR $5,200 TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR, TRANSMISSION, TIMING CHAIN AND THERMOSTAT. *TR
I BOUGHT MY 07 XTERRA 6 MONTHS AGO FROM TRANSITOWNE AMHERST AND THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. NOW 6 MONTHS DOWN THE ROAD THE TRANSMISSION HAS GONE TERMINAL DUE TO THE KNOWN PROBLEM WHERE COOLANT LEAKS INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND CAUSES IT TO FAIL. I BELIEVE ANY DEALERSHIP SHOULD HAVE CHECKED TO MAKE SU…
Read full complaint
I BOUGHT MY 07 XTERRA 6 MONTHS AGO FROM TRANSITOWNE AMHERST AND THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. NOW 6 MONTHS DOWN THE ROAD THE TRANSMISSION HAS GONE TERMINAL DUE TO THE KNOWN PROBLEM WHERE COOLANT LEAKS INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND CAUSES IT TO FAIL. I BELIEVE ANY DEALERSHIP SHOULD HAVE CHECKED TO MAKE SURE THAT A VEHICLE THEY WERE SELLING WOULD NOT HAVE THIS ISSUE BEFORE THEY SELL IT. *TR
THIS IS ONE OF THE MANY TRANSMISSION ISSUES WITH 2007 XTERRAS WHERE THE COOLANT LEAKS INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND DESTROYS IT. THE REPAIR COST IS 8500 DOLLARS IF THE 100000 MILE EXTENDED WARRANTY HAS BEEN PASSED. I CONTACTED NISSAN AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS IS MY RESPONSIBILITY DESPITE THE HUNDRED OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE EX…
Read full complaint
THIS IS ONE OF THE MANY TRANSMISSION ISSUES WITH 2007 XTERRAS WHERE THE COOLANT LEAKS INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND DESTROYS IT. THE REPAIR COST IS 8500 DOLLARS IF THE 100000 MILE EXTENDED WARRANTY HAS BEEN PASSED. I CONTACTED NISSAN AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS IS MY RESPONSIBILITY DESPITE THE HUNDRED OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, WHEN THE XTERRA CHANGES GEARS THERE IS A ROUGH VIBRATION THAT KEEPS GETTING WORSE THE LONGER IT GOES FOR. HAD I NOT LEARNED ABOUT THIS ON MY OWN ACCORD THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A VERY BAD ACCIDENT. *TR
SITTING AT LIGHT IN THE LEFT LANE, WAITING FOR IT TO TURN GREEN AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STARTED MAKING A LOUD RACING SOUND. NOT SURE IF IT WAS TRANSMISSION OR ENGINE MAKING THE NOISE. I LOOKED AT MY GAUGES AND SAW THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS ON H. I HAD TO WAIT FOR THE LIGHT TO TURN GREEN, BECAUSE I WAS AT AN INTERSECTION, IN …
Read full complaint
SITTING AT LIGHT IN THE LEFT LANE, WAITING FOR IT TO TURN GREEN AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STARTED MAKING A LOUD RACING SOUND. NOT SURE IF IT WAS TRANSMISSION OR ENGINE MAKING THE NOISE. I LOOKED AT MY GAUGES AND SAW THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS ON H. I HAD TO WAIT FOR THE LIGHT TO TURN GREEN, BECAUSE I WAS AT AN INTERSECTION, IN THE LEFT LANE, TO GET ON THE HIGHWAY AND THERE WERE CARS ON MY RIGHT AND CARS GOING IN THE OTHER DIRECTION. AS SOON AS I COULD MOVE, I PULLED OVER TO A SAFE SPOT, BUT BEFORE I COULD, THE CAR STARTED OVERHEATING AND SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE HOOD. IT WAS TOWED TO MY GARAGE AND AFTER MY MECHANIC LOOKED AT IT, HE SAID THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR NISSAN XTERRAS 2007, BECAUSE THE RADIATOR IS DEFECTIVE. THE COOLANT MIXES WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND THE CAR STOPS RUNNING! APPARENTLY, NISSAN KNOWS THAT THE PART IS DEFECTIVE SO THEY EXTENDED WARRANTY TO 80,000 MILE AND ANYTHING PAST THAT I HAVE TO PAY. WELL, I HAVE 90,400 MILES AND CAN'T BELIEVE THAT NISSAN CAN GET AWAY WITH KNOWING A PART IS DEFECTIVE AND NOT RECALLING ALL TRUCKS AFFECTED. THEY CERTAINLY CHANGED THE RADIATOR DESIGN FOR THE NEWER VEHICLES, ADMITTING THAT IT IS A PROBLEM. THEY SHOULD RECALL THE CARS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART. IT IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET, BECAUSE THE PROBLEM IS SO WIDESPREAD AND NISSAN WILL NOT TAKE OWNERSHIP OF IT!!!!!!. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS AND LOOK ON THE INTERNET TO SEE HOW COMMON THIS ISSUE IS FOR XTERRAS AND ALL THE PEOPLE THAT GOT SCREWED BY NISSAN. THANK YOU. *TR
RADIATOR CRACKED LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION. *TR
TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO ENGINE COOLANT FROM LEAKING COILING SYSTEM. *TR
NISSAN SENT A WARRANTY NOTIFICATION LETTER THAT THE RADIATOR COULD CRACK AND LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE LETTER STATED THE WARRANTY RAN OUT AT 80K MILES. THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION UNTIL THERE WAS AN ACTUAL PROBLEM. I DIDN'T START HAVING PROBLEMS UNTIL ABOUT 96K MILES. WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN TO THE DE…
Read full complaint
NISSAN SENT A WARRANTY NOTIFICATION LETTER THAT THE RADIATOR COULD CRACK AND LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE LETTER STATED THE WARRANTY RAN OUT AT 80K MILES. THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION UNTIL THERE WAS AN ACTUAL PROBLEM. I DIDN'T START HAVING PROBLEMS UNTIL ABOUT 96K MILES. WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN TO THE DEALER, I WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST ME $3000 MY PART TO FIX IT AND THEY WOULD COVER THE REST. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO AFFORD TO MAKE THE REPAIR AT THIS TIME. NISSAN KNEW THE PART WAS BAD AND STILL DID NOTHING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *TR
FROM THE DAY 1 I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE WATER IS DROPPING FROM AC ON A PASSENGER SIDE. DEALER TRIED TO REPAIR, EVEN CHANGED MATS. DID NOT HELP. THERE IS A BAD SMELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE IF I KEEP IT LOCKED AFTER USING AC. *TR
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.