IllustrationTRANSMISSION OVER HEATS DUE TO RADIATOR HOSE CORROSION.
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
Power Train complaints
231 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT FELT A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS A CROSS CONTAMINATION OF COOLAN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT FELT A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS A CROSS CONTAMINATION OF COOLANT BETWEEN THE ENGINE AND THE TRANSMISSION. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
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.
TRANSMISSION HAS COOLANT IN IT DUE TO A NISSAN KNOWN PROBLEM. TRANSMISSION LINE GOES INTO BOTTOM OF RADIATOR DEVELOPS A CRANK INSIDE AND LEAKS COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION RESULTING IN TRANSMISSION FAILURE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND THERE WAS A COMPONENT THAT FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING, ASSOCIATED WITH FLUID LEAKING FROM THE RADIATOR INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RADIATOR NEED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND THERE WAS A COMPONENT THAT FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING, ASSOCIATED WITH FLUID LEAKING FROM THE RADIATOR INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A CRACK IN THE ATF LINE THAT FLOWS THROUGH THE ENGINE COOLANT CHAMBER INTO THE RADIATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: DP12004 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 8/10/15*CN
WATER FROM THE RADIATOR GOT INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND I HAD NISSAN REPLACE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR AT THE COST OF 4700.00 DOLLARS WHEN THEY SHOULD HAVE HAD A RECALL BAD BUSINESS.
OUR 2007 XTERRA AT 87,000 MILES LEFT MY WIFE AND 2 KIDS STRANDED ON THE ROAD WITH A DESTROYED TRANSMISSION DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE RADIATOR COOLING LINES THAT SUPPORT COOLING THE TRANSMISSION. THE COOLANT MIXED WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND THE RESULTING PRESSURE CAUSED THE RADIATOR PRESSURE CAP TO BLOW WHEN THE ENGINE OVERHEA…
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OUR 2007 XTERRA AT 87,000 MILES LEFT MY WIFE AND 2 KIDS STRANDED ON THE ROAD WITH A DESTROYED TRANSMISSION DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE RADIATOR COOLING LINES THAT SUPPORT COOLING THE TRANSMISSION. THE COOLANT MIXED WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND THE RESULTING PRESSURE CAUSED THE RADIATOR PRESSURE CAP TO BLOW WHEN THE ENGINE OVERHEATED. THIS STRAWBERRY MILKSHAKE LOOKING FLUID LEAKED ALL OVER THE GROUND AND WAS DIFFICULT TO CLEAN-UP THIS IS A KNOWN NISSAN DEFECT ISSUE AND SHOULD BE A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE GET HURT OR FURTHER ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION RESULTS.
I HAD BROUGHT THE XTERRA TO THE MECHANIC ON MAY 4TH FOR INTERMITTENT VIBRATIONS ( WHICH I ATTRIBUTED TO THE ROUGH ROADS S/P WINTER AS IT OCCURRED AT THE SAME POINTS ON THE SAME ROADS ) OVER 2 MONTH AND A NEW INTERMITTENT THUMPING NOISE HEARD WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTING GEARS IN THE LAST 2 WEEKS. NOTHING CAME UP ON THE COMPUTER…
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I HAD BROUGHT THE XTERRA TO THE MECHANIC ON MAY 4TH FOR INTERMITTENT VIBRATIONS ( WHICH I ATTRIBUTED TO THE ROUGH ROADS S/P WINTER AS IT OCCURRED AT THE SAME POINTS ON THE SAME ROADS ) OVER 2 MONTH AND A NEW INTERMITTENT THUMPING NOISE HEARD WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTING GEARS IN THE LAST 2 WEEKS. NOTHING CAME UP ON THE COMPUTER SYSTEM SHOWING ANY ISSUES OTHER THAN THE KNOWN ALERT FOR THE GAS LEVEL PART THAT SHIFT THE BED 6 MONTHS AGO AND I REFUSE TO PAY $400 FOR A $40 PART THAT SHOULD HAVE LASTED THE LIFETIME OF THE VEHICLE, ( ANOTHER ISSUE NISSAN IS AWARE OF AS IT COMES UP ON THE COMPUTER TO THE MECHANIC THAT THIS A KNOWN DEFECT BUT WON'T REPLACE IT FREE OF CHARGE) END RESULT, TRANSMISSION FLUID AND RADIATOR FLUID WERE MIXING DUE TO A KNOWN ISSUE BY NISSAN AND DEFECTIVE PARTS. THERE IS NO RECALL. THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION COOLER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED COSTING OVER $1600. I HAVE READ ON COMPLAINT WEBSITES REGARDING THIS KNOWN ISSUE AND I AM AWARE THIS COST IS MUCH LESS THAN WHAT OTHER NISSAN OWNERS HAVE PAID AS SOME CUSTOMERS HAVE NEEDED TO REPLACE THEIR TRANSMISSIONS OR HAVE NEEDED TO JUNK THEIR VEHICLES AS NISSAN REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND SUCK UP THE COST TO FIX THIS SIGNIFICANT MECHANICAL PROBLEM ON THEIR VEHICLES !!!!! *TR
THE RADIATOR USED IN MY 2007 NISSAN XTERRA IS A FAULTY PRODUCT WHICH CAUSED A LEAK OF THE RADIATOR FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID SYSTEM. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION HEATS UP DURING LONGER PERIODS OF DRIVING, THE RADIATOR FLUID ALSO HEATS UP AND EFFECTIVELY RUINS THE INTERNAL TRANSMISSION PARTS. THIS HAS CAUSED SEVERAL ISSUES IN …
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THE RADIATOR USED IN MY 2007 NISSAN XTERRA IS A FAULTY PRODUCT WHICH CAUSED A LEAK OF THE RADIATOR FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID SYSTEM. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION HEATS UP DURING LONGER PERIODS OF DRIVING, THE RADIATOR FLUID ALSO HEATS UP AND EFFECTIVELY RUINS THE INTERNAL TRANSMISSION PARTS. THIS HAS CAUSED SEVERAL ISSUES IN THE SHIFTING OF THE VEHICLE, AND OFTEN TIMES IN VERY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS WHERE ACCELERATION IS KEY TO AVOIDING ACCIDENTS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE F…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000. UPDATED 7/14/15*CN
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.