IllustrationFAULTY RADIATORS IN NISSANS ARE LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION, DESTROYING THE SEALS, VALVES AND TORQUE CONVERTER.
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 reportsNISSAN DEALERSHIP NOTIFIED ME ABOUT NEEDING TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE TIMING CHAIN SYSTEM. AFTER DOING RESEARCH, IT IS EVIDENT NISSAN KNEW ABOUT FAULTY TIMING CHAIN TENSIONERS AND GUIDES THAT IT WAS USING ON CERTAIN MODEL YEAR XTERRAS, INCLUDING 2007. IF TIMING CHAIN FAILS WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, IT CAN LEAD TO CATASTROPHIC ENGI…
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NISSAN DEALERSHIP NOTIFIED ME ABOUT NEEDING TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE TIMING CHAIN SYSTEM. AFTER DOING RESEARCH, IT IS EVIDENT NISSAN KNEW ABOUT FAULTY TIMING CHAIN TENSIONERS AND GUIDES THAT IT WAS USING ON CERTAIN MODEL YEAR XTERRAS, INCLUDING 2007. IF TIMING CHAIN FAILS WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, IT CAN LEAD TO CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE AND A $8000+ REPAIR BILL FOR A NEW ENGINE. NISSAN KNOWING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM SENT SERVICE BULLETINS TO ITS SERVICE CENTERS BUT DID NOT INFORM CONSUMERS ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THE TIMING CHAIN SHOULD BE GOOD FOR THE LIFE OF THE ENGINE, BUT NOW MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP IS TELLING ME IT IS GOING TO COST AT LEAST $1900 TO REPLACE THE TIMING CHAIN AND ALL COMPONENTS. NISSAN KNEW THE COMPONENTS ARE FAULTY AND YET DON'T CARE ENOUGH TO INFORM CONSUMERS. THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. NISSAN KNEW THAT THE TRANSMISSION COOLERS ON SAME MODEL YEAR WERE FAULTY AND DID NOT INFORM CONSUMERS. CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FORCED NISSAN TO FACE THE MUSIC, BUT CONSUMERS STILL HAD TO PAY OVER $2000 OUT OF POCKET TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION, TRANSMISSION COOLER, AND RADIATOR.
TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING.
RADIATOR LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION RENDERING BOTH DEFECTIVE AND IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT. NO HEAT WHEN CAR NOT MOVING, TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AND SKIPPING WHILE DRIVING.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MIL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.
TAKATA RECALL I WAS NEVER TOLD TO REPLACE MY RADIATOR TO PROTECT MY TRANSMISSION. I NOW HAVE TO REPLACE MY RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. CROSS CONTAMINATION. NISSAN DID NOTHING TO INFORM ME OF THIS PROBLEM. I'V TAKEN IT TO BELLEVUE NISSAN FOR MORE THAN 5 YEARS. NOT EVEN A COURTESY HEADS UP. YOU CAN STILL SAVE OTHER CUSTOMERS. P…
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TAKATA RECALL I WAS NEVER TOLD TO REPLACE MY RADIATOR TO PROTECT MY TRANSMISSION. I NOW HAVE TO REPLACE MY RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. CROSS CONTAMINATION. NISSAN DID NOTHING TO INFORM ME OF THIS PROBLEM. I'V TAKEN IT TO BELLEVUE NISSAN FOR MORE THAN 5 YEARS. NOT EVEN A COURTESY HEADS UP. YOU CAN STILL SAVE OTHER CUSTOMERS. PLEASE MAKE THEM TELL THEIR CUSTOMERS TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR. I ABSOLUTELY LOVED MY X UP TO THIS POINT. THEY'VE LOST ALL CREDIBILITY. VERY DISAPPOINTING AS A X CUSTOMER AND X FAN.
WELL THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR LEAK TOOK THE MY XTERRA IN TO NISSAN MCGAVOCK AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED TO GET TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR REPLACED AND NOW I HAVE NO CAR AND ME AND MY WIFE HAVE TO WALK TO BUS TO TAKE MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL AND I GO TO WORK ON BUS AND SO DOES MY WIFE.. THEY TOLD ME FROM MCGAVOCK NISSAN THAT …
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WELL THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR LEAK TOOK THE MY XTERRA IN TO NISSAN MCGAVOCK AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED TO GET TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR REPLACED AND NOW I HAVE NO CAR AND ME AND MY WIFE HAVE TO WALK TO BUS TO TAKE MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL AND I GO TO WORK ON BUS AND SO DOES MY WIFE.. THEY TOLD ME FROM MCGAVOCK NISSAN THAT THEY COULD FIX IT FOR 5800.00 DOLLARS. THIS IS A SHAME THAT YOU DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT HELPING PEOPLE OUT AND GETTING THIS FIX. XTERRA DOES NOT RUN IT IS BROKE..
MY SUV WAS ON A HIGHWAY, AND 4WD INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON AND VEHICLE MADE A VIBRATING NOISE, PULLED OFF AND TURNED VEHICLE OFF AND WOULD NOT RESTART, THE SUV WAS TOWED TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSTIC TEST. RESULTS: THE CODES U1000, P1807 AND P0717 (TRANSMISSION) COST $4, 491,58. IN APRIL 2016, I HAD A LEAK FROM THE RADI…
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MY SUV WAS ON A HIGHWAY, AND 4WD INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON AND VEHICLE MADE A VIBRATING NOISE, PULLED OFF AND TURNED VEHICLE OFF AND WOULD NOT RESTART, THE SUV WAS TOWED TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSTIC TEST. RESULTS: THE CODES U1000, P1807 AND P0717 (TRANSMISSION) COST $4, 491,58. IN APRIL 2016, I HAD A LEAK FROM THE RADIATOR THAT RUINED THE TRANSMISSION. I INITIALLY HAD THE RADIATOR REPLACED AND THE TRANSMISSION FLUSHED, COST $1000 AT NISSAN DEALERSHIP. THIS WAS ONLY A BAND-AID HOWEVER, AND DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. 6 MONTHS LATER TRANSMISSION FAILED. NISSAN PUT THE CONSUMER UNDER THE BUS. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS CASE# 24403641 WITH NO ASSISTANT, DUE TO THE MILEAGE OF 100K EXCEEDS WARRANTY. NISSAN WAS AWARE OF THIS DEFAULT IN RADIATORS BACK IN 2007 AND DID NOT NOTIFY A RECALL TO THE CONSUMER. A CROSS CONTAMINATION WHERE COOLANT LEAKS INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND DESTROYS THE TRANSMISSION. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER NISSAN PRODUCT, DUE TO THIS ORDEAL AND VERY DIFFICULT SITUATION. I'VE ALWAYS MAINTAINED MY SUV ON ALL REQUIRED MAINTENANCE. NISSAN CORPORATION NEEDS TO ASSIST THE CONSUMER, AND THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND DEDUCTIBLE WAS A JOKE. THERE HAS BEEN OVER 2500 CONSUMERS AFFECTED BY THIS ISSUE. NISSAN CONTINUES TO SELL THEIR PRODUCTS AND I WOULD HIGHLY ADVISE CONSUMERS TO STOP BUYING NISSAN, NOT A TRUSTWORTHY COMPANY PERIOD. REGARDS, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR STARTED NOT TO SHIFT WELL WHEN CHANGING GEARS. I'VE NOTICED ON THE HIGHWAY AND ON THE CITY ROADS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WITHIN THAT WEEK AND THEY SAID IT WAS MY TRANSMISSION AND THAT IT WILL COST OVER $3000 TO FIX. WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR 2 YEARS AGO, I ALSO PURCHASED A BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY THAT IN…
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WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR STARTED NOT TO SHIFT WELL WHEN CHANGING GEARS. I'VE NOTICED ON THE HIGHWAY AND ON THE CITY ROADS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WITHIN THAT WEEK AND THEY SAID IT WAS MY TRANSMISSION AND THAT IT WILL COST OVER $3000 TO FIX. WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR 2 YEARS AGO, I ALSO PURCHASED A BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY THAT INCLUDED THE TRANSMISSION. I DID NOT HAVE THE PAPERWORK WITH ME SO I HAD TO GO HOME TO LOOK FOR IT. ONCE I FOUND IT, I CALLED AND SENT THE COPY DIRECTLY TO THE DEALER. THEY CALLED ME THE FOLLOWING DAY SAYING MY WARRANTY COVERS EVERYTHING EXCEPT INTERMIX INGRID WHICH WAS EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS. I SPENT EXTRA MONEY TO MAKE SURE IF ANYTHING HAPPENS TO MY CAR I COULD GET IT FIXED WITH THE WARRANTY. THEY TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING AND TO FIX IT I MUST PAY THE $3000. I HAD MY CAR FOR 2 YEARS AND IT ONLY HAS 75,000 MIKES AND NOW MY TRANSMISSION GOES OUT? I RESEARCHED WHAT INTERMIX INGRID IS AND FOUND OUT I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM??! NISSAN ISN'T TAKING RESPONSIBILITY AND INSTEAD CHARGING US ALL $3000+ TO GET THE PROBLEM THAT EVERYONE IS HAVING FIXED. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL OR THE WARRANTY SHOULD COVER THIS PROBLEM. NISSAN SHOULD NOT BE MAKING A PROFIT ON AN ISSUE THEY ARE AWARE AND NOT TRYING TO NOTIFY PEOPLE ABOUT.
TOOK SUV TO WOODBURY NISSAN, HEARING SOUNDS WHEN DRIVING AND NO HEAT. THE RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. BOTH NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS NEVER A RECALL OR ANY NOTICE TO ME IN THE 9 YEARS I HAVE HAD THIS FROM NEW.I FEEL NISSAN SHOULD HAVE RECALLED THIS, AND CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR A DEFECT THEY…
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TOOK SUV TO WOODBURY NISSAN, HEARING SOUNDS WHEN DRIVING AND NO HEAT. THE RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. BOTH NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS NEVER A RECALL OR ANY NOTICE TO ME IN THE 9 YEARS I HAVE HAD THIS FROM NEW.I FEEL NISSAN SHOULD HAVE RECALLED THIS, AND CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR A DEFECT THEY KNEW ABOUT. *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.