IllustrationMy 07 Xterra has extreme rust in the door jams and rear panels. The rack-n-pinion, power steering system leaks fluid.
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
Steering complaints
6 reportsThe recall has been in place with no solution presented by the manufacturer since February of 2023 with no remedy for the steering wheel emblem issue, making airbag deployment potentially unsafe.
STOP AND FILLED IT UP WITH GAS STARTER DOWN THE ROAD AN CHECK ENGIN CAME ON STOP AND TURN IT OFF NOW TTHE MOTOR WONT TURN THE TRANSMISSION WAS WORKING PERFEICT THE CODES C1163 SENT IT TO TED RUSSELL NISSAN THEY TELL ME ITS THE TRANSMISSION IS BAD NO PINK WATER IN THE RADIATOR COST 5000 DOLLARS TO FIX WHY CANT A BUNCH OF …
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STOP AND FILLED IT UP WITH GAS STARTER DOWN THE ROAD AN CHECK ENGIN CAME ON STOP AND TURN IT OFF NOW TTHE MOTOR WONT TURN THE TRANSMISSION WAS WORKING PERFEICT THE CODES C1163 SENT IT TO TED RUSSELL NISSAN THEY TELL ME ITS THE TRANSMISSION IS BAD NO PINK WATER IN THE RADIATOR COST 5000 DOLLARS TO FIX WHY CANT A BUNCH OF PEOPLE THATS HAVING THE PROBLEM SUE NISSAN I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD
THE LOWER LINKS AND P/NOS. THIS COLLAR WELD WASN'T STRONG ENOUGH AND IT HAS SEPARATED AND DETERIORATED,AND COULD CAUSE A POSSIBLE VEHICLE CRASH. IT MAKES NOISE AT A LOW TO HIGH SPEED. I NEED MY VIN # ADDED TO THE RECALL LIST THAT IS LISTED ABOVE WITH THE OTHER RECALLS FOR THE NISSAN XTERRA. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER MADE REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN WORSE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER MADE REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN WORSE CONDITION AFTER REPAIRS. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY LOOSE, THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE WAS NOT OPERATING, THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING GAUGE INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND OCCASIONALLY, THE VEHICLE WOULD FAIL TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL RECALLS REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE BUT HE WAS NOT SURE WHICH RECALL REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,700.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE STEERING LOCKED AND PREVENTED THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED AND THE ENTIRE COMPONENT WAS REPLACED. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THIS FAILURE WAS COMMON ON MANY NISSANS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200 AND FAILURE MILEA…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE STEERING LOCKED AND PREVENTED THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED AND THE ENTIRE COMPONENT WAS REPLACED. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THIS FAILURE WAS COMMON ON MANY NISSANS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180.
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.