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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

Unknown Or Other complaints

30 reports
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119,000 miles · Oct 4, 2016
Unknown Or Other

I NOTICED MY COOLANT LEVEL WAS LOW, BUT NO LEAKS. I TOOK IT IN AND HAD IT CHECKED. THE MAN PUT A NEW CAP ON THE RADIATOR, SAID HE PRESSURE TESTED IT AND COULD FIND NO LEAKS. A FEW DAYS LATER, ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK, IT BARELY MADE IT HOME. AFTER I PARKED I TRIED TO START IT AND IT WOULDN'T. MY HUSBAND RESEARCHED IT AND READ AB…

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I NOTICED MY COOLANT LEVEL WAS LOW, BUT NO LEAKS. I TOOK IT IN AND HAD IT CHECKED. THE MAN PUT A NEW CAP ON THE RADIATOR, SAID HE PRESSURE TESTED IT AND COULD FIND NO LEAKS. A FEW DAYS LATER, ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK, IT BARELY MADE IT HOME. AFTER I PARKED I TRIED TO START IT AND IT WOULDN'T. MY HUSBAND RESEARCHED IT AND READ ABOUT RADIATOR COOLANT IN THE TRANSMISSION AND SURE ENOUGH THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED.THE REPAIRS COME OUT TO BE MORE THAN THE VEHICLE IS WORTH. I FEEL SO RIPPED OFF. THAT WAS THE FIRST EXPENSIVE VEHICLE I'D EVER PURCHASED. I ONLY HAD IT FOR 3 YEARS AND HAD JUST PAID OFF THE $18,000. NOW I HAVE NOTHING. COMPLETE DEVASTATION SINCE I LIVE PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK. I FEEL LIKE I JUST TOSSED THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OUT THE WINDOW. MY NISSAN HAS 119,000 MILES. I ALWAYS MAINTAINED IT AND THOUGHT IT WOULD LAST AT LEAST 100,000 MORE.

NHTSA ODI #10913810

Mileage unknown · Oct 4, 2016
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or OtherFire

I BROUGHT THIS CAR IN 2007 AND HAVE HAD ELECTRICAL ISSUES,AND HAVE MAINTAINED THE CAR REGULARLY. I WAS DRIVING RECENTLY AND ONLY HAD 91K MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION JUST SUDDENLY WENT WITHOUT WARNING.

NHTSA ODI #10913785

Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2016
Unknown Or Other

I PURCHASED AN NISSAN XTERRA 2007 SUV IN 2008. CAN HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAIN. I RECENTLY TOOK TRIP AND IN MY WAY BACK CAR STARTED TO FEEL AND SOUND WEIRD.I JUST FELT DIFFERENT. I WENT TO NISSAN TO CHECK IT. I THOUGHT IT WAS THE BREAKS OR SOMETHING ELSE. BUT I WAS INFORMED THAT XTERRA HAD AN EXTENDED GUARANTEE ON THE TRANSMISSION…

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I PURCHASED AN NISSAN XTERRA 2007 SUV IN 2008. CAN HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAIN. I RECENTLY TOOK TRIP AND IN MY WAY BACK CAR STARTED TO FEEL AND SOUND WEIRD.I JUST FELT DIFFERENT. I WENT TO NISSAN TO CHECK IT. I THOUGHT IT WAS THE BREAKS OR SOMETHING ELSE. BUT I WAS INFORMED THAT XTERRA HAD AN EXTENDED GUARANTEE ON THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE THE COOLANT WAS LEAKING IN TO THE TRANSMISSION . IT WILL COST ME 2,500-3,000 TO FIX. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OR WARNED OF THIS DEFECT. WHY ???? I HAVE TO PAY THIS. I EVEN PURCHASED AN INSURANCE UP TO 60,000MILES CAR IS ONLY 76,351. VERY VERY UNFAIR.

NHTSA ODI #10893650

115,000 miles · Jun 15, 2016
Unknown Or Other

COOLANT LEAKED OVER INTO TRANSMISSION. THIS SEEMS TO BE A BIG ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES. NOW NEED NEW TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR. YES THERE WAS A SLIGHT SETTLEMENT YEARS AGO BUT NO RECALL... THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. I HAVE NO MONEY TO FIX AND NOW CANT EVEN GET TO WORK TO EVEN TRY TO MAKE MONEY TO PAY FOR IT.

NHTSA ODI #10874361

179,000 miles · Apr 26, 2016
Unknown Or Other

TRIED TO START CAR AND JUMPED CAR WITH NO SUCCESS. HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUIDS AND RADIATOR FLUIDS HAD COMBINED AND CORRUPTED THE COMPUTER THAT STARTS THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI #10861526

Mileage unknown · Apr 19, 2016
Unknown Or Other

TIMING CHAIN FAILURE AT 76000 MILES. NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT COST OF $1200.

NHTSA ODI #10860272

111,000 miles · Mar 14, 2016
EngineUnknown Or Other

OUR 2007 NISSAN XTERRA HAD A LEAK IN THE RADIATOR, THAT COST $500 TO FIX, BUT IT LEAKED RADIATOR FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION WHICH IS GOING TO COST $3,500 TO $5,000 TO FIX.

NHTSA ODI #10849646

102,000 miles · Oct 22, 2015
Unknown Or Other

DRIVING DOWN FREEWAY, VEHICLE STARTED TO SHUDDER/VIBRATE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, CAN'S ACCELERATE, SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. PULLED THE VEHICLE OFF THE HIGHWAY. TAKE IT TO A MECHANIC, WHERE HE DIAGNOSES THE PROBLEM AS TRANSMISSION/RADIATOR COOLANT ISSUES. HOSE BROKE AND THE FLUID FROM THE RADIATOR/TRANS…

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DRIVING DOWN FREEWAY, VEHICLE STARTED TO SHUDDER/VIBRATE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, CAN'S ACCELERATE, SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. PULLED THE VEHICLE OFF THE HIGHWAY. TAKE IT TO A MECHANIC, WHERE HE DIAGNOSES THE PROBLEM AS TRANSMISSION/RADIATOR COOLANT ISSUES. HOSE BROKE AND THE FLUID FROM THE RADIATOR/TRANSMISSION MIXED CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO STOP WORKING. TAKE TO NISSAN DEALER, TOLD $6000.00 TO FIX. I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY SINCE I PURCHASED VEHICLE USED (FORD WARRANTY). TOLD FORD WILL NOT COVER ANYTHING, SINCE THE "TRANSMISSION" WASN'T REALLY THE PROBLEM. IT WAS THE COOLANT LINES TO THE TRANSMISSION THAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM. JUST FORD (BIG BUSINESS) TRYING TO FIND A WAY AROUND PAYING FOR SOMETHING. I PAID FOR THE WARRANTY, AND THE WARRANTY IS BASICALLY USELESS. WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE LIBERTY FORD, MAPLE HTS., OHIO THAT IT WOULD COVER TRANSMISSION ISSUES. WHAT A SCAM. I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER NISSAN VEHICLE NOR WILL I EVER PURCHASE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. FRUSTRATED NISSAN OWNER IN OHIO.

NHTSA ODI #10785284

144,000 miles · Aug 27, 2015
EngineUnknown Or Other

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED. IT TURNED OUT TO BE THE RADIATOR LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND FRIED THE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS APPARENTLY A COMMON PROBLEM IN NISSANS. WHEN TAKEN TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC HE SAID IT WOULD COST $5000 PLUS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10759716

98,500 miles · Aug 6, 2015
Fuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

MY COOLANT SYSTEM HAS LEAKED INTO MY TRANSMISSION SYSTEM CAUSING MALFUNCTION OF BOTH. THIS CAUSES MY CAR TO HESITATE WHEN ACCELERATING AND WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION TO GIVE OUT COMPLETELY WHILE IN MOTION.THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM THAT NISSAN IS AWARE OF AND HAS NOT ADEQUATELY ADDRESSED.

NHTSA ODI #10746856

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.