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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 →

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

What owners actually said

557 reports
Mileage unknown · Mar 23, 2022
Air Bags

The airbag warning light came on. The vehicle is registered in a state that uses heavy amounts of salt on the roads in winter. Nissan had a recall campaign for this exact thing that they closed. Now, they refuse to diagnose or repair the issue and expect me to pay for it completely. They refuse to fix a problem they already admi…

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The airbag warning light came on. The vehicle is registered in a state that uses heavy amounts of salt on the roads in winter. Nissan had a recall campaign for this exact thing that they closed. Now, they refuse to diagnose or repair the issue and expect me to pay for it completely. They refuse to fix a problem they already admitted was their fault due to the fact they thought everyone should have gotten it fixed already. However, the vehicle is new to me and only started having the problem this winter.

NHTSA ODI #11457997

Mileage unknown · Oct 14, 2021
Engine

The radiator has cracked at the top which caused me to break down because the car stopped moving.

NHTSA ODI #11436726

Mileage unknown · May 25, 2021
Fuel/propulsion System

Aprox. three years ago, I reported a problem with the fuel gauge not giving true readings. After taking the car to be tested, I was advised that the sending unit was faulty, and the mechanic believed that there was a recall on the matter (he had heard of many people having the same problem). After doing online research, I came a…

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Aprox. three years ago, I reported a problem with the fuel gauge not giving true readings. After taking the car to be tested, I was advised that the sending unit was faulty, and the mechanic believed that there was a recall on the matter (he had heard of many people having the same problem). After doing online research, I came across hundreds, if not thousands of Xterra owners reporting the same problem. I called Nissan, and I was advised that there were no recalls on this matter. That does not make sense, for it seems obvious, based on my research, that this--among other common problems (such as the Airbag light coming on)--are very prevalent, and seem to be due to a manufacturing/design problem.

NHTSA ODI #11418553

90,000 miles · Mar 22, 2021
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT REFILLED THE FUEL TANK HOWEVER, THE FUEL GAUGE SHOWED EMPTY. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V075000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER, THE VIN WA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT REFILLED THE FUEL TANK HOWEVER, THE FUEL GAUGE SHOWED EMPTY. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V075000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED BY A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT RECALLS WERE VIN SPECIFIC AND THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ODI #11404194

105,000 miles · Feb 11, 2021
Power Train

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND ALL THE SUDDEN THE SUV STARTED LOOSING SPEED UNTIL IT CAME TO A COMPLETELY STOP IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF THE BALTIMORE BELTWAY 695 WHICH MADE A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR ME. CARS FLYING BY ON BOTH SIDES OF ME. HAD A POLICE OFFICER STOP TRAFFIC SO THAT I COULD DRIFT IT BACKWARDS DOWN THE HILL TO GET …

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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND ALL THE SUDDEN THE SUV STARTED LOOSING SPEED UNTIL IT CAME TO A COMPLETELY STOP IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF THE BALTIMORE BELTWAY 695 WHICH MADE A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR ME. CARS FLYING BY ON BOTH SIDES OF ME. HAD A POLICE OFFICER STOP TRAFFIC SO THAT I COULD DRIFT IT BACKWARDS DOWN THE HILL TO GET IT TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. FOUND OUT IT WAS THE DDEFAULTY RADIATOR/TRANSMISSION THAT NISSAN KNEW ABOUT. IT DIDN'T GIVE ME ANY NOTICE THAT IT WAS ANYTHING WRONG. EXCEPT LEAVING ME STRANDED ON THE HIGHWAY. IT COSTS ME THOUSANDS TO GET A REPLACEMENT RADIATOR/TRANSMISSION INSTALLED AT THE NISSAN DEALER. MY VEHICLE HAD 105,000 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ODI #11395808

149,000 miles · Feb 10, 2021
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THERE WAS AN UNKNOWN PINK FLUID LEAKING FROM THE RADIATOR, WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY FLUID LEAKING FROM THE RADIATOR TO THE TRANSMI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THERE WAS AN UNKNOWN PINK FLUID LEAKING FROM THE RADIATOR, WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY FLUID LEAKING FROM THE RADIATOR TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT CALLED NISSAN OF ST. AUGUSTINE (2755 US-1, ST. AUGUSTINE, FL 32086, (904) 447-2960). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 149,000.

NHTSA ODI #11395607

Mileage unknown · Feb 8, 2021
Fuel/propulsion System

EXACT SAME ISSUE AS ON NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 10V075000 IS APPLICABLE TO MY 2007 NISSAN XTERRA AS WELL. NISSAN MUST RECALL THE PART ON 2007 XTERRAS AS WELL. THIS IS A WIDELY REPORTED ISSUE BY OTHER CUSTOMERS ON THE INTERNET AS WELL.

NHTSA ODI #11395208

101,123 miles · Jan 18, 2021
Forward Collision AvoidancePower Train

CATASTROPHIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE.ATTEMPTED TO LEAVE MY HOME,PUT VEHICAL IN DRIVE.APPLIED ACCELERATOR,TRANSMISSION WILL NOT HARDLY PULL,PUT IN REVERSE.OPERATES IN REVERSE PROPERLY, PARKED MY VEHICAL.TURNED ENGINE OFF.ATTEMPTED TO START THE ENGINE TO GET MY VEHICAL TO LEVEL GROUND TO CHECK FLUIDS,ATTEMPTED TO START THE ENGINE,ENG…

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CATASTROPHIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE.ATTEMPTED TO LEAVE MY HOME,PUT VEHICAL IN DRIVE.APPLIED ACCELERATOR,TRANSMISSION WILL NOT HARDLY PULL,PUT IN REVERSE.OPERATES IN REVERSE PROPERLY, PARKED MY VEHICAL.TURNED ENGINE OFF.ATTEMPTED TO START THE ENGINE TO GET MY VEHICAL TO LEVEL GROUND TO CHECK FLUIDS,ATTEMPTED TO START THE ENGINE,ENGINE NOW WILL NOT TURN OVER AT ALL.

NHTSA ODI #11388623

147,257 miles · Dec 4, 2020
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

THE TRANSMISSION COOLER INSIDE THE RADIATOR FAULTED, CAUSING RADIATOR FLUID GETTING INTO THE TRANSMISSION DAMAGING THE TRANSMISSION INTERNALLY.

NHTSA ODI #11377925

241,300 miles · Jul 26, 2020
Power Train

RED COLOR IN RADIATOR (SEE PHOTO) . WHEN DRIVING TRANSMISSION WOULD RACE LIKE IN OVERDRIVE. LET OFF GAS TO LIKE CATCH UP.

NHTSA ODI #11341499

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.