IllustrationHEARING WHINING/WHIRRING NOISE FROM ENGINE UPON ANY ACCELERATION AND INCREASED RPMS. REPAIR REQUIRED IS REPLACEMENT OF SECONDARY TIMING CHAIN AND TENSIONERS (GUIDES). *TR
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
What owners actually said
557 reportsI PARTICIPATED IN THE NISSAN CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE A RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION, DUE TO A DEFECTIVE ASSEMBLY THAT CAUSED TRAN FAILURE. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE TWO MAIN PARTS UNDER THE CAMPAIGN. I RECEIVED MY VEHICLE, AND ONLY HAD IT FOR 1 1/2 DAYS BEFORE ANOTHER ISSUE RELATED TO THE RADIATOR / COOLING SYSTEM WAS EXPERIENCED. I W…
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I PARTICIPATED IN THE NISSAN CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE A RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION, DUE TO A DEFECTIVE ASSEMBLY THAT CAUSED TRAN FAILURE. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE TWO MAIN PARTS UNDER THE CAMPAIGN. I RECEIVED MY VEHICLE, AND ONLY HAD IT FOR 1 1/2 DAYS BEFORE ANOTHER ISSUE RELATED TO THE RADIATOR / COOLING SYSTEM WAS EXPERIENCED. I WAS YET AGAIN, ON THE HIGHWAY HEADING TO A JOB AND OVERHEATED, THUS DISABLING MY VEHICLE. I STAYED THE INTERSTATE FOR 3 HOURS WAITING ON ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO TOW ME BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. I'M HAVING AN ISSUE WITH NISSAN NOT WILLING TO COVER WHAT'S CLEARLY THEIR PROBLEM TO BEGIN WITH. IT'S NOT THE CONSUMER'S PROBLEM THAT THEY INSTALLED FAULTY COMPONENTS IN THEIR CARS AND TRUCKS, THAT CAUSED THE MAJOR MALFUNCTIONS. IF I WERE A CONSUMER (WHICH I AM); I WOULD FEEL THAT THEY ARE NOT OWNING UP TO THE FULL LIABILITY CAUSED BY THEIR NEGLIGENCE IN PUTTING INFERIOR PARTS IN THEIR VEHICLES THAT CAUSED THE MALFUNCTION IN THE FIRST PLACE. I'M NOT ONLY UPSET AT THEIR RESPONSE; LET'S NOT OVERLOOK THE FACT THAT ON THE TWO DAYS MY TRUCK FAILED (FIRST TIME WHEN THE TRANNY BLEW OUT ON THE HIGHWAY, AND THE SECOND TIME WHEN I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AGAIN; AND OVERHEATED); I WAS HEADING TO JOB OBLIGATIONS I HAD FOR PRIVATE CLIENTS OF MINE. I LOST 1,375.65 ON DAY ONE FOR MISSING MY APPT. ON THE FIRST INCIDENT, AND AN ADDITIONAL 868.04 ON THE NEXT INCIDENT. MY TRUCK'S ISSUE IS THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE A SYSTEM FLUSH OF THE RADIATOR AND THE THERMOSTAT NEEDS REPLACEMENT... BOTH ARE DIRECT CAUSE OF THE INCIDENT WITH THEIR CRAPPY RADIATOR ASSEMBLY THEY PUT IN THE VEHICLE IN THE FIRST PLACE. I DON'T HAVE THE EXTRA MONEY TO DO THE MAINTENANCE, AND I'VE LOST MONEY IN THE ORDEAL AS WELL. I THINK IT BE "BEST PRACTICE" AND GOOD CUSTOMER CARE; THAT NNA COVER THE COST OF THE FLUSH AND THE THERMOSTAT, CAUSED FROM THE MIXTURE CONTAMINATION OF COOLANT AND TRAN FLUID. *TR
DRIVING AT 65 MPH AND FELT A CLUNK AND A SURGE - CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR FELT LIKE IT HAD BEEN SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. I PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND HAD IT TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. TURNS OUT THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO A KNOWN RADIATOR DEFECT THAT ALLOWS COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSING FAILURE. …
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DRIVING AT 65 MPH AND FELT A CLUNK AND A SURGE - CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR FELT LIKE IT HAD BEEN SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. I PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND HAD IT TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. TURNS OUT THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO A KNOWN RADIATOR DEFECT THAT ALLOWS COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSING FAILURE. NISSAN WILL NOT COVER MY CAR BECAUSE I AM BEYOND THE SPECIFIED MILEAGE OF THEIR USELESS WARRANTY EXTENSION, AGREED TO IN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. REPAIRS AND RENTAL CAR WILL COST ME ABOUT $8,000. NISSAN SHOULD HAVE BEEN FORCED TO RECALL THE CARS FOR THIS DEFECT AND SHOULD REIMBURSE THE REPAIR COSTS AT 100%. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A GRINDING NOISE EMITTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE RADIATOR COOLER UNIT, WHICH WAS DETERMINED TO BE FRACTURED AND CAUSING COOLANT TO PENETRATE THE TRANSMISSION. AS A RESULT, THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A GRINDING NOISE EMITTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE RADIATOR COOLER UNIT, WHICH WAS DETERMINED TO BE FRACTURED AND CAUSING COOLANT TO PENETRATE THE TRANSMISSION. AS A RESULT, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,000.
I HAVE A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. AT ABOUT 61000 MILES I FILLED THE GAS TANK. WHEN I STARTED MY CAR I NOTICED THE FUEL GAUGE WAS STILL SITTING ON EMPTY. SOON THEREAFTER THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" MESSAGE APPEARED ON MY DASH INSTRUMENTS AND HAS NOT GONE OFF SINCE. I NOTICE THERE HAVE ALREADY BEEN ABOUT 156 OF THE VERY SAME PROBLEMS…
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I HAVE A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. AT ABOUT 61000 MILES I FILLED THE GAS TANK. WHEN I STARTED MY CAR I NOTICED THE FUEL GAUGE WAS STILL SITTING ON EMPTY. SOON THEREAFTER THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" MESSAGE APPEARED ON MY DASH INSTRUMENTS AND HAS NOT GONE OFF SINCE. I NOTICE THERE HAVE ALREADY BEEN ABOUT 156 OF THE VERY SAME PROBLEMS REPORTED WITH MANY OF THE PEOPLE RUNNING OUT OF GAS BECAUSE OF THIS. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS ITEM. *TR
VEHICLE HAD TOTAL FAILURE ON HIGHWAY. NISSAN DEALER SAYS IT IS FROM TRANSMISSION CONTAMINATION. TCM TOTALLY FAILED, NO POWER. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING, THE LOW FUEL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE F…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING, THE LOW FUEL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 122,000. *TR
STARTED MAKING NOISES COMING FROM UNDERNEATH AND JERKING, SO WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE REAR END WHICH THEY REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY , BUT STILL MADE NOISE AND SLIGHT CLUNKING. TOOK INTO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP NOV OF 2012 AND THEY FLUSHED THE TRANSMISSION AND SAID EVERYTHING WAS FINE AT APPROX 119000 MILES. T…
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STARTED MAKING NOISES COMING FROM UNDERNEATH AND JERKING, SO WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE REAR END WHICH THEY REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY , BUT STILL MADE NOISE AND SLIGHT CLUNKING. TOOK INTO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP NOV OF 2012 AND THEY FLUSHED THE TRANSMISSION AND SAID EVERYTHING WAS FINE AT APPROX 119000 MILES. THEN TODAY AT 129,000 MILES SAID MY REAR END NEEDED REPLACEMENT AND MY TRANSMISSION WAS BAD AND THE FLUID WAS MILKY FROM CROSS CONTAMINATION , WHICH IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THESE TYPE OF SUVS. SAID THEY WILL NOT COVER IT CAUSE ITS OVER 100000 MILES NOW . *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 68 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT RADIATOR FLUID HAD LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND BOTH THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RADIATOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUF…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 68 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT RADIATOR FLUID HAD LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND BOTH THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RADIATOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT STATED THAT DUE TO THE MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST IN THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,000. ..UPDATED 04/18/13 *BF
ANTIFREEZE LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION FROM FAULTY RADIATOR. *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.