IllustrationWE RAN OUT OF GAS WITH HALF A TANK ON THE FUEL GAUGE. IN THE MIDDLE OF A FUNERAL SERVICE. NOT A FUN DAY. THANK YOU NISSAN FOR EXTENDING A WARRANTY ON THE PROBLEM AND NOT ISSUING A RECALL THAT EVERYONE WOULD FIND OUT ABOUT BEFORE RUNNING OUT OF GAS ON THE ROAD. *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 reportsFUEL LEVEL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. THE GAUGE READ 1/4 FULL WHEN THE TANK WAS REALLY EMPTY. *TR
MY CHECK ENGINE SON LIGHT CAME ON, I WENT TO AUTOZONE AND I WAS TOLD THE ERROR CODE STATED FUEL SENDING UNIT/SENSOR. I WAS TOLD THAT NISSAN RECOMMENDS YOU KEEP A HALF A TANK OF GAS IN THE TANK. MY XTERRA GUAGE IS VERY UNPREDICTABLE 90% OF THE TIME EVEN WHEN I FILL THE TANK UP THE GUAGE DOESN'T REGISTER, AND IT'S STUCK ON E WITH …
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MY CHECK ENGINE SON LIGHT CAME ON, I WENT TO AUTOZONE AND I WAS TOLD THE ERROR CODE STATED FUEL SENDING UNIT/SENSOR. I WAS TOLD THAT NISSAN RECOMMENDS YOU KEEP A HALF A TANK OF GAS IN THE TANK. MY XTERRA GUAGE IS VERY UNPREDICTABLE 90% OF THE TIME EVEN WHEN I FILL THE TANK UP THE GUAGE DOESN'T REGISTER, AND IT'S STUCK ON E WITH THE GAS LIGHT ON CONSTANTLY, WHICH HAS CAUSED ME A SINGLE MOTHER OF 3 TO RUN OUT OF GAS TWICE. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A VOLUNTARY RECALL, BUT I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE WASN'T. I ALSO LIVE IN A CITY WHERE THERE IS EMISSIONS TESTING WHICH I CAN'T PASS BECAUSE OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, I CANNOT RECEIVE MY VEHICLE TAG, WHICH MEANS I CAN'T WORK OR DRIVE. I WOULD LIKE THIS SENSOR REPLACED AT NO CHARGE TO ME BECAUSE AS READING ONLINE THERE HAS BEEN 53,000 PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS AND THE NEXT STEP I CAN TAKE TO GET THIS RESOLVED. *TT
ERROR CODE P0463, FUEL SENSOR ERROR. WHEN THE GAS TANK IS FULL, THE GAUGE REGISTERS EMPTY (LESS THEN E ACTUALLY) UNTIL SOME OF THE FUEL IS USED AND THEN THE GAUGE REGISTERS ACCURATELY (I THINK). *TR
AFTER RE-FUELING, THE GAS INDICATOR DROPS BELOW EMPTY, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON. AFTER DRIVING IT ~100 MILES, THE FUEL GAUGE WILL THEN GO TO APPROXIMATELY THE REAL FUEL LEVEL (AROUND 3/4 OF A TANK). AFTER DRIVING ABOUT ANOTHER 100 MILES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNS OFF. EVERY TIME I RE-FUEL, THIS PROBLEM OCCURS AGA…
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AFTER RE-FUELING, THE GAS INDICATOR DROPS BELOW EMPTY, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON. AFTER DRIVING IT ~100 MILES, THE FUEL GAUGE WILL THEN GO TO APPROXIMATELY THE REAL FUEL LEVEL (AROUND 3/4 OF A TANK). AFTER DRIVING ABOUT ANOTHER 100 MILES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNS OFF. EVERY TIME I RE-FUEL, THIS PROBLEM OCCURS AGAIN. IT MAKES IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TELL HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE LEFT. I WILL NEVER BUY A NISSAN AGAIN. *TR
VEHICLE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE DOES NOT WORK. PEGS HIGH THEN GOES LOW. CAUSES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON. CAR CANNOT PASS EMISSIONS TEST DUE TO FAULTY SENSOR. 2006 AND 2008 NISSAN XTERRA HAVE HAD A RECALL ON THIS COMPONENT. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY NOT THE 2007 WHICH HAS THE EXACT SAME COMPONENT. *TR
MY CAR 2007 NISSAN XTERRA STARTED TO MAKE A REVVING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD ON SUNDAY 10/2/2011. THE NEXT DAY I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I CAUTIOUSLY DROVE THE MIN SPEED LIMIT TO THE MID-CITY NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHICH WAS LESS THAN 2 MILES AWAY AT THIS POINT. THE NEXT DAY, MID-C…
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MY CAR 2007 NISSAN XTERRA STARTED TO MAKE A REVVING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD ON SUNDAY 10/2/2011. THE NEXT DAY I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I CAUTIOUSLY DROVE THE MIN SPEED LIMIT TO THE MID-CITY NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHICH WAS LESS THAN 2 MILES AWAY AT THIS POINT. THE NEXT DAY, MID-CITY NISSAN INFORMED ME THAT I NEEDED THE TIMING CHAIN REPAIRED ASAP. THIS SIGHT ISN'T THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU SO I'LL SAVE YOU THE EXTRANEOUS LIES NISSAN TRIED TO SELL ME SO THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO FIX MY CAR WHICH WAS UNDER 46000 MILES AND STILL UNDER EXTENDED NISSAN FACTORY WARRANTY. NOT WANTING TO SPEND $2000 ON A CAR THAT I AM STILL PAYING FOR AND IS STILL CONSIDERABLY NEW AT 46000 MILES. SO I CALLED MY TRUSTED NEIGHBORHOOD MECHANIC TO LOOK AT IT. HE CONCLUDED THAT THE GUARDS ON THE SECONDARY BELT ARE WORN AWAY AND IT NEED TO BE REPLACED. LOOKING INTO "TIMING CHAINS ON NISSAN TRUCKS" BECOMES QUITE A FRUITFUL SEARCH WHEN BROWSING THE INTERNET. RIGHT NOW THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR DEFECTIVE ENGINES IN TRUCKS LIKE MINE. THIS IS THE FIRST TRUCK I'VE OWNED AND I BELIEVED THAT THE HIGH PITCHED WHINING SOUND COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE WAS NORMAL FOR SUCH A BIG, POWERFUL CAR. I'M AFRAID THAT THE ENGINE HAS SOUNDED LIKE THIS FOR THE LAST FEW THOUSAND MILES. I FEEL IF IT'S SUCH A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM AMONG NISSAN TRUCK OWNERS, IT COULD ONE DAY RESULT IN SOMEONES ENGINE STALLING ON THE HIGHWAY. THANK GOODNESS IT WASN'T ME. NISSAN NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THESE ENGINE PARTS. *TR
NO FAILURE OCCURRED, THOUGH WHILE AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPLACEMENT OF A FAULTY FACTORY PART, I WAS INFORMED OF ANOTHER FAILING FACTORY PART (THE TIMING CHAIN GUIDES) THAT WAS A WELL KNOWN AND DOCUMENTED PROBLEM THAT NISSAN FAILED TO ADDRESS FOR ITS CONSUMERS. THE COST OF THE REPAIR WAS ESTIMATED AT $1533.64. *TR
SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THEN FUEL GAUGE NO LONGER WORKS. SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM IN NISSANS. *TR
I PURCHASED A 2007 XTERRA AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR WITH JUST OVER 80,000. I HAVE THE PROBLEM WHERE THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FAILED SIMULTANEOUSLY. I AM CURRENTLY PAYING A $292.00 NOTE ON A CAR THAT WILL NOT MOVE. I FELT COMFORTED IN THE FACT THAT I PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WITH COVERAGE FOR 100,000 MILES OR 6 …
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I PURCHASED A 2007 XTERRA AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR WITH JUST OVER 80,000. I HAVE THE PROBLEM WHERE THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FAILED SIMULTANEOUSLY. I AM CURRENTLY PAYING A $292.00 NOTE ON A CAR THAT WILL NOT MOVE. I FELT COMFORTED IN THE FACT THAT I PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WITH COVERAGE FOR 100,000 MILES OR 6 YEARS AFTER THE PURCHASE. THE FACTORY WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER THE COST TO REPAIR THE RADIATOR. EVEN THOUGH I HAVE WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR TRANSMISSION, THE SAME DEALERSHIP THAT SOLD ME THE EXPENSIVE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND OVERCHARGED FOR THE CAR IS TRYING TO CHARGE $7700 FOR THE JOB WITH NEW PARTS OR $5500 TO DO THE JOB WITH USED PARTS. I KNOW NOW THAT THE JOB WOULD HAVE TO UTILIZE A NEW RADIATOR BECAUSE THE ORIGINAL RADIATORS ARE CAUSING COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID TO MIX. I SEE REPORTS THAT NISSAN IS STARTING TO RECOGNIZE THE FACT THAT THEY HAVE FAULTY RADIATORS BUT IS NOT HOLDING THEMSELVES LIABLE FOR ANY OF THE DAMAGES TO ANY OF THE PARTS OF THE CAR EVEN THOUGH MOST IT IS UNDER WARRANTY (EVEN THOUGH EVERYONE'S RADIATOR SHOULD HAVE A FACTORY RECALL BY NOW). THERE IS EVEN A NEW YORK TIMES ARTICLE ABOUT THE RADIATOR/TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WITH MULTIPLE NISSAN MODELS. IT IS WRITTEN IN THE CONTRACT THAT IF THE RADIATOR CAUSES THE PROBLEM, THEN THE TRANSMISSION DAMAGES WILL NOT BE COVERED. ALSO THE RADIATOR, WHICH SEEMS TO BE THE PART CAUSING ALL OF THE PROBLEMS, IS NOT EVEN COVERED AT ALL IN THE WARRANTY NOR IS IT UNDER A FACTORY RECALL. I PURCHASED A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED CAR WITH A WARRANTY BECAUSE I DID NOT WANT TO HAVE A CAR THAT WOULD GIVE ME FURTHER FINANCIAL TROUBLES IN COSTLY REPAIRS. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, BUT DOES NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE OF HOW MUCH IT WOULD COST TO REPAIR RADIATORS AND/OR TRANSMISSIONS FOR EVERYONE THAT OWNS AN XTERRA, FRONTIER OR PATHFINDER. *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.