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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

What owners actually said

557 reports
57,000 miles · Dec 19, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

I OWN A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA IT HAS 76,000 MILES ON IT. THE FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. WHEN I HAVE 1/4, 1/2 TANK OF GAS, SOMETIMES 3/4 TANK OF GAS THE GAUGE DROPS TO EMPTY AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LITE COMES ON. THIS PROBLEM STARTED AT AROUND 56,000 MI. I HAVE READ ON LINE THAT HIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH TH…

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I OWN A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA IT HAS 76,000 MILES ON IT. THE FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. WHEN I HAVE 1/4, 1/2 TANK OF GAS, SOMETIMES 3/4 TANK OF GAS THE GAUGE DROPS TO EMPTY AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LITE COMES ON. THIS PROBLEM STARTED AT AROUND 56,000 MI. I HAVE READ ON LINE THAT HIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE XTERRA DATING BACK TO 2003. SHOULD THIS NOT HAVE BEEN A RECALL BY NISSAN? FIXED 2006 AND 2008. WITH THE AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS, I THINK NISSAN SHOULD STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND CORRECT THE EXPENSIVE DEFICIENCY. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THEY CAN FIX A LATER MODEL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10371201

42,650 miles · Dec 5, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL GAUGE FAILED TO REGISTER AFTER A FILL-UP - SHOWED EMPTY, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SHORTLY AFTERWARDS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10369275

19,100 miles · Nov 19, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL GAUGE READS ZERO AFTER FILLING UP AND LOW FUEL WARNING LIGHT IS ON. ALSO SERVICE ENGINE SOON WARNING LIGHT IS ON. ODB CODE 0463. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10366924

60,000 miles · Nov 19, 2010
Fuel System, Other

THE GAS GAUGE NO LONGER REGISTERS THE ACCURATE GASOLINE LEVEL IN THE TANK AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR 2006 AND 2008 MODELS BUT NOT FOR 2007. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THE WEB FROM OTHER NISSAN OWNERS ON THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10366887

43,000 miles · Nov 3, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT ON MY XTERRA CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. BORROWING AN AUTOPART STORES COMPUTER, I FOUND OUT MY ENGINE WAS SHOWING ERROR CODE P0463. AFTER A LITTLE RESEARCH I DISCOVERED THAT IT MEANT MY FUEL LEVEL SENSOR WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND THAT, WHILE NO REAL THREAT TO MY SAFETY WAS POSED OTHER THAN POSSIBLY RUNNING OUT O…

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THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT ON MY XTERRA CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. BORROWING AN AUTOPART STORES COMPUTER, I FOUND OUT MY ENGINE WAS SHOWING ERROR CODE P0463. AFTER A LITTLE RESEARCH I DISCOVERED THAT IT MEANT MY FUEL LEVEL SENSOR WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND THAT, WHILE NO REAL THREAT TO MY SAFETY WAS POSED OTHER THAN POSSIBLY RUNNING OUT OF GAS BY SURPRISE, IT SEEMS THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH XTERRAS AND PATHFINDERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10363902

38,000 miles · Nov 3, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

WHEN GAS TANK GETS TO 1/4 MARK THE GAS TANK EMPTY LIGHT COMES ON THE THE GAS GAUGE STOPS WORKING. SHORTLY AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. THE SAME THING HAPPENS WHEN I FILL MY GAS TANK UP WHEN IT IS AT A 1/2 TANK. THE GAS GAUGE DROPS TO EMPTY, THE GAS TANK EMPTY LIGHT COMES ON AND THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THERE IS A…

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WHEN GAS TANK GETS TO 1/4 MARK THE GAS TANK EMPTY LIGHT COMES ON THE THE GAS GAUGE STOPS WORKING. SHORTLY AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. THE SAME THING HAPPENS WHEN I FILL MY GAS TANK UP WHEN IT IS AT A 1/2 TANK. THE GAS GAUGE DROPS TO EMPTY, THE GAS TANK EMPTY LIGHT COMES ON AND THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THERE IS A RECALL OUT FROM NISSAN FOR 2006 AND 2008 XTERRAS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. FOR SOME REASON NISSAN SKIPPED THEIR 2007 XTERRA MODEL ON THIS RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10363874

86,000 miles · Oct 25, 2010
Parking BrakeService Brakes, Hydraulic

MY VEHICLE HAS DEGRADED BRAKING PERFORMANCE. I INVESTIGATED AND DISCOVERED GEAR-OIL LEAKING FROM REAR AXLE ONTO BREAK ROTORS. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALS THIS IS AN EPIDEMIC. NHTSA ITEM NUMBER 10033306 INDICATES THAT THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM FOR 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE AND DEGRADED BREAKING P…

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MY VEHICLE HAS DEGRADED BRAKING PERFORMANCE. I INVESTIGATED AND DISCOVERED GEAR-OIL LEAKING FROM REAR AXLE ONTO BREAK ROTORS. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALS THIS IS AN EPIDEMIC. NHTSA ITEM NUMBER 10033306 INDICATES THAT THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM FOR 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE AND DEGRADED BREAKING PERFORMANCE HAS PROBABLY CONTRIBUTED TO NUMEROUS ACCIDENTS ALREADY. IT MAY HAVE ALREADY RESULTED IN FATALITIES. AS A REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER, I URGE YOU TO INITIATE A RECALL OF ALL VEHICLES PRONE TO THIS DEFECT. IT CAN BE ELIMINATED BY SIMPLY REPLACING DEFECTIVE REAR-AXLE SEALS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10362310

47,000 miles · Oct 1, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

MY 2007 NISSAN XTERRA (47,000MILES) JUST STOPPED (NO POWER WHEN GAS PEDAL IS DEPRESSED) WHILE ON THE FREEWAY DURING A BUSY TIME... I HAD TO TRY TO GET TO THE SHOULDER AND WAS VERY DANGEROUS. LUCKILY THE CARS AROUND ME WERE PAYING ATTENTION AND A HUGE ACCIDENT WAS AVOIDED. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ON THE NET, APPARENTLY THIS IS…

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MY 2007 NISSAN XTERRA (47,000MILES) JUST STOPPED (NO POWER WHEN GAS PEDAL IS DEPRESSED) WHILE ON THE FREEWAY DURING A BUSY TIME... I HAD TO TRY TO GET TO THE SHOULDER AND WAS VERY DANGEROUS. LUCKILY THE CARS AROUND ME WERE PAYING ATTENTION AND A HUGE ACCIDENT WAS AVOIDED. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ON THE NET, APPARENTLY THIS IS COMMON WITH THIS VEHICLE AND PREVIOUS MODELS(WHICH WERE ISSUED RECALLS). THE FUEL SENDING UNIT APPARENTLY HAS AN ISSUE WHERE IT STOPS SENDING FUEL THROUGH TO THE ENGINE, WITHOUT ANY WARNING OR NOTICE....THIS IS LIFE THREATENING AND UNACCEPTABLE.. THIS NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF BEFORE PEOPLE DIE AT THE HANDS OF A FAULTY 20 DOLLAR PART. PLEASE PLEASE FORWARD THIS OR ADD IT TO THE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS I HOPE ARE LISTED... AND THANK YOU.. SO FAR I HAVE ACCUMULATED TOWING BILLS, RENTAL CAR BILLS, AND NOW HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE WEEKDAY UNTIL NISSAN CAN "TALK" TO SOMEONE IN THE TECH DEPT.. THE DEALERSHIPS NEED TO BE MADE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND THE OWNERS NEED TO BE CONTACTED IMMEDIATELY... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10358784

80,000 miles · Sep 24, 2010
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN THE HORN WAS ENGAGED AND IT FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT STATED THE HORN WOULD ENGAGE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN THE HORN WAS ENGAGED AND IT FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT STATED THE HORN WOULD ENGAGE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE SPIRAL CABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATED 04/01/11

NHTSA ODI #10357377

55,000 miles · Sep 22, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

I HAD 1/4 OF A TANK OF GAS AND WENT TO FILL UP. AFTER FILLING UP MY GAS TANK, I TURNED ON THE CAR, AT WHICH POINT THE NEEDLE DID NOT REGISTER THE FULL TANK. AFTER DRIVING A COUPLE MILES, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WENT DIRECTLY TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A FUEL SENDING UNIT/SENSOR AND THAT IT WAS NO LONGER COV…

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I HAD 1/4 OF A TANK OF GAS AND WENT TO FILL UP. AFTER FILLING UP MY GAS TANK, I TURNED ON THE CAR, AT WHICH POINT THE NEEDLE DID NOT REGISTER THE FULL TANK. AFTER DRIVING A COUPLE MILES, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WENT DIRECTLY TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A FUEL SENDING UNIT/SENSOR AND THAT IT WAS NO LONGER COVERED AFTER 30K MILES. AFTER RETURNING HOME AND DOING RESEARCH, I WENT ONLINE TO X.NISSANHELP.COM AFTER PERFORMING A SEARCH, I CAME ACROSS MANY OTHERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. APPARENTLY IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. A SIMILAR PROBLEM WAS FOUND ON THE 2000-2004 XTERRA MODELS AND A RECALL WAS PERFORMED WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD STOP AFTER NOT GETTING ANY FUEL, POSING A GREAT DANGER. IT SEEMS THAT SOMETHING IN THE UNIT IS FAULTY AND WILL CORRODE OVER TIME. THERE IS A GENERAL CONSENSUS THAT EVERYONE WHO IS HAVING THE PROBLEM IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE FOR OVER 2 YRS AND WITH AROUND 39K-49K. IF THIS PROBLEM EXISTED IN PREVIOUS MODELS, AND IT WAS RECALLED, THE 2005-2007 XTERRAS, FRONTIERS, AND PATHFINDERS SHOULD GET THIS FIXED AT NO CHARGE TO THE CUSTOMER!! COST OF REPAIR IS $490. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10356979

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.