SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

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
10,010 miles · Aug 12, 2017
Power Train

DRIVING AUTO STARTING MAKING NOISE LIKE GOING OVER RUMBLE STRIP, THEN WOULDN'T START BUT COULD BE STARTED BY CROSSING WIRES UNDER HOOD. TOOK TO DUTRO IN ZANESVILLE, THEY INSTALLED NEW COMPUTER SYSTEM. STILL WOULDN'T START,THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION FOR INTERMIX PROBLEM. 6000 DOLLARS. CONTACTED NISSAN THE BBB. NO HE…

Read full complaint

DRIVING AUTO STARTING MAKING NOISE LIKE GOING OVER RUMBLE STRIP, THEN WOULDN'T START BUT COULD BE STARTED BY CROSSING WIRES UNDER HOOD. TOOK TO DUTRO IN ZANESVILLE, THEY INSTALLED NEW COMPUTER SYSTEM. STILL WOULDN'T START,THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION FOR INTERMIX PROBLEM. 6000 DOLLARS. CONTACTED NISSAN THE BBB. NO HELP! 100100 MILES ON IT. NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL OR ANYTHING. SHOULDN'T THERE HAVE BEEN A RECAL?

NHTSA ODI #11014799

110,000 miles · Aug 1, 2017
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED 1/8 LESS FUEL IN THE TANK THAN THE PREVIOUS NIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE STARTED APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS AGO THAT THE FUEL GAUGE DID NOT REFLECT THE ACTUAL AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN IND…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED 1/8 LESS FUEL IN THE TANK THAN THE PREVIOUS NIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE STARTED APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS AGO THAT THE FUEL GAUGE DID NOT REFLECT THE ACTUAL AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC (FIRESTONE IN LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL SENDER MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 27901980. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ODI #11012064

Mileage unknown · Jul 17, 2017
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FLUID MIXING WITH COLLING ANTIFREEZER DUE TO A DEFECTIVE BAD DESIGNED RADIATOR,

NHTSA ODI #11005825

104,000 miles · Jun 26, 2017
Power Train

EXTERNAL TRANSMISSION COOLER/RADIATOR ASSEMBLY LEAK HAS CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION ON MY VEHICLE TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THE MIXING OF THE VEHICLE COOLANT AND THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE/TRANSMISSION BODY ASSEMBLY TO MALFUNCTION. THUS THE VEHICLE REFUSES TO START AS THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT OPERATE…

Read full complaint

EXTERNAL TRANSMISSION COOLER/RADIATOR ASSEMBLY LEAK HAS CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION ON MY VEHICLE TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THE MIXING OF THE VEHICLE COOLANT AND THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE/TRANSMISSION BODY ASSEMBLY TO MALFUNCTION. THUS THE VEHICLE REFUSES TO START AS THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT OPERATE. I AM NOW REQUIRED TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE AT MORE THAN $2K OUT OF POCKETPIN ADDITION TO TOWING AND RENTAL VEHICLE EXPENSES. THE VEHICLE RAN FINE AND NO SLIPPING WAS DETECTED PRIOR TO THE MALFUNCTION EVEN AFTER MULTIPLE TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGES. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE REQUIRING A TOW TO A MECHANIC AFTER RUNNING WITHOUT ANY ISSUES THE PREVIOUS DAY. APPARENTLY THIS IS A WIDESPREAD ISSUE THAT NISSAN HAS KNOWN ABOUT FOR YEARS IN THE XTERRA, PATHFINDER, TITAN, AND ARMADA MODELS. NISSAN FAILED TO NOTIFY VEHICLE OWNERS OF STEPS TO AVOID COSTLY REPAIRS BY SIMPLY USING A DIFFERENT NONCORRSIVE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID AND TO REPLACE THE FAULTY RADIATOR AND EXTERNAL TRANSMISSION COOLER ASSEMBLY. I AM NOW LEFT IN A GREATER UNDUE HARDSHIP THNKS TO NISSAN'S GROSS NEGLIGENCE REGARDING AN ALL TOO COMMON ISSUE THAT NISSAN FAILED TO ADDRESS WITH THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS AND DOCUMENTED EXAMPLES. THE EXTENSION OF THE WARRANTY DOES ADEQUATELY COVER VEHICLE OWNERS WHO ALL SEEM TO FALL VICTIM OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY COVERAGE PERIOD THAT NISSAN SPECIFICALLY INCREASED DUE TO THE FAULTY EQUIPMENT AND FLUIDS THAT NISSAN RECOMMENDED AND EVEN REQUIRED.

NHTSA ODI #11001563

100,000 miles · May 31, 2017
Fuel/propulsion System

FOR OVER A YEAR WE HAVE HAD A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON WITH CODE P0463, THE FUEL SENDER UNIT NEEDS REPLACED. OUR GAS GAUGE NEVER READS CORRECTLY AND HAS SAID WE HAVE HAD GAS WHEN WE DO NOT. SOMETIMES IT ALSO READS EMPTY RIGHT AFTER I FILL IT UP. AFTER MORE RESEARCH THIS IS A HIGHLY COMMON AND EXPENSIVE ISSUE FOR XTERRA OWNERS. I BE…

Read full complaint

FOR OVER A YEAR WE HAVE HAD A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON WITH CODE P0463, THE FUEL SENDER UNIT NEEDS REPLACED. OUR GAS GAUGE NEVER READS CORRECTLY AND HAS SAID WE HAVE HAD GAS WHEN WE DO NOT. SOMETIMES IT ALSO READS EMPTY RIGHT AFTER I FILL IT UP. AFTER MORE RESEARCH THIS IS A HIGHLY COMMON AND EXPENSIVE ISSUE FOR XTERRA OWNERS. I BELIEVE THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED FOR CUSTOMERS WITH THIS VEY COMMON PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10992498

5 miles · May 21, 2017
Power Train

FAULTY RADIATORS IN NISSANS ARE LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION, DESTROYING THE SEALS, VALVES AND TORQUE CONVERTER.

NHTSA ODI #10990833

152,000 miles · May 13, 2017
Unknown Or Other

MIXING OF RADIATOR COOLANT WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID BECAUSE OF RADIATOR PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ODI #10985543

Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 2017
EnginePower Train

NISSAN DEALERSHIP NOTIFIED ME ABOUT NEEDING TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE TIMING CHAIN SYSTEM. AFTER DOING RESEARCH, IT IS EVIDENT NISSAN KNEW ABOUT FAULTY TIMING CHAIN TENSIONERS AND GUIDES THAT IT WAS USING ON CERTAIN MODEL YEAR XTERRAS, INCLUDING 2007. IF TIMING CHAIN FAILS WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, IT CAN LEAD TO CATASTROPHIC ENGI…

Read full complaint

NISSAN DEALERSHIP NOTIFIED ME ABOUT NEEDING TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE TIMING CHAIN SYSTEM. AFTER DOING RESEARCH, IT IS EVIDENT NISSAN KNEW ABOUT FAULTY TIMING CHAIN TENSIONERS AND GUIDES THAT IT WAS USING ON CERTAIN MODEL YEAR XTERRAS, INCLUDING 2007. IF TIMING CHAIN FAILS WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, IT CAN LEAD TO CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE AND A $8000+ REPAIR BILL FOR A NEW ENGINE. NISSAN KNOWING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM SENT SERVICE BULLETINS TO ITS SERVICE CENTERS BUT DID NOT INFORM CONSUMERS ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THE TIMING CHAIN SHOULD BE GOOD FOR THE LIFE OF THE ENGINE, BUT NOW MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP IS TELLING ME IT IS GOING TO COST AT LEAST $1900 TO REPLACE THE TIMING CHAIN AND ALL COMPONENTS. NISSAN KNEW THE COMPONENTS ARE FAULTY AND YET DON'T CARE ENOUGH TO INFORM CONSUMERS. THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. NISSAN KNEW THAT THE TRANSMISSION COOLERS ON SAME MODEL YEAR WERE FAULTY AND DID NOT INFORM CONSUMERS. CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FORCED NISSAN TO FACE THE MUSIC, BUT CONSUMERS STILL HAD TO PAY OVER $2000 OUT OF POCKET TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION, TRANSMISSION COOLER, AND RADIATOR.

NHTSA ODI #10972194

89,000 miles · Apr 6, 2017
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THE GAUGE WOULD FAIL TO REGISTER THE PROPER FUEL LEVELS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF DUE TO NO FUEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL SENSOR …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THE GAUGE WOULD FAIL TO REGISTER THE PROPER FUEL LEVELS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF DUE TO NO FUEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL SENSOR AND THE FLOW IN THE FUEL TANK WAS NOT FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE FAILED THE STATE INSPECTION DUE TO AN ISSUE WITH THE FLOW GAUGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V075000 (FUEL SYSTEM,GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 89,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10970921

130,000 miles · Mar 5, 2017
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

FUEL GAUGE SENSOR IS NOT WORKING - SHOWS ON EMPTY EVEN AT FULL TANK. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT PERMANENTLY ON DUE TO THIS ISSUE

NHTSA ODI #10958669

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.