CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2005-2007 Xterra appears to have a widespread defect where coolant leaks into the transmission, causing transmission failure around 90,000 miles. Repair costs are typically upwards of $3,500.

The same defect exists in the Pathfinder & Frontier as well. And according to the New York Times & a class action lawsuit, the defect actually extends through 2010 model year. More info here.

1.4

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
126,037 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2007 Nissan Xterra engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2007 Nissan Xterra:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2007 Nissan Xterra Owner Comments

problem #7

Nov 072018

Xterra

  • 156,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My air bag light says on in the dash and the passenger seat belt dose not show anyone in the seat. My cruse control works some times if I am on the highway it will not work if I shut the car off and then restart it it will work

- Tenafly, NJ, USA

problem #6

Apr 042016

Xterra

  • 158,000 miles
My family and I was going down a big hill when the transmission went to the lowest gear on its own almost stopping us dead in its tracks 20 mph and we was on the interstate making big semi trucks locking brakes and almost hitting us running 70 plus mph. My daughter in the back, so we made it to the side of the road shut it off and we was fine agin.I took it home and transmission fluid was in the radiator, then looking on the internet thousands of Nissan are hav ing the same problems but yet no recalls!!! it almost cost our lives for a company to sorry to fix their product! so what do I do im scared to drive it help asap

- Morehead, KY, USA

problem #5

Jun 242015

Xterra

  • 113,000 miles
I was driving on the innerloop of the beltway 495 from falls church va, to Chevy chase md after work around 330pm. I was on the middle lane on the american legion bridge when all of a sudden my truck lost power and I had no control or was able to accelerate. The RPM's were moving but the truck barely moved. I put my hazards on and slowly moved to the right shoulder where other cars could have hit me. Nissan's failure to recognize the seriousness of this faulty radiator that has affected the transmissions of both the Xterra's, pathfinders, and frontiers is unacceptable. I was told that since I am over 100,000 and that I am not covered under this warranty for Nissan's issue. I want to make sure you are aware that this could possible lead to a more serious accident with these transmission issues.

- Chevy Chase, MD, USA

problem #4

Dec 302013

Xterra 6-cyl

  • 109,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have a 2007 Nissan Xterra which started to "stutter" and hesitate when pressing the gas. The car almost felt like it was shutting off while on I-4 highway. The shuts down and wont start. I had the car checking and found out that there was a crack in my radiator and that the fluid had leaked over into the transmission. I had the radiator replaced, a few months later, transmission is still not working. I took the car to Nissan, they told me I would have to replace the whole transmission which would run about $5200. I called the Nissan headquarters and was told that there was nothing they could do because my truck was at 109,000 miles.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #3

Sep 212013

Xterra 6-cyl

  • 95,800 miles
Engine coolant got into transmission. Lost control of vehicle for a moment on several occasions. Felt like I hit black ice. Transmission was not working properly.

- Windsor, CA, USA

problem #2

Jul 062013

Xterra 6-cyl

  • 121,460 miles
Earlier last week, I went to southern cal to take care of some business. Upon returning home, I was in heavy traffic and traveling betw speeds of 35-40 mph. When traffic speed increased, I tried to accelerate but had difficulty. When I stepped on the gas pedal, the rmp"?S increased but my speed would not. Upon returning home I noticed that I had a light oily film on my back window. During the trip no warning lights came on. On July 5th that ??service engine soon?? light came on. I called for an appt and one was scheduled for me July 6th. I told the dealership rep. What I had experienced earlier in the week and what I was still experiencing. The rep made statement about leaky transmission fluid and he took my car for a diagnostic test. A few hours later, the rep called to inform me that my radiator failed. He then stated that as a result of my radiator failing that the radiator fluid mixed with the transmission fluid. As a result, I would have to replace both the radiator and transmission costing approximately $6800. How can this be since I get my car serviced regularly" this does not appear to be normal wear and tear on my vehicle. Through no fault of my own, I believe that this engineering / manufacturing defect where over time it allows fluids to mix from one chamber into the other. I truly believe that since this is an inherent problem with 3 generations on three separate models of Nissan cars, that it should be a recalled item. However, I want it to be made known that this is definitely a safety issue because when my radiator failed I was several hundreds miles away from home and on the freeway.

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #1

Apr 182012

Xterra 6-cyl

  • 129,000 miles
Started smelling a burning smell. Noticed a fluid leaking under the car. Dealership said transmission needed to be replaced but didn't give any further details. Topped off transmission fluid since it was low. 30 miles later, while doing 65 mph on the freeway in traffic, the car suddenly slipped out of gear and slowed drastically almost causing the car behind me to rear end me. I slowed and it popped back into gear. I got it off the freeway and was then able to barely get it into a parking lot. I had it towed to a repair shop and was informed that fluid from the radiator was leaking into the transmission which damaged the transmission. I went back to the Nissan dealer and they apologized for not providing me all of the details and stated that Nissan is aware of the "design flaw in the radiator" but is not covering any of the repairs.

- Canyon Country, CA, USA

Not what you are looking for?