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.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
94,952 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 (Page 3 of 5)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #44

Dec 182015

Xterra

  • 149,921 miles

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

Car transmission is slipping and stop moving. Transmission oil leak. Radiator water leak.

- Royal Oak, MI, USA

problem #43

Nov 022015

Xterra

  • 57,000 miles
I purchased this vehicle at staten island Nissan exactly two years ago. Since then, I've only put 4,000 miles on it. I've always smelled something a bit awful when first starting the vehicle. During it's last inspection it was determined that it needed new rotors. While getting the rotors replaced, a mechanic who'd formerly worked at Nissan had determined noticed that the secondary timing chain and gasket were bad, causing an internal leak. After brief research, I've discovered that this has been a common problem that Nissan has not been informing their consumers and this is a very dangerous/expensive manufacturer's defect. I've since placed several calls to staten island Nissan and have been receiving the run around. I've also contacted their Consumer Affairs department who'd informed me to take it to a Nissan dealership to get it inspected. I have to pay for the inspection.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #42

Aug 012015

Xterra

  • 146,000 miles
The contact owns a 2007 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that while attempting to shift, the vehicle started to shake violently. After inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the radiator was leaking coolant into the transmission. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 146,000.

- Falmouth, ME, USA

problem #41

Aug 212015

Xterra

  • 144,000 miles

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

While driving the vehicle stalled. It turned out to be the radiator leaking coolant into the transmission and fried the transmission. This is apparently a common problem in Nissan. When taken to the local mechanic he said it would cost $5000 plus to fix this problem.

- Vero Beach, FL, USA

problem #40

Jul 282015

Xterra

  • 69,700 miles
Stopped at Nissan dealer to trade 2007 Xterra. Dealer told me my timing chain needed to be replaced at a cost of $2,000 to $3,000. Nissan issued technical service bulletin ntb09-128. Independent mechanic told me if chain fails valve train and engine will be ruined and could cause accident if failure occurs while driving.

- Jim Thorpe, PA, USA

problem #39

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 #38

Feb 182015

Xterra

  • miles

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

Transmission over heats due to radiator hose corrosion.

- Highlands, TX, USA

problem #37

Jun 082015

Xterra

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2007 Nissan Xterra. While driving 60 mph, the service engine warning light illuminated intermittently. The failure recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.

- Corpus Christie, TX, USA

problem #36

Apr 242015

Xterra

  • 132,000 miles
A hesitation in the vehicle's acceleration began occurring frequently upon depressing the accelerator after a full stop at a stop sign or red light, but not at any other time in driving the vehicle. The problem was first noted when departing the dealership after which a new timing chain had been replaced. When reviewed by the dealership upon return to the service area (another appointment had been made at later time), a loss of over one quart of transmission fluid was detected (over what time period was unclear), but no known source of external leakage was found. This led to the conclusion that internal leakage was very likely occurring. Due to the many instances of radiator cracks and toxic mixing of fluids among similar year models (mid-2000 model years of Nissan Xterra), the dealership recommended that the radiator be replaced and the transmission thoroughly flushed, which might prevent the transmission from requiring a complete overhaul in the future - although there are no guarantees. This work was completed for a total of $1500 including discount; the incident occurred well after the extended warranty provided by the manufacturer for resolving issues that had been experienced by others, hence the dealership's charges. A request was nonetheless made to get reimbursed by the manufacturer (Nissan), currently under review. It is possible that this issue was dealt with at a very early stage and might therefore result in a lower probability of transmission problems in the future, which could cost several thousand dollars ($6-7,000 or more). Other drivers/owners have typically experienced more severe issues, such as shaking/stalling vehicles and/or illuminated dashboard lights indicating engine problems.

- Palm Springs, CA, USA

problem #35

Aug 142014

Xterra

  • 150 miles
The vehicle has an oil leakage that destroy the engine. The dealer does not feel its their responsibility. However buying a new car I feel it should last more than 5yrs.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #34

Apr 032015

Xterra 6-cyl

  • 106,000 miles

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

My car began shuttering bad enough that I was afraid that it was going to stall or that I would get into an accident. Thankfully, I didn't I found out that a faulty radiator leaked into the transmission. Apparently, this is a well known problem. I am being told by Nissan that it will cost $7,000 to repair/replace the radiator, hoses, transmission etc. My mileage is just over 106,000 miles so, like everyone else, I will get no help from Nissan in making these repairs. I can't afford to fix it at this time so it will have to sit and wait while I will pray that there is a recall soon.

- Vancouver, WA, USA

problem #33

Feb 232015

Xterra 6-cyl

  • 109,000 miles
Transmission and radiator defect-internal leakage between the 2 engine parts -Nissan did not notify me, the original owner, of the defect or of the successful lawsuit against them for this problem.

- Mountain Home, AR, USA

problem #32

Jan 282015

Xterra

  • 104,332 miles
I park the car and when I came back couldn't start. Thought it was a battery problem. Tried jump start with my other car, no luck. Left in the parking lot for a few days. Came back and hook my code reader and it shows U1000. U1000 is ground harness problem. I tried to clean the battery terminals both sides but no luck. So towed the car to darcars Nissan and they told me need to replace radiator and transmission. They said will cost $4700".so I started researching and found out that Nissan Xterra 2005-2007 and even new models had radiation fluid leak into transmission. So how am I supposed to know if I have harness grounding problems or ?radiation fluid leak into transmission? dang. Darcars Nissan service center never mentioned anything about code U1000 when we took the car. So now what??"

- Montgomery Village, MD, USA

problem #31

Oct 272014

Xterra

  • 96,723 miles
I noticed a vibration, like you were driving on the rumble strip on the side of the road between 40 and 50 mph, at around 2000 RPM and the transmission would not switch into overdrive. I took it into the dealership and the service tech diagnosed the problem, cooler system failure, in about 5 minutes after taking one look at the transmission fluid and coolant. The cooler had failed leaking coolant into the transmission fluid and vice versa. They replaced the transmission and cooler assembly. I had just under 97,000 miles on the vehicle and had to pay $3300 for the repairs. I am very disappointed in Nissan and how they have handled what is clearly a prevalent and known issue with cooler failures in certain models. A $3000 deductible (plus tax) that expires at 100,000 miles for an issue that's known to occur at close to 100,000 miles is not much of a consolation.

- Hendersonville, TN, USA

problem #30

Dec 082014

Xterra

  • miles
It has same problems as all the 02-08 Xterras but you wont issue recalls on fuel sensor, radiator leaking into tranny, air bag sensors, control arm. Thanks for letting loyal Nissan owners down!!!!

- Mulberry, IN, USA

problem #29

Oct 032014

Xterra 6-cyl

  • 125,000 miles
The radiator fluid leaked into the transmission and ruined the transmission and valve body assembly. The car will not run and stalled out in an intersection.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #28

Aug 072014

Xterra 6-cyl

  • 150,000 miles
Engine coolant and transmission fluid mixing causing overheating and transmission failures.

- Okatie, SC, USA

problem #27

Jan 012014

Xterra

  • 114,000 miles
The first time I noticed something wrong with the transmission, the vehicle would make a large vibrating sound at random times. This would keep getting worse until I had to bring it to a shop, overall just about a week. I was told the transmission and radiator fluids were mixing and that I needed a fluid flush a long with a new radiator. About 6 months later, my car just wouldn't start one morning. I take it to the shop again, hoping it is just a minor fix this time. This time there is something wrong with the transmission and computer system. Luckily I wasn't driving when this happened, otherwise who knows what damage it would have caused to the car or to me.

- Johnson City, TN, USA

problem #26

Jun 092014

Xterra 6-cyl

  • 150,000 miles
Radiator leaked into the transmission.

- Kyle, TX, USA

problem #25

Jul 152013

Xterra 6-cyl

  • 80,000 miles
I have researched and found many other have had the same issue with the fuel sensor on 2007 Xterra. Last gen was recalled and they need to recall this year. I have ran out of gas twice already while driving down the highway. I am also having a loud wining noise coming from the engine due to a failed timing chain tensioner. Both these items need to be recalled before somebody gets killed.

- Warren , OH, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?