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

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2007 Nissan Xterra Owner Comments (Page 1 of 5)

problem #84

Apr 122023

Xterra

  • miles

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

The vehicle was driving just fine, then about a month later the heat gauge started to fluctuate, i replaced the radiator caps, thermostat...it ran good for another month, started to overheat....i made sure water was in radiator and overflow...about a month went by the gauge started to fluctuate again, i had it towed to sayre auto parts in sayre, al to have a water pump installed and the mechanic told me their is now there is water in my oil, meaning a cracked head gasket...the vehicle never got over the 3/4 mark on gauge and this is the 2nd vehicle ive purchased that the same thing has happened to.

- Sumiton, AL, USA

problem #83

Oct 062021

Xterra

  • miles
The radiator has cracked at the top which caused me to break down because the car stopped moving.

- Hockley, TX, USA

problem #82

Jul 052020

Xterra 6-cyl

  • 144,600 miles
Transmission fluid and anti freeze liquid mixed in both radiator and transmission and disabled the vehicle while driving the vehicle. Almost caused an accident.

- Tulsa, OK, USA

problem #81

Jul 242019

Xterra 6-cyl

  • 110,000 miles

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

Purchased this vehicle July 2019 from owner. After 3 weeks transmission started acting weird while on vacation transmission seized due too coolant leaking from radiator cooler into transmission. Total repairs tow costs and rental car rental exceed $5000. I understand there was a recall on this vehicle for transmission and cooling system related problems. This vehicle only had approx. 100,000 miles on it when purchased. And only has approx. 128,000 on it. Now. Can I get any type of reimbursement for costs paid out of pocket"??"

- Murphy, NC, USA

problem #80

Sep 162017

Xterra

  • 19,844 miles
I kelp vehicle regularly mantianced shut it off one evening next morning it would start when finally started it wouldn't pull in 1st gear. Took it to transmission shop and found out that a crack had accured and there was coolant mixed with transmission fluid.so 3 days after I pd it off on a 3 yr payment plan it broke down on me. Very hard to find D a placement and someone who will do work on it bc it's so commo

- Ivey, GA, USA

problem #79

Jul 172019

Xterra

  • miles
Radiator defect caused transmission failure.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #78

Mar 272019

Xterra

  • 160,000 miles

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

In March 2019 the transmission started getting sluggish while dropping my daughter at school one day. Eventually it would not switch gears as I pulled in my driveway from my 1.5 mile trip to/from the school. Eventually it wouldn't even start in my driveway even with good battery. Replaced a fuse for the transmission control module and was able to start the vehicle but it blew the fuse. Had my vehicle towed to our mechanic and he discovered discovered that the coolant mixed with transmission fluid and now I have to replace everything involved. Also, the mechanism that opens the tailgate/trunk door/liftgate will not stay open, especially in colder weather. It has hit several people in the head and is a definite hazard.

- Xenia, OH, USA

problem #77

Apr 092019

Xterra

  • 83,761 miles
The contact owns a 2007 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that the fuel gauge displayed empty when the fuel tank was filled. The failure occurred without warning and the fuel gauge remained on empty. In addition, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 83,761.

- Lewiston, ID, USA

problem #76

Nov 282018

Xterra

  • 165,780 miles
Transmission failure due to leak from radiator cooling system fluid intermixing with transmission fluid. Check engine light came on while driving, went to repair shop the code P0717 came up. Upon inspection by the repair shop it was determined that the transmission, radiator, and all hoses, etc. That interconnected the transmission and radiator had to be replaced.I live in California and the problem occured in Arizona.

- Yucca Valley, CA, USA

problem #75

Mar 102018

Xterra

  • miles
I had bought a used 2007 Nissan Xterra and the radiator and transmission went out on it. I do not have the money to fix it. It is not driveable. I had bought it im August of 2017 and it went out on me in March 2018. The dealership I bought it from can not help me.

- Mocksville, NC, USA

problem #74

Oct 182018

Xterra

  • 90,100 miles

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

The contact owns a 2007 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that the fuel gauge stopped working on the instrument panel and the check engine indicator began flashing. The contact stated that the vehicle started idling roughly and felt that it would shut off. The dealer (baker Nissan, 19630 northwest fwy, houston, tx 77065, (832) 604-3495) and the manufacturer stated that there was no recall on the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 90,100.

- Cypress, TX, USA

problem #73

Feb 092018

Xterra

  • 143,000 miles
Boch Nissan South ( formerly Nissan village)sold me a truck on March 30, 2013 where they rolled back the odometer & failed to mention 2 serious accidents in 2011 prior to my purchase March 2013. I believe we were shown a different car fax I was told it was the salesman's wife's truck that she had just traded in. I have had very serious issues that made no since for a truck that had been babyed by me. Complete enigen fire in febuary nuremous oil leaks & radiator mixing with the coolant oil past 10 months. I brought it into to nissian boch South of North attleboro in April they accused me of rolling back the odometer. I was horrified told them you guys sold me this truck. I went home and ordered a carfax and it clearly happened at the dealership when it went in for repairs on 2 accidents that I was not aware of! boch nissian thinks it's no big deal my 17 year old daughter was driving this truck she could have been in the fire and as a new driver may have panicked and gotten into a serious accident. I was driving on rt 1 North attleboro in February I had just had the valve gasket replaced. I was driving all of a sudden lost all power blank dash saw a ton of smoke coming out of the engine. I jumped out after rolling to the side of route 1 by the time the tow truck came it was simmering. It took over two weeks to repair wiring at patriot electrical in pawtucket ri new alternator, gasket cover replaced again. I thought we were buying a truck with 58,000 miles when in realty it was almost 90, 000 or more depending on far they rolled it it was 70,000 prior to my purchase when the 1st accident happened with the salesman's wife.

- North Attleboro, MA, USA

problem #72

Apr 062018

Xterra

  • 175,000 miles
Timing chain tensioners. This is the second time to replace in just a few years. This is a well documented issue online for the xterrra. Clearly this is a defect in either the car or the tennsioners. At a cost of over $2000 to repair this is an issue that is costly. This is a safety issue and should be covered under recalls.

- Clarksville, TN, USA

problem #71

Jan 312016

Xterra

  • 129,000 miles
I purchased my first vehicle in January 2016 at Kia depot of santa ana (now Kia of orange).. and I feel it is a safety hazard. One month after I purchased the vehicle, I noticed battery corrosion. About a week later I was driving and there was a loud thud that forced me off the road on a busy street and I had to call a tow truck. Turns out the emergency break was completed rusted and crumbled away from the car - this was not the only thing that was rusted I discovered. The entire undercarriage of the car is totally covered and being eaten alive by rust - this car was sold to me, by Kia, as a "as is" car - however, I refuse to let them hid behind that. Since I have bought this car, which was sold to me for a total of $12,592, monthly payments of $285.85- I found out that it was actually sitting in New York around the time of hurricane katrina - legally if its from a different state, they didn't have to disclose that to me & they didn't. so far I've had to get a new battery, new brakes, emergency brake is gone, new muffler, new sway bar, ac recharged, and just recently a piece of the leaf spring under the tire completely snapped off and broke in half while driving - these guys sold me a rusty nightmare and they have since closed up shop. Also the salesman padded my loan application and I just recently found out that is totally illegal - I do not want to wait until another piece of this thing falls apart on me again, I had my 7 year old niece in the car with me the first time when the emergency brake crumbled. I have left reviews and complaints - my next step is a attorney. Here is a report I filed on ripoff report -www.ripoffreport.com/reports/Kia-depot-of-santa-ana/santa-ana-California-92701/Kia-depot-of-santa-ana-sold-me-A-rusted-out-car-that-was-in-hurricane-sandy-santa-ana-ca-1312221

- Anaheim, CA, USA

problem #70

Nov 122016

Xterra

  • 155,534 miles
Transmission slipping, contamination in radiator. Vehicle is now rendered useless until transmission/radiator replacement.

- Jay, ME, USA

problem #69

Aug 202017

Xterra

  • 150,000 miles
Total transmission failure caused by a cracked radiator that allowed engine coolant to mix with transmission fluid. Cost to fix is more than the value of the vehicle. The defective radiator has no recall on it although the problem is well known to Nissan.

- Bella Vista, AR, USA

problem #68

Apr 132017

Xterra

  • miles
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.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #67

Feb 252017

Xterra

  • 148,000 miles
Radiator leaked into the transmission rendering both defective and in need of replacement. No heat when car not moving, transmission slipping and skipping while driving.

- Port Orchard, WA, USA

problem #66

Feb 062017

Xterra

  • 50,000 miles
Nissan dealer told me that the radiator fluids started to leak into the transmission and now the transmission needs to be replaced and it will cost $8000 dollars to fix

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #65

Oct 252016

Xterra 6-cyl

  • 76,510 miles
Took SUV to woodbury Nissan, hearing sounds when driving and no heat. The radiator coolant leaked into the transmission. Both needs to be replaced. There was never a recall or any notice to me in the 9 years I have had this from new.I feel Nissan should have recalled this, and consumers should not have to pay for a defect they knew about.

- Barrington, NJ, USA

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