Is the 2007 Nissan Xterra a bad year?
557 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 231, 23× a quiet Xterra year.
Consider selling
Half of all transmission complaints about the 2007 Nissan Xterra were filed between 95k and 130k miles. You're at 110,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2007 Xterra owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 110,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 231 (41%) | 95k–130k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 148 (27%) | 87k–125k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical system | 27 (5%) | 61k–112k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Air bags | 26 (5%) | 21k–142k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine and cooling | 10 (2%) | 90k–126k miles · around this mileage | Water pump replacement $400–$1,106 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Speed control | 7 (1%) | 96k–130k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Brakes | 6 (1%) | 18k–116k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Steering | 6 (1%) | 42k–110k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 228 (41%) | 44k–83k miles · mostly behind | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Suspension | 11 (2%) | 13k–90k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Stability control | 6 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 5 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 110,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 557 complaints: 3 mention a crash · 3 mention a fire · 5 report an injury · 7 say the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Oct 2025.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
My car was jarring and making a rumbling noise so I took it in to get fixed. There was water detected in my transmission so I had it flushed twice.
This is one of the many transmission issues with 2007 xterras where the coolant leaks into the transmission and destroys it.
The radiator fluid and transmission fluid have some how mixed together cause damage to both my radiator and transmission.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 110,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2007 Nissan Xterra: 2
The lower control link assembly has two cylindrical collars forming the inboard attachment points to the chassis. Due to an improper welding process some collars may contain welds that do not meet strength specifications. If the collar weld separates, the vehicle handling will deteriorate, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
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. 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.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Nissan: 60
Repair instructions Nissan sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2007 Nissan Xterra. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Replacement 5-speed rear wheel drive Automatic Transmission (A/T) assemblies and replacement control valves…
When diagnosing possible power steering gear (rack and pinion steering rack, or steering rack) leak issues…
Oil leaking from transfer case
Vehicle key not detected / authenticated, engine will not start
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Transmission Failures
Neighbouring years
2006 Xterra: 780 complaints, consider selling · 2008 Xterra: 118 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission.
Every Nissan Xterra year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · All Xterra years side by side
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Questions
Is the 2007 Nissan Xterra a bad year?
557 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 231, 23× a quiet Xterra year. At 110,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all transmission complaints about the 2007 Nissan Xterra were filed between 95k and 130k miles. You're at 110,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2007 Nissan Xterra?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (231), engine (148), electrical system (27), air bags (26), engine and cooling (10). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 95k–130k miles.
How many recalls does the 2007 Nissan Xterra have?
2 recall campaigns list this model year: Suspension (NHTSA 10E019000), Air bags (NHTSA 08V-690). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.