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full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Nissan Xterra engine problems
moderate 103 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
103
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
When does it fail?
Of the 103 engine complaints filed for the 2007 Nissan Xterra, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 103 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 6 model years of Nissan Xterra in our records for engine problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
OBD II EVAP Tube Warranty Enhancement The update below was sent out to Regions and Dealers in August of this year. We are re-circulating this update to make regional and dealer personnel aware that we are re-notifying customers at this time.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SERVICE INFORMATION After ECM reprogramming, the Calibration Verification Number (CVN) needs to be automatically calculated prior to State emissions testing (also known as Inspection Maintainence, I/M, or SMOG testing depending upon location). Allowing the vehicle to idle for 22 minutes will allow for faster CVN calculation. It is recommended that customers utilize this method if the vehicle needs to be tested for emissions soon after ECM reprogramming. See this bulletin for further detail.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗NISSAN: BLOWER MOTOR DOES NOT WORK. THE BLOWER MOTOR FOR HEATER AND AIR CONDITIONER DOES NOT OPERATE. THERE ARE SIGNS OF WATER INTRUSION IN THE BLOWER MOTOR.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗BUZZING/WHINING NOISE FROM TIMING CHAIN AREA.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2007 Nissan Xterra engine-system complaints cluster overwhelmingly around a single failure: the transmission cooler built into the radiator cracks, allowing coolant to seep into the transmission fluid. This cross-contamination ruins the transmission and radiator; repairs run $5,000–$8,500. Owners report the problem surfaces between 80,000 and 126,000 miles, though symptoms often appear suddenly—violent shuddering, hard shifting, loss of power, stalling, or a vehicle that won't start. Many describe colored fluid leaking from underneath, milky radiator caps, and check-engine lights. Nissan issued an extended warranty to 80,000–100,000 miles with a $1,000–$3,000 deductible following a settled class action lawsuit, but owners who discovered the problem just beyond those mileage thresholds were denied coverage entirely. Dealership technicians openly acknowledge the defect as widespread and known, yet service advisors typically do not inform owners during routine maintenance despite having access to Nissan's internal memos and service bulletins.
Secondary timing chain guides—designed from plastic—wear prematurely and rattle loudly under acceleration starting around 40,000 miles. A service bulletin exists for this known issue, yet Nissan marketed the engine as using a durable timing chain rather than a belt, a sales feature contradicted by the design's failure. Fuel gauge sensors also malfunction, sticking on empty or failing to register, affecting multiple units.
Same Nissan Xterra engine reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission cooler/radiator cross-contamination leading to transmission failure
ATF line embedded in the radiator cracks, allowing coolant to leak into transmission fluid and vice versa. This causes transmission fluid to become milky/contaminated, destroying internal transmission components including clutches, which de-laminate and rust. The transmission typically fails to shift, slips gears, shudders under acceleration, or refuses to engage.
When: 80,000–126,000 miles; commonly manifests around 90,000–100,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Violent shuddering at speeds above 40–50 mph, like driving over rumble strips; Hard shifting, especially in overdrive; Transmission slipping or refusing to shift into gear; Check engine light illumination; Loss of power while accelerating or merging; Loud grinding, whining, or revving noise; Vehicle stalling without warning; Purple/green/gray fluid pooling under vehicle; Milky-looking fluid in radiator or transmission caps
Codes mentioned: P0000 (generic transmission fault code context)
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission rebuild or replacement ($5,000–$8,500); radiator replacement ($500–$700); complete flush of cooling and transmission lines. Owners report extended warranty program covers vehicles under 80,000–100,000 miles with $1,000–$3,000 deductible; vehicles over warranty threshold receive no manufacturer support.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan issued warranty extension letters to some owners stating coverage up to 80,000 or 100,000 miles depending on model year. Class action lawsuit settled with extended warranty and deductible structure; no full recall issued. Service bulletins exist but dealers do not proactively communicate defect to owners during routine service.
Timing chain and guide wear causing engine noise
Secondary timing chain guides made of plastic wear prematurely, causing the chain to rattle and whine. The guides are a known design flaw per service bulletin. Nissan was aware but marketed the engine as having a timing chain (rather than belt) for durability, contradicting the actual design problem.
When: 40,000–62,000 miles reported; some owners report noise for thousands of miles before diagnosis
Symptoms owners cite: High-pitched whining or revving noise under acceleration; Audible rattling or knocking from engine; Check engine light illumination; Engine may stall on highway in severe cases
Codes mentioned: Service Bulletin issued (specific code not named in narratives)
Repairs/costs cited: Timing chain, guides, and associated components replacement: ~$2,000. Owners report Nissan dealers are aware of the issue and perform this repair monthly, confirming it is widespread.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan issued a Service Bulletin describing the issue and symptoms; no recall issued. Dealers acknowledge the known issue but do not volunteer information unless customer complains. Warranty coverage varies; owner reports extended warranty in effect at 46,000 miles but is denied coverage by dealership.
Fuel gauge sensor malfunction
Fuel gauge fails to register correctly. Gauge reads empty (E) or stuck on E when tank is full, or takes a very long time to register fuel level. Check engine light illuminates due to fuel sending unit/sensor error code. Affects multiple 2007 Xterra models.
When: Varies; one owner reports ongoing for ~1 year at time of complaint
Symptoms owners cite: Fuel gauge stuck on E or does not register full tank; Check engine light on intermittently or constantly; Owner runs out of gas unexpectedly; Gauge is unpredictable 90% of the time
Codes mentioned: P0460 (fuel level sensor circuit malfunction) or similar, Error code: Fuel Sending Unit/Sensor
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel gauge sender/sensor replacement. Nissan recommends keeping half-tank minimum. Owners report 53,000 people affected based on online research.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Voluntary recall was mentioned in one narrative but owner was told no recall exists. No proactive notification found in narratives.
Transmission control unit (TCU) failure due to coolant contamination
Transmission control module/ECU is damaged when coolant from the cracked radiator enters the transmission system, contaminating the transmission cooler and causing coolant to reach the TCU. The TCU becomes 'fried' or the automatic transmission fuses repeatedly blow.
When: Concurrent with radiator/transmission contamination; typically 80,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not crank despite gauges, horn, and lights functioning; Automatic transmission fuses blow repeatedly; Milky-looking radiator fluid; Check engine light
Codes mentioned: Transmission fuse circuit fault
Repairs/costs cited: TCU replacement cost not specified in narratives; bundled with transmission and radiator repairs totaling $5,000–$8,500.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan offers no support; decline to assist owners. One narrative mentions internal memo regarding the issue but manufacturer refuses to cover repairs outside warranty window.
Secondary timing chain gasket leak causing oil odor and internal leak
Secondary timing chain gasket leaks internally, causing oil to seep and produce a foul odor when the vehicle is first started. This is a separate but related timing system defect.
When: Early in vehicle ownership; one owner with 4,000 miles over 2 years
Symptoms owners cite: Foul/awful smell when starting vehicle (persistent); Internal oil leak; No external warning signs until inspection
Repairs/costs cited: Secondary timing chain and gasket replacement required; exact cost not stated in narrative. One mechanic (former Nissan technician) identified the defect.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan Consumer Affairs directs owner to dealer for inspection but owner must pay for diagnosis. Dealership gives 'run around' per narrative.
VDC and Slip light intermittent illumination
Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) and Slip lights illuminate together at random startup times and remain on until engine is shut off. On subsequent startup, only VDC light appears. Lights eventually turn off during driving. Issue persists despite prior repairs.
When: Present since purchase; owner reports taking in for repair twice with no permanent fix
Symptoms owners cite: VDC and Slip lights illuminate together randomly at startup; Lights stay on until engine shut off; On next startup, only VDC light appears; Lights eventually turn off during driving
Codes mentioned: VDC system fault, Slip control fault
Repairs/costs cited: Sensor adjusted twice by dealership without resolution. Out-of-warranty repair estimate: $1,000.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership has attempted sensor adjustments without success; no permanent fix or recall mentioned.
Synthesized from 103 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
I have a 2007 Nissan xterra brought used @ carmax of white marsh md. I have had the car for 3yrs now and have had its regular check and routine oil change. In november the car started with this strange and load noise. I had new tierd replaced and took it back to the place to see if that was the problem, after persistence and taking the car back because it would skip and pull. The autoshop did a…
Sudden loud noises/banging while driving. Pulled over, had vehicle towed to mechanic. Radiator found to be cracked. Radiator fluid leaked into and contaminated transmission causing sudden transmission failure. Learned Nissan was/is aware of this problem and has not notified anyone of preventative measures to prevent failure of transmission. "extended warranty" resulting from class action lawsuit…
I am very disappointed and disgusted with the way Nissan has handled this problem. My xterra 2007's transmission did not go bad until it reached over 120k miles. My wife was driving cross country with my children and all of the sudden she felt the gears slipping while driving in a major interstate. Luckily she was able to drive home safe. I found out shortly after this almost catastrophic…
I bought my 07 xterra 6 months ago from transitowne amherst and the dealership told me nothing was wrong with the vehicle. Now 6 months down the road the transmission has gone terminal due to the known problem where coolant leaks into the transmission and causes it to fail. I believe any dealership should have checked to make sure that a vehicle they were selling would not have this issue before…
My 2007 xterra with 62k miles began making a whining noise when accelerating . Not sure what it was I took it to the Nissan dealer where I get all my major services done .the technician took a look at the problem and within min notify me it is the timing belt chain and guides , known issue for my Nissan xterra . When I ask him if he is sure he confirm he does few of this every month and that…
Had engine trouble with your 2007 Nissan Xterra?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2007 Nissan Xterra?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 103 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 84 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 84,000 and 125,000 miles, with the median around 100,816. A quarter of owners report trouble before 84,000; a quarter make it past 125,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2007/Nissan/Xterra.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.