SERVICE INFORMATION Replacement 5-speed rear wheel drive Automatic Transmission (A/T) assemblies and replacement control valves (valve bodies) now come with blank Transmission Control Modules (TCMs). Blank TCMs come without software and must be programmed (not reprogrammed) and then configured after they are installed. When ordering a replacement A/T or control valve, use the Nissan electronic parts information systems to obtain the correct software program part number See this bulletin for further detail.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Nissan Xterra powertrain problems
moderate 172 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
172
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
1crash
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 172 powertrain complaints filed for the 2007 Nissan Xterra, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 125,000-150,000 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
Powertrain accounts for 31% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 8 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 172 powertrain 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.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain 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.
IF YOU CONFIRM: A remanufactured automatic transmission supplied by ATC Drivetrain is installed in an APPLIED VEHICLE AND CONSULT-III plus (C-III plus) is not able to communicate with the TCM through Diagnosis (One System) OR C-III plus is able to communicate with the TCM, but the TCM part number?s (P/N) sixth digit is a "5", "6", or "7" (for example, 31020-7xxxx). NOTE: To determine if an applied vehicle is equipped with an ATC Drivetrain remanufactured A/T, see page 3. ACTION: Refer to the Flow Chart on page 2. See this bulletin for further detail.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SERVICE INFORMATION When diagnosing possible power steering gear (rack and pinion steering rack, or steering rack) leak issues, it may appear the steering rack is leaking when actually, it?s not. Use this service bulletin to help make a more accurate diagnosis of the steering rack. See this bulletin for further detail.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SERVICE INFORMATION If a customer describes lack of power or poor acceleration, perform the following checks before attempting any repair: * Check for stored DTCs. * Check if the driver is resting their left foot on the brake pedal while accelerating. Advise the customer not to rest their foot on the brake while accelerating. * Use CONSULT-III plus in Engine Data Monitor to check operation of the brake lamp circuit signal. Monitor the brake switch during the incident; it should be "OFF". Please see this bulletn for further details.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2007 Xterra has a pervasive defect in the radiator design. The radiator's internal transmission cooler assembly leaks engine coolant directly into the transmission fluid—a problem Nissan has known about for years but has not recalled. Once contamination starts, the mixed fluids turn milky or brownish and circulate through the transmission, destroying internal components, solenoids, valve bodies, and the transmission control module.
Owners say the failure strikes suddenly, often with no warning lights. Common scenarios: vehicle loses acceleration at a stop light, won't shift out of low gear on the highway, stalls in traffic, or refuses to start after being parked. Some owners were nearly hit by other vehicles when the transmission suddenly failed at highway speed.
Repair costs range from $1,000 for an early radiator flush and transmission flush to $7,700 for a full radiator and transmission replacement. Most fall between $3,000 and $5,500. Nissan extended its warranty to 100,000 miles but only after litigation forced the issue. Owners exceeding that mileage are denied coverage entirely—even if the problem was already present but hadn't manifested. Dealerships confirm the defect is "common" and "known," yet owners report Nissan refused to notify them or cover repairs outside the narrow warranty window. One owner found Nissan's own oil analysis showed antifreeze in the transmission but the dealer still refused the claim. Owners consistently report receiving no proactive notice from Nissan about the defect despite multiple service visits.
Same Nissan Xterra powertrain reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Radiator-to-transmission coolant leak (SMOD/Intermix)
Faulty radiator design allows engine coolant to leak into the transmission cooler assembly, mixing with transmission fluid and contaminating the entire system. Nissan owners and dealers refer to this as 'SMOD' (Strawberry Milkshake of Death) or 'Intermix' because the combined fluid turns milky/brownish. The contamination destroys transmission internal components, sensors, and control modules.
When: Typically occurs between 80,000–150,000 miles; owners report it happens suddenly without warning, often 1500+ miles after extended warranty expires at 100,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission slipping or refusal to shift into lower gears; Loss of power/acceleration at stop lights or city speeds; Vehicle unable to start after stalling; Shuddering, vibration, or harsh clunking when shifting; Transmission stuck in high gear only (4th gear) or neutral; Milky or brown sludge in radiator coolant reservoir; Check engine light and transmission control codes (P0700, U1000, P1807, P0717); Overheating temperature gauge spiking suddenly; Complete transmission failure with no forward or reverse motion
Codes mentioned: P0700, U1000, P1807, P0717
Repairs/costs cited: Repairs typically require replacement of both radiator and transmission (or transmission rebuild/flush). Owners report costs ranging from $1,000–$7,700; most commonly cited: $3,000–$5,500. Some dealerships offered partial coverage under extended warranty extension (80,000–100,000 miles) with $2,500 customer co-pay; owners outside these limits received no manufacturer assistance.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan issued an extended warranty covering radiator/transmission issues up to 80,000 miles (later extended to 100,000 miles) following a class action lawsuit settlement. However, owners report Nissan denied claims just past the mileage threshold, did not proactively notify owners of the defect via mail or at service visits, and refused full responsibility claiming the radiator is not covered under standard warranty and that transmission damage caused by the radiator is excluded. Service Bulletins were sent to dealerships but not to consumers.
Timing chain tensioner and guide failure
Faulty timing chain tensioners and guides on 2007 Xterra engines can fail prematurely, potentially causing catastrophic engine damage. Nissan sent service bulletins to dealers but did not notify consumers of the known defect.
When: Failure mileage not consistently stated in complaints; one owner had issue discovered during routine service visit. Risk increases with age and mileage.
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light; Potential catastrophic engine failure if chain breaks while driving
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of entire timing chain system, tensioners, and guides costs $1,900–$2,500. Complete engine replacement if chain fails internally costs $8,000+.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan issued Service Bulletins to dealerships about the faulty tensioners and guides but did not issue a recall or notify vehicle owners of the known defect.
Fuel level sender/gauge failure
Fuel tank level sensor fails prematurely, causing erratic or non-functional fuel gauge readings.
When: Multiple complaints noted; one owner cited as a separate recurring issue on 2007 Xterras.
Symptoms owners cite: Fuel gauge reads incorrectly or does not function
Repairs/costs cited: Owner cited $400 cost for what should be a lifetime component; dealership refused to replace under warranty despite acknowledging it is a known defect.
Windshield wiper motor failure (passenger side)
Passenger-side wiper motor fails prematurely.
When: Timing not specified in complaint.
Symptoms owners cite: Windshield wiper motor inoperable on passenger side
Engine oil leaking into radiator
Oil from the engine cooler or oil cooler tube is mixing into the radiator coolant, causing gray sludge buildup in the radiator and potentially the engine.
When: Reported in a recent 2007 Xterra (purchased used in Dec. 2023); occurred multiple times within 1.5 years of purchase.
Symptoms owners cite: Gray gunk buildup in radiator; Vehicle overheating and radiator fluid spewing out; Burning smell; Air bubbles in radiator requiring repeated 'burping'
Repairs/costs cited: Heater hoses replaced, radiator flushed multiple times, gaskets to transmission cooler and oil cooler replaced ($5,000+ already invested). Mechanic unable to identify exact source.
Brake caliper sticking and premature pad wear
Brake calipers stick repeatedly, causing premature brake pad wear.
When: Reported in recent 2007 Xterra purchase; occurred within 1.5 years of purchase.
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pads wear prematurely; Calipers stick repeatedly
VDC/Slip light activation causing stalls
Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) and slip light illuminates while driving, causing the vehicle to stall at varying speeds.
When: Reported in recent 2007 Xterra purchase (owned since Dec. 2023).
Symptoms owners cite: VDC/Slip light comes on while driving; Vehicle stalls at any speed
Repairs/costs cited: Sensors replaced 2 times since purchase; problem recurs.
Heater/air conditioner fuse and blower motor failure
Heater and air conditioner fuses fail repeatedly; blower motor is defective or electrical harness causes the failure.
When: Reported at approximately 60,000–67,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Heater and air conditioner fuses become inoperable; Heater/AC fails to function
Repairs/costs cited: Blower motor replaced twice; dealer suspected electrical harness issue but parts were backordered.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Warranty had expired; owner was responsible for repair costs.
Clutch failure (manual transmission variant reported)
Clutch fails repeatedly on vehicles equipped with manual transmission.
When: Failure at approximately 60,000 miles; recurred within 18 miles of first repair.
Symptoms owners cite: Clutch failure while driving at 40 mph and shifting gears
Repairs/costs cited: Clutch replaced twice in rapid succession.
Transmission refuses to start/no gear indication
Transmission will not allow vehicle to start or engage any gear; gear indicator on dash does not show current gear selection.
When: Sudden occurrence; one owner reported after just crossing 100,000-mile warranty threshold.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not start; Gear indicator on dash does not display current gear; No gears can be selected (though in some cases reverse, neutral, and drive can be selected but do not function properly)
Repairs/costs cited: Typically accompanied by radiator coolant contamination; repair requires transmission control module and transmission replacement/overhaul.
Synthesized from 172 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Car transmission is slipping and stop moving. Transmission oil leak. Radiator water leak.
Last month the car seemed to start slipping gears when I got up to around 40 miles per hour. It was sporadic and once I let me foot off the gas for a second it seemed to clear and be ok. I started to see a slow leak of what I thought was oil in the garage where I parked the yesterday. When I mentioned the leak to a buddy and also told him that my heater was not working, he said we should…
Well the transmission and radiator leak took the my xterra in to Nissan mcgavock and they told me that I needed to get transmission and radiator replaced and now I have no car and me and my wife have to walk to bus to take my daughter to school and I go to work on bus and so does my wife.. They told me from mcgavock Nissan that they could fix it for 5800.00 dollars. This is a shame that you dont…
My xterra would not accelerate from stop to start, then one late evening it would not start at all. I had it towed to my mechanic who said it was the transmission that needed to be replaced and the transmission was shorting out the fuse to start the car. I took it to another mechanic for a second opinion, he stated the same and this was a known defect in xterra, he also said that it will cost…
Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2007 Nissan Xterra?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 172 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 157 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 95,000 and 139,000 miles, with the median around 113,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 95,000; a quarter make it past 139,000. 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.