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2007 Nissan Xterra: problems, recalls and fuel economy
NHTSA has 557 owner complaints for the 2007 Xterra, NHTSA has 557 owner complaints for the 2007 Xterra[1]. The power train, engine and fuel system are the groups named most often[2][3][4].. It has one recall, for a front air bag sensor that can rust[5].
Most reported problems
Owners filed 557 complaints with NHTSA[1]. Three mention a crash, three a fire and five an injury. None report a death[1]. These are unverified reports, and one complaint can name more than one part of the car.
The biggest groups are:
| Component group | Complaints | Median miles at failure |
|---|---|---|
| Power train[2] | 231 | 110,000 |
| Engine[3] | 160 | 104,739 |
| Fuel system, gasoline[4] | 136 | 51,500 |
| Fuel/propulsion system[8] | 63 | 94,500 |
Fuel gauge and level sensor. In the sample of fuel system complaints we read, owners describe a fuel gauge that reads wrong, often with the check engine light on[4]. Owners in the fuel/propulsion sample describe the same thing[8]. Some engine complaints also mention a wrong gauge with a check engine light[3]. Owners say the gauge can read empty on a full tank, which leaves them guessing when to refuel[4]. The fuel system group has the lowest median mileage in the table, at 51,500 miles[4].
Clutch. In a sample of power train complaints, some owners describe a clutch that slipped or failed at modest mileage and needed replacement[2].
Coolant in the transmission. Some owners in the power train sample describe a radiator or cooler failure that let coolant mix with the transmission fluid, followed by transmission failure and a large repair bill[2]. A few engine complaints describe the same story[3].
These themes come from small samples of complaint texts, so they show what owners describe, not how often it happens.
Recalls
NHTSA lists one recall for this model year.
- Front air bag crash zone sensor (08V690). Dated 2008-12-29[5]. In areas that use a lot of road salt in winter, a mix of snow, water and salt can get into the front crash zone sensor housing and rust it. That can interrupt the signal. The red air bag warning light is meant to come on if it happens. The risk is that the front driver and passenger air bags may not deploy in a crash. The recall covers 242,720 vehicles across several Nissan models, and this Xterra is included[5]. Dealers replace the sensor with a redesigned one, and the recall began on January 26, 2009[5]. Owners in other states get an extended warranty on the sensor, to 10 years[5].
Fuel economy
EPA rates the 2007 Xterra with a 4.0L 6-cylinder engine that takes regular gas[7].
| Version | City | Highway | Combined | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2WD, Automatic 5-spd[7] | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
| 2WD, Manual 6-spd[9] | 16 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
| 4WD, Automatic 5-spd[10] | 14 | 19 | 16 | $4,200 |
| 4WD, Manual 6-spd[11] | 16 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
The EPA annual cost uses current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.
Safety ratings
NHTSA gave the 4-door RWD/AWD version a rollover rating of 3 stars, with a rollover risk of 25.6%[12].
Engine and size
Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications for the 4-door 4WD S/Off-Road/SE variant, and they can differ slightly from US models[13].
How 2007 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 214 | 3 |
| 2001 | 150 | 3 |
| 2002 | 157 | 5 |
| 2003 | 72 | 3 |
| 2004 | 84 | 2 |
| 2005 | 845 | 3 |
| 2006 | 780 | 3 |
| 2007 | 557 | 1 |
| 2008 | 119 | 6 |
| 2009 | 19 | 3 |
| 2010 | 38 | 4 |
| 2011 | 24 | 2 |
| 2012 | 16 | 2 |
| 2013 | 4 | 0 |
| 2014 | 10 | 0 |
| 2015 | 10 | 0 |
With 557 complaints, 2007 has the third most of the 16 Xterra model years on file[6]. Only 2005 (845) and 2006 (780) have more[6]. Later years are much lower, for example 119 complaints for 2008 and 19 for 2009[6].
On recalls, 2007 has 1[6]. That is fewer than every year from 2000 to 2012. Only 2013, 2014 and 2015 have none[6]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many were sold, so read them as a rough guide.
Should you buy a used 2007 Xterra?
The record is mixed. The complaint count is high for this model, and the samples we read point to the fuel gauge sensor, the clutch and coolant reaching the transmission[1][2][4]. Check the gauge behavior and the check engine light on any test drive, and ask for service records on the clutch and the radiator. Confirm the front air bag sensor recall was done, since the remedy is available[5]. Our data does not cover engine power, towing or oil capacity, so check those elsewhere.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2007 Nissan Xterra?
- By count, NHTSA complaints name the power train (231), engine (160) and fuel system, gasoline (136) most[2][3][4]. In the samples we read, owners describe fuel gauge trouble, clutch wear and coolant mixing into transmission fluid[2][4].
- Does the 2007 Nissan Xterra have any recalls?
- Yes, one. Recall 08V690 covers a front crash zone sensor that can rust, which may keep the front air bags from deploying[5].
- What is the gas mileage of a 2007 Nissan Xterra?
- EPA combined ratings are 16 to 17 MPG depending on drive and transmission[7][9][10][11].
- Is the 2007 Xterra a bad year compared with others?
- It has the third most complaints of the 16 model years, at 557, behind 2005 and 2006[6].
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 557 owner complaints on file for the 2007 Nissan Xterra (3 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 5 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 231 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 110,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 160 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 104,739). NHTSA vehicle records
- 136 complaints name the fuel system, gasoline component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 51,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 08V690, filed December 29, 2008: Air Bags › Frontal. NHTSA recall database
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Nissan Xterra model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Xterra 2WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 20 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 63 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 94,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA rating for Xterra 2WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 20 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Xterra 4WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 19 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Xterra 4WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 20 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR RWD/AWD: rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 25.6%. NHTSA vehicle records
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, XTERRA 4DR SUV 4WD S/OFF-ROAD/SE: length 178 in, width 73 in, height 75 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 4,350 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov