FaultScore

FaultScore report

2007 Nissan Frontier problems

Owners have filed 699 complaints about the 2007 Nissan Frontier with NHTSA between 2007 and 2024. The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain. Across this model's run it ranks 9 of 27 worst.

C

FaultScore 56/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Nissan Frontier.

How this is worked out

The numbers

699

Complaints

9

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

4

Injuries reported

85,250 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

8%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 100 vs 50 Severity 10 vs 50 Early failure 13 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 100
Against the median year of the Nissan Frontier. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 10
1.9% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 13
8% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2007 compares with every other Nissan Frontier

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2007 Nissan Frontier

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Median failure at 108,000 miles

Fuel & Propulsion 203 29.0%

2 crashes, 0 fires · median 56,540 mi

Engine & Cooling 134 19.2%

Median failure at 99,717 miles

Airbags 38 5.4%

2 crashes, 0 fires · median 80,196 mi

Median failure at 72,000 miles

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 93,500 mi

Brakes 10 1.4%

2 crashes, 0 fires · median 65,500 mi

Tires 9 1.3%

Median failure at 62,500 miles

Acceleration & Cruise Control 8 1.1%

Median failure at 104,492 miles

Suspension 6 0.9%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 114,000 mi

Body & Structure 5 0.7%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 61,000 mi

Steering 5 0.7%

Median failure at 54,300 miles

Wheels 4 0.6%

Median failure at 66,500 miles

Seat Belts 1 0.1%

Median failure at 67,000 miles

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 1 0.1%
Lights 1 0.1%

Median failure at 86,000 miles

Exactly what failed

NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.

Auxillary Tank 9 22.5%
Radiator Assembly 8 20.0%
Fuel Gauge System 5 12.5%
Automatic Transmission 5 12.5%
Body 4 10.0%
Engine 4 10.0%
Pressure Monitoring AND Regulating Systems 3 7.5%
Driveline 2 5.0%

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

Under 1,000 miles 12 2.0%
1,000 – 9,999 miles 10 1.7%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 7 1.2%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 70 11.6%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 124 20.5%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 149 24.6%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 206 34.0%
150,000+ miles 28 4.6%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Mar 2007 peak 19 Jul 2024

NHTSA investigations into the 2007 Nissan Frontier

An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.

DP12004 Opened 11 Jun 2012 Closed 22 Oct 2016 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

Transmission Failures

On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential...

Recalls on the 2007 Nissan Frontier

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

United States — NHTSA

10E019000

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT AND REAR LOWER LINKS, P/NOS. 54501ZQ00A, 54500ZQ00A, 551A1ZQ00A, 551A0ZQ00A , 54501EA00A, 54500EA00A, 551A1EA500, 551A0EA500, 54501ZR00A, AND 54500ZR00A, SOLD BETWEEN NOVEMBER 25, 2009 AND MAY 14, 2010 AS REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2010 TITAN, ARMADA, AND QX56, AND MODEL YEARS 2005 THROUGH 2010 FRONTIER, XTERRA, AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES. 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.

Risk: IF THE COLLAR WELD SEPARATES, THE VEHICLE HANDLING WILL DETERIORATE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

08V690000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

NISSAN IS RECALLING 242,720 MY 2005-2009 PATHFINDER, FRONTIER AND XTERRA VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 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. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE RED AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE TO ALERT THE VEHICLE OPERATOR.

Risk: 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.

Canada — Transport Canada

Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.

Recall 2023053 10,846 units in Canada

Airbag

Issue: On certain vehicles, the plastic emblem on the steering wheel airbag cover could detach and become a projectile when the airbag inflates in a crash. Note: This recall is for certain vehicles that had the steering wheel airbag replaced. Safety Risk: Projectiles in the occupant compartment could increase the risk of an injury. Corrective Actions: Nissan will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect and, if necessary, replace the steering wheel airbag cover.

Recall 2008454 27,695 units in Canada

Airbag

On certain vehicles operated in areas of heavy road salt usage, the front Crash Zone Sensor (CZS) may rust internally. This could result in the non-deployment of the driver and passenger front airbags during a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of personal injuries or death in certain crash conditions. Correction: Dealers will replace the Crash Zone Sensor.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

Louisville, KY Crash

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

REAR FRAME RUSTING BY LEAF SPRING . NOT VERY SAFE TO DRIVE . IT'S KNOWN FOR THE FRAME TO RUST BUT HAVE NOT MADE A RECALL YET.

NHTSA complaint #11550212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Murfreesboro, TN Crash

AIR BAGS

Car accident put at risk to not be safe and defend myself with no air bag malfunction body suspension up to 4 car incident in major intersection. No warning lamps that appeared.

NHTSA complaint #11504674 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Murfreesboro, TN Crash

SUSPENSION

Car accident put at risk to not be safe and defend myself with no air bag malfunction body suspension up to 4 car incident in major intersection. No warning lamps that appeared.

NHTSA complaint #11504674 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Murfreesboro, TN Crash

STRUCTURE:BODY

Car accident put at risk to not be safe and defend myself with no air bag malfunction body suspension up to 4 car incident in major intersection. No warning lamps that appeared.

NHTSA complaint #11504674 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 117,000 miles Charlottesville, VA 1 injured

POWER TRAIN

I WAS REAR ENDED 04/20/2015 ,BACK INJURY, POLICE REPORT, OTHER DRIVER INSURANCE TAKING CARE OF BILLS, NO SETTLEMENT YET. IN JUNE, NOTICED TRANSMISSION SLIP & LEAK IN DRIVE WAY. IN REPAIR SHOP ON FRIDAY, 07/31/2015. THEY ADVISED ME RADIATOR CRACK AND TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED INTO RADIATOR. $1,200.00 TO REPAIR ALL. THEY INSTRUCTED TO DO SO.

NHTSA complaint #10746755 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 117,000 miles Charlottesville, VA 1 injured

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I WAS REAR ENDED 04/20/2015 ,BACK INJURY, POLICE REPORT, OTHER DRIVER INSURANCE TAKING CARE OF BILLS, NO SETTLEMENT YET. IN JUNE, NOTICED TRANSMISSION SLIP & LEAK IN DRIVE WAY. IN REPAIR SHOP ON FRIDAY, 07/31/2015. THEY ADVISED ME RADIATOR CRACK AND TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED INTO RADIATOR. $1,200.00 TO REPAIR ALL. THEY INSTRUCTED TO DO SO.

NHTSA complaint #10746755 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

College Grove, TN

POWER TRAIN

In December 2023 I noticed a bad discoloration of the coolant in my 2007 Nissan Frontier. I took the truck to the local Nissan dealership and had them flush the coolant system. There were no warning lamps or messages. There were no other symptoms or problems prior to that. Receipt available for this service. Then in May 2023 the transmission began shifting extremely hard. Upon checking the coolant it was the consistency of strawberry milkshake. The truck was taken to a local transmission shop and they rebuilt the transmission assembly along with replacing the radiator and flushing the system. This work was completed June 3, 2024. Receipt is available for this service. With continuing to see the coolant have a consistency of strawberry milkshake, I reached out to the local Nissan dealership for them to tell me there had been a recall for this. Upon doing further research, I have learned there actually wasn't a recall but an extended warranty offered that Nissan did not willingly let owners know about. $4,500.00 later I still have the same problem I started with and am fearful this truck will fail as I'm driving on the highway and am concerned about my safety. Nissan knew when they flushed the coolant in December 2023 of this problem and said nothing. Vehicle is available for inspection upon request.

NHTSA complaint #11599189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

New London, CT

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2007 Nissan Frontier. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: NHTSA Campaign Number: 23E012000 (Air Bags) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were contacted.

NHTSA complaint #11597906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Marmora, NJ

AIR BAGS

Two weeks ago I received a recall for an airbag emblem issue for my vehicle. I set an appointment and in the time leading up to my appointment the airbag warning sensor came on. When I went in for the recall they repaired the recall but the warning light did not go off. They stated that there are two issues with my airbag the emblem was not the cause of the sensor going off. They claim it is the airbag module. They would not cover that repair even though the emblem led to the airbag module going bad. This is the second airbag recall on airbags( previous was in 2008). The cost for an airbag module is over $1000 and I find that unacceptable.

NHTSA complaint #11574296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Louisville, KY Crash

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

REAR FRAME RUSTING BY LEAF SPRING . NOT VERY SAFE TO DRIVE . IT'S KNOWN FOR THE FRAME TO RUST BUT HAVE NOT MADE A RECALL YET.

NHTSA complaint #11550212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hurricane, UT

POWER TRAIN

Radiator coolant leaked into transmission after125,000 miles

NHTSA complaint #11522711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cross, SC

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2007 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21E012000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA complaint #11513605 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Murfreesboro, TN Crash

AIR BAGS

Car accident put at risk to not be safe and defend myself with no air bag malfunction body suspension up to 4 car incident in major intersection. No warning lamps that appeared.

NHTSA complaint #11504674 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Murfreesboro, TN Crash

SUSPENSION

Car accident put at risk to not be safe and defend myself with no air bag malfunction body suspension up to 4 car incident in major intersection. No warning lamps that appeared.

NHTSA complaint #11504674 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Murfreesboro, TN Crash

STRUCTURE:BODY

Car accident put at risk to not be safe and defend myself with no air bag malfunction body suspension up to 4 car incident in major intersection. No warning lamps that appeared.

NHTSA complaint #11504674 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Walhalla, SC

POWER TRAIN

The radiator cracked, leaking water in to the transmission cooler, causing contamination of the transmission fluid. The caused the transmission to instantly malfunction, ruining all internal electronic parts. No warning signs, service lights, etc. before the transmission was damaged. Transmission repair shop says this is very common and is going to cost $3900 to repair the vehicle.

NHTSA complaint #11495641 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Indianapolis, IN

POWER TRAIN

This is known problem you refused to force Nissan to recall. At a minimum Nissan should have been required to notify owners of the problem. They did not. My radiator has failed allowing coolant to mix with the transmission fluid destroying the transmission. I have 96,000 miles on my vehicle. I would have gladly paid out of pocket to replace the defective radiator to save the transmission, but since I was not notified of the problem, now I have to potentially replace the transmission.

NHTSA complaint #11466328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Indianapolis, IN

ENGINE

This is known problem you refused to force Nissan to recall. At a minimum Nissan should have been required to notify owners of the problem. They did not. My radiator has failed allowing coolant to mix with the transmission fluid destroying the transmission. I have 96,000 miles on my vehicle. I would have gladly paid out of pocket to replace the defective radiator to save the transmission, but since I was not notified of the problem, now I have to potentially replace the transmission.

NHTSA complaint #11466328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Compton, CA

AIR BAGS

Symptoms began as random hard shifts, then progressed to a sudden loss of power and high rpms. If the vehicle was turned off and on, the transmission would engage and you could drive a couple hundred feet before it began slipping again. I used this tactic of turning it off and on again to get the vehicle off of the highway. Vehicle has not been sent to shop as of yet. Taking a turn, my Nissan Frontier 2007 suddenly stops right in the middle of the street causing traffic jam, I was lucky enough not to be t-boned with my kids seating on the back. Nissan knew about is but never advised costumers about it to open a recall campaign. Need help with this. Truck was bought brand new at the dealer.

NHTSA complaint #11434045 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Compton, CA

ENGINE

Symptoms began as random hard shifts, then progressed to a sudden loss of power and high rpms. If the vehicle was turned off and on, the transmission would engage and you could drive a couple hundred feet before it began slipping again. I used this tactic of turning it off and on again to get the vehicle off of the highway. Vehicle has not been sent to shop as of yet. Taking a turn, my Nissan Frontier 2007 suddenly stops right in the middle of the street causing traffic jam, I was lucky enough not to be t-boned with my kids seating on the back. Nissan knew about is but never advised costumers about it to open a recall campaign. Need help with this. Truck was bought brand new at the dealer.

NHTSA complaint #11434045 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Broadway, NC

AIR BAGS

On my 2007 Nissan Frontier my air bag light has come on and my Regular Repair shop has brought to my attention about the air bag sensor recall. The dealership in my area states that my vehicle does not fall under this recall but I am truly afraid of my husband or myself getting hurt if this is not fixed. We are in our 80"s and can not afford to have this issue fixed and feel as we should not have to fix this problem when there are so m any of these recalls out there. Please Help

NHTSA complaint #11431921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Glen Gardner, NJ

STRUCTURE:BODY

The frame has excessive rust causing weakness in the trucks support. Furthermore causing driveline vibration issues and eventually the cab and bed will snap at the weak point. Seems to be the same issue the Nissan Navaras have that were built in Spain and the manufacturer has recongnized the issue outside of the U.S.

NHTSA complaint #11429383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Los Angeles, CA

ENGINE

Radiation system and transmission

NHTSA complaint #11428160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Los Angeles, CA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Radiation system and transmission

NHTSA complaint #11428160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rouge River, OR

POWER TRAIN

I was driving down my driveway and my truck just wouldn’t move i always fill my fluids and get flushes on time when I got my last oil change they said there was milked goo goo in my coolant

NHTSA complaint #11427337 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rouge River, OR

ENGINE

I was driving down my driveway and my truck just wouldn’t move i always fill my fluids and get flushes on time when I got my last oil change they said there was milked goo goo in my coolant

NHTSA complaint #11427337 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Milwaukie, OR

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Fuel level sending unit failed with code. Fuel gauge shows empty or at 1/4 full when full.

NHTSA complaint #11421264 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Columbus, GA

POWER TRAIN

I, just found that Nissan had a malfunctioning in the 2007 Nissan Frontier pick up trucks. I, have 2007 Nissan Frontier LE truck where my transmission has been acting up. Have, to give it alot of rpms for it to take off, but once it gets going its does ok. Keep, in mind it doesn't down shift down at all and the OD light stays on. Could, you please help me? Could, it be a blown fuse? My, cell is [XXX] email is [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #11420527 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Seaside, CA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1. The fuel pump and fuel sensor suddenly stopped working without prior notice while driving down the road. 2. Sudden loss of power while driving creates a dangerous situation. 3. An independent service center stated that "Nissan Corp. had a recall on fuel pump sensors. 4. The fuel pump and fuel sensor were replaced. 5. I called Nissan Corp, but they said that vehicle did not qualify for a recall of the fuel sensor.

NHTSA complaint #11419967 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Scarbro, WV

AIR BAGS

THE ENGINE HAS BURNING OIL FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW AND THE SAFETY BAG LIGHT FLASHING FOR 3 MONTHS.

NHTSA complaint #11396840 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Scarbro, WV

ENGINE

THE ENGINE HAS BURNING OIL FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW AND THE SAFETY BAG LIGHT FLASHING FOR 3 MONTHS.

NHTSA complaint #11396840 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.