2007 Nissan Xterra: engine stalls while driving

Filed Apr 26, 2025 · Brakes, Engine · TN

Oil is getting into the radiator and causing a gray gunk build up in radiator and possibly the engine. I have had the car less than a 1 1/2 years And I've already had to have the same issue fixed 3 × first time. The heater hose blew out caused an air bubble in the radiator which caused us to have to burp the radiator Which is when we found it the first time had sent it to the mechanic. Had it flushed, had it fixed. it was fine or so we thought until about a month ago. Car overheats radiator fluid spews out everywhere. Fix the hose, add radiator fluid and start. The burping process again and out comes the gray gunk. Sent it back to mechanic had it flush had gaskets to the transmission cooler and Oil cooler fixed. Mechanic cannot find how it's getting into radiator. Break pads wear prematurely due to calipers constantly sticking. Rust is everywhere on frame, suspension, shocks undercarriage and body. Vdc/slip light will come on while driving causing the car to stall at any speed. Fixed those sensors 2 times since I bought the car in December 2023 from a used car lot. State I I've in has no laws to protect people buying from used car lots but they do for new cars even though new cars come with warranties. Should be the other way around protect the people who can't afford the 30000 dollar cars. There's a reason we go to used car lots. Paid 4500 after taxes and registration and have put almost 5000 into it. Nissan is aware of the problem just not enough to deem a recall.

Filed Nov 21, 2017 · Engine, Transmission · 126,000 miles · KY

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 nissan xterra. While driving various speeds, the contact experienced a bumpy ride. In addition, the vehicle would decelerate, the odometer would decrease, and the vehicle stalled. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The failure occurred three separate times. An independent mechanic diagnosed that transmission fluid was leaking into the radiator. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and the dealer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 126,000.

Filed Oct 5, 2016 · Engine · 140,000 miles · WA

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 nissan xterra. While driving 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.

Filed Jul 1, 2016 · Engine · 145,000 miles · KY

I purchased a 2007 nissan xterra, following my graduation from college in 2007. It was the first and only new car I've purchased. I have been meticulous about the maintenance and upkeep of the vehicle the entire time I've owned it. Approximately 3 months ago, it stalled while I was driving, the check engine light came on, and I had to have it towed home. The xterra was diagnosed with the very common (and seemingly criminal) coolant and transmission contamination. I was told it will cost $5, 500 to repair my xterra, it requires a new transmission and radiator, it is non-drivable. I've spent $2,000 in rental car costs over the last 2 months, the diagnosis of the vehicle took 4 weeks by nissan. I can't afford to pay $5,500 to repair my xterra. The transmission and coolant contamination issue has long been a known issue by nissan, previous class action settlements did nothing to help the consumer. I don't understand why governing agencies won't hold nissan accountable. Nissan has knowingly sold consumers defective vehicles for years. This is fraud and should be punishable in a court of law. Nissan should be more proactive and do the right thing in addressing and rectifying this known defect in several of it's vehicles made over the course of several years. The consumers are suffering. We have to do the right thing, or else we are held accountable. I don't have any options at this point and it's not fair I did what I was supposed to , including paying $24,000 for a vehicle I can't drive and that has no trade-in value. Nissan, why do you knowingly hurt your trusting customers? Unfair; pathetic you continue to be allowed to get away with your criminal behavior, and sad for the consumers who trusted your company and your product.

Filed Jun 28, 2016 · Driver assistance, Transmission · 109,000 miles · FL

Our car had no pickup when taking off from stop light and making a left turn. We were crossing traffic which made this quite scary as we almost stalled in the middle of the road. We pulled into a parking lot and turned it off. Wouldn't start back up and the gear indicator on the dash wasn't showing which gear it was in. Had it towed to the dealership and was told the coolant leaked into the transmission, which is a known problem with this car, and contaminated the transmission and the sensors. I was never contacted about this issue so I didn't know about it until I went online and saw all of the other complaints from people with the same issue. I just went over the 100,000 mile mark this year so nissan will not fix it. I don't understand why this isn't a recall issue instead of a warranty extension issue with nissan willing to cover the cost over $3,000. Who has $3,000 that they can afford or even have for that matter? I've filed a complaint with nissan and am hoping that someone will help me either pay for this or give me full fair market value for the car so I can buy another one and use this as a trade in. Not sure that I'll buy a nissan though, if they don't take care of me, that's for sure. The other issues that I've had with this car is the fuel sensor went out, which I've also seen other complaints on and the windshield wiper motor on the passenger side has gone out. Not sure if this has been something that others have experienced or not. All in all this has been a great car,but considering I bought it used with very low miles on it and just made my last car payment 4 days ago, I'm absolutely sick over this. Even worse is the fact that we could've been killed by oncoming traffic but were fortunate enough that the car did make it before any cars got too close to us. Is that what it's going to take before nissan does something?

Filed Jun 27, 2016 · Engine · 1,700 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 nissan xterra. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle stalled as the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not able to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the radiator and the transmission needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 1,700.

Filed May 25, 2016 · Fuel system · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 nissan xterra. The contact stated that the fuel gauge was not functioning properly and caused the vehicle to randomly stall. The dealer diagnosed that the fuel gauge needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. A technical service bulletin was issued and indicated that the vehicle was not included in any manufacturer recall for the fuel gauge failure. The failure mileage was not available. Updated 08/05/16*lj

Filed Jan 27, 2016 · Engine · 114,000 miles · NY

Radiator/transmission coolant leak. Had to replace both radiator and transmission. Cause stall on busy highway. Known issue with x-terra, pathfinder, frontier. Nissan would not compensate on any level. Us vehicle in canada when happened

Filed Aug 27, 2015 · Engine · 144,000 miles · FL

While driving the vehicle stalled. It turned out to be the radiator leaking coolant into the transmission and fried the transmission. This is apparently a common problem in nissans. When taken to the local mechanic he said it would cost $5000 plus to fix this problem.

Filed May 31, 2015 · Engine, Transmission · 132,000 miles · CA

A hesitation in the vehicle's acceleration began occurring frequently upon depressing the accelerator after a full stop at a stop sign or red light, but not at any other time in driving the vehicle. The problem was first noted when departing the dealership after which a new timing chain had been replaced. When reviewed by the dealership upon return to the service area (another appointment had been made at later time), a loss of over one quart of transmission fluid was detected (over what time period was unclear), but no known source of external leakage was found. This LED to the conclusion that internal leakage was very likely occurring. Due to the many instances of radiator cracks and toxic mixing of fluids among similar year models (mid-2000 model years of nissan xterra), the dealership recommended that the radiator be replaced and the transmission thoroughly flushed, which might prevent the transmission from requiring a complete overhaul in the future - although there are no guarantees. This work was completed for a total of $1500 including discount; the incident occurred well after the extended warranty provided by the manufacturer for resolving issues that had been experienced by others, hence the dealership's charges. A request was nonetheless made to get reimbursed by the manufacturer (nissan), currently under review. It is possible that this issue was dealt with at a very early stage and might therefore result in a lower probability of transmission problems in the future, which could cost several thousand dollars ($6-7,000 or more). Other drivers/owners have typically experienced more severe issues, such as shaking/stalling vehicles and/or illuminated dashboard lights indicating engine problems.

Filed Apr 23, 2015 · Transmission · 106,000 miles · NE

Vehicle abruptly stalled without warning when making a left hand turn. Oncoming traffic was forced to stop. A serious, possibly deadly, accident could have occurred if the oncoming traffic had not stopped. The vehicle had shuddering during acceleration prior to this incident but had never given any indication it would stall unexpectedly. The vehicle had been maintained by nissan and no issues were brought to my attention during this service. When nissan diagnosed the vehicle they found that the transmission cooler had leaked and allowed transmission fluid and engine coolant to mix. This lead to transmission damage and unsafe, unexpected failure of the transmission. Nissan also said they had known about this common failure for many years. I was never informed of this dangerous design flaw.

Filed Apr 4, 2015 · Engine, Transmission · 106,000 miles · WA

My car began shuttering bad enough that I was afraid that it was going to stall or that I would get into an accident. Thankfully, I didn't I found out that a faulty radiator leaked into the transmission. Apparently, this is a well known problem. I am being told by nissan that it will cost $7,000 to repair/replace the radiator, hoses, transmission etc. My mileage is just over 106,000 miles so, like everyone else, I will get no help from nissan in making these repairs. I can't afford to fix it at this time so it will have to sit and wait while I will pray that there is a recall soon.