2007 Nissan Frontier Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2007 Frontier most often describe two recurring problems: a failing fuel level sensor that leaves the gauge reading empty after a fill-up (often alongside a check-engine light), and transmission damage that follows coolant mixing with transmission fluid through the radiator. Both are reported across a wide mileage range, from under 40,000 miles to past 150,000, and many complaints note the repairs were quoted at several thousand dollars. A smaller group describes engine whine traced to the timing chain and its guides.

1. 1
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Coolant and transmission fluid mix through radiator

   • 208 complaints (40%)
   • median 108,000 mi at 8.6 yrs old (182 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $4,500 (median of 75 quotes)
   • filed 2010–2024

   Owners describe slipping, shuddering, delayed or missed shifts, and eventually a truck that will not move; diagnosis at the dealer usually reveals transmission fluid in the radiator or coolant in the transmission, with both the radiator and transmission needing replacement. Complaints frequently mention that the repairs were quoted in the thousands of dollars and that coverage was declined once the vehicle was past a set mileage or out of warranty. Some owners report the failure occurred with little warning while driving. Mostly reported between 60,000 and 145,000 miles, often while driving or under acceleration.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check the color and smell of the transmission fluid and look for a strawberry-milkshake appearance; ask whether the radiator or transmission has been replaced, and have a shop pressure-test the radiator before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Coolant and transmission lines cross contaminated I found out when my car just stopped turning on so I took it to the dealer and they said I need to change radiator and transmission for close to 6000 dollars because the fluids cross contaminated due to a failure in the radiator. My vehicle has only 60800 miles but is out of warranty due to age and this isn't right”

   NHTSA complaint #11366264, filed 2020-10, 60,800 miles

   “My Frontier died on 12/6 / on 12/7/2015, I had it towed to the boardwalk Nissan and paid $100 to have the problem diagnosed. I was told the repairs would cost $10,500. The radiator caused the transmission to go out in turn causing the computer panel to burn out. I asked the service adviser was there something I could've done to prevent the problem. He said no, the problem happens. I then had the truck towed home. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10817470, filed 2016-01, 145,396 miles
2. 2
   Fuel system

   Fuel gauge reads empty after fill-up (fuel level sensor)

   • 182 complaints (35%)
   • median 56,540 mi at 4.6 yrs old (167 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $500 (median of 22 quotes)
   • filed 2008–2021

   After refueling, the gauge drops to empty or stays low and the low-fuel light comes on; the needle may creep back up over the next several miles and then behave erratically. Many complaints say the check-engine light comes on at the same time, with a code identifying the fuel level sensor (P0463). Owners describe relying on the trip odometer to estimate fuel remaining; dealers typically quoted a sensor replacement, sometimes under warranty and sometimes at the owner's expense. Reported from roughly 27,000 to 120,000 miles, with many under 70,000.

   5 related service bulletins

   What to check: Before buying, fill the tank and confirm the gauge reads full and the low-fuel light goes out. Ask for scan-tool codes; P0463 points to the fuel level sensor.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The check engine light came on while starting the truck. It was place on the diagnostic machine and the result was that a sensor in the gas tank was not working. I received a recall notice one week after the warranty had expired. The notice stated that the warranty would take care of the problem. I emailed Nissan to complain and never heard from them.”

   NHTSA complaint #10548378, filed 2013-10, 120,000 miles

   “Service engine soon light was on when I started my truck that day and the fuel gauge was malfunctioning. After doing a search on the internet, it sounds like it may be the fuel sending unit or fuel pump which is a known issue with this model. Thanks.”

   NHTSA complaint #10471265, filed 2012-08, 58,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Stalling, jerking or drivability complaints

   • 58 complaints (11%)
   • median 86,500 mi at 7.6 yrs old (54 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $6,000 (median of 13 quotes)
   • filed 2007–2021

   Some owners report intermittent jerking, hesitation on acceleration, or the engine stalling with the check-engine light coming on, sometimes without a clear diagnostic result. In several complaints the dealer traced the symptoms to transmission or radiator contamination, while others describe unexplained stalling or a no-start condition where fault codes pointed to sensors or wiring. Described across a wide range, roughly 34,000 to 170,000 miles.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Test drive at highway speed and note any hesitation or rough running, and ask for stored fault codes rather than relying on a warning light alone.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My husband has 2007 Nissan Frontier. When he drove a car go to work, suddenly stop and after that didn't start any more. We never got into accident before and taking care of truck very good. Tow company had to tow his truck to Nissan dealership and they said it's computer problem so cost $800, takes a week to fix. After a week they called us,said they found another problem so cost $2000,takes one more week. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10676541, filed 2015-01, 99,500 miles

   “Nissan Frontier has been jerking sporadically for a month driving locally at different speeds city or highway. I assumed it was cheap fuel and a needed tune up. I decided to take the truck in for a diagnostic test at firestone and they were unable to determine the cause or issue of the jerking. Requested diagrams of the engine was unreadable and no help. Firestone recommended I take it to the Nissan dealer. I took the truck to the Nissan dealer and they quoted a $5000 plus repair bill. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10714742, filed 2015-05, 109,549 miles
4. 4
   Engine

   Engine whine from worn timing chain guides

   Mentioned in 5 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe a whining or buzzing noise from the engine that develops gradually and gets louder over time, sometimes first mistaken for a power steering pump or pulley bearing. Dealers diagnosed the noise as a worn timing chain and guides or tensioner and quoted a replacement; several complaints note the whine began before the warranty ended. Reported from about 55,000 to 120,000 miles.

   What to check: Listen for a steady whine at idle and on light revs, and check service records for a timing chain replacement or related repair.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I had to have the timing chain replaced on my vehicle at a cost of $1550. Nissan put plastic guides for the time chain knowing they would wear down causing the consumer an additional cost to replace this way earlier than most vehicles. After the repair work the Nissan mechanic showed me the plastic guides and there was almost nothing left of it. Very scary to think what would of happened if I was driving the vehicle when the plastic guide wore out. This could of cause serious harm to someone if it had completely warn down while driving. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11311562, filed 2020-02, 94,941 miles

   “Frontier has developed a buzzing/whining sound that is a well documented and common timing chain problem this is not just my vehicle, but with most of Nissan's models since 2005, which is when they redesigned and began using the 4.0l v6 engine in these vehicles. Nissan recognizes the problem in TSB's ntb 07-42a, ntb09-128, and ntb07-042c, but refuses to issue a recall and if your warranty is up you are on the hook for the repair. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10371209, filed 2010-12, 69,500 miles
5. 5
   Air bags

   Air bag warning light and coverage questions

   • 35 complaints (7%)
   • median 80,100 mi at 9.2 yrs old (24 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2009–2024

   Owners describe the air bag warning light coming on or flashing slowly while driving or at startup, and some report that the vehicle was not covered by a campaign that applies to certain states or model years. Complaints also include reports of air bags not deploying in a collision. Appears from about 27,000 miles upward, including on higher-mileage vehicles.

   Recall 08V6900004 related service bulletins

   What to check: Confirm the air bag warning light goes out after the self-check at startup, and have the dealer run the VIN to see whether any air bag campaigns or service programs were completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Apparently my vehicle is not covered by the below campaign when in fact it's exhibiting the behavior explained on the recall. I called the dealer in sunnyvale ca and they confirmed that is not covered. Nissan should take responsibility for the faulty airbag sensor across the board not just in some states! Nhtsa campaign id: 08v690000 report date: dec 18, 2008 vehicles affected: 242720”

   NHTSA complaint #11240356, filed 2019-07, 77,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2007 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that all Nissan frontiers need to be recalled regarding the air bags and salt issues. The recall only applied to vehicles registered in cold states. The contact lives in tucson, az at 2,000 ft. Elevation. He owns a winter cabin at 9,000 ft. And stated that he would experience the same issues as someone who resides in a cold state. His VIN was excluded from NHTSA campaign id number 08v690000 (air bags:frontal). The failure and current mileages were 27,050.”

   NHTSA complaint #10254914, filed 2009-01, 27,050 miles

Buying note. Have a shop check the transmission fluid and radiator for cross-contamination and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly after a fill-up, since these two issues dominate owner complaints for this model year. Service records showing timing chain work and any completed air bag programs are also worth asking about.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.