Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 Nissan Frontier owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
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 [redacted] email is [redacted].
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.
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.
I bought a used 2007 Nissan Frontier crew cab at Hyundai of roseville, ca a year and half ago on jan 2014 and they never disclose to me that this car was known for coolant leaking into the transmission and eventually destroying it. After buying this, I only drove it for about 8,000 miles and this problem hits me June 2015. I bought it for $12,500 and still owe $8,000. The costs to repair this according to Nissan would costs me $7,500. I bought an extended warranty for $1,200, but it would not be covered because this is a "known pre-existing problem or defect by the manufacturer." so, this used Frontier would costs me over $20,000 which is about what the new ones are going for. This is terrible and I need some kind of justice. Either Nissan, the Hyundai dealership that I bought this from and or the extended warranty company need to pay for this. …
Transmission failed due to coolant intermixing with transmission fluid. This is the second time this vehicle has had catastrophic transmission failure due to a crack in the cooling system. First time was just over the warranty so I was forced to pay a $2500 copay. The vihicle started showing signs of a secondary failure just prior to 100000 miles and when I brought it to the dealer they lied to me and said there was just residual oil in the radiator from the first failure... Now I am past any warranty copay and the transmission is failing at just 100500 miles. That is just two years (less than 18000 miles) after they replaced the radiator and transmission. This is unacceptable that consumers are being forced to pay for a known issue of poor engineering especially when it was supposedly fixed by the dealer with Nissan parts. …
My Nissan Frontier pick up went completely dead and would not start after I had refueled at a gas station. I checked out the battery connections and ignition and found nothing out of the ordinary. I then called a local dealership service department and had it towed in for diagnosis for repair. The service manager called me the next day and informed me that the transmission valve body was in need of replacement at a cost of $1800.00. After a week or so I called and was told my vehicle was ready. I picked it up and paid the bill. Shortly afterward I noticed the vehicle was shifting an little hard but dismissed it as possible characteristic of a new part functioning differently. After about 4 months I noticed an increase in this shifting and so I checked transmission fluid level which was a little low but a healthy color. …
My radiator had failed causing transmission fluid to enter the coolant and coolant to enter the transmission. Once Nissan replaced the radiator and flushed out both systems, the transmission seem to drive OK, and the Nissan dealer said it seems to be OK. After driving the vehicle for a month the transmission has developed slippage due to the previous radiator with an internal transmission cooler that caused internal damage to the transmission. If Nissan had built the truck with an external transmission cooler separate from the radiator, I wouldn't have had an issue with the transmission once the radiator failed. …
While driving on a paved state highway at aprx 50mph, the vehicle slowed down and RPM's went up. Much like the transmission had downshifted. This is an automatic trans. Couldn't manually get it back to normal by downshifting or putting it into neutral. Service engine soon light was now lit. Pulled over, stopped and turned off engine. Under the hood there was no obvious sign of leaking, broken belts or smoke. Restarted the truck and drove home aprx 10 miles with no problem, but service engine soon light still on. Drove it the next day to autozone (5miles total) and showed codes p1774 and p0717. Researching the codes LED me to all the transmission replacement problems due to a failure of the trans fluid cooler inside the radiator which mixes that oil with coolant and destroys components inside the transmission and requires replacement. …
We had just had our oil changed in our Nissan Frontier and had a general check of the vehicle before driving it on a vacation to another state. Everything was in perfect working order. We purchased this vehicle new and it has always been well-maintained. It has 118,000 miles. While driving home less than a week after we left, we noticed that the transmission began slipping and coolant was suddenly leaking from the truck. We also noticed a pink or orange fluid mixed with the coolant. We were >3 hours away from home when this happened. The transmission slippage got worse as we were driving. We were luckily able to make it home and took our vehicle in for service. We found out that this truck has the same problem as other nissans--coolant mixed with the transmission fluid, causing the transmission to suddenly fail. …
NHTSA investigations
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.
Transmission complaints in other Frontier years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2007 Nissan Frontier?
NHTSA has 222 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2007 Nissan Frontier, 43% of the model year's 520 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Nissan Frontier transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2007 Nissan Frontier, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2007 Nissan Frontier transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 108,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.