VehicleVerdict

2000 Nissan Frontier problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 224 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.7 times the median Frontier year — the 2000 model ranks #4 of 29 Frontier years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 13 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across tires & wheels (31), fuel system (28), and transmission (26), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

224

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

20

Crash-involved

6

Fires reported

13

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2000 compare to other Frontier years?

Frontier NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted836 complaints1998: 146 complaints1999: 106 complaints2000: 224 complaints2001: 155 complaints2002: 152 complaints2003: 92 complaints2004: 89 complaints2005: 750 complaints2006: 836 complaints2007: 699 complaints2008: 187 complaints2009: 44 complaints2010: 76 complaints2011: 84 complaints2012: 98 complaints2013: 65 complaints2014: 50 complaints2015: 48 complaints2016: 55 complaints2017: 45 complaints2018: 29 complaints2019: 39 complaints2020: 31 complaints2021: 25 complaints2022: 192 complaints2023: 114 complaints2024: 28 complaints2025: 9 complaints2026: 5 complaints
Frontier NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Frontier years to avoid →

What are the most common 2000 Nissan Frontier problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Tires & Wheels3114%
Fuel System2813%
Transmission2612%
Suspension2310%
Brakes219%
Electrical System157%
Engine125%
Airbags125%
Visibility & Wipers115%
Speed Control115%
Body & Structure73%
Lighting73%
Other63%
Seat Belts42%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)42%
Steering31%
Seats21%
Latches & Locks10%

Does the 2000 Nissan Frontier have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

Defect

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

04V230000Fuel SystemMay 24, 2004 · 586,196 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SIX CYLINDER ENGINES AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FOUR OR SIX CYLINDER ENGINES, THE FUEL PUMP TERMINAL ON THE FUEL-SENDING UNIT CAN DEVELOP A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC MOLDING. THIS CAN CAUSE THE TERMINAL STRIP TO CORRODE UNDER SOME ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS.

Consequence

IF CORROSION OCCURS, THE TERMINAL STRIP COULD EVENTUALLY BREAK CAUSING THE FUEL PUMP TO STOP OPERATION. THIS WILL RESULT IN NOT BEING ABLE TO START THE ENGINE OR CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

IN THE FOLLOWING STATES, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL-SENDING UNIT. THESE STATES ARE CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, TENNESSEE, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN THE OTHER STATES, THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE FUEL PUMP TERMINAL ON THE SENDING UNIT FOR CORROSION. IF CORROSION IS PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE UNIT. IF THERE IS NOT CORROSION, THE DEALER WILL APPLY SEALANT TO THE TERMINAL HOUSING TO HELP PREVENT CORROSION IN THE FUTURE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 28, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

00V288000TransmissionOctober 2, 2000 · 76,652 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK, AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT. " THESE VEHICLES COULD HAVE A SHIFT CABLE LOCK PLATE THAT IS TOO BRITTLE AND CAN BREAK. THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER AND THE "PRNDL" INDICATOR MAY MOVE, BUT THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF THE PARK POSITION. OVER A PERIOD OF TIME, THE TRANSMISSION COULD SHIFT OUT OF THE PARK POSITION, BUT THE GEAR INDICATED ON THE DISPLAY MAY DIFFER FROM THE GEAR ENGAGED IN THE TRANSMISSION.

Consequence

IF THE DRIVER SELECTS 'DRIVE' AND THE TRANSMISSION IS ACTUALLY IN 'REVERSE', A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE LOCK PLATE.

99V347002LightingDecember 20, 1999 · 67,000 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS AND LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS. THE TAIL LIGHT SOCKET MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY MOLDED, RESULTING IN THE LOCKING TAB HAVING INSUFFICIENT FORCE TO RETAIN THE BULB.

Consequence

IF THE BULB FALLS OUT OF THE SOCKET, THE BRAKE OR TAIL LAMP FUNCTION CANNOT OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TAIL LAMP SOCKETS.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TREAD SEPERATED ON MY VEHICLE WHILE ON THE FREEWAY,RESULTING IN $4,000.00 OF DAMAGE TO VEHICLE,OVER $3,000.00 IN LOST EARNINGS.AFTER PICKING UP MY TRUCK FROM BODY SHOP,EXACTLY ONE WEEK LATER A SECOND TIRE FROM THE SET (B.F. GOODRICH LONG TRAIL 265/75/R15) EXPLODED WHILE ON THE FREEWAY IT WASNT A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · June 28, 2003 · crash

“FUEL LEAK FROM TOP OF DEFECTIVE FUEL TANK (CORROSION) CONFIRMED BY NISSAN 112 PATCHOGUE, NY. THERE WAS A RECALL ON 2001 FRONTIERS FOR THE SAME REASON BUT NOT ON THE 2000. I SEE MANY OTHER 2000 FRONTIER OWNERS HAVE THE SAME SAFETY ISSUE AND THAT IN MOST CASES NISSAN REPLACED THE TANK FOR NO CHARGE.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · November 1, 2013

“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING IN NORMAL CONDITIONS, THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR WENT INTO REVERSE AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE POLE. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO THE PASSENGER SIDE QUARTER PANEL AND THE BUMPER. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · March 16, 2006 · crash

“VEHICLE IS PULLING TO RIGHT WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. DEALER CANNOT REMEDY PROBLEM. CONSUMER CONTACTED A FIRESTONE DEALER TO HAVE WHEEL ALIGNMENT DONE, THINKING TIRES WERE AT FAULT. MECHANIC STATED FRONT RIGHT CASTER CANNOT BE ADJUSTED.*AK CONSUMER STATED SEAT RATTLED. WINDOW MOLDING WAS REPLACED.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · April 1, 2001

“5-SPEED TRUCK PARKED ON STEEP D/W WITH PARKING BRAKE ON, FEW HOURS LATER PARKING BRAKE DISENGAGED BY ITS SELF AND ALLOWED TRUCK TO ROLL INTO GARAGE DOOR, D/W IS STEEP ENOUGH THAT TRUCH WOULD HAVE ROLLED IMMEDIATELY IF BRAKE WAS LEFT OFF BY ACCIDENT. DEALER COULD NOT REPEAT EVENT, BUT FOUND BRAKE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 15, 2000 · crash

2000 Nissan Frontier — common questions

Is the 2000 Nissan Frontier reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 224 complaints put the 2000 model at #4 of 29 Frontier years. It is one of the Frontier years to avoid.

What are the most common 2000 Frontier problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are tires & wheels (31 complaints), fuel system (28 complaints), transmission (26 complaints).

Does the 2000 Nissan Frontier have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2000 Nissan Frontier. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Nissan Frontier years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Frontier years to avoid are 2006, 2005, 2007, 2000, 2022, 2008, 2001, 2002, 1998. The cleanest record among Frontier years belongs to 2026.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.