VehicleVerdict

2000 Nissan Xterra problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 258 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.7 times the median Xterra year — the 2000 model ranks #4 of 17 Xterra years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 29 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Fuel System leads the complaint categories with 67 reports (26% of the total).

258

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

30

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

29

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2000 compare to other Xterra years?

Xterra NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted1,175 complaints1999: 0 complaints2000: 258 complaints2001: 197 complaints2002: 214 complaints2003: 97 complaints2004: 110 complaints2005: 1,175 complaints2006: 1,034 complaints2007: 770 complaints2008: 174 complaints2009: 26 complaints2010: 58 complaints2011: 27 complaints2012: 17 complaints2013: 7 complaints2014: 14 complaints2015: 15 complaints
Xterra NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Xterra years to avoid →

What are the most common 2000 Nissan Xterra problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System6726%
Engine3714%
Electrical System2710%
Transmission239%
Tires & Wheels177%
Brakes166%
Airbags156%
Visibility & Wipers104%
Speed Control93%
Suspension93%
Body & Structure73%
Other62%
Steering62%
Seat Belts52%
Lighting31%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%

Does the 2000 Nissan Xterra have recalls?

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

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.

03V307000Tires & WheelsAugust 22, 2003 · 31,700 units

Defect

2000 NISSAN XTERRA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN OCTOBER 15, 1999, AND FEBRUARY 29, 2000. THE ALLOY WHEELS USED ON THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY MANUFACTURED AND COULD DEVELOP CRACKS IN THE WHEEL SPOKES.

Consequence

IF A SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF SPOKE CRACKS DEVELOP, THE WHEEL COULD FAIL AND SEPARATE FROM THE MOUNTING HUB, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy

NISSAN WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE FOUR ALLOY WHEELS WITH XTERRA SE MODEL BRIGHT ALLOY WHEELS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SPARE TIRE STEEL WHEEL IS NOT AFFECTED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261. INFORMATION CAN ALSO BE OBTAINED THROUGH NISSAN'S WEB SITE AT WWW.NISSANUSA.COM.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“IMMEDIATELY AFTER I EXITED MY BUILDING GARAGE AND MADE RIGHT TURN ON CITY STREET ON A CLEAR SUMMER DAY AFTERNOON THE ENGINE SOUND BEGAN ROARING AND VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATING. I TRIED TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE FORCIBLY HITTING ON THE BRAKES, SHIFTING GEARS TO NEUTRAL, TURNING OFF THE ENGINE BUT THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · June 17, 2020 · crash

“I HAVE ABOUT 70,000 MILES ON MY 2000 NISSAN XTERRA. I HAD TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER SIDE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AROUND 40K MILES DUE TO A CRACK. I AM NOW EXPERIENCING A CRACK OF THE DRIVER EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THIS PROBLEM HAS ME CONCERNED BECAUSE OF THE DEFECTS INVOLVED. I THINK THAT THE EXHAUST FUMES MAY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 20, 2004

“WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THERE WAS A LOT SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. DEALER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 21, 2004 · fire

“VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN PARK IN FIRST GEAR WITH THE PARKING BRAKE APPLIED AND ENGINE IN OFF POSITION. VEHICLE SUDDENLY JUMPED OUT OF GEAR, CRASHING INTO A STREET SIGN. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 17, 2001 · crash

“THESE TIRES HYDROPLANED VIOLENTLY, EVEN AT LOW SPEED. I ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING IN WET WEATHER. MANY OTHER MEMBERS OF THE XTERRA OWNER'S CLUB REPORT SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THIS TIRE. ONE MEMBER REPORTED TO THE OWNER'S CLUB WEBSITE THAT THEY CAUSED HIS VEHICLE TO FLIP OVER.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · July 19, 2002

2000 Nissan Xterra — common questions

Is the 2000 Nissan Xterra reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 258 complaints put the 2000 model at #4 of 17 Xterra years. It is one of the Xterra years to avoid.

What are the most common 2000 Xterra problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (67 complaints), engine (37 complaints), electrical system (27 complaints).

Does the 2000 Nissan Xterra have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2000 Nissan Xterra. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Nissan Xterra years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Xterra years to avoid are 2005, 2006, 2007, 2000, 2002, 2001, 2008. The cleanest record among Xterra years belongs to 1999.

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.