VehicleVerdict

2000 Nissan Xterra transmission problems

The 2000 Nissan Xterra has 23 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 9% of the year's total, and the first year with meaningful reports in this category.

23

Transmission complaints

9%

Share of year

3

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Transmission complaints by year

Related recalls

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.

What owners report

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

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 2000 Nissan Xterra have?

NHTSA has 23 complaints about the 2000 Nissan Xterra transmission — 9% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2000 Nissan Xterra transmission?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the transmission: 00V288000.

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.