2000 Nissan Xterra
The Verdict
The 2000 Nissan Xterra has 229 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are engine (100 complaints) and body (52 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 50/100, it earns a "Proceed with Caution" rating. If you're shopping for a Nissan Xterra, consider the 2013 model year which has 98% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2013 has 98% fewer complaints
View the 2013 Nissan Xterra dashboard →
Klunk Score: Proceed with Caution
About average for complaint volume. Research the specific issues before buying.
How is this calculated?
The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.
Recalls 3
Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.
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 I...
Risk
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...
Reported Apr 11, 2026
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 CRAC...
Risk
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 W...
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,...
Reported Apr 11, 2026
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, START...
Risk
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.
Reported Feb 10, 2000
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
By Category
By Severity
Worst Problems
Complaints
Unknown
My car keeps stalling out like it's not getting gas.
My car dies out while driving. I've replaced so many parts already and it keeps leaving me stranded.
The engine service soon have been on for quite some time now. I tried to take it to several Smog places to get it smogged , and the mechanic have told me that the Smog scanner cannot read the computer of my car.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE SHOULDER WHERE THEY GOT OUT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE AND POURED WATER ONTO THE VEHICLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE HOWEVER THE FIRE INCREASED SLIGHTLY. THE CONTACT STATED BIGGER EFFORTS WERE MADE FROM HER AND ANOTHER DRIVER TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT MADE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN OFFICIALLY DIAGNOSED THE CONTACT LEARNED THAT THEIR VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V230000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE), HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE. THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE 241,496.
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 VEHICLE KEPT ON GOING AND RAN-AWAY UNCONTROLLABLY TILL I MADE TWO LEFT TURNS AND ENDED UP ON A SIDE WALK WITH THE REAR TIRE BLOWN OUT AND THE CAR STOPPED AFTER COLLIDING WITH SOME PUBLIC UTILITY BOX. THE VEHICLE HAS INCOMPLETE RECALL #R0402 AND NHSTA RECALL #04V-230 REGARDING THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. THERE WAS A LOCAL POLICE REPORT #200057082. SUSPECTED CAUSES COULD BE FLAWS IN THE VEHICLE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM THAT PRODUCED FAULTY SIGNAL OF FULLY DEPRESSED ACCELERATOR PEDAL.
I WAS 47 MPH IN A 45 MPH ROAD AND THE GUY BEHIND ME ILLEGALLY PASSED ME BY DRIVING ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROAD UNTIL HE WAS ABLE TO PASS ME CAUSING ME TO SLAM ON MY BRAKES AND SWERVE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE STATIONARY, THE VEHICLE UNINTENTIONALLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 270,000.
ON SATURDAY I SMELLED A BURNING SMELL WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY BUT IT WENT AWAY QUICKLY AND I COULDN'T FIND ANY SOURCE IN THE VEHICLE, SO I ASSUMED I JUST DROVE PAST SOMETHING THAT SMELLED BADLY. ON SUNDAY THE SMELL RETURNED, STRONGER. I STOPPED AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF, AND SMOKE BEGAN POURING OUT FROM UNDER THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DASH AS I RAN TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. ONCE THE SMOKE CLEARED AND THERE WAS NO CONCERN OF A FIRE BREAKING OUT I BEGAN TO INVESTIGATE THE CAUSE AND FOUND THE "SMART ENTRANCE CONTROL UNIT," WHICH IS MOUNTED TO THE FAR LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE UNDER THE DASH AND CONTROLS THE POWER LOCKS AND KEYLESS ENTRY, TO BE NOTICEABLY HOT. I UNPLUGGED THIS BOX AND REMOVED IT FROM THE VEHICLE. THE BOX HAD HEAT VISIBLE DAMAGE ON ITS EXTERIOR. I OPENED THE BOX TO INVESTIGATE FURTHER AND FOUND A LARGE ELECTRICAL COMPONENT THAT I BELIEVE WAS A METAL OXIDE VARISTOR WAS THE SOURCE OF THE HEAT/SMOKE/POSSIBLE FIRE, AND NEARBY COMPONENTS SUFFERED SIGNIFICANT HEAT DAMAGE. I THINK THAT THIS CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF A COMPUTER MODULE MAY BE A SAFETY DESIGN FLAW. IF I HAD NOT BEEN AWARE OF THE ODOR AND PULLED OVER AND QUICKLY DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY, THE VEHICLE COULD HAVE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THIS COMPUTER IS POWERED EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF, SO IT COULD HAVE STARTED A FIRE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT AND CAUSED A HOUSE FIRE AS WELL. I CHECKED EVERY FUSE IN THE VEHICLE AND ALL FUSES ARE THE CORRECT AMPERAGE (NOBODY HAS INSTALLED A HIGHER CURRENT FUSE IN PLACE OF A LOWER CURRENT ONE). IT WOULD SEEM LIKE THE CIRCUIT PROTECTION IS INADEQUATE TO INTERRUPT POWER TO THE COMPUTER IF IT FAILS. MY POWER LOCKS/KEYLESS FUNCTIONED UP UNTIL THE INCIDENT AND THE CAR CONTINUES TO OPERATE WITHOUT THE KEYLESS ENTRY COMPUTER. THE COMPUTER'S PART LABEL READS AS FOLLOWS: CONT ASSY'SMART ENTRANCE PART NO. 28595 7Z000 UTA PART NO. 601-1190-001 FCC ID: KOBUTAHZR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE CRACKS IN THE WHEELS OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP MELTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE WHEN TURNED TO THE RIGHT. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE DEPRESSED WITH FORCE IN ORDER TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WOULD NOT CLOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT THE DIAGNOSIS WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,300.
I STARTED THE CAR THIS MORNING. THE ODOMETER, TACHOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER DID NOT WORK. THE ODOMETER WAS BLANK. I DROVE THE CAR AND THE SPEEDOMETER OR TACHOMETER DID NOT WORK. THIS SAME THING HAPPENED TO ME AT NIGHT, ABOUT A YEAR AGO. THE PANEL LIGHTS ALSO DID NOT WORK. THE NEXT DAY, EVERYTHING WORKED FINE. IT DID NOT CORRECT ITSELF THIS TOME. THE INSTRUMENTS ARE STILL NOT WORKING.
MY DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION WHEN A DRUNK DRIVER HIT HER WHILE DRIVING ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE ROAD. HIS AIRBAGS DEPLOYED BUT NOT MY DAUGHTERS NISSAN XTERRA. *TR
FUEL SENDING UNIT RUSTED AND CORRODED GAS GAUGE IN ACCURATE READING. *TR
I BOUGHT 4 GOODRICH LONGTRAIL TA 60,000 MILES TIRES FOR MY NISSAN SUV X-TERRA, 2 TIRES BOUGHT FROM TIRE KINGDOM ON 1/3/11 (INVOICE # [XXX]?RI )WHEN MY VEHICLE MILEAGE WAS 131,050, & 2 TIRES BOUGHT 9 DAYS LATER FROM FIRESTONE ON 1/12/11 (INVOICE # [XXX]) WHEN MY VEHICLE MILEAGE WAS 131,190 (I HAVE BOTH RECEIPTS). I BOUGHT THE TIRES AT LOCAL ESTABLISHMENTS (2 BOUGHT AT FIRESTONE ON 49TH STREET NORTH IN PINELLAS PARK, FL 33781 PHONE: 727-544-6601, AND 2 BOUGHT AT TIRE KINGDOM IN TYRONE BLVD IN ST. PETERSBURG, FL 33711 PHONE: 727-345-2404). WHILE CLEANING MY CAR AND WASHING THE TIRES ON 1/18/2013, I NOTICED THAT THE DRIVERS FRONT TIRE IS CRACKING WHERE THE TREAD MEETS THE SIDEWALL. I AM VERY CONCERNED FOR MY LIFE AND THAT OF ANY PASSENGERS, SINCE THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING TO TIRES THAT ARE JUST 2 YEARS OLD. MY AUTO MILEAGE AS OF 1/20/2013 IS 142,343. THIS MEANS IN TWO YEARS SINCE I BOUGHT THESE TIRES, I HAVE TRAVELED ONLY 11,293 MILES. I AM NOW CONCERNED FOR MY LIFE AND THAT OF ANY PASSENGERS WITH THESE GOODRICH MANUFACTURER DEFECTIVE TIRES. THESE ARE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS DEFECTIVE TIRES, WHICH RUBBER IS CRACKLING AND I AM VERY CONCERNED THE TREAD WILL SEPARATE FROM THE SIDEWALL CAUSING A BLOW OUT AND A THREAT TO LIFE. THIS IS THE ONLY VEHICLE I HAVE. ON 1/19/2013 I WENT TO FIRESTONE AND POINTED OUT THE DEFECT SHOWING ALREADY IN ONE OF THE TIRES. N/C ON INVOICE # [XXX] DATED 1/19/13 ROTATION OF TIRES NOT DONE AND DEFECT COMPLAINT NOT FIXED. THE SALESMAN ACKNOWLEDGE DEFECT AND WANTED TO SELL ME BRAND NEW TIRES, WHICH I CAN'T AFFORD, AND SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR MFTG DEFECT,. THESE TIRES SHOULD ME COVERED UNDER GOODRICH LIMITED WARRANTY FOR WORKMANSHIP AND MATERIAL DEFECTS. BUT, THE FIRESTONE SALESMAN DENIED COVERAGE THROUGH MFTG WARRANTY & HE SAID FIRESTONE DOES NOT PROVIDE FOR GOODRICH MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY, BUT I BOUGHT 2 OF MY TIRES FROM FIRESTONE! MANY COMPLAINTS ON THESE TIRES POSTED ON WEBSITE: WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/TIRES/GOODRICH. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO MERGE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THE DISTRIBUTOR HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 12/5/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED A SENSOR ON THE DISTRIBUTOR WAS BAD WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STOP RUNNING. UPDATED 12/10/12
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE CONTACT AND HE NOTICED THAT THE FUEL PUMP MAY BE DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED AND HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 143,000.
DRIVING APPROX. 5 MINUTES WHEN CAR WARNING LIGHTS (CHECK ENGINE) AND ALL DASH WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON IMMEDIATELY THERE AFTER, CAR ENGINE SHUTS OFF. CAR ENGINE WOULD TURN ON WHEN STARTED BUT AS SOON AS YOU ENGAGE THE TRANSMISSION BY MOVING FROM PARK TO DRIVE, AND PRESS THE GAS PEDAL, CAR ENGINE WOULD AGAIN CUT OFF. AT NO OTHER TIME PRIOR TO THIS DID CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON, OIL LIGHT, OR WATER TEMPERATURE GAGE SHOW ANY MALFUNCTION. THE PROFESSIONAL MECHANIC THAT CHECKED MY CAR AND RAN DIAGNOSTIC TESTING CAN'T FIND ANY PROBLEMS. HE SAYS HE HAS DRIVEN THE CAR BUT, CAN'T GUARANTEE THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 NISSAN XTERRA EQUIPPED WITH BF GOODRICH RADIAL LONG TRAIL T/A TIRES. SIZE P265/70/R15. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN STOPPED AND THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TREAD ON THE REAR DRIVER'S TIRE TORE AWAY FROM THE TIRE. A SPARE TIRE WAS INSTALLED AS A REPLACEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED TO REPLACE THE FAILED TIRE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
229 total