2000 Nissan Xterra
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1999 | 0 |
| 2000 | 214 |
| 2001 | 150 |
| 2002 | 157 |
| 2003 | 72 |
| 2004 | 84 |
| 2005 | 845 |
| 2006 | 780 |
| 2007 | 557 |
| 2008 | 119 |
| 2009 | 19 |
| 2010 | 38 |
| 2011 | 24 |
| 2012 | 16 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 10 |
| 2015 | 10 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
14% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 30 distinct reports on file.
7% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 15 distinct reports on file.
INJURY7% of complaints: power train — 14 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
WHILE PARKED WITH ONE WHEEL BEHIND PARKING STOP, A/C RUNNING AND VEHICLE THOUGHT TO BE IN PARK, VEHICLE SAT THERE FOR 5 OR MORE MINUTES, VEHICLE STARTS MOVING FORWARD,GOES DOWN ABOUT 8'SLOPE, ACROSS ROAD, DOWN ANOTHER 14'SLOPE, THROUGH FENCE TAKING...
NHTSA ODI report, 20000707
6% of complaints: electrical system — 12 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20200816
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20160509
My car dies out while driving. I've replaced so many parts already and it keeps leaving me stranded.
NHTSA ODI report, 20240915
6% of complaints: air bags — 12 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
2000 NISSAN XTERRA INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL CRASH. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. FIREMEN AT THE SCENE COULD NOT EVEN MAKE EITHER BAG DEPLOY MANUALLY.*AK
NHTSA ODI report, 20030530
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *JB
NHTSA ODI report, 20030520
I WAS THE DRIVER OF MY 2000 NISSAN XTERRAIN - INVOLVED IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT IN JANUARY 2003. I WAS COMPLETELY STOPPED, AND HIT FROM BEHIND BY A VEHICLE GOING 40 MPH. I THEN HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA ODI report, 20030130
SAFETY TIMELINE
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
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE LOCK PLATE.
Campaign 00V288000 — check if this car was fixed
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 T
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 SE
Campaign 03V307000 — check if this car was fixed
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 I
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, NE
Campaign 04V230000 — check if this car was fixed
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 S
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.
Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed
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 CONF
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.
Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2000 Nissan Xterra — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (30 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (15 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for power train issues (14 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 00V288000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 03V307000 (wheels) has been completed.
- Verify recall 04V230000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2000 Nissan Xterra reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2000 Nissan Xterra is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2000 Nissan Xterra?
The most-reported component is fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump, accounting for 14% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2000 Nissan Xterra have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.