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2000 Nissan Xterra

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Xterra years

Owner complaints for the 2000 Nissan Xterra are substantially higher than the model-year median of 78.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

126 reports with mileage · 88 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 49 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

25 crash reports4 fire reports14 injury reports

What owners actually said

214 reports
Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 2003
Electrical System

ALL DASH BOARD ELECTRONICS SHUT DOWN FOR NO APPARENT REASON. INCLUDES SPEEDOMETER, RADIO, DASH LIGHTS, AND ALL GAUGES AND WARNING LIGHTS. NEVER REPRODUCED FOR REPAIR SHOP. HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS CONTINUE TO FUNCTION. SYSTEMS REGAIN POWER FOR NO APPARENT REASON, STOPPING AND STARTING THE ENGINE IS NOT HELPFUL. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10014354

57,811 miles · Apr 13, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline

APRIL 11TH MY 2000 XTERRA STALLED WHILE DRIVING. I RESTARTED IT AND 5 MINUTES LATER IT STALLED AGAIN. THE THIRD TIME IT DIED AND WOULDN'T START AGAIN. I HAD IT TOWED TO MY HOUSE AND SINCE IT WAS RAINING I FIGURED I WOULD TRY IT AGAIN IN THE MORNING (HOPEFULLY WHATEVER WAS WET WOULD DRY OUT AND IT WOULD BE FINE). THE NEXT MORNING…

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APRIL 11TH MY 2000 XTERRA STALLED WHILE DRIVING. I RESTARTED IT AND 5 MINUTES LATER IT STALLED AGAIN. THE THIRD TIME IT DIED AND WOULDN'T START AGAIN. I HAD IT TOWED TO MY HOUSE AND SINCE IT WAS RAINING I FIGURED I WOULD TRY IT AGAIN IN THE MORNING (HOPEFULLY WHATEVER WAS WET WOULD DRY OUT AND IT WOULD BE FINE). THE NEXT MORNING IT DID START AND I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE HIGHWAY WHERE IT DIED AGAIN (MIDDLE LANE OF A 5 FOUR LANE HIGHWAY!). THIS TIME I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. I WAS A LITTLE SURPRISED TO HEAR THE MECHANIC TELL ME WHAT WAS WRONG BEFORE HE EVEN LOOKED AT IT (HE HAD A FUEL SENDER UNIT SITTING ON HIS WORKSTATION THAT HE HAD JUST PULLED OUT OF ANOTHER X WITH THE SAME PROBLEM). APPARENTLY WHEN THE X-TERRA HITS 50K TO 70K MILES THE FUEL SENDER UNITS GO BAD AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONNECTION FOR THE FUEL PUMP CORRODES (GREEN OXIDE) AND ALSO CRACKS CREATING AN OPEN. THE GUY WORKING IN THE PARTS DEPARTMENT SAID I WAS LUCKY BECAUSE THEY HAD JUST HAD A RUN ON FUEL SENDERS BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM AND WERE OUT FOR A WHILE BUT THEY HAD JUST GOT A NEW SHIPMENT IN. I STARTED TO FEEL LIKE THIS WAS A KNOWN MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT NISSAN IS NOT LETTING ON TO THEIR CUSTOMERS. THE CLINCHER WAS, WHILE I WAS WAITING ANOTHER FLAT BED TOW TRUCK PULLED UP WITH ANOTHER X-TERRA...THAT'S RIGHT, BAD FUEL SENDER!! I PAID $211.00 FOR THE FUEL SENDER PLUS $65 FOR TOWING. I CHECKED IF OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM ON AN X-TERRA FORUM WEB SITE AND IT APPEARS TO BE ALL TOO COMMON. HAVING YOUR MOTOR CUT OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY IS A VERY DANGEROUS THING! *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10014342

37,000 miles · Apr 10, 2003
SuspensionTires

SEVERAL TIMES SINCE OWNING THE XTERRA WHILE DRIVING IN RAIN OR SNOW, THE BACK TIRES SLIDE CONSTANTLY AND THE REAR GOES OUT OF CONTROL. I ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT DUE TO MY VEHICLE LOSING CONTROL ALSO WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH VERY LITTLE RAIN ON A CURVING ROAD MY VEHICLE'S REAR STARTED SPINNING OUT OF CONTROL ALMOST KILLING MY 4 PA…

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SEVERAL TIMES SINCE OWNING THE XTERRA WHILE DRIVING IN RAIN OR SNOW, THE BACK TIRES SLIDE CONSTANTLY AND THE REAR GOES OUT OF CONTROL. I ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT DUE TO MY VEHICLE LOSING CONTROL ALSO WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH VERY LITTLE RAIN ON A CURVING ROAD MY VEHICLE'S REAR STARTED SPINNING OUT OF CONTROL ALMOST KILLING MY 4 PASSENGERS AND I. THERE HAS TO BE A DEFECT IN THE REAR SUSPENSION OF THE VEHICLE. "NISSAN" OWN UP TO YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES!!! *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10014237

54,844 miles · Apr 8, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

AT 5,000 MILES PRE WARRANTY EXPIRATION MY 2000 NISSAN XTERRA BROKE DOWN WHILE PULLING OUT FROM A STOP. AFTER AN INVESTIGATION BY NISSAN, THEY'VE CONCLUDED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT HAD BROKE AND THUS THE ENGINE WOULD BE RENDERED USELESS. THEY HAVE ALSO STATED THAT THEY WILL NOT COVER THIS UNDER THEIR WARRANTY AND WILL BILL ME FOR TH…

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AT 5,000 MILES PRE WARRANTY EXPIRATION MY 2000 NISSAN XTERRA BROKE DOWN WHILE PULLING OUT FROM A STOP. AFTER AN INVESTIGATION BY NISSAN, THEY'VE CONCLUDED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT HAD BROKE AND THUS THE ENGINE WOULD BE RENDERED USELESS. THEY HAVE ALSO STATED THAT THEY WILL NOT COVER THIS UNDER THEIR WARRANTY AND WILL BILL ME FOR THE NEW ENGINE. THEY'VE SAID THAT THE ENGINE GOT SLUDGE DUE TO INFREQUENT OIL CHANGES. AFTER PROVIDING PROOF OF REGULAR OIL CHANGES NISSAN SAYS THAT THEY STILL WILL NOT COVER THE VEHICLE. THESE FRAUDULENT ACCUSATIONS ARE AN OUTRAGE AND SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER NISSAN'S WARRANTY. FURTHERMORE, MY RIGHTS AS A CONSUMER HAVE BEEN VIOLATED. AFTER CONTACTING NHTSA OVER THE PHONE I DISCOVERED THAT THEIR HAD BEEN A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE AND THAT THE RECALL COULD HAVE HAD SOME AFFECT ON THE RESULTING PROBLEMS CONCURRED, I'M NOT SURE AS I WAS NEVER CONTACTED REGARDING ANY RECALL ISSUE. ANYHOW NISSAN SAYS THAT THEY WILL NOT COVER MY ENGINE UNDER THEIR WARRANTY. THEY ARE ALSO TRYING TO CHARGE ME FOR ADDITIONAL INVESTIGATION FEES THAT THEY'VE ALREADY BILLED ME FOR TO SEE IF THIS COULD AFTER ALL BE AN ISSUE OF WARRANTY, SO FAR THE TOTAL CONCURRED WITH NO REPAIRS IS $420, WITH THE ADDED INVESTIGATION IT WOULD BE AN ADDITIONAL $480, $1000 OF WORTH OF WORK WITH NO REPAIRS MADE! I'M REFUSING TO PAY ANY FEES REGARDING THIS ISSUE AS IT IS NOT MY OBLIGATION UNDER NISSAN'S WARRANTY. I WILL NOT BE A SCAPEGOAT FOR A DEFECTIVE CRANKSHAFT OR ANY OTHER PART CAUSING THIS FAILURE, AS THIS IS A BREACH IN WARRANTY. I'M PREPARED TO PURSUE THIS ISSUE TO THE FULLEST EXTANT. THANK YOU FOR ANY HELP. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10014146

38,000 miles · Apr 8, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline

CAR DIED ON A BUSY STREET - APPARENTLY FROM MALFUNCTIONING FUEL SENDING UNIT. 2000 NISSAN XTERRA HAD ONLY 38,000 MILES ON IT. PART IS ON "NATIONAL BACKORDER" AND WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR MONTHS. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10014115

65,412 miles · Apr 6, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline

WHILE IN TRAFFIC TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER AND STALLED. THE CAR COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND RESISTED ALL ATTEMPTS TO BE RESTARTED. THE TOW TRUCK TOOK THE 2000 XTERRA TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP. THE DEALER SAID THE INTERNAL FUEL SENDING UNIT, LOCATED IN THE GAS TANK, WAS CORR…

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WHILE IN TRAFFIC TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER AND STALLED. THE CAR COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND RESISTED ALL ATTEMPTS TO BE RESTARTED. THE TOW TRUCK TOOK THE 2000 XTERRA TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP. THE DEALER SAID THE INTERNAL FUEL SENDING UNIT, LOCATED IN THE GAS TANK, WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. LUCKILY NO ONE GOT HURT. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 65,412 MILES ON IT AND IS UNDER WARRANTY. OUR DEDUCTIBLE WAS $50 PLUS $3 TAX. IT IS DISTURBING TO SEE HOW MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM, BUT THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE NHTSA SHOWS MANY COMPLAINTS FOR THIS SIMILAR PROBLEM. IT APPEARS THAT A RECALL WOULD BE JUSTIFIED! I WOULD BE SADDENED TO HEAR THAT SOMEONE DIED DUE TO THIS ISSUE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10014029

40,000 miles · Apr 2, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline

VEHICLE STALL OUT CONTINUOUSLY. SPENT A GREAT DEAL OF MONEY ($1,479 -60K CHECKUP FOR BREAKS, THROTTLE, FUEL SENDER REPLACEMENT, ETC) ONLY TO HAVE TO BRING IT BACK A FEW WEEKS LATER BECAUSE IT STILL STALLED OUT. THEY "DISCOVERED" THE FUEL SENSOR WIRE WAS CORRODED, HAD TO WAIT 2 WEEKS FOR PART TO COME IN (THEY DID PAY FOR A REN…

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VEHICLE STALL OUT CONTINUOUSLY. SPENT A GREAT DEAL OF MONEY ($1,479 -60K CHECKUP FOR BREAKS, THROTTLE, FUEL SENDER REPLACEMENT, ETC) ONLY TO HAVE TO BRING IT BACK A FEW WEEKS LATER BECAUSE IT STILL STALLED OUT. THEY "DISCOVERED" THE FUEL SENSOR WIRE WAS CORRODED, HAD TO WAIT 2 WEEKS FOR PART TO COME IN (THEY DID PAY FOR A RENTAL). ONLY TO HAVE PROBLEM START UP AGAIN A FEW DAYS LATER. THIS WAS THE 5TH TIME IN 8 MONTHS I HAD IT IN FOR THE SAME ISSUE. I DID TELL THEM THAT IT DIDN'T OCCUR AS MUCH WHEN I PUT IN DRY GAS, THEY TOLD ME TO CONTINUE TO DO AND THAT THEY COULDN'T HELP ME SINCE THEY WEREN'T AROUND WHEN IT OCCURRED. THEY DID SAY TO BRING IT IN WHEN IT HAPPENED! *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10013823

39,000 miles · Mar 27, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline

WHILE DRIVING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY IN THE FAST LANE, AT 65 MPH, ALL MY DASH LIGHTS CAME ON AND MY SPEEDOMETER STARTED TO DROP FROM 60-50-40 DOWN TO 0. LUCKILY, IT WAS AROUND 10:30 P.M AND THERE WERE NOT MANY CARS ON THE ROAD AND I WAS ABLE TO GET OVER TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER SAFELY. I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO MY RELIABLE MECHANIC, …

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WHILE DRIVING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY IN THE FAST LANE, AT 65 MPH, ALL MY DASH LIGHTS CAME ON AND MY SPEEDOMETER STARTED TO DROP FROM 60-50-40 DOWN TO 0. LUCKILY, IT WAS AROUND 10:30 P.M AND THERE WERE NOT MANY CARS ON THE ROAD AND I WAS ABLE TO GET OVER TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER SAFELY. I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO MY RELIABLE MECHANIC, WHERE HE IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AS BEING THE FUEL PUMP (PART # 25060-4S415, WHICH IS ON NATIONAL BACKORDER DUE TO SO MANY PROBLEMS). THIS COULD MEAN THAT AN XTERRA OWNER COULD WAIT FOR AS LONG AS 3-6 WEEKS TO RECEIVE THE PART. WITH THIS FAULTY FUEL PUMP, WHAT HAPPENS IS THE SENDING UNIT FAILS, DUE TO CORROSION OF THE WIRES, THE FUEL PUMP SHUTS OFF, WHICH IN TURN, SHUTS THE ENGINE OFF (AT ANY TIME); A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION! AS OF YET, THIS ITEM HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. MY MECHANIC SUGGESTED FOR ME TO KEEP THIS PART FOR REIMBURSEMENT, AS HE HAS REPLACED NEARLY 100 PUMPS ON XTERRAS, HE IS SURE THAT THEY WILL BE RECALLING THIS ITEM SOON. I WILL BE CALLING THE NISSAN DEALER AS WELL AS WRITING A LETTER TO CORPORATE TO REGISTER MY COMPLAINT ON FILE. IF YOU HAVE THIS PROBLEM, OR ANY OTHER, PLEASE MAKE SURE TO IDENTIFY IT WITH NISSAN AND THIS WEBSITE SO IT AIDS IN THE RECALL PROCESS. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10013540

8,000 miles · Mar 26, 2003
Structure

BUMPER ON 2000 NISSAN XTERRA SAGS AND RUBS AGAINST TIRE WHILE TURNING. NISSAN HAS NOT RECALLED...PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON AMONG 2000 NISSAN XTERRAS. I HAD THE PROBLEM FIXED AND THE BUMPER SAGGED AGAIN WITHIN MONTHS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10011055

Mileage unknown · Mar 25, 2003
Fuel System, Other

I HAVE A 2000 XTERRA THAT DIED SUDDENLY ON MARCH 1ST WHILE GETTING READY TO DO MY ERRANDS FOR THE DAY. I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED AND 3 WEEKS LATER REC'D IT BACK ALONG W/ A BILL FOR $300. THE FUEL PUMP WAS ON BACKORDER FOR 3 WEEKS AND I ALSO KNOW SOMEONE ELSE WHO OWNS AN XTERRA AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO HER JUST LAST…

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I HAVE A 2000 XTERRA THAT DIED SUDDENLY ON MARCH 1ST WHILE GETTING READY TO DO MY ERRANDS FOR THE DAY. I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED AND 3 WEEKS LATER REC'D IT BACK ALONG W/ A BILL FOR $300. THE FUEL PUMP WAS ON BACKORDER FOR 3 WEEKS AND I ALSO KNOW SOMEONE ELSE WHO OWNS AN XTERRA AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO HER JUST LAST WEEK. TODAY, AFTER HAVING THE CAR BACK FOR LESS THAN A WEEK IT DIED AGAIN!!! I THINK NISSAN NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS. I HAVE SENT THEM, THE DEALERSHIP THAT FIXED IT AND THE DEALERSHIP THAT I BOUGHT IT FROM ALL E-MAILS OF WHICH HAVE BEEN IGNORED!! I WILL SERIOUSLY CONSIDER NOT BUYING A NISSAN NEXT TIME I AM IN THE MARKET, WHICH MAY BE VERY SOON@@@

NHTSA ODI #10010998

Official recalls

3

04V230000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

May 24, 2004

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 & remedy

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.

03V307000 · Wheels

Aug 22, 2003

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 & remedy

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.

00V288000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Oct 2, 2000

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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.