AI Damage2000 Nissan Xterra: common problems
Owners of the 2000 Nissan Xterra filed 214 complaints with NHTSA, most often about fuel system and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 214
- involving a crash
- 25
What fails most often
- 1 Fuel system 28% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 15% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 12% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 10% of all complaints
- 5 Air bags 7% of all complaints
- 6 Service brakes 7% of all complaints
- 7 Wheels 5% of all complaints
- 8 Suspension 4% of all complaints
- Fuel system: 59 complaints (28% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine and cooling: 33 complaints (15% of all).
- Electrical system: 26 complaints (12% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Powertrain: 22 complaints (10% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Air bags: 15 complaints (7% of all), 14 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.4 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 3.3 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: RWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 214 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel system | 59 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 33 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 26 | 2 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 22 | 3 | 0 |
| Air bags | 15 | 14 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 14 | 2 | 0 |
| Wheels | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 9 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 9 | 3 | 0 |
| Visibility | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| Tires | 6 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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…
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.
Involved in vehicle accident. Xterra was stopped, and hit from behind at 40 mph. It then hit the vehicle in front of it. Airbag did not deploy. Vehicle wsa totalled, I was injured.
While driving 65 mph driver applied the brakes to slow down the speed and consumer lost control, causing the vehicle to hit a guard rail and role three times. Vehicle landed upside down. Upon impact, the airbag did not deploy. Driver sustained minor injuries.
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. The nissan was totalled and I was injured.
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.
It was quite scary to have a seatbelt fail in an accident. In addition, they are investigating the cause of the accident. All of a sudden I started to fishtail -- we don't know if a tire or shock blew or what happened. All I do know is that the seatbelt did not stay latched -- it flew off in the crash.
I never regained control then rolled down a hill off the highway.. The vehicle was ruled a total loss. My injuries were minimal. I was greatful for that . I just feel the vehicle was responsible and there was something that went wrong. I have contacted nissan with no luck . I even received a recall on the vehicle .
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 1,905 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 5% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Xterra has 172 complaints (18 years in the data). This year has 214, above average.
What to check before buying
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Other years of this model
- Xterra 2001150 sources
- Xterra 2002157 sources
- Xterra 200372 sources
- Xterra 200484 sources
- Xterra 2005845 sources
- Xterra 2006780 sources
- Xterra 2007557 sources
- Xterra 2008119 sources
- Xterra 200919 sources
- Xterra 201038 sources
- Xterra 201124 sources
- Xterra 201216 sources
- Xterra 20134 sources
- Xterra 201410 sources
- Xterra 201510 sources
- Xterra 201630 sources
- Xterra 99993 sources
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2000 Nissan Xterra?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: fuel system, engine and cooling, electrical system. Total complaints: 214. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: fuel system, fuel smell (14%), stalls while driving (14%), rust, corrosion (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2000 Nissan Xterra?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2000 Nissan Xterra from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2000 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.