Total Complaints
258 filings
NISSAN XTERRA · model year
258 NHTSA complaints, 30 crash reports, and 5 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2000NISSANXTERRA carries 258 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 30 crashes, 4 fires, 29 injuries, and 1 fatality. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2000 XTERRA is fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump with 30 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe (15) and power train:automatic transmission (14). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 5 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 54 investigation files overlapping the 2000 XTERRA, and 5 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
258 filings
Crashes Reported
30 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP | 30 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE | 15 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 14 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 12 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 12 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 8 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 7 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 7 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY | 7 |
| VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS | 7 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 7 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH | 6 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP | 6 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 5 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 5 |
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
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 CONDIT
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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 SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE D
WHEELS
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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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 CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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 TH
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My car keeps stalling out like it's not getting gas.
My car keeps stalling out like it's not getting gas.
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.
My car dies out while driving. I've replaced so many parts already and it keeps leaving me stranded.
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.
Mileage: 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.
Mileage: 160,000
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.
Mileage: 160,000
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
Mileage: 122,000
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.
Mileage: 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
Mileage: 146,190
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.
Mileage: 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.
Mileage: 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.
Mileage: 147,300
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.
Mileage: 147,300
Driver Airbag Inflator Rupture
Inner Tie Rod Failures
Side curtain air bags may deploy inadvertently
Reduced Power After Engine Stall
Loss of motive power due to broken crankshaft with no ability to restart.
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.