REAR LEAF SPRING BROKE IN HALF ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE, ONE FELL COMPLETELY OFF THE TRUCK. SERIOUSLY AFFECTS CONTROL AND HANDLING OF THE VEHICLE. POSSIBLE SAFETY ISSUE TO ANY VEHICLE FOLLOWING BEHIND IF THIS LARGE PIECE OF STEEL FALLS OFF AT HIGHWAY SPEED. COULD ALSO JAM INTO ROADWAY AND CAUSE VEHICLE TO FLIP? *TR
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Xterra years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
Suspension complaints
9 reportsSEVERAL 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
I HIT A GARDEN-VARIETY INNER-CITY POTHOLE RETURNING FROM A DAY-TRIP. AS A RESULT, THE TORSION BAR ON MY 2000 NISSAN XTERRA WAS BROKEN. STRANGE, FOR A VEHICLE THAT IS MARKETED AS CAPABLE OF RUGGED OFF-ROAD DRIVING. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR, BUT MY INSURANCE COMPANY PREFERRED THAT I TAKE IT SOMEWHERE ELSE…
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I HIT A GARDEN-VARIETY INNER-CITY POTHOLE RETURNING FROM A DAY-TRIP. AS A RESULT, THE TORSION BAR ON MY 2000 NISSAN XTERRA WAS BROKEN. STRANGE, FOR A VEHICLE THAT IS MARKETED AS CAPABLE OF RUGGED OFF-ROAD DRIVING. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR, BUT MY INSURANCE COMPANY PREFERRED THAT I TAKE IT SOMEWHERE ELSE. BEFORE RELEASING THE CAR TO THE OTHER FACILITY, THE DEALIERSHIP SAID THE TORSION BAR HAD BEEN ORDERED AND WOULD BE DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING WEDNESDAY. THAT WAS ALMOST 4 WEEKS AGO. EACH TIME I CHECK ON THE REPAIR, I AM TOLD THE SAME THING: PART ON NATIONWIDE BACKORDER---NO RELEASE DATE AVAILABLE. IT ALL SEEMS FISHY TO ME...WHY WOULD THE TORSION BAR BE SO FLIMSY ON A VEHICLE SUPPOSEDLY CAPABLE OF CLIMBING MOUNTAINS? AND WHY IS THERE SUCH A SHORTAGE OF THIS PART? ARE SO MANY NEEDED FOR REPAIRS THAT THEY CAN'T BE KEPT IN STOCK? AND WHAT IS THE HOLDUP ON DELIVERY OF THE PART? I'VE TRIED TO CONTACT NISSAN U SA TWICE, WITH NO REPLY EITHER TIME. I FEEL TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF AND JERKED AROUND BECAUSE I'M A WOMAN AND I'M AT THEIR MERCY.
WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT, THERE WAS A LOUD POP, CONSUMER PARKED THE VEHICLE, LOOKED UNDER THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND SAW THE CLAMP THAT HOLDS THE STABILIZER BAR IN PLACE BROKE OFF THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE, CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PIECE WAS AN OPTIONAL PIECE AND THAT IT WAS …
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WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT, THERE WAS A LOUD POP, CONSUMER PARKED THE VEHICLE, LOOKED UNDER THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND SAW THE CLAMP THAT HOLDS THE STABILIZER BAR IN PLACE BROKE OFF THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE, CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PIECE WAS AN OPTIONAL PIECE AND THAT IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE BACK HOME, BUT TO HAVE IT REPAIRED SOON, THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER AND CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE, HOWEVER ANOTHER TECHNICIAN STATED THE ONLY WAY THE VEHICLE COULD BE REPAIRED WOULD BE TO SAW THE FRONT PORTION OF THE VEHICLE OFF AND WELD AND REPLACE THAT PORTION OR NISSAN WOULD HAVE TO SEND ANOTHER FRAME FOR THE VEHICLE, THE DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE TO SEE WHAT COULD BE DONE, CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED BY ANOTHER TECHNICIAN THAT THE SCREW THAT HOLDS THE CLAMP ON WAS POSSIBLY LOOSE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOTICED FROM OIL CHANGES AND BY THE SCREW BEING LOOSE IT BROKE, THE TECHNICIAN STATED A CLAMP WOULD BE ORDERD AND HE WOULD UTILIZE ANOTHER PIECE OF MATERIAL AND DRILL 2 HOLES AND REPLACE THE CLAMP ENOUGH IN PLACE TO KEEP THE BAR IN PLACE, CONSUMER BELIEVES THE MECHANIC IS PERFORMING A PATCH UP JOB AND NOT CORRECTLY IDENTIFYING THE PROBLEM.*JB
MAKES LOUD NOISE WHEN DRIVING. NOISE GETS LOUDER AS YOU INCREASE SPEED. LOUD HUMM. AS YOU PRESS THE GAS PEDAL THE NOISE GOES UP.*AK
FRONT END ALIGNMENT BADLY OUT O\F ADJUSTMENTS CAUSES PULL TO RIGHT AND UNEVEN TIRE WEAR AND TIRE SQUEAL
BACK END HAS GONE OUT OF CONTROL MANY TIMES FOR NO REASON, ON 12-23-2000 THE BACK END WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND THE CAR WENT INTO THE ON-COMING LANE WHICH CAUSED A ACCIDENT. ALL 3 OF OUR SEAT BELTS IN MY CAR RELEASED DURRING THE ACCIDENT. I WAS THE ONLY ONE WITH LIGHT BRUISES ON MY HIPS BUT NOT MY SHOULDER, AND EVERYONE ELSE DIDN'…
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BACK END HAS GONE OUT OF CONTROL MANY TIMES FOR NO REASON, ON 12-23-2000 THE BACK END WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND THE CAR WENT INTO THE ON-COMING LANE WHICH CAUSED A ACCIDENT. ALL 3 OF OUR SEAT BELTS IN MY CAR RELEASED DURRING THE ACCIDENT. I WAS THE ONLY ONE WITH LIGHT BRUISES ON MY HIPS BUT NOT MY SHOULDER, AND EVERYONE ELSE DIDN'T HAVE A MARK AFTER THE 100MPH TOTAL IMPACT ACCIDENT. WHEN THE SEAT BELT RELEASED, I BROKE THE DASH BOARD WITH MY KNEE, EVEN THOUGH MY SEAT WAS AS FAR BACK AS IT COULD GO. RIGHT AFTER THE ACCIDENT, WE LOOKED DOWN AND OUR SEATBELTS WERE LAYING NEXT TO US OR RETRACTED. THE LADY IN THE OTHER CAR BROKE HER STURNIM AS A RESULT OF HER SEAT BELT. I HAVE POSSESION OF THE CAR AND I AM GOING TO HAVE IT INSPECTED.*AK
I HAVE HEARD A ROARING NOISE IN THE TRUCK SINCE I PUCHASED IT ON 4/29/00. THE NOISE HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THEM TO CHECK THE NOISE. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR END WAS GONE. THIS IS A MAJOR COMPONENT OF THE CAR. HAD I IGNORED THE NOISE THERE MAY HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT , CAUSING S…
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I HAVE HEARD A ROARING NOISE IN THE TRUCK SINCE I PUCHASED IT ON 4/29/00. THE NOISE HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THEM TO CHECK THE NOISE. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR END WAS GONE. THIS IS A MAJOR COMPONENT OF THE CAR. HAD I IGNORED THE NOISE THERE MAY HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT , CAUSING SEVERE INJURY TO ME, MY PASSENGERS, AND OTHERS. I AM ALARMED AND REPORTING THIS BECAUSE SUCH A DEFECT MAY GO UNREPORTED. THANK YOU FOR ANY ASSISTANCE ATTENTION YOU MAY GIVE TO THIS ISSUE. *AK
NISSAN STATES THERE IS NOT A PROBLEM.NOT COOPERATIVE. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONE DIN SUMMARY. *AK
Official recalls
304V230000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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