The 2000 Nissan Xterra has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Cracked exhaust manifold.” Nissan owner's manuals split service into Schedule 1 (severe) and Schedule 2 (normal). Most US drivers fall under Schedule 1. The biggest preventable failure on Nissan vehicles is CVT transmission damage from extended fluid intervals — owners of Altima, Rogue, Sentra, Pathfinder, and Murano with CVT should not skip it.
No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2000 Nissan Xterra.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
15 NHTSA complaints · 2002-07 → 2006-10
“MY 2000 NISSAN XTERRA WITH LESS THAN 51,000 MILES DEVELOPED A CRACK IN THE PASSENGER SIDE EXHAUST MANIFOLD”
“EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKS AROUND BOLTS, PART WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED ON A 2000 NISSAN XTERRA”
“I HAD TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER SIDE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AROUND 40K MILES DUE TO A CRACK. I AM NOW EXPERIENCING A CRACK OF THE DRIVER EXHAUST MANIFOLD”
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
12 NHTSA complaints · 2002-10 → 2015-05
“WHEN THE DASH OF THE VEHICLE GETS HOT, SUMMERTIME, OPERATING THE HEATER IN THE WINTER OR WHEN THE DASH LIGHTS ARE ON, THE GAGE CLUSTER FAILS. THE SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER, FUEL AND TEMP GAUGES ALL FAIL”
“GAUGES (TEMPERATURE, GAS, SPEEDOMETER AND RPM) ALL GO DEAD WHILE DRIVING”
“GAUGES WENT BLANK OR STOPPED WORKING FOR APPROXAMTELY 10 MINS THEN STARTED TO WORK ON ITS OWN”
WHEELS
7 NHTSA complaints · 2003-08 → 2015-11
“FRONT RIGHT ALLOY WHEEL OF MY XTERRA 2000 HAS CRACKS IN TWO PLACES, I CALLED NISSAN USA TO COMPLAIN ABOUT IT AND ASKED IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY VECHICLE, I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON IT BUT IT DOES NOT INCLUDE MY VIN NUMBER”
“ALLOY WHEELS ON 2000 NISSAN XTERRA SE MODELS ARE CRACKING”
“VEHICLE EXPERIENCED CRACKING OF THE ALLOY WHEELS. IT WAS THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL THAT HAD THE DEFECT”
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
4 NHTSA complaints · 2006-01 → 2009-04
“AFTER INVESTIGATION, I FOUND THAT MY BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED THROUGH WHERE THE LINE PASSES BY THE PASSENGER SIDE EXHAUST MANIFOLD”
“THE HARD LINE FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE FRONT BRAKE IS ROUTED PAST A MANIFOLD HEAT SHIELD. THE LINE IS INSTALLED SO IT RUBS ON THE HEAT SHIELD”
“WHEN CAR BROUGHT TO SHOP, IT TURNS OUT THE HEAT SHIELD WAS RUBBING ON THE STEEL BRAKE LINE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE/BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE AND VIBRATION/RUBBING HAD FINALLY ERODED THE STEEL BRAKE LINE TO THE POINT IT BEGAN TO LEAK”
POWER TRAIN
7 NHTSA complaints · 2002-02 → 2010-12
“ON AUG 19, WHILE ON A TRIP, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER BECAME STUCK AND THE LEVER WOULD NOT MOVE”
“AS THE CONSUMER MOVED THE GEARSHIFT LEVER OUT OF PARK AND DOWN TOWARDS THE DRIVE GEAR, THE GEAR SHIFT BECAME STUCK IN THE REVERSE GEAR AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED BACKWARDS”
“THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP OUT OF GEAR. WHENEVER THE FAILURE OCCURRED IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK”
VISIBILITY
5 NHTSA complaints · 2004-01 → 2006-02
“IN MAY 2005 THE POWER WINDOW FOR THE DRIVER'S DOOR ON MY 2000 XTERRA (4WD-V6) BEGAN TO ONLY GO UP INTERMITTENTLY (NO PROBLEM GOING DOWN)”
“AFTER LESS THAN THREE YEARS OF OWNING THE CAR THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW JUST STOPPED GOING DOWN ONE DAY”
“2000 NISSAN EXTERRA LEFT SIDE POWER WINDOW MOTOR FAILED”
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
56 NHTSA complaints · 2002-05 → 2020-12
“WHILE DRIVING, FUEL SENDING UNIT(#25060-4S415) ON 2000 NISSAN XTERRA FAILED. THIS PART FAILURE CAUSE ENGINE TO CEASE FUNCTION DUE TO A CUT IN POWER TO FUEL PUMP”
“THE PART THAT FAILED IS THE FUEL SENDING UNIT (NISSAN PART # 25060-4S415) WHICH HAS WIRING THAT CORRODES. WHEN THE SENDING UNIT FAILS THE FUEL PUMP IS TURNED OFF, WHICH IN TURN SHUTS THE ENGINE OFF”
“THE DEALER SAID THE INTERNAL FUEL SENDING UNIT, LOCATED IN THE GAS TANK, WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED”
AIR BAGS
10 NHTSA complaints · 2002-04 → 2013-05
“THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED”
“2000 NISSAN XTERRA INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL CRASH. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY”
“REAR-ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE-I WAS TRAVELLING APPROXIMATELY 45 MILES PER HOUR. NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED”
Issues on other model years
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.
We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.
Critical for safety and preventing major damage
Replace synthetic-blend or full-synthetic oil every 5,000 miles under Schedule 1. Schedule 2: 7,500 miles. VR30DDTT (3.0L twin-turbo): full synthetic only.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$120–$160
Shop
~$85–$115
DIY
~$25–$55
Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.
Rotate tires every 5,000 miles. Front-wheel-drive Nissans (Altima, Sentra, Versa) wear front tires fast — don't skip rotations.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.
Nissan officially calls CVT fluid 'lifetime,' but independent technicians and Nissan TSBs recommend replacement every 60,000 miles to prevent CVT failure. Use Nissan NS-3 fluid only — substitutes destroy the belt-and-pulley system.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$360–$500
Shop
~$255–$355
DIY
~$80–$180
CVT fluid is manufacturer-specific and pricey — do NOT substitute conventional ATF.
Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake every 7,500 miles. Rogue and Pathfinder front pads typically last 35,000-50,000 miles.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.
Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 2 years. Dark or amber fluid indicates moisture contamination.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$180–$200
Shop
~$125–$140
DIY
~$10–$25
DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.
Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently
Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles, sooner if driving on dusty unpaved roads.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.
Iridium-tipped spark plugs are rated 105,000 miles on QR25, MR20, and VQ35 engines. VR30DDTT: 60,000 miles due to higher cylinder pressures.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$390
Shop
~$200–$275
DIY
~$25–$100
Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.
Nissan Long-Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue/green): first change at 105,000 miles, then every 75,000. Do not mix with other coolant chemistries.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$330
Shop
~$200–$235
DIY
~$25–$60
Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.
On AWD and 4WD models, replace transfer case fluid and rear differential fluid every 60,000 miles.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$105–$140
Shop
~$75–$100
DIY
~$15–$40
AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.
Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort
Replace cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. Located behind the glove box on Altima, Rogue, and Sentra.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.
Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)
170 crashes 1990–2024
How the 170 occupant deaths break down
119
driver deaths
51
passenger deaths
170
occupant deaths
Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 1999 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.
FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number
FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.
Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.
Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.
IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.
Owner-reported problem signals
Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.
27
complaints mentioning a crash
4
complaints mentioning a fire
Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.
How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.
This maintenance schedule for the 2000 Nissan Xterra reflects Nissan's published service intervals and the Maintenance Reminder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.