2000 Nissan Xterra Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 22about this part
- Share
- 10%of 214 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 76,500miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 22 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2000 Nissan Xterra, 10% of the 214 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 76,500 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Continuing poor clutch operation. Pedal often binds; had to release pedal fully to get cruise control to operate; pedal is nearly to the floor at first start on cold morning. Just spent $1200 to repair clutch. Dealer claims binding clutch is no problem. I have spoken to other 2000 Xterra owners that have had the same problem earlier in their ownership and had the pedal replaced under warranty...my thought is the binding clutch is causing other problems...”
NHTSA complaint #10110009, filed 2005-02, 85,000 miles“For several years there has been a rattling noise and the vehicle has had a problem shifting gears at times. The dealership told me that they didn't see anything wrong (of course this is the same dealership that forgot to put the oil cap back on after changing the oil one day). Finally the transmission just broke. I was driving down the road and heard a horrible scraping metal noise and my car basically just lunged forward. It seemed to stay in 1st gear but wouldn't go into any other gear including reverse. …”
NHTSA complaint #10161527, filed 2006-07, 113,702 miles“I own a 2000 Nissan Xterra with an automatic transmission. On aug 19, while on a trip, the transmission shift lever became stuck and the lever would not move. After consulting the manual for a procedure to disengage the shift lock mechanism, I discovered that the shift lever would move freely without engaging the transmission. After additional time, I was able to engage the transmission into d , but the shift indicator displays n . I was able to complete the trip, and return home. Upon returning, this sequence of events recurred. …”
NHTSA complaint #10135082, filed 2005-09, 90,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10014146, filed 2003-04, 54,844 miles“With 46,820 miles on our 2000 Nissan Xterra, we were out of warranty by 1 month when the transmission simply went out. The engine ran fine but the transmission would not engage. Had the vehicle towed to Nissan dealer for service. They told me the transmission needed to be replaced and was not covered under warranty. Contacted Nissan corporate in california and they took my information. After a week of pressuring for a response, they finally told me they would not cover the repair and that if I had made all of our repairs at the local dealer that maybe they would have discounted the repair. …”
NHTSA complaint #10204801, filed 2007-10, 46,820 milesRelated recalls
- 00V288000Oct 2, 2000Vehicle description: pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions fail to comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 102…Covers: Nissan Xterra 2000, Frontier 2000
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 6 | 60% |
| 2014 | 1 | 10% |
| 2012 | 6 | 38% |
| 2011 | 1 | 4% |
| 2010 | 11 | 29% |
| 2009 | 6 | 32% |
| 2008 | 47 | 40% |
| 2007 | 231 | 41% |
| 2006 | 268 | 34% |
| 2005 | 412 | 49% |
| 2004 | 6 | 7% |
| 2003 | 2 | 3% |
| 2002 | 6 | 4% |
| 2001 | 6 | 4% |
| 2000 | 22 | 10% |
Other parts of the 2000 Nissan Xterra
66 complaintsEngine cooling
33 complaintsElectrical system
26 complaintsAir bags
15 complaintsBrakes
14 complaintsWheels
11 complaintsSuspension
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
9 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsTires
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2000 Nissan Xterra
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology