2000 Nissan Frontier: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 189 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is tires (15% of complaints); the 1999 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 189 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I was driving home or not and it was raining. I turned the windshield wipers on. They were working to begin with but after a few minutes, they just quit working altogether. You could hear the motor running for the wiper, but they just wasn't moving so I had to see it on the side of the road to it. Quit raining so I could make it home. and couldn't find the part to fix the windshield wipers so my boyfriend has rigged it to where it would work”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Jun 2024
“Went to my local garage to get my tires balanced. Mechanic reported that 1 of the 4 tires (all bought together) was beginning to come apart internally / belt separation. The tires were installed during october of 2019. They have less than 8000 miles on the tires. Vendor is reimbursing me for the one tire that was found to have the defect. Thankfully this was caught early, but am very concerned as the other 3 tires have the same dot number.”Owner report · Tires · Nov 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 nissan frontier. While the vehicle was in park, the contact attempted to reverse and the gear stalled without warning. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the shifter failed. The dealer (autostar nissan of boone, 135 innovation dr, boone, nc 28607, (828)-264-7726) was contacted to have the vehicle diagnosed again. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there were no recalls. The contact was advised to file a complaint with NHTSA. The failure mileage was 253,640.”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2018
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“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 nissan frontier. The contact stated that the oil pan and fuel tank failed due to corrosion. The check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact also observed an abnormal odor of fuel near the vehicle. The vehicle was diagnosed by a dealer where it was determined that the parts needed to be replaced. The oil pan was replaced, but the fuel tank was not replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that it would be an out of pocket expense to replace the fuel tank. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000. Updated 10/18/16*lj updated 10/19/16.*jb”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Aug 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 nissan frontier equipped with firestone primewell tires, size: 215/65/r15. While driving approximately 65 mph, the contact felt a vibration in the tires. The contact discovered that the sidewall was separated from the thread of the rear passenger side tire. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician stated that the tire needed to be replaced. The tire was replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate vehicle failure mileage was 107,183 and the tire failure mileage was 319. Ma 10/19/15”Owner report · Tires · Jul 2015
“Truck started to buck and hesitate during acceleration. Check engine light came on. Took truck to nissan dealer and was informed the fuel take sending was bad. Searched on line for recalls and found a recall for my truck due to defective fuel sending unit. Nissan is refusing to honor the recall because in 2010 they replaced the fuel tank. I stated the fuel tank is not the fuel take sending unit which was not replaced at that time. Dealer charged $850.00 for repairs and nissan will not honor the recall on the fuel sending unit. The recall stated this is a safety recall due to the failure of this unit could cause a crash. *tr”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jan 2015
“Fuel leak from top of defective fuel tank (corrosion) confirmed by nissan 112 patchogue, ny. There was a recall on 2001 frontiers for the same reason but not on the 2000. I see many other 2000 frontier owners have the same safety issue and that in most cases nissan replaced the tank for no charge. I am seeking for them to do the same for my vehicle or recall the 2000 frontier for this defect. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Nov 2013
“Brand new tires with less than 500 miles on them, after 2 attempts they still would not take a balance. Owner determined by spinning the tires on the vehicle that the tread block wobbled side to side and the sidewall height varied as the tire was rotated. Vendor replaced two of the four tires under warranty. *tr”Owner report · Tires · Jun 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 nissan frontier. The contact stated that after exiting the vehicle, he smelled a strong gasoline fuel odor. The smell dissipated after a short period of time but later returned. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis and the contact was informed that the fuel tank had corrosion and was causing gasoline vapors to escape the tank. As a result, the fuel tank would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure and current mileage was 94,000. Updated 3/28/13 *cn”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Aug 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 nissan frontier. The contact stated that the vehicle was shifted into park. The contact exited the vehicle and the vehicle rolled backward until crashing. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop to have the body damages repaired. The failure was not diagnosed. The contact then notified the manufacturer and was informed that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 00v288000 (power train:automatic transmission). The failure mileage was 114,358.”Owner report · Power Train · May 2012
When filing, owners marked a crash in 17 of these complaints and injuries in 10 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE LOCK PLATE.
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 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, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
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.
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.
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 DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS AND LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS. THE TAIL LIGHT SOCKET MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY MOLDED, RESULTING IN THE LOCKING TAB HAVING INSUFFICIENT FORCE TO RETAIN THE BULB.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TAIL LAMP SOCKETS.
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, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
How other years compare
Check your exact Frontier by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2000 Nissan Frontier reliable?
NHTSA has 189 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 2000 Nissan Frontier. The most complained-about area is tires (15% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2000 Nissan Frontier problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 88,125 miles or less.
Does the 2000 Nissan Frontier have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning power train:automatic transmission. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.