Problems · by component

2000 Nissan Frontier power train problems

26 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2000 Nissan Frontier cite power train, 13% of all 205 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
26
13% of all complaints
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the power train

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“From my Internet search using Google Gemini, (and Google AI has a disclaimer it can make errors), I have replaced my distributer on my 2000 Nissan Frontier three times now due to a stalling problem I have experienced on hot days. My 2000 Nissan Frontier is VIN [XXX] . Let's see how much Gemini info I can paste here: "The distributor on your KA24DE engine contains the camshaft position sensor, which is a critical component for engine timing. The distributor itself can fail for a number of reasons, including: Internal bearing failure: The bearing that the distributor shaft spins on can fail, causing the shaft to wobble or seize up. This disrupts the signal from the camshaft position sensor. Failed or failing camshaft position sensor: The sensor itself can fail due to age, heat, or internal electrical issues. Ignition coil failure: The ignition coil is often integrated into the distributor housing on this engine. As it heats up, it can fail and lose spark, causing the engine to stall. The reason this issue is often related to hot weather or a hot engine is that the heat can cause the internal components of the distributor to expand and fail, and it can also cause…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 25, 2025Power train, Unknown or other, EngineODI 11683018
“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 complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 15, 2018Power trainODI 11140340
“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 complaint to NHTSAFiled May 23, 2012Power trainCrash reportedODI 10459457
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A GEAR LEAK FROM UNDER THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO TAKE THE REAR END APART IN ORDER TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 124,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 9, 2011Power trainODI 10435021
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY, SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 00V288000 (POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 152,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 9, 2010Power trainODI 10369781
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT THAT AFTER PULLING INTO HIS DRIVEWAY AT SPEEDS OF 5 MPH THE CONTACT PUT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AN EXITED THE VEHICLE WITH THE ENGINE STILL RUNNING. THE CONTACT RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE AND WHILE TRYING TO RE-ENTER, WAS KNOCKED OVER BY THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE THEN PROCEEDED TO ROLL OVER THE CONTACTS FOOT, UP HIS LEG AND CRUSHED THE RIGHT SIDE OF HIS RIBS. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP AND PROCEED TO ROLL DOWN A SMALL INCLINE AND CRASHED INTO A NEARBY TREE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT WAS RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE CONTACT STATED SHE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF SEEKING ASSISTANCE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS PUT INTO STORAGE AND THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 62,000. UPDATED 05/19/10. *LJ UPDATED 07/30/10.*LJ UPDATED 09/23/10”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 14, 2010Power trainCrash reportedODI 10325702

Showing 6 of 26 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Power train: automatic transmission

Free remedy

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.

Power trainReported Oct 2, 2000NHTSA 00V288000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Other 2000 Frontier problem areas