Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 210 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Nissan Frontier, and it carries 6 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Tires | 28 | 13% |
| Power train | 24 | 11% |
| Electrical system | 20 | 10% |
| Suspension | 19 | 9% |
| Fuel system | 16 | 8% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 12 | 6% |
| Service brakes | 11 | 5% |
| Vehicle speed control | 10 | 5% |
| Visibility | 9 | 4% |
| Air bags | 7 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 2000 Nissan Frontier. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V230000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact was unable
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
The contact owns a 2000 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that the vehicle was purchased 7 months ago. The contact stated that upon attempting to register the vehicle and to secure the license plates, the State DMV inf
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
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
NHTSA complaint: Power train
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
NHTSA complaint: Visibility/wiper
The contact owns a 2000 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the rear taillight bulb would eject from the retaining clip inside the socket of the taillight assembly. She became aware
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
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.
NHTSA complaint: Tires
WENT INTO DEALER TO CHANGE PASSENGER SEAT BELT UNDER LIFE TIME WARRANTY. DEALER SAID PASSENGER SEAT BELT WAS BAD. DRIVER SEAT BELT WAS REPLACED LIFE TIME UNDER WARRANTY 5 MONTHS BEFORE. THEY SAID PART SEATBELT PASSENGER
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
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 DIAG
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2000 Nissan Frontier. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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.
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
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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.
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.
Risk: IF THE BULB FALLS OUT OF THE SOCKET, THE BRAKE OR TAIL LAMP FUNCTION CANNOT OCCUR.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TAIL LAMP SOCKETS.
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 D
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: 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.
| Reliability raw | 79 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 77 | good |
| Maintenance | 83 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 80 | excellent |
| Performance | 54 | average |
| Efficiency | 36 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other pickup trucks in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 210 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and tires is the most reported area with 28 of them (13%). There are 6 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 79/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 77/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2000 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 73/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.