Recalls


CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
00V288000NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.from 11/01/1999 to 04/17/2000V (Vehicle)7665211/06/2000MFRNISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.10/02/200010/19/2000571102
Defect SummaryVehicle 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.
Consequence SummaryIf the driver selects 'drive' and the transmission is actually in 'reverse', a vehicle crash could occur.
Corrective SummaryDealers will replace the automatic transmission shift cable lock plate.
NotesOwner notification began november 6, 2000.owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact nisan at 1-800-647-7261.also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).

Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - LEVER AND LINKAGE - COLUMN SHIFT
NTB02035A09/09/2002NTB02035635795Subject regarding manual transfer case diagnosis. *tt10/31/2002
NTB0203503/25/2002631339Subject regarding manual transfer case noises. *jg05/22/2002
NTB0201902/19/2002629492Subject regarding bearing noise from transfer case area. *yd04/02/2002
POWER TRAIN - TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
NTB0203503/25/2002630810Concerns with manual transfer case noises. *jb04/24/2002

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
POWER TRAIN
11/15/200289000
 In 4 wheel drive and making sharp left or right turn, the rear wheels lock and drag, creating a brake and surge condition. took the vehicle to dealership and they took me out in another xterra and to my horror, it did the same thing. they informed me that vehicle is not really designed for 4 wheel on road driving. i contacted nissan and got little help as well. i feel this could be a very unsafe in any condition, but very bad on wet and iced roads.
07/05/2001103/01/2000
 Speedometer & odometer failing intermittently (dead about 75% of the time). had dealer replace speedometer-related part; didn't fix problem. later, noticed tachometer, temp & gas gauges failing, too (though usually either the gas or the temp work even when everything else is dead). after 1 week of waiting, dealer says it will be 3 weeks before part is available. sounds identical to nhtsa consumer complaint odi id #886991, which was first identified on 3/15/2001 (4 months ago), so it should be something nissan is prepared to deal with, not requiring a month or more to get a replacement part!
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
12/29/2010190000
 Tl- the contact owns a 2000 nissan xterra. the contact stated the transmission is slipping gears. when this happens it is very difficult to get the vehicle out of park once it has been shut down. when the contact is able to get the vehicle out of park, the vehicle will not be in the same gear as shown on the shifter. the contact had not had the vehicle inspected, but feels this is the same as recall campaign number 00v288000, which deals with the cable lock plate on the transmission. the manufacturer told the contact the vehicle did not have a recall listed for the transmission. the failure mileage and current mileages was 190000.rl
03/21/2005468201
 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. we had all the service performed at the local dealer with the exception of 4-5 oil changes that were performed at jiffy-lube. all service & maintenance had been performed on schedule and they still refused to honor the warranty. we never towed anything (no hitch installed) and live in a flat topographical location (miami). we had the car towed to a local transmission shop and had a rebuilt transmission installed. we later sold the car as soon as possible and will never buy another nissan product - ever! we always had a problem with the a/c and could count an a regular replacement of hoses every summer. we are very upset with nissan and this has been 3 years ago. today we received a letter that the car may be included in a recall campaign. ha! *jb
12/04/200681000106/06/1999
 Dt*: the contact stated while parked, the vehicle suddenly accelerated without warning. the vehicle stopped after the brake pedal was depressed five times. the service dealer was not able to find the problem. there was a nhtsa recall, # 00v288000, regarding the power train: automatic transmission. the owner did not receive any notification about this recall. updated 12/28/06. *jb
06/12/2006113702108/27/1979
 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. thankfully i was less than a block from home and was able to park it in front of the house until i had it towed. i had it towed to don irby's transmissions llc (the best transmission place in town) and they rebuilt the transmission (re4r01a). i know that the 2000 nissan xterra's had a recall on the transmission and i really wonder if/why mine wasn't included...because i really do feel that this has been an ongoing problem. my xterra drives like a new car again! it hasn't driven and performed this great in years!!*jb
04/05/200672000105/01/2000
 Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle will not shift out of park. the vehicle has not been seen by a mechanic, but there is a nhtsa recall, # 00v288000, regarding the automatic transmission. the vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however, it is not included in the recall due to the vin.
08/19/200590000206/01/2002
 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. after investigating the problem, i discovered nhtsa campaign id: 00v288000 which describes a very similar issue with the 2000 nissan xterra, that indicates nissan should correct this defect. i contacted a nissan dealer in my area and brought the vehicle in for an assessment. i informed the dealer of my concern about the recall, but the dealer claimed they were unable to locate this recall, and suggested that i contact nissan directly. i contacted nissan, and after several conversations was referred to chad who is a regional service representative (chad can be contacted at 310-771-3853). the dealer diagnosed the issue as a defective shift lock, and after two conversations with chad at nissan, i was informed that my vehicle was not under warranty, and not part of the recall, therefore i was required to pay for these repairs. based on the information in nhtsa 00v288000, i fail to see how nissan should not be responsible for these repairs. *nm
07/20/200450000102/26/2001
 The consumer was driving when the car stopped, upon trying to shift the gear it would not move. when finally putting it in drive the vehicle went into reverse. *jb *sc *jb
07/08/20046500010
 While driving at any speed transmission slipped. as a result, consumer lost control. no impact reported. *ak
03/26/200354844102/11/2000
 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. these fraudulent accusations are an outrage and should be covered under nissan's warranty. furthermore, my rights as a consumer have been violated. after contacting nhtsa over the phone i discovered that their had been a recall on my vehicle and that the recall could have had some affect on the resulting problems concurred, i'm not sure as i was never contacted regarding any recall issue. anyhow nissan says that they will not cover my engine under their warranty. they are also trying to charge me for additional investigation fees that they've already billed me for to see if this could after all be an issue of warranty, so far the total concurred with no repairs is $420, with the added investigation it would be an additional $480, $1000 of worth of work with no repairs made! i'm refusing to pay any fees regarding this issue as it is not my obligation under nissan's warranty. i will not be a scapegoat for a defective crankshaft or any other part causing this failure, as this is a breach in warranty. i'm prepared to pursue this issue to the fullest extant. thank you for any help. *nlm
07/02/2001112/17/1999
 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. *ak *nlm
02/19/2002
 Recall 00 v 288 000/shift cable lock plate: while driving at highway speed rear wheels locked up. manufacturer was notified, and informed consumer that this vehicle was not covered under recall. feel free to provide any further information. *ak
11/01/2000
 Transmission has been slipping. *ak
03/01/2000
 The accident that i was involved in was in july 2000. it was only me and the vehicle involved. the vehicle went out of control and into reverse. i never regained control then rolled down a hill off the highway.. the vehicle was ruled a total loss. my injuries were minimal. i was greatful for that . i just feel the vehicle was responsible and there was something that went wrong. i have contacted nissan with no luck . i even received a recall on the vehicle . and still nissan has given me no answers . this was a new model and i figured i only had it four months, they may want to know about the accident .and investigate it.*ak
06/23/2000
 While parked with one wheel behind parking stop, a/c running and vehicle thought to be in park, vehicle sat there for 5 or more minutes, vehicle starts moving forward,goes down about 8'slope, across road, down another 14'slope, through fence taking up 4/4 post set in concrete, straight as arrow about 100 plus feet into lake. mother and stranger were able to open doors and remove two children before car sunk to top, when wrecker got car out it was in reverse, and the doors or windows would not open.*ak
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - COOLING UNIT AND LINES
12/15/1999
 Vehicle experienced problems with following leakages: 1. oil leak/ 2. coolant leaks, and 3. continuous transmission fluids leaks, on which dealer was still working on. *ak
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
10/28/200452000410/28/1999
 Consumer stated vehicle will not go into first gear. about one month ago when consumer would put vehicle into first gear it made a lot of noise. then, it would go into gear, but it would slip out again. about a week later, she had to hold it in gear. currently, the vehicle will not go into first gear. consumer will be taking this vehicle to the dealer, but felt this vehicle was too new for transmission to malfunction. *ak after the testing the consumer was told that the transmission and the clutch would have to be replaced. *tc
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - PARK/NEUTRAL START SWITCH
12/17/2001
 Vehicle was placed in park in first gear with the parking brake applied and engine in off position. vehicle suddenly jumped out of gear, crashing into a street sign. consumer has contacted dealer. please provide any further details.*ak
POWER TRAIN - CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
10/28/200452000410/28/1999
 Consumer stated vehicle will not go into first gear. about one month ago when consumer would put vehicle into first gear it made a lot of noise. then, it would go into gear, but it would slip out again. about a week later, she had to hold it in gear. currently, the vehicle will not go into first gear. consumer will be taking this vehicle to the dealer, but felt this vehicle was too new for transmission to malfunction. *ak after the testing the consumer was told that the transmission and the clutch would have to be replaced. *tc
POWER TRAIN - CLUTCH ASSEMBLY - PEDAL/LINKAGE
08/06/200485000112/11/2002
 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...*jb
POWER TRAIN - DRIVELINE - DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
1
 Rear differential had loud whine. dealer replaced under warranty at 700-1500 miles. replacement differential now starting to whine at 15000 miles. driveline clunks when stopping and accelerating, suspected due to slack in transmission, universal joints, or rear end.*ak