RoadVitals

2000 Nissan Frontier Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
11
Latest Aug 25, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
6%
of 189 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2000 Nissan Frontier submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 11 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming engine

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 25, 2025

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 the ignition coil to break down more easily. Symptoms of Distributor Failure The symptoms for a failing distributor on the 2.4L are very similar to those of the V6 engine: Stalling, especially when hot: This is the most common symptom. The engine may run perfectly when cold, but after it has been running for a while and the engine compartment is hot, it may stall and refuse to restart until it cools down. Engine runs poorly: You may experience a rough idle, misfires, or a loss of power. Hard start or no start: A failing distributor can cause the engine to crank but not start, as it is unable to produce a spark." Nissan no longer provides a replacement distributor and I suspect aftermarket are rebuilds. ***Stalling in traffic I believe is a definite safety issue*** Please let me know. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATIO

NHTSA ID
11683018
Incident
Aug 21, 2025
EngineFuel system
Filed Sep 7, 2016

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

NHTSA ID
10904515
Incident
Aug 25, 2016
Mileage
135,000 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 15, 2007

RIGHT SIDE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKED AND THE LEFT SIDE IS NOW CRACKED. I HAVE OWNED MANY NISSAN'S BEFORE AND THIS PROBLEM IS A DESIGN FLAW. *JB

NHTSA ID
10203077
Incident
Sep 14, 2007
Mileage
142,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 5, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING 35MPH, THE ENGINE BEGAN KNOCKING WHILE DRIVING. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE GAS CAP BEING RUSTED. THE CONTACT PAID $600 FOR THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000. THE VEHICLE IS BEING DIAGNOSED. THE ENGINE SIZE, VIN AND PURCHASE DATE ARE UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10192458
Incident
Jan 11, 2007
Mileage
75,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 23, 2006

CRACKED MANIFOLD. *NM

NHTSA ID
10151074
Incident
Feb 15, 2006
Mileage
61,000 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 10, 2004

MY COMPLAINT IS IN REGARDS TO "MFG BULLETIN NUMBER: NTB01038", WHICH IS VERY SPECIFIC IN IDENTIFYING THE "RIGHT HAND EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKING". IF THIS TECHNICAL BULLETIN IS SO SPECIFIC, WOULD THAT IMPLY THAT THERE IS A KNOW DEFECT WITH THE MANIFOLD, AND IF SO, SHOULDN'T THERE BE A RECALL FOR ALL OWNERS SO THE DEFECTIVE MANIFOLD CAN BE REPLACED AT THE MANUFACTURE'S EXPENSE?!?!? IF A NUMBER OF OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PART MALFUNCTION TO THE POINT WHERE THE MANUFACTURER HAD TO PUBLISH A "DETAILED TECHNICAL BULLETIN", I WOULD THINK THAT THIS MALFUNCTION IS MUCH MORE COMMON AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AS A RECALL.

NHTSA ID
10086523
Incident
Jun 2, 2004
Mileage
85,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 28, 2004

WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
10080037
Incident
Jun 8, 2004
Mileage
105,000 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 12, 2001

OIL FILTER AND OIL CHANGE DONE AT HOME. PURCHASED A BOSCH OIL FILTER FROM AUTOZONE IN PONCHATUOLA, LA. THE DEALER IS SAYING THE FILTER CAUSED THE ENGINE DAMAGE, THEREFORE IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. AUTOZONE WANTS THE FILTER BACK FOR INSPECTION BUT HAS NOT INVOLVED BOSCH. IF I LET THE FILTER GO THROUGH THE MAIL TO AUTOZONE AND THEY LOOSE IT I AM WITHOUT ANY EVIDENCE TO JUSTIFY ANY CLAIM. I STILL FEEL MY VEHICLE SHOULD BE REPAIRED BY THE DEALER UNDER WARRANTY. I EVEN PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THIS VEHICLE. THE AUTOZONE INSURANCE PERSON I SPOKE WITH STATES THE ENGINE HAD TO HAVE TOO MUCH PRESSURE TO CAUSE THE OIL FILTER FAILURE IF IT ACTUALLY DID FAIL. I'M LEFT WITHOUT A VEHICLE, A VERY LARGE NOTE, AND TOO MUCH STRESS TO COUNT.*AK

NHTSA ID
743965
Incident
Apr 9, 2001
Engine
Filed Sep 9, 2000

ENGINE LIFTERS NOT GETTING OIL FOR 2-4 SECONDS ON START UP, USUALLY AFTER SITTING UNUSED FOR OVER 24 HRS. ONE OIL GETS TO LIFTERS, ENGINE QUIETS DOWN. OIL FILTER TOO SMALL??

NHTSA ID
730841
Incident
Feb 2, 2000
Engine
Filed Jul 13, 2000

ENGINE MAKES TAPPING NOISE FOR A FEW SECONDS WHEN FIRST STARTED UP, DEALER SAYS THIS IS NORMAL, I DON'T THINK SO. *AK

NHTSA ID
725380
Incident
Apr 1, 2000
Engine
Filed Feb 15, 2000

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
718803
Incident
Dec 4, 1999

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .