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Engine & cooling

2000 Nissan Frontier Engine problems

Owners have filed 14 complaints about the 2000 Nissan Frontier's engine & cooling with NHTSA - 7% of all its complaints, most recently on August 25, 2025. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Complaints
14
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

Engine complaints

Transmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

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 [[redacted]] . 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,...

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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 INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Incident Power train · Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11683018
Fuel systemEngine & cooling

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

Filed Incident Fuel system, gasoline · EngineNHTSA 10904515
Engine & cooling

Oxygen sensor ... Cause my engine service light to go on and off ... It self . When the light is on my car burn tons of gas ... Consumption doubled ... *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10209571
Engine & cooling

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

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10203077
Engine & cooling

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.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10192458
Engine & coolingElectrical system

Rough idle prompted me to take the car into a mechanic. After it was hooked up to the computer I was told the o2 sensors were telling my computer to run the gas lean and the computer was telling my o2 sensors to run leaner. At that time my car had only 52,000 miles and I know the o2 sensors are supposed to be good for up to about 80,000. Noting was done and the care continues to have the rough idle as if it wants to die. I have put about $2k into it trying to fix possible problems and feel if it is an o2 sensor problem and the car is under 80,000 miles it is a defect. *Nm

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Electrical systemNHTSA 10177838
Engine & cooling

CRACKED MANIFOLD. *NM

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10151074
Engine & cooling

Car hesitation and running rough. Service engine came on and car dropped off at nissan dealer for service. Dealer called and said the (6)coils need replacing. The car has 68000 miles on it now. The coils had been replaced in 2001 when the car had 30,000 miles on it. I read there service booklet and no where does it say to have the coils replaced every 30,000miles. When the dealer replaced the coils at 30,000miles he said that nissan had some defective coils and they did the under warranty but this time it costs...

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me $611.65 As they said they are not covered under warranty any longer. After checking edmunds web site and several others it appears every 2000 maxima has to have the coils replaced every 30,000miles or so as there are numerous complaints about the same problem I have.*Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10098242
Engine & cooling

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.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10086523
Engine & cooling

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

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10080037
Engine & cooling

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...

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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

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 743965
Engine & cooling

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??

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 730841
Engine & cooling

Engine makes tapping noise for a few seconds when first started up, dealer says this is normal, I don't think so. *Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 725380
Engine & cooling

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 718803

Nissan Frontier engine complaints by year

Frontier engine problems, every year

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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