: the contact stated while accelerating at various speeds, a rattling noise was heard coming from under the vehicle. Also, the contact noticed exhaust smell inside the cab. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who determined that an loose underbody shield was the cause for the rattling. The manufacturer was not alerted. The contact noticed 14 similar complaints on the nets website regarding cracked right hand exhaust manifold, and expressed concern because inhaling carbon monoxide posed a serious risk. No repairs were made.

- Falls Church, VA, USA

First at 80,000 miles and then again at 108,000 I have had failures of my passenger side exhaust manifold in a 2000 Nissan X-terra. It started as a quiet ticking during acceleration, and now it is a ticking during idling. I am concerned about the pollution & the possibility of toxic gases in the passenger department. Going to www.xterraownersclub.com/forums.html I have found that it is a more than common problem with all Nissan trucks & SUVS.

- Encinitas, CA, USA

I own (2) 2000 Nissan Xterra's both have cracked exhaust manifolds. One has 82,000 the other has 52,000 miles. This is not a minor issue and has been documented in great detail via internet. Both vehicles are out of warranty but this surely should be covered under safety related issues.

- Bartlett, TN, USA

Exhaust manifold cracks around bolts, part will have to be replaced on a 2000 Nissan Xterra.

- Jenks, OK, USA

I have about 70,000 miles on my 2000 Nissan Xterra. I had to replace the passenger side exhaust manifold around 40K miles due to a crack. I am now experiencing a crack of the driver exhaust manifold. This problem has me concerned because of the defects involved. I think that the exhaust fumes may enter the passenger area of the car through the firewall.

- San Diego, CA, USA

I was transporting a mechanic to a job site, when the mechanic noted a cracked exhaust manifold. After talking with another 2000 Xterra owner, he sited the same fault on his vehicle. I did research and found the fault is wide spread. I then talked with several mechanics, and they all agreed the exhaust manifold should not fail with that frequency at those miles. After further research I found that nissian has problems not just with the Xterra but also earlier models of the fronter. Statistical and mechanical evidence suggets a defect in the exhaust manifold.

- Oconomowoc, WI, USA

Truck was found to have cracked exhaust manifold, I notice other ones have been reported, also truck runs very rough at idle almost stalling out, I have spent a lot on this problem, Nissan can not solve problem, they replace manifold but truck still runs rough after a week of them fixing it.

- Gulfport, MS, USA

I have driven my 2000 Nissan Xterra for almost 2 years now with normal driving, no off road driving or abuse of my vehicle. Recently I discovered that after a few weeks of an overwhelming smell of exhaust in my passenger cabin that the exhaust manifold is in fact cracked. Now on many occasions I have a very young child in my vehicle so I've had to leave him outside till the exhaust smell has dissipated and I can only assume it's no longer making it's way into the cabin. I can't imagine that this could possible be good for anybody. In any event I figured I would just have to get the problem fixed but as I did some research I realized that I'm not alone and there are thousands of other owners with the same problem. I will have manifold replaced at my own cost so I can again feel safe that I'm not breathing in exhaust. I find it absurd that neither Nissan nor the NHTSA has made the public aware of this problem. I hope something can be done soon.

- Pine Bush, NY, USA

Major exhaust manifold leak.

- Spring Hill, TN, USA

My 2000 Nissan Xterra with less than 51,000 miles developed a crack in the passenger side exhaust manifold. I have maintained this vehicle at a very high level and even though it is designed to be driven off road my vehicle's off road experience is the occasional gravel road. The vehicle is not driven "hard" or beyond normal driving conditions. The cracked developed without any indication other than a strange "hissing" sound from the engine and a slight exhaust odor inside the vehicle. No one was injured but it appears that exhaust leaking into the driver/passenger compartment of the vehicle could be potentially dangerous on long trips or prolonged stop and go traffic during rush hour. The part has been replaced at my expense.

- Webb City, MO, USA

2000 Nissan Xterra V6. Left and right exhaust system intake manifold cracked. According to two mechanics and research on the internet this was a very common problem in Nissan V6 engines used in different car models.

- Covington, LA, USA

The exhaust manifold on my 2000 Xterra SE (V6 engine) has cracked, like so many others. This leads to exhaust seeping into the cabin which is obviously very dangerous. On a long trip, especially a long commute in slower traffic, chances of the driver succumbing to co poisoning and falling asleep at the wheel increase.

- Fairfax, VA, USA

2000 Nissan Xterra V6. Passenger side exhaust manifold cracked. According to both my mechanic and research on the internet, this is a very common problem in Nissan V6 engines used in different car models.

- Crestline, CA, USA

The exhaust manifolds on the Nissan Xterra with the VG33? V-6 engine has a chronic problem with cracking and/or shearing bolts. I myself have fallen victim to this, as thousands of other Xterra owners have. Just go to www.xterraownersclub.com, to the forums, and you will see how many have had to have this replaced, sometimes twice.

- Montgomery, AL, USA

Noticed exhaust smell in passenger compartment. Reported to department and was informed that vehicle had a cracked exhaust manifold. Was repaired by dealer under warranty. Discussions with other Xterra owners at an online discussion group (www.xterraownersclub.com) has brought to my attention that this has occured to many other Xterra's. I feel that this warrants an investigation as it seems to be a very common failure with potential to cause an accident if a driver were overcome by carbon monoxide from the leaking exhaust manifold being drawn into the fresh air intake during a moderate to long drive.

- Reno, NV, USA