1989 Nissan Diesel CLA83 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1989 Nissan Diesel CLA83, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical325.0%
- Other / unspecified325.0%
- Engine216.7%
- Brakes18.3%
- Interior & seats18.3%
- Exterior lighting18.3%
- Driver assistance18.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE RF STEREO FADES FROM STEREO TO MONO, AND HAS VERY LOW SOUND OUTPUT. THE AUX INPUT ALSO HAS A VERY LOW NOTICEABLE SOUND LEVEL OUTPUT IN COMPARISON TO CD PLAYER. CONTACTED NISSAN AND STATED THEY HAD NO IDEA OF THE PROBLEM---SHADY IF YOU ASK ME. THE SOUND PACKAGE COST $1800 DOLLARS, BUT THE SIMPLE RADIO SOUNDS LIKE A FIVE DOLLAR STEREO. ALSO THE SYTSEM IS SUPPOSED TO BE MADE BY ROCKFORD FOSGATE, BUT THE AMPLIFIER IS LABELED MADE BY CLARION, THE SUBWOOOFER IS LABELED MADE BY CLARION, AND THE HEADUNIT/CHANGER IS LABELED MADE BY PANASONIC. I AM A LITTLE CONCERNED AS THIS IS THE REASON I BOUGHT THE PACKAGE AS IT WAS SUPPOSED TO MADE BY A QUALITY MANUFACTURER LIKE FOSGATE
THE 2002 ALTIMA STARTED TO STALL. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. I WAS ADVISED THAT THE CAR HAD 3 RECALLS ON IT AND I SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED A YEAR IN A HALF BEFORE. I TOOK THE CAR BACK 3 TIMES AND ON THE THIRD TIME I WAS ADIVSED THAT THE CAR WOULD NEED A NEW MOTOR. THAT WAS ON MAR 15,2004. I CALLED APRIL 24,2004 AT 3 PM AND WAS ADVISED BY THE MANAGER HANDLING THE CAR THAT NISSAN APPROVED THEN DISAPPROVE THE REPLACEMENT ORDER THEN REAPPROVED IT AGAIN. HE ADIVSED ME HE WOULD CALL ME WITH FURTHER. THIS HAS GONE ON FOR THE PASSED 6 WEEKS AND THE CAR IS NO LONGER WORKING BUT I'M PAYING FOR IT.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY 2002 INFINITI QX4 HAS HAD THREE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS REPLACED DUE TO A CRACK IN THE SEAM OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER ON BOTH SIDES. MY VEHICLE HAS 18,800 MILES ON IT. *JB
IN LATE MAY OF 2003, THE DRIVER'S SEAT OF MY NISSAN PATHFINDER STOPPED WORKING AS FAR AS THE AUTOMATIC SEAT ADJUSTMENTS. I WAS NO LONGER ABLE TO MOVE THE SEAT FORWARD OR REVERSE USING THE SEAT'S AUTOMATIC SWITCH. THUS BEING STUCK IN A POSITION NOT EXACTLY THE WAY I WOULD NEED TO DRIVE. I CAN NOT MOVE THIS SEAT TO A PROPER AND SAFE AREA SO THAT I CAN OPERATE THE VEHICLE AS PRESCRIBED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. AS WITH ANY VEHICLE, THE SEAT SHOULD BE POSITIONED RELATIVE TO THE DRIVER'S ABILITY. I HAVE TO DRIVE CLOSER TO THE STEERING WHEEL THAT I WOULD LIKE. AS WELL AS MY GIRLFRIEND IS UNABLE TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE OF THE FACT IT WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD SO SHE CAN REACH THE PEDALS. SO IF I WAS TO BE HURT, SHE WOULD NOT HAVE A WAY TO GO. THIS IS COVERED IN THE NISSAN SERVICE BULLETIN NTB00095. THIS VEHICLE IS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD. IT IS A 2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE MOTOR FOR THIS SEAT SHOULD NOT BE MALFUNCTIONING THIS EARLY IN A VEHICLE'S LIFE. I TOOK THE SAID VEHICLE TO THE SHEEHY NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHICH IS LOCATED IN MANASSAS, VIRGINIA. THEY INDICATED THAT THIS WAS NOT A RECALL NOR A WARRANTY PART. I HAVE THE GOLD WARRANTY WHICH [XXX] NEARS COVERS EVERYTHING ELSE. ALSO IT COVERS A DRIVER'S SEAT ASSEMBLY BUT NOT THIS PARTICULAR PIECE OR AS I WAS INFORMED THIS KIT. I HAVE CONTACTED THE NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS OFFICE AND COMPLAINED AS WELL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND IF FOR SOME REASON I AM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE SEAT MOVES TO THE VERY FRONT POSITION, I AM UNABLE TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE AND COULD CAUSE MORE DAMAGE TO MYSELF, THE VEHICLE AS WELL AS ANOTHER OBSTACLE OR VEHICLE. WE HAVE HAD A 97 FORD THUNDERBIRD WITH A SERVICE BULLETIN AGAINST AND THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY WAS GLAD TO CORRECT WITHOUT COST TO US. THIS WAS NOT A WARRANTY PART. THE VEHICLE AT THAT TIME WAS 6 YEARS OLD. I AM ASSUMING THAT NISSAN CORPORATION DOES NOT CARE ABOUT THEIR CUSTOMERS AND SAFETY AS THIS WAS INDICATED THAT NISSAN WOULD NOT FIX AT THEIR COST. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. *JB INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE 2002 ALTIMA STARTED TO STALL. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. I WAS ADVISED THAT THE CAR HAD 3 RECALLS ON IT AND I SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED A YEAR IN A HALF BEFORE. I TOOK THE CAR BACK 3 TIMES AND ON THE THIRD TIME I WAS ADIVSED THAT THE CAR WOULD NEED A NEW MOTOR. THAT WAS ON MAR 15,2004. I CALLED APRIL 24,2004 AT 3 PM AND WAS ADVISED BY THE MANAGER HANDLING THE CAR THAT NISSAN APPROVED THEN DISAPPROVE THE REPLACEMENT ORDER THEN REAPPROVED IT AGAIN. HE ADIVSED ME HE WOULD CALL ME WITH FURTHER. THIS HAS GONE ON FOR THE PASSED 6 WEEKS AND THE CAR IS NO LONGER WORKING BUT I'M PAYING FOR IT.*AK
MY 2002 INFINITI QX4 HAS HAD THREE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS REPLACED DUE TO A CRACK IN THE SEAM OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER ON BOTH SIDES. MY VEHICLE HAS 18,800 MILES ON IT. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
EVERY 3,000-6,000 MILES BRAKE ROTORS BECOME WARPED, CAUSING A SHAKING IN THE STEERING WHILE WHILE BRAKING. NISSAN, ACKNOWLEDGING A PROBLEM WITH THEIR PART, WOULD REPAIR ROTORS OR REPLACE THEM, BUT IT WAS ONLY A TEMPORARY REPAIR, AS THEY WOULD BECOME WARPED AGAIN AFTER A FEW THOUSAND MILES. NISSAN HAS NOW REFUSED TO REPAIR/REPLACE NEW ROTORS THAT WARPED ONLY AFTER FEW THOUSAND MILES.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
IN LATE MAY OF 2003, THE DRIVER'S SEAT OF MY NISSAN PATHFINDER STOPPED WORKING AS FAR AS THE AUTOMATIC SEAT ADJUSTMENTS. I WAS NO LONGER ABLE TO MOVE THE SEAT FORWARD OR REVERSE USING THE SEAT'S AUTOMATIC SWITCH. THUS BEING STUCK IN A POSITION NOT EXACTLY THE WAY I WOULD NEED TO DRIVE. I CAN NOT MOVE THIS SEAT TO A PROPER AND SAFE AREA SO THAT I CAN OPERATE THE VEHICLE AS PRESCRIBED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. AS WITH ANY VEHICLE, THE SEAT SHOULD BE POSITIONED RELATIVE TO THE DRIVER'S ABILITY. I HAVE TO DRIVE CLOSER TO THE STEERING WHEEL THAT I WOULD LIKE. AS WELL AS MY GIRLFRIEND IS UNABLE TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE OF THE FACT IT WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD SO SHE CAN REACH THE PEDALS. SO IF I WAS TO BE HURT, SHE WOULD NOT HAVE A WAY TO GO. THIS IS COVERED IN THE NISSAN SERVICE BULLETIN NTB00095. THIS VEHICLE IS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD. IT IS A 2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE MOTOR FOR THIS SEAT SHOULD NOT BE MALFUNCTIONING THIS EARLY IN A VEHICLE'S LIFE. I TOOK THE SAID VEHICLE TO THE SHEEHY NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHICH IS LOCATED IN MANASSAS, VIRGINIA. THEY INDICATED THAT THIS WAS NOT A RECALL NOR A WARRANTY PART. I HAVE THE GOLD WARRANTY WHICH [XXX] NEARS COVERS EVERYTHING ELSE. ALSO IT COVERS A DRIVER'S SEAT ASSEMBLY BUT NOT THIS PARTICULAR PIECE OR AS I WAS INFORMED THIS KIT. I HAVE CONTACTED THE NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS OFFICE AND COMPLAINED AS WELL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND IF FOR SOME REASON I AM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE SEAT MOVES TO THE VERY FRONT POSITION, I AM UNABLE TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE AND COULD CAUSE MORE DAMAGE TO MYSELF, THE VEHICLE AS WELL AS ANOTHER OBSTACLE OR VEHICLE. WE HAVE HAD A 97 FORD THUNDERBIRD WITH A SERVICE BULLETIN AGAINST AND THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY WAS GLAD TO CORRECT WITHOUT COST TO US. THIS WAS NOT A WARRANTY PART. THE VEHICLE AT THAT TIME WAS 6 YEARS OLD. I AM ASSUMING THAT NISSAN CORPORATION DOES NOT CARE ABOUT THEIR CUSTOMERS AND SAFETY AS THIS WAS INDICATED THAT NISSAN WOULD NOT FIX AT THEIR COST. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. *JB INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
FLAW IN THE DESIGN OF THE FACTORY ALARM SYSTEM ALLOWS IT TO BE EASILY DISABLED. FLAW/DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OF HID HEADLIGHTS IN THE 2002-03 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE LIGHTS ARE EASILY PRIED OFF THE CAR WITH A CROWBAR. CRIMINALS CAN STEAL THEM IN LESS THAN 30 SECONDS. ANTI-THEFT KIT MADE AVAILABLE IS ALSO DEFECTIVE. ACCESS TO ENGINE COMPARTMENT IS GAINED WITH A SCREWDRIVER OR CROWBAR. RISK OF DRIVER INJURY IS INCREASED BECAUSE OF THIS. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
FLAW IN THE DESIGN OF THE FACTORY ALARM SYSTEM ALLOWS IT TO BE EASILY DISABLED. FLAW/DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OF HID HEADLIGHTS IN THE 2002-03 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE LIGHTS ARE EASILY PRIED OFF THE CAR WITH A CROWBAR. CRIMINALS CAN STEAL THEM IN LESS THAN 30 SECONDS. ANTI-THEFT KIT MADE AVAILABLE IS ALSO DEFECTIVE. ACCESS TO ENGINE COMPARTMENT IS GAINED WITH A SCREWDRIVER OR CROWBAR. RISK OF DRIVER INJURY IS INCREASED BECAUSE OF THIS. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .