RoadVitals

1996 Nissan D21

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
44
Latest Jan 25, 2012
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Apr 7, 2009
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
8
6 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 44 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1996 Nissan D21, most frequently naming the airbags, suspension and tires & wheels categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 50 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Airbags1328.9%
  • Suspension613.3%
  • Tires & wheels613.3%
  • Electrical48.9%
  • Engine36.7%
  • Body & structure24.4%
  • Seat belts24.4%
  • Steering12.2%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
09E012000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Apr 7, 2009
16,270 units potentially affected
The defect: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
The risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
SABERSPORTView on NHTSA.gov
06E049000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

May 24, 2006
27,176 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
The risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
CK MOTORSPORT, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
98V234000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

Sep 21, 1998
100,032 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. A REAR LAMP WILL NOT ILLUMINATE BECAUSE THE METAL BARREL IN THE LIGHT BULB SOCKET MOVES OR SEPARATES FROM THE PLASTIC SOCKET HOUSING DUE TO INADEQUATE HEAT RESISTANCE OF THE PLASTIC AT THE LAMP OPERATING TEMPERATURE.
The risk: THE STOP/TAIL COMBINATION LAMP OR THE TURN SIGNAL LAMP WILL NOT FUNCTION.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BULB SOCKETS IN THE REAR COMBINATION LAMPS.
NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 44
Body & structure
Filed Jan 25, 2012

MY NISSAN TRUCK IS VERY BADLY EATEN BY RUST. THE FRAME AND BODY ARE BEING EATEN AWAY WITH RUST. THE BRAKE LINES AND THE POWER STEERING LINES HAVE DISINTEGRATED. THE WHEEL AXLES AND JOINTS ARE BADLY CORRODED. INFERIOR QUALITY METALS AND PAINT WERE USED TO MANUFACTURE THIS TRUCK. THIS TRUCK IS NOW TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE ON THE ROAD. THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION ARE GOOD BUT THE REST IS A DISGRACE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10445245
Incident
Jan 1, 2009
Mileage
110,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 18, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 NISSAN PICKUP. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE AND BEGAN TO ACCELERATE, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT AN ENGINEER WOULD COME OUT AND INSPECT THE VEHICLE. TWO WEEKS AFTER THE INSPECTION, THE MANUFACTURER CALLED THE CONTACT AND STATED THAT NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE PROVIDED DUE TO THE HIGH MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE NISSAN DEALER AND RECEIVED AN ESTIMATE OF $2,000 FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 205,000.

NHTSA ID
10262367
Incident
Feb 26, 2009
Mileage
205,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 30, 2008

LEAKING FUEL TANK. FUEL TANK STARTED LEAKING FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *TR

NHTSA ID
10247264
Incident
Oct 15, 2008
Mileage
75,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 17, 2008
Fire reported

I BOUGHT THE TRUCK IN 1999 FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER, IT HAD 29,800 MILES ON IT. THE TRUCK HAD 59,500 MILES ON IT WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I WAS DRIVING THE TRUCK WHEN THE ENGINE STOPPED AND SMOKE CAME OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I OPENED THE HOOD TO FIND THAT THE MAIN ENGINE WIRING HARNESS ALONG SIDE OF THE ENGINE VALVE COVER HAD MELTED ABOUT EIGHT WIRES TOGETHER. THE TRUCK SAT FOR SEVERAL MONTHS BEFORE I HAD TIME TO WORK ON IT. I SEPARATED THE WIRES AND PUT THEM BACK TOGETHER AND THE TRUCK WOULD RUN, BUT NOT THE WAY IT SHOULD. I ENDED UP TAKING IT TO THE NISSAN DEALER WHERE IT STAYED FOR A FEW MONTHS AND THEY TRIED SEVERAL THINGS TO FIX THE TRUCK BUT DIDN'T. THE DEALER ENDED UP SAYING THAT IT NEEDED A COMPLETE WIRING HARNESS, WHICH IS FROM BUMPER TO BUMPER ALL ONE PIECE AND THE WIRING HARNESS WOULD COST APP. $1400.00 PLUS LABOR. I BROUGHT THE TRUCK BACK HOME WHERE IT SETS TODAY WITH 59,600 MILES ON IT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10218263
Incident
Mar 15, 2005
Mileage
59,500 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 18, 2004

WE PURCHASED A TRUCK AT CURRY'S USED CARS. THE TRUCK HAD BEEN WRECKED, IT WAS REPAIRED AT CURRY'S PAINT AND BODY SHOP. THEN THE OWNER SAM CURRY HAD IT FOR SALE. WE PURCHASED IT. LATER WE FOUND OUT THAT HE DID NOT REPLACE THE AIRBAG THAT HAD DEPLOYED. IT HAS A DUMMY AIRBAG IN THE VEHICLE. I KNOW THAT THIS IS A FEDERAL OFFENSE. SINCE I FOUND THIS OUT KNOW THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE REPAIRED AT THIS BODY SHOP AND AIRBAGS REPLACED WITH DUMMY BAGS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10088129
Incident
Jun 20, 2003
Airbags
Filed Jul 10, 2003
Crash reported

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK *TS *JB

NHTSA ID
10024078
Incident
Jun 3, 2003
Mileage
110,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 28, 2003

TRIED TO GET EMISSIONS TEST, DUE TO SENSOR LIGHT COMING ON (CHECK ENGINE LIGHT), VEHICLE FAILED TEST. HAVE REPORTED THIS LIGHT SEVERAL TIMES. THIS LIGHT STAYS ON, NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. HAVE CHANGED SENSOR THREE TIMES. DID NOT HAVE CONCERNS BEFORE THE EMISSIONS PROBLEMS. DLR SEEMS TO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, OR HOW TO TO FIX IT. MAYBE THERE SHOULD BE SOME WAY OF CORRECTING THIS PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT THE ONLY SOLUTION WAS TO KEEP REPLACING THE SENSOR. WHICH IS GETTING TO BE A PROBLEM. DLR WOULD DO SOMETHING TO TURN OFF THE LIGHT, I DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD...THE LIGHT COMES BACK ON...AND STAYS ON. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING EVER SINCE VEHICLE PURCHASE.

NHTSA ID
10020624
Incident
Sep 17, 2002
Mileage
5 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 1, 2002

CONSUMER WAS GETTING INTO TRUCK AND BEGAN TO SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM STEERING WHEEL. CONSUMER GOT OUT OF TRUCK ONCE SMOKE CLEARED. DROVE TO MECHANIC, AND WAS INFORMED THAT AIR BAG WIRE ASSEMBLY HAD BURNED, AND IT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
8015329

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

NTB08-097L

STEERING

DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

NTB23-053

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SILICONE-BASED LUBRICANT OR GREASE CAN DAMAGE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SERVICE INFORMATION Do not apply Silicone-based lubricants or grease to, or around, any interior electrical components. To avoid the risk of death or severe personal injury, do not directly spray Silicone-based lubricant or grease, or inadvertently overspray Silicone-based lubricant or grease onto any interior electrical components. These types of lubricants can be detrimental to the proper operation of electrical components.

NTB23-049

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

12 VOLT BATTERY TESTING FOR IN-SERVICE VEHICLES SERVICE INFORMATION The following Service Information lists NNA procedural recommendations for establishing good connections while performing 12V battery testing. These recommendations are expected to promote uniformity during the connection process, therefore reducing the number of incorrect “Test with DCA” and “Replace” results. HINT: If 12 volt batteries are allowed to discharge for a prolonged period of time, battery life may be drastically reduced. This condition may lead to premature battery replacement and customer dissatisfaction. IMPORTANT:  CPX-900 is now an accepted testing tool to use along with or in place of the DSS-5000  CPX-900 operating instructions are found at: https://nissancpx900.midtronics.com/  DSS-5000 operating instructions are found at: https://nissandss5000.midtronics.com/  DCA-8000 is now a required testing tool to be used for all warranty replacement decisions. The DCA-8000 is also a more efficient charger than previously available, and will charge any available 12 volt lead acid battery safely and accurately as long as all precautions and inputs are made correctly. The DCA-8000 operating instructions are found at: https://nissandca8000.midtronics.com/

NTB13-107F

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

NTB16-003C

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

INTELLIGENT KEY REPLACEMENT OR SWAPPING BETWEEN VEHICLES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Discard all previous versions of this bulletin.

NTB09-081J

STRUCTURE; VISIBILITY

WINDSHIELD CRACKING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Nissan D21 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1997572059.7
1996Viewing443055.3
19951295157.2
1994654258.2
1993432053.5
1992162043.5
1991313161.4
1990110—
1989410—
1988110—
1987010—
1986010—

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.