RoadVitals

1996 Nissan D21 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
16
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

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1996 Nissan D21, 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

  • Airbags1328.9%
  • Suspension613.3%
  • Tires & wheels613.3%
  • Electrical48.9%
  • Engine36.7%
  • Body & structure24.4%
  • Seat belts24.4%
  • Steering12.2%
  • Transmission12.2%
  • Visibility12.2%
  • Brakes12.2%
  • Driver assistance12.2%
  • Fuel system12.2%
  • Interior & seats12.2%
  • Exterior lighting12.2%
  • Powertrain (other)12.2%

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

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

13
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Mar 18, 2009

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 · filed Aug 18, 2004
All 13 reports naming airbags

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE FRONT END MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO VIBRATE BADLY, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL. BEEN TO DEALER. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION AND VIN#. *AK

NHTSA ID 831622 · filed Dec 2, 1998

FRONT END MISALIGNED, CAUSING TIRE WEAR.

NHTSA ID 537970 · filed Jul 17, 1998

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

FIRESTONE SAID 6 YEAR OLD TIRE NOT COVERED IN RECALL. HAD GOOD TREAD AND NOT LOW ON AIR PRESSURE. BLEW OUT SIDEWALLS AND BELTS WITHOUT ANY WARNING THAT TIRES WERE LOSING AIR. *TS *NLM ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12-12-02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS***762204

NHTSA ID 10009345 · filed May 23, 2002

I CHECK MY TIRE PRESSURE REGULARLY SINCE I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK USED WITH 15,000 MILES ON IT I HAD THE TIRES ROTATED A MONTH AGO OR SO.I HAVE 40,000 ON THE TRUCK NOW.THE LEFT REAR FIRESTONE TIRE SHREDDED LIKE A POTATO PEEL .IT DAMGED MY REAR FENDER WHEN IT PEELED BACK.I RECENTLY HAD HELPED A MOTORIST WITH A FLAT TIRE ON THE HIGHWAY.THE VEHICLE WAS A FORD RANGER WITH FIRESTONE TIRES.THE TIRE DAMGE LOOKED IDENTICLE TO MY TIRE DAMAGE.I BELIEVE FIRESTONE HAS MORE BAD TIRES OUT THERE THAN THEIR SAYING.ARE MY TIRES RECALLED I DON'T BELIEVE THIS IS A COINCIDENCE.I WANT MY TIRES REPLACED AND MY TRUCK FIXED. *AK (DOT NUMBER: W2HYFRN206 TIRESIZE: P215-70R-1)

NHTSA ID 751907 · filed Sep 8, 2001

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Feb 17, 2008

HORN WOULD GO OFF WHILE TURNING TRUCK EITHER DIRECTION UNTIL HORN BLAIRED CONSTANTLY. AFTER DEALER INSPECTED STEERING WHEEL, THEY FOUND HORN WAS LOOSE, AND A PART HAD ENGAGED ITSELF INSIDE AIR BAG. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT IT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED BECAUSE OF POSSIBLE DEPLOYMENT WITH NO WARNING. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID 8011032 · filed Jun 4, 2002

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed May 28, 2003

I HAVE HAD AN EMISSIONS PROBLEMS (MIL) CONTINOUSLY SINCE OCTOBER 1996. THE EMISSION SYSTEM WAS REPLACED BY NISSAN IN 1998. THE MIL STILL COMES ON AND I AM GETTING ABOUT 16-17 MPG ON 13.59 GALS. I HAVE WRITTEN LETTERS TO NISSAN AND HAVE TALKED TO NUMEROUS NISSAN SERVICE PERSONNEL BUT HAVE GOTTEN NOWHERE. I TRIED GOING THROUGH BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU FOR ARBITRATION BUT THEY TOLD ME I HAVE TOO MANY MILES ON THE PICKUP. THE SAFETY RECALL ON THE REAR LIGHTS WAS NEVER DONE, EVEN THOUGH ANDERSON NISSAN IN ASHEVILLE, NC SAYS IT WAS DONE. THEY LIED. I WOULD APPRECIATE ALL THE HELP THAT YOU CAN GIVE ME, IF ANY. THE NEXT STEP WILL HAVE TO BE SUING NISSAN FOR BREACH OF WARRANTY. BREACH OF WARRANTY BECAUSE , EVEN THOUGH THEY REPLACED THE PARTS, THEY NEVER FIXED IT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. DEBBIE. *AK

NHTSA ID 743481 · filed Apr 3, 2001

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jan 25, 2012

FAILURE OF THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR, WHEN DRIVING THE VHEICLE THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR OPENED (NO DOOR WARNING LIGHT ON THE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID 984038 · filed May 3, 1996

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE DRIVER'S SHOULDER HARNESS IS FRAYING WHERE IT WEARS AGAINST THE CLIP THAT INSERTS IN THE RECEIVER TO SECURE THE BELT. I DON'T BELIEVE THIS SHOULD HAPPEN IN LESS THAN 6 YEARS/70,000 MILES. IT MAY BE HAPPENING IN OTHER VEHICLES, AND IF SO, IS POTENTIALLY QUITE DANGEROUS AS THE RESTRAINING HARNESS COULD FAIL IN AN ACCIDENT. I WILL CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER NEXT.

NHTSA ID 761875 · filed May 14, 2002

FEMALE END OF SEATBELT CABLE HAS BROKEN. NO UNUSUAL STRESS OR ACCIDENT JUST GOT IN AND FOUND THAT FEMALE CONNECTOR WAS ONLY HELD ON BY 2 ELECTRICAL CABLES. *AK

NHTSA ID 757388 · filed Jan 27, 2002

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

COMPONENTS BUSTED INSIDE OF STEERING WHEEL WHERE AIRBAG IS LOCATED AND SOUNDS METALIC FEAR THE STEERING MAY FAIL OR CAUSE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY WHILE DRIVING. I EMAILED NISSAN CORP OF THIS MATTER AND NO RESPONCE AS OF YET.

NHTSA ID 742636 · filed Mar 18, 2001

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WHEN CLIMBING ON AN INCLINE VEHICLE WILL NOT MAINTAIN SPEED, LOSS OF SPEED, ALSO FAULTY TRANSMISSION. *AK

NHTSA ID 801732 · filed Sep 24, 1996

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WHEN CLOSING THE DOOR DRIVER RECEIVES AND ELECTRICAL SHOCK. TT

NHTSA ID 979150 · filed Feb 13, 1996

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE DRIVING AND APPLIED THE BRAKES HEARD NOISE COMING FROM BRAKES, SOUNDED LIKE GRINDING METAL TO METAL. ALSO, VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *AK

NHTSA ID 859348 · filed Mar 28, 2000

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

DRIVER FOOT HITS BRAKE/ACCELERATIOR PEDAL SIMULTANEOUSLY.

NHTSA ID 517311 · filed May 20, 1997

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 10247264 · filed Oct 30, 2008

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

DASH BOARD LIGHT (AAC VALVE) FAILED.

NHTSA ID 605162 · filed Sep 19, 1997

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE DRIVING WITH HEADLIGHTS ON AT NIGHT, THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC COULD NOT BE SEEN IN THE LIGHT. CONSUMER DOES NOT KNOW WHY HEADLIGHTS DO THAT. *AK

NHTSA ID 840854 · filed Jun 22, 1999

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

DRIVE ASSEMBLY REPLACED DUE TO NOISE.

NHTSA ID 508121 · filed Aug 30, 1996

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

Data on this page last refreshed .