1996 Nissan D21 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 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.
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.
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
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
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
FRONT END MISALIGNED, CAUSING TIRE WEAR.
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.
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
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)
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.
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
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
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
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.
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
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.
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
FAILURE OF THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR, WHEN DRIVING THE VHEICLE THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR OPENED (NO DOOR WARNING LIGHT ON THE VEHICLE. *AK
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN CLIMBING ON AN INCLINE VEHICLE WILL NOT MAINTAIN SPEED, LOSS OF SPEED, ALSO FAULTY TRANSMISSION. *AK
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN CLOSING THE DOOR DRIVER RECEIVES AND ELECTRICAL SHOCK. TT
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
WHILE DRIVING AND APPLIED THE BRAKES HEARD NOISE COMING FROM BRAKES, SOUNDED LIKE GRINDING METAL TO METAL. ALSO, VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *AK
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
DRIVER FOOT HITS BRAKE/ACCELERATIOR PEDAL SIMULTANEOUSLY.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
LEAKING FUEL TANK. FUEL TANK STARTED LEAKING FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *TR
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
DASH BOARD LIGHT (AAC VALVE) FAILED.
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
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
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVE ASSEMBLY REPLACED DUE TO NOISE.
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 .