RoadVitals

1986 Nissan Stanza

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.
16
Latest Apr 1, 2009
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.
2
Latest Apr 17, 1990
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.
7
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 16 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1986 Nissan Stanza, most frequently naming the fuel system, seat belts and steering categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 3 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

  • Fuel system425.0%
  • Seat belts318.8%
  • Steering212.5%
  • Electrical212.5%
  • Body & structure16.3%
  • Transmission16.3%
  • Engine16.3%
  • Interior & seats16.3%

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

Safety recalls

2 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

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Apr 17, 1990
750,000 units potentially affected
The defect: INCORRECT TIRE INFLATION PRESSURES WERE PRINTED ON CERTIFICATION LABELS.
The risk: INCORRECT TIRE INFLATION COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
The remedy: INSTALL CORRECTED TIRE INFORMATION LABEL ON DOORPOST CERTIFICATION LABEL.
NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

Jul 29, 1986
27,000 units potentially affected
The defect: IF A CERTAIN TYPE OF REAR END COLLISION OCCURS, THE EDGE OF A WELDED BRACKET ON THE FLOOR PANEL SUBFRAME MAY PIERCE THE FUEL FILLER PIPE. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: FUEL LEAKAGE WOULD OCCUR WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. VEHICLES WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 301.
The remedy: INSTALL A COVER OVER THE BRACKET.
NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Engine
Filed Apr 1, 2009
Fire reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1986 NISSAN STANZA. AS THE CONTACT PARKED HER VEHICLE IN THE DRIVEWAY, SHE NOTICED SMOKE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, BUT DID NOT KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE BECAUSE THE ENGINE WAS TOTALLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND BADLY BURNED. THE NISSAN MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOO OLD. FIVE YEARS AGO, THE CONTACT'S 1987 NISSAN STANZA WAGON CAUGHT FIRE IN THE SAME MANNER. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.

NHTSA ID
10263881
Incident
Mar 30, 2009
Mileage
138,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Apr 28, 2004

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OR IN MOTION DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE DOORS WOULD UNEXPECTEDLY OPEN ON THEIR OWN. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
10071792
Incident
Apr 28, 2004
Other / unspecified
Filed Nov 1, 2002

VEHICLE FUEL GAUGE IS RECEIVING FALSE READING FROM THE SENDING UNIT WHILE DRIVING. CONDITION CAUSES VEHICLE TO STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. MR

NHTSA ID
8022062
Incident
Sep 1, 2002
Fuel system
Filed Aug 18, 2002
Fire reported

INJECTOR FUEL LEAK CAUSED UNDER-HOOD FIRE AFTER VEHICLE WAS PARKED, TOTALLING VEHICLE. (SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPT. INCIDENT #18501). *AK

NHTSA ID
765808
Incident
Mar 3, 1999
Electrical
Filed Jul 9, 2002
Fire reported

CONSUMER STARTED VEHICLE AND IT WOULD NOT START. CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE CAUSED TOTAL LOSS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
8013537
Incident
Jun 25, 2002
Fuel system
Filed Feb 6, 2002
Fire reported

PIPES CONNECTED TO ENIGNE WHICH CARRY FUEL HAD LEAKED, AND THERE WAS A FIRE IN ENGINE. *AK

NHTSA ID
8003646
Incident
Jan 1, 2002
Fuel system
Filed May 24, 2001

ALL 4 FUEL INJECTORS ARE LEAKING FUEL. COULD CAUSE A FIRE HAZARD. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER AND MANUFACTURER; BUT, THEY REFUSED TO HELP CONSUMER. NISSAN REFERENCE NUMBER FOR COMPLAINT#3431540. *AK MANUFACTURERTOLD CONSUMER THAT FUEL INJECTORS USUALLY LEAK AND CONSUMER IS RESPONSIBILE FOR REPLACING THEM.*JB

NHTSA ID
889101
Incident
May 1, 2001
Transmission
Filed Jul 25, 1996
Crash reported

WHEN LEAVING A PARKING SPACE THE CAR SLIPPED INTO REVERSE AND ACCLERATED ON ITS ON AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP.AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.PLEASE DESCCRIBE. *AK

NHTSA ID
987350
Incident
Jun 27, 1996

Manufacturer communications

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

NTB-09-101

TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS

NISSAN: TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) WARNING LIGHT ON/FLASHING. NO MODELS OR MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE UPDATED ON 08-11-2011. *KB

NTB-09-129

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

NISSAN: VENT CONTROL VALVE REPLACEMENT. WHEN REPLACING THE EVAP CANISTER VENT CONTROL VALVE FOR REASON: USE THE ONE LISTED ON PAGE 2; FOR VENT CONTROL VALVE REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE, REFER TO THE APPROPRIATE SECTION OF THE ELECTRONIC SERVICE MANUALS (ESM; WHEN INSTALLING THE NEW VALVE, DO NOT ADD ANY LUBE TO ITS O RING; FOR FRONTIER (D40 SERIES) ONLY, INSTALL THE PROTECTOR LISTED IN PARTS INFORMATION. *PE INCLUDES 2005-09 FRONTIER. UPDATED 12/8/10. *PE

NTB-09-030

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

NISSAN: THE 12 VOLT BATTERY IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND IS REQUIRED TO STAY CONNECTED WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING. TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO VEHICLE ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS/CAUTIONS. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE

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 Stanza by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1996100
1995100
1994100
1993200
1992331148.5
1991331152.4
1990361150.7
1989100040.2
1988610
1987211053.0
1986Viewing162061.1
1985602
1984202
1983103
1982013

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.