1986 Nissan Stanza 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 1986 Nissan Stanza, 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
- Fuel system425.0%
- Seat belts318.8%
- Steering212.5%
- Electrical212.5%
- Body & structure16.3%
- Transmission16.3%
- Engine16.3%
- Interior & seats16.3%
- Other / unspecified16.3%
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
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
INJECTOR FUEL LEAK CAUSED UNDER-HOOD FIRE AFTER VEHICLE WAS PARKED, TOTALLING VEHICLE. (SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPT. INCIDENT #18501). *AK
PIPES CONNECTED TO ENIGNE WHICH CARRY FUEL HAD LEAKED, AND THERE WAS A FIRE IN ENGINE. *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
RECALL ON SEAT BELTS IN CAR AND DEALER DOES NOT HAVE PARTS TO FIX. HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR AT LEAST A YEAR FOR LETTER TO BE SERVICED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL. *SKD
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
POWER STEERING PROBLEMS. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
THE CAR IS LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID. THIS CAUSING THE POWER STEERING TO GO OUT WHILE DRIVING. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
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
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
PURCHASE CAR USED WHEN DRIVING CAR CUT OFF . TT
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
THE REAR SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE HAS RUSTED AWAY. TT
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 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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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 .