RoadVitals

1988 Nissan Van

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.
5
Latest Aug 13, 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.
5
Latest May 24, 1995
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.
2
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1988 Nissan Van, most frequently naming the engine, fuel system and interior & seats categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 5 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

  • Engine233.3%
  • Fuel system116.7%
  • Interior & seats116.7%
  • Steering116.7%
  • Transmission116.7%

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

5 campaigns cover this model year

View all 5

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
95V103002

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

May 24, 1995
2,730,462 units potentially affected
The defect: THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
The risk: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE.
NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
94V031000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS

Feb 25, 1994
33,000 units potentially affected
The defect: ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES AND OTHER THERMAL INCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED ON VEHICLES WHICH HAD RECEIVED ALL OF THE REMEDIES PROVIDED BY A PREVIOUS SAFETY-RELATED RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NO. 93V036000). THE FIRES ARE ATTRIBUTED TO ERRORS IN INSTALLING THE REMEDY SPECIFIED IN THE RECALL.
The risk: IF THE REMEDY SPECIFIED FOR RECALL 93V036000 WAS NOT PERFORMED CORRECTLY OR THE VEHICLE HAS NOT RECEIVED THE REMEDY, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
The remedy: NISSAN WILL OFFER TO REPURCHASE THESE VEHICLES FROM THE OWNERS. THE VEHICLES WILL THEN BE DESTROYED. FOR OWNERS THAT DECLINE THE REPURCHASE OFFER NISSAN WILL PROVIDE A REINSPECTION OF THEIR VEHICLE, FREE OF CHARGE, TO CONFIRM THE PRIOR RECALL WAS COMPLETED PROPERLY. ALSO, NISSAN WILL PERFORM ANY RECALL-RELATED REPAIRS THAT MAY BE NEEDED AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNER.
NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
93V036000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS

Mar 15, 1993
33,000 units potentially affected
The defect: NISSAN HAS MADE A PRELIMINARY DETERMINATION THAT A DEFECT EXISTS IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT COMPONENT(S) THAT MAY FAIL DUE TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT HEAT.
The risk: THE UNDETERMINED ENGINE COMPARTMENT COMPONENT(S) CANCAUSE AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE, RESULTING IN POSSIBLE INJURY TO VEHICLEOCCUPANTS.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN COOLING SYSTEM INCLUDING THE FAN BELTS, RADIATOR, WATER PUMP, ALTERNATOR, FREEZE PLUG SHIELDS, AND ASSOCIATED HOSES. THE REMEDY WILL ALSO INCLUDE A NEW AUXILIARY ELECTRIC FAN AND POWER STEERING FLUID COOLER. TO COMPLETE THE REMEDY, A WARNING SYSTEM TO MONITOR COOLING SYSTEM PERFORMANCE WILL BE INSTALLED TO DETECT POTENTIAL ENGINE OVERHEATING.
NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA95007ClosedEngineering Analysis

TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE

Opened Mar 10, 1995
Closed Aug 2, 1995

There is no summary currently available

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLYLed to recall 95V103002
PE93019ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

POWER DOOR LOCK FAILURE

Opened Mar 31, 1993
Closed Jul 28, 1993

There is no summary currently available

STRUCTURE

Recent owner complaints

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

Interior & seats
Filed Aug 13, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 NISSAN VAN. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE MANUAL DOOR LOCK FAILED TO DISENGAGE WHILE LOCKED. THE DOOR WOULD ONLY UNLOCK MANUALLY FROM THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER NO LONGER PRODUCES THE LOCK MECHANISM FOR REPLACEMENT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 95,000. UPDATED 09/14/09. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE LATCH/LOCK IS NOW WORKING PROPERLY. UPDATED 09/16/09.*JB

NHTSA ID
10280363
Incident
Jul 31, 2009
Mileage
95,000 mi
Fuel systemTransmission
Filed Oct 22, 1999

FUEL INJECTORS FAILED. NLM

NHTSA ID
549152
Engine
Filed Dec 22, 1998

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE WILL CUT OFF. ALSO, WHEN THE CONSUMER STARTS THE VEHICLE/ BACKS OUT, VEHICLE WILL CUT BACK OFF. CONSUMER STATES THERE IS A BUCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE BY THE ENGINE. *AK

NHTSA ID
832586
Incident
Feb 12, 1998
Steering
Filed Jan 13, 1998

POWER STEERING HOSE FAILURE; NO PARTS AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
528302
Incident
Jan 1, 1998
Engine
Filed Sep 11, 1995

HAD COOLING RECALL DONE, VEHICLE IS OVERHEATING AGAIN. TT

NHTSA ID
971881
Incident
Sep 11, 1995

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

FC0008834

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

UNABLE TO MAINTAIN 160 LBS TENSION ON ALTERNATOR BELT AFTER RECALL RC-006. *TW

FC0008833

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

SQUEAK OR SQUEAL NOISE AFTER INSTALLATION OF RECALL WATER PUMP. *TW

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 Van by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1994100—
1991001—
1990052—
1989011—
1988Viewing552—
1987763—

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.