Model year record

1996 Nissan D21 recalls & problems

The 1996 Nissan D21 has 3 safety recalls and 44 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (13 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints44filed by owners

Crashes · fires7 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths6 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009

Exterior lighting

Recall 09E01200016,270 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Exterior lightingMay 24, 2006

Exterior lighting

Recall 06E04900027,176 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

Exterior lightingSep 21, 1998

Tail lights

Recall 98V234000100,032 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. A REAR LAMP WILL NOT ILLUMINATE BECAUSE THE METAL BARREL IN THE LIGHT BULB SOCKET MOVES OR SEPARATES FROM THE PLASTIC SOCKET HOUSING DUE TO INADEQUATE HEAT RESISTANCE OF THE PLASTIC AT THE LAMP OPERATING TEMPERATURE.
Risk: THE STOP/TAIL COMBINATION LAMP OR THE TURN SIGNAL LAMP WILL NOT FUNCTION.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BULB SOCKETS IN THE REAR COMBINATION LAMPS.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Air bagsFrontal	13	6	0	6	—
SuspensionFront	6	0	0	0	—
TiresTemporary/emergency spare tire; Tread/belt	6	0	0	0	—
Electrical systemWiring › Front underhood; Ignition	4	0	1	0	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Exhaust system	3	1	0	0	—
StructureBody › Door; Body	2	0	0	0	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Axle assembly	2	0	0	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Disc	2	0	0	0	—
Seat beltsFront › Buckle assembly; Front › Anchorage	2	0	0	0	—
VisibilityPower window devices and controls	1	0	0	0	—
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal	1	0	0	0	—
Interior lighting	1	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Structure › Body
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
Jan 1, 2009 · 110,000 miles
Air bags › Frontal
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.
Feb 26, 2009 · 205,000 miles
Fuel system, gasoline
LEAKING FUEL TANK. FUEL TANK STARTED LEAKING FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *TR
Oct 15, 2008 · 75,000 miles
Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhoodFire
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…
Mar 15, 2005 · 59,500 miles
Air bags
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
Jun 20, 2003
Air bags › FrontalCrash
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK *TS *JB
Jun 3, 2003 · 110,000 miles
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control
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.
Sep 17, 2002 · 5 miles
Air bags
CONSUMER WAS GETTING INTO TRUCK AND BEGAN TO SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM STEERING WHEEL. CONSUMER GOT OUT OF TRUCK ONCE SMOKE CLEARED. DROVE TO MECHANIC, AND WAS INFORMED THAT AIR BAG WIRE ASSEMBLY HAD BURNED, AND IT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
Aug 1, 2002

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.