1996 Nissan D21 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
25 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
75,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 7 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 25 complaints (16.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 4 | 16.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 12.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 8.0% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 8.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 4.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 4 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 3 |
| Tires | 3 |
| Electrical System:Horn | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control | 1 |
Air Bags: 4; Air Bags:Frontal: 3; Tires: 3; Electrical System:Horn: 1; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 18 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 4 |
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 6 |
| 2002 | 6 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
1996: 4; 2000: 2; 2001: 6; 2002: 6; 2003: 2; 2004: 1; 2008: 2; 2009: 1; 2012: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10445245 · 2012-01-25 (January 25, 2012)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 110,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10445245 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 742636 · 2001-03-18 (March 18, 2001)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 742636 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10218263 · 2008-02-17 (February 17, 2008)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. 59,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10218263 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 757388 · 2002-01-27 (January 27, 2002)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 757388 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 801732 · 1996-09-24 (September 24, 1996)
WHEN CLIMBING ON AN INCLINE VEHICLE WILL NOT MAINTAIN SPEED, LOSS OF SPEED, ALSO FAULTY TRANSMISSION. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 801732 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 859348 · 2000-03-28 (March 28, 2000)
WHILE DRIVING AND APPLIED THE BRAKES HEARD NOISE COMING FROM BRAKES, SOUNDED LIKE GRINDING METAL TO METAL. ALSO, VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 859348 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10247264 · 2008-10-30 (October 30, 2008)
LEAKING FUEL TANK. FUEL TANK STARTED LEAKING FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10247264 at NHTSA ↗