Nissan D21 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
276 owner complaints analyzed
7 distinct recall campaigns
110,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1986 to 1997 model years. Data snapshot: . 81 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure:Frame And Members is the most frequently named component, appearing in 36 of 276 complaints (13.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 28 | 10.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 10 | 3.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 10 | 3.6% |
| Steering behavior | 10 | 3.6% |
| Engine operation | 6 | 2.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 1.4% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Structure:Frame And Members | 36 |
| Tires | 18 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 18 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 15 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 13 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 10 |
| Structure:Body | 9 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 7 |
Structure:Frame And Members: 36; Tires: 18; Tires:Tread/Belt: 18; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 15; Air Bags:Frontal: 13; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 10; Structure:Body: 9; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 7
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 9 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 15 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 29 |
| 150,000 and above | 18 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 9; 75,000 to 99,999: 15; 100,000 to 149,999: 29; 150,000 and above: 18
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (29). 195 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 |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 47 |
| 1996 | 35 |
| 2000 | 43 |
| 2001 | 30 |
| 2002 | 17 |
| 2003 | 18 |
| 2004 | 8 |
| 2005 | 9 |
| 2006 | 5 |
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2008 | 15 |
| 2009 | 17 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2011 | 8 |
| 2012 | 10 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2018 | 2 |
1995: 47; 1996: 35; 2000: 43; 2001: 30; 2002: 17; 2003: 18; 2004: 8; 2005: 9; 2006: 5; 2007: 4; 2008: 15; 2009: 17; 2010: 4; 2011: 8; 2012: 10; 2013: 2; 2014: 1; 2016: 1; 2018: 2
Pattern summary
Structure:Frame And Members leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 28 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 10 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 10 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 10229282 · 2008-05-30 (May 30, 2008)
FRONT SERVICE BRAKE METAL BRAKE LINE RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING COMPLETE FAILURE OF FRONT BRAKING SYSTEM. THIS IS THE COILED LINE THAT RUNS FROM MASTER CYLINDER TO DISTRIBUTION BLOCK. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 175,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10229282 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10344392 · 2010-09-27 (September 27, 2010)
1991 NISSAN D21 PICK UP TRUCK. CONSUMER STATES HE NEEDS THE STOPPING DISTANCE FROM 60 MPH *TGW THE CONSUMER WOULD ALSO LIKE INFORMATION ON THE BRAKING SYSTEM, *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10344392 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 972212 · 1995-09-19 (September 19, 1995)
5 SPEED TRANSMISSION LOCK UP IN 1ST AND REVERSE GEAR. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 972212 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 959357 · 1995-01-31 (January 31, 1995)
MANUAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE, 2ND AND 3RD GEARS GRINDING. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 959357 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 973521 · 1995-10-18 (October 18, 1995)
REPLACED THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE SECOND SINCE HAD CAR PURCHASE CAR NEW . TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 973521 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10136842 · 2005-09-17 (September 17, 2005)
I DROVE SOMEWHERE, PARKED THE TRUCK AND I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I ASKED SOMEONE IF THEY HAD A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND THEY DID. I OPENED THE HOOD AND THE GUY USED THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. IT STARTED IN THE WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE HOOD. MORE SPECIFICALLY, THERE IS A RESISTOR AND A CAPACITOR COMING OUT OF THE WIRING HARNESS (NEAR THE DRIVER-SIDE HEADLIGHT / DISTRIBUTOR COIL AREA) THAT WAS ON FIRE. I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY NISSAN TRUCKS HAVE THIS DEFECT, BUT THAT'S FOR NISSAN AND THE GO…
Owner-reported narrative. 181,994 miles reported. Look up ODI 10136842 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 481953 · 1995-02-16 (February 16, 1995)
STEERING IS MISALIGNED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO PULL TO ONE SIDE CONTINUOUSLY.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 481953 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 984585 · 1996-05-17 (May 17, 1996)
FAILURE OF THE STEERING WHEEL, WHEN DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO HAVE A ACCIDENT, DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT CAME OUT THE BUCKLE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 984585 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10088331 · 2004-08-21 (August 21, 2004)
TIMING CHAIN, TIMING CHAIN COVER DEFECT (NISSAN KA24E). TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FAILURE CAUSES DAMAGE TO INSIDE OF TIMING CHAIN COVER. COOLANT SEEPS INTO OIL PAN CAUSING OVERHEATING AND STALLING. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 83,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10088331 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 800431 · 1996-08-29 (August 29, 1996)
ON SOME OCCASIONS WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE TRUCK STALLS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 800431 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 866359 · 2000-07-31 (July 31, 2000)
WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE CUT OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, COMING TO A DEAD STOP DUE TO FUEL PUMP MALFUNCTIONING. ALSO, THIS WAS THE SECOND FUEL PUMP REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 866359 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 872981 · 2000-10-13 (October 13, 2000)
DUE TO THE DESIGN OF BALL JOINTS/TIE RODS WEAR OUT, CAUSING TIRE TO WEAR MORE FREQUENTLY. ALSO A NOISE IN THE FUEL TANK, AND AXLE BEARING SQUEALS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 872981 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1986 | 1 |
| 1987 | 1 |
| 1988 | 1 |
| 1989 | 1 |
| 1990 | 1 |
| 1991 | 1 |
| 1992 | 0 |
| 1993 | 0 |
| 1994 | 2 |
| 1995 | 3 |
| 1996 | 1 |
| 1997 | 0 |
1986: 1; 1987: 1; 1988: 1; 1989: 1; 1990: 1; 1991: 1; 1992: 0; 1993: 0; 1994: 2; 1995: 3; 1996: 1; 1997: 0