1986 Nissan STANZA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
16 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
138,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1986 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 16 complaints (18.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 2 | 12.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 6.3% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 6.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 6.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 3 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors | 2 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer:Lpg Systems:Tank Valve/Gauge | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery | 1 |
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 3; Electrical System:Ignition: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors: 2; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer:Lpg Systems:Tank Valve/Gauge: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery: 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 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 15 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 | 6 |
| 1996 | 3 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 4 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
1995: 6; 1996: 3; 2001: 1; 2002: 4; 2004: 1; 2009: 1
Pattern summary
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10071792 · 2004-04-28 (April 28, 2004)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10071792 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10263881 · 2009-04-01 (April 1, 2009)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. 138,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10263881 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 485005 · 1995-06-01 (June 1, 1995)
DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 485005 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 487695 · 1995-11-02 (November 2, 1995)
VEHICLE FIRE, RESULTING FROM A COLD START. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 487695 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 765808 · 2002-08-18 (August 18, 2002)
INJECTOR FUEL LEAK CAUSED UNDER-HOOD FIRE AFTER VEHICLE WAS PARKED, TOTALLING VEHICLE. (SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPT. INCIDENT #18501). *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 765808 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8003646 · 2002-02-06 (February 6, 2002)
PIPES CONNECTED TO ENIGNE WHICH CARRY FUEL HAD LEAKED, AND THERE WAS A FIRE IN ENGINE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8003646 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8013537 · 2002-07-09 (July 9, 2002)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8013537 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8022062 · 2002-11-01 (November 1, 2002)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8022062 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
86V101000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap
Reported: 1986-07-29 (July 29, 1986)
IF A CERTAIN TYPE OF REAR END COLLISION OCCURS, THE EDGE OF A WELDED BRACKET ON THE FLOOR PANEL SUBFRAME MAY PIERCE THE FUEL FILLER PIPE. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: FUEL LEAKAGE WOULD OCCUR WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. VEHICLES WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 301.
Remedy: INSTALL A COVER OVER THE BRACKET.
NHTSA campaign record ↗90V072000 · Equipment:Other:Labels
Reported: 1990-04-17 (April 17, 1990)
INCORRECT TIRE INFLATION PRESSURES WERE PRINTED ON CERTIFICATION LABELS.
Consequence: INCORRECT TIRE INFLATION COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: INSTALL CORRECTED TIRE INFORMATION LABEL ON DOORPOST CERTIFICATION LABEL.
NHTSA campaign record ↗