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1995 problems

FaultScore report

1995 Nissan D21 problems

Owners have filed 159 complaints about the 1995 Nissan D21 with NHTSA between 1995 and 2018. The largest single group is the body & structure. Across this model's run it ranks 1 of 5 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Nissan D21 All 1995 cars

FaultScore 71/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Nissan D21.

How this is worked out

The numbers

159

Complaints

Crashes reported

Fires reported

Injuries reported

99,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.

Complaint volume — 99: Against the median year of the Nissan D21. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 68: 13.2% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 5: 3% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 1995 compares with every other Nissan D21

Click any bar to open that year's report.

1 5 1 35 21 49 76 159 47 72

88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 1995 Nissan D21

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Body & Structure 35 22.0%

Median failure at 120,000 miles

Brakes 20 12.6%

6 crashes, 0 fires · median 109,500 mi

Lights 17 10.7%

Median failure at 83,500 miles

Engine & Cooling 17 10.7%

0 crashes, 3 fires · median 83,004 mi

Transmission & Drivetrain 11 6.9%

Tires 10 6.3%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 9 5.7%

Median failure at 55,000 miles

Fuel & Propulsion 9 5.7%

Median failure at 70,000 miles

Acceleration & Cruise Control 7 4.4%

Electrical System 7 4.4%

0 crashes, 1 fires

Suspension 6 3.8%

Median failure at 135,000 miles

Seat Belts 4 2.5%

3 crashes, 0 fires

Seats 2 1.3%

Other & Unspecified 1 0.6%

Equipment & Accessories 1 0.6%

Median failure at 65,000 miles

Doors, Latches & Locks 1 0.6%

Median failure at 80,000 miles

Steering 1 0.6%

Airbags 1 0.6%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Exactly what failed

NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.

Frame AND Members 19 32.2%

Tail Lights 9 15.3%

Engine 7 11.9%

Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 7 11.9%

Gasoline 5 8.5%

Accelerator Pedal 4 6.8%

Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe 4 6.8%

Foundation Components 4 6.8%

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

25,000 – 49,999 miles 2 5.7%

50,000 – 74,999 miles 7 20.0%

75,000 – 99,999 miles 9 25.7%

100,000 – 149,999 miles 13 37.1%

150,000+ miles 4 11.4%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Mar 1995 peak 13 Jan 2018

NHTSA investigations into the 1995 Nissan D21

An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.

PE95024 Opened 12 Apr 1995 Closed 27 Jul 1995 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

INADVERTENT RELEASE OF PARKING BRAKE

Recalls on the 1995 Nissan D21

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

United States — NHTSA

09E012000 7 Apr 2009

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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.

06E049000 24 May 2006

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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.

98V234000 21 Sep 1998

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

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.

94V251000 30 Dec 1994

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE CALIPER PISTON SEAL GROOVE WAS IMPROPERLY MACHINED CAUSING A BRAKE FLUID LEAK WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED.

Risk: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF BRAKING CAPABILITY.

94V243000 14 Dec 1994

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

TRUCKS WERE ASSEMBLED WITHOUT A DOOR LOCK PLATE IN THE RIGHT SIDE DOOR.

Risk: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN THE DOOR NOT LATCHINGCORRECTLY, IN AN ACCIDENT, EXPOSING PASSENGER TO INCREASED RISK OF INJURY.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

Filed 25 Nov 2002 Cumming, IA Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH WIRE HARNESS ROUTED OVER THE ENGINE NUT CAUSING ACCELARATING CHAFING WHICH CAUSED A FIRE ON THE VEHICLE. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THE SAME REASON. ALSO CONSUMER STATED THAT THIS HAS HAPPEND TWICE. TS

NHTSA complaint #8023233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 27 Apr 2001 Mobnile, AL Crash

TIRES

PE00 020; WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 60MPH ON HIGHWAY AND HEARD TIRE BLOWOUT. HE WAS ABLE TO CONTROL VEHICLE, AND STEERED IT ONTO SHOULDERS. HE NOTICED THAT REAR TIRE AND PASSENGER TIRE BLEWOUT. ALSO, THIRD TIRE BLEWOUT ON 29 OF MARCH. TIRES WERE FIRESTONE, P21570R14 NTS #DOT W2HYFRN161. HE HAS CONTACTED FIRESTONE.

NHTSA complaint #886976 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 21 Sep 1999 Montogery, MO Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHEN DRIVING AT 25 TO 30 MPH APPLY BRAKES, AND BRAKES WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOORBOARD. VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND OVER TURNED INTO A FIELD.

NHTSA complaint #848231 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 26 Apr 1999 Sanford, NC 1 injured

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION ON TWO OCCASIONS, ONE INCIDENT RESULTING IN VEHICLE COLLISION.

NHTSA complaint #545009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 3 Dec 1998 Gaithersburg, MD Crash

SEAT BELTS

SEAT BELTS HAVE THE WRONG LABELING ON THEM, STATING FOR 1994 TRUCKS ONLY. CONSUMER WAS IN A REAR END ACCIDENT AND THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT HOLD. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.

NHTSA complaint #831691 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 30 Sep 1996 Grants Pass, OR Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

ENGINE FIRE. (FIRST VEHICLE ON 601602)

NHTSA complaint #503268 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Filed 14 Jan 2018 at 150,000 miles Fairview, NC

SUSPENSION

THE ENTIRE FRAME OF THE 1995 NISSAN HARDBODY PICKUP IS RUSTING APART, THIS IS THE SECOND TRUCK OF THIS TYPE IVE OWNED AND HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. IT IS NO LONGER DEEMED SAFE BY MECHANICS TO MEET N.C.D.M.V. INSPECTION STANDARDS . THE PROBLEM IS FROM THE SAME AS THE NISSAN FRONTIER TRUCKS RECALLED, COIL ROLLED FRAME AND NO DRAINAGE FOR WATER, MUD, SALT ETC ON THE BOTTOM OF THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS X2 SINCE THIS IS THE SECOND NISSAN I HAVE OWNED. THANKS.

NHTSA complaint #11062746 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 14 Jan 2018 at 150,000 miles Fairview, NC

STRUCTURE:BODY

NHTSA complaint #11062746 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 14 May 2012 at 135,000 miles Elkton, MD

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 NISSAN PICKUP TRUCK. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR FRAME WAS CORRODED AND EXHIBITING HOLES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THE CORROSION FAILURE BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS NO LONGER COMFORTABLE OPERATING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 136,000. UPDATED 06/06/12

NHTSA complaint #10458466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 23 Apr 2012 at 65,000 miles Dubuque, IA

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

I BOUGHT A ONE OWNER LOW MILEAGE 63,000 MILES 1995 NISSAN KING CAB 4X4 TRUCK. I TOOK IT IN FOR A OIL CHANGE AND WAS REFUSED SERVICE DUE TO THE FRAME DEEMED UNSAFE TO SUPPORT THE VEHICLE WHILE RESTING ON THE VEHICLE LIFT. I HAVE DOCUMENTED WORK ORDERS FROM ZIEBART STATING WHEN NEW FROM THE DEALER UNDERCOATING WAS APPLIED AND YEARLY INSPECTED FOR THE DURATION OF THE IMPLIED WARRANTY (10 YRS). STILL THE FRAME IS 40% GONE. DOES NISSAN UNDERSTAND MY BLUE BOOK VALUED TRUCK OF $5,300.00 IS NOT ONLY WORTHLESS IT COULD KILL ME OR OTHERS WHEN THE FRAME DOES COLLAPSE UNDER NORMAL HIGHWAY USAGE. PLEASE NISSAN DO SOMETHING!

NHTSA complaint #10456262 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 23 Apr 2012 at 65,000 miles Dubuque, IA

EQUIPMENT

NHTSA complaint #10456262 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 3 Feb 2012 at 90,000 miles Ames, IA

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN A ONE OWNER TRUCK. I HAVE CAREFULLY MAINTAINED AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO STOP A SERIOUS FRAME RUST PROBLEM. I HAVE CONTACTED MY LOCAL DEALER AND CORPORATE USA NISSAN. NISSAN HAS REFUSED TO ADDRESS MY REPEATED REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE WITH THIS MATTER. I CAN NOT BE CERTAIN AT WHAT POINT THE TRUCK BECOMES UNSAFE TO OPERATE. NISSAN NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE ASAP TO PREVENT ANY SAFETY PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE AS OTHER MANUFACTURES HAVE IN THE PAST.

NHTSA complaint #10446379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 10 Aug 2011 at 117,000 miles Wyoming, RI

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 NISSAN PICKUP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING EXAMINED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHEN THE MECHANIC NOTICED SMALL HOLES THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE FRAME. THE MECHANIC PATCHED UP ALL THE HOLES, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION AFTER THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A FRAME SPECIALIST, WHO REPLATED THE FRAME WITH STEEL. THE VEHICLE AGAIN WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION BECAUSE THE CROSS MEMBER WAS CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT AGAIN REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

NHTSA complaint #10418343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 14 Feb 2011 at 181,000 miles Munster, IN

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

I SEE THAT YOU ARE INVESTIGATING THE FRAMES ON THE INFINITI QX AND NISSAN PATHFINDERS. THE NISSAN HARDBODY TRUCKS ALSO SUFFER THE SAME FRAME PROBLEMS AS THE AFOREMENTIONED VEHICLES. HERE IS A LINK THAT WILL SHOW YOU THAT FRAME FAILURE IS ALSO COMMON IN THE HARDBODY TRUCKS. HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/REVIEWS/NISSAN/PATHFINDER/R78984/COMMENTS/PAGE-13/ THERE ARE MANY HARDBODY OWNERS ON THERE ASKING FOR A REMEDY AS WELL. MY FRAME ON MY 95 IS RUSTED AND CRACKING AS WELL RIGHT BEHIND THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SUSPENSION. ITS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THE FRAME GIVES WAY AND CAUSES A CRASH ON MY TRUCK AND SEVERAL OTHERS. NISSAN MOTOR CORP NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND GET THESE TRUCKS OFF THE ROADS.

NHTSA complaint #10382516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 12 Feb 2011 Indianapolis, IN

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

FRAME OF THE TRUCK IS RUSTED OUT VERY BADLY. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE, VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. NO NOTIFICATIONS OF THE COMMON DEFECT. OTHER OWNERS AND DRIVERS OF THE VEHICLES OF SAME MAKE AND MODEL NEEDS TO MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. ALSO, THESE TRUCKS SHOULD BE RECALLED.

NHTSA complaint #10381724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 21 Dec 2010 at 148,000 miles Norwell, MA

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

SEVERE FRAME RUST WHICH WEAKENS THE STRUCTURE. REQUIRED WELDING SEVERAL PIECES OF STEEL PLATE TO THE FRAME TO STRENGTHEN THE RUSTED AREAS. THE PROBLEM CONTINUES AT OTHER AREAS OF THE FRAME AS CHUNKS OF RUSTED METAL CONTINUE TO SEPARATE FROM THE INSIDE OF THE FRAME RAILS.

NHTSA complaint #10371935 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 11 Aug 2010 at 121,678 miles Punxsutawney, PA

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

FRAME IS ALL ROTTED OUT AND IS BREAKING IN HALF.

NHTSA complaint #10348901 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 19 Oct 2009 at 70,000 miles Smithfield, PA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 NISSAN PICKUP. THE ENTIRE SUB-FRAME OF THE VEHICLE HAD CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER REFERRED HER TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INFORMED THE MANUFACTURER THAT SINCE THE SUB-FRAME FAILED, THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER IN A DRIVABLE CONDITION. THE MANUFACTURER CONCLUDED THAT BECAUSE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED SHE WAS INELIGIBLE FOR A FREE REMEDY. TWO YEARS AGO THE FUEL TANK STARTED TO SPILL GAS ONTO THE GROUND. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL TANK AS A FREE REMEDY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 . THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000. UPDATED 05/12/10

NHTSA complaint #10288934 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 19 Oct 2009 at 70,000 miles Smithfield, PA

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

NHTSA complaint #10288934 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 7 Oct 2009 at 28,000 miles Kennebunk, ME

STRUCTURE

MY 1995 NISSAN PICKUP TRUCK WITH ONLY 28,000 MILES HAS SERIOUS FRAME RUST. TRUCK LOOKS BRAND NEW AND HAS BEEN METICULOUSLY CARED FOR BUT BODY SHOP AND MECHANIC HAVE SAID RUST IS TOO SEVERE TO REPAIR. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER.

NHTSA complaint #10286678 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 2 Oct 2009 at 120,000 miles Huguenot, NY

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

THE ENTIRE UNDERCARRIAGE AND FRAME IS RUSTED OUT. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE GASOLINE LINES, THE BRAKE LINES AND THE POWER STEERING LINES. THE FRAME IS TOTALLY RUSTED OUT AND CAN NOT PASS INSPECTION. EVERY COMPONENT UNDER THE VEHICLE IS DANGEROUSLY RUSTED AND FRAIL. BOTH FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS ARE ALSO FALLING OFF. ALSO EVERYTHING IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE IS DISINTEGRATING. I HAVE CALLED NUMEROUS AGENCIES, INCLUDING NISSAN, BOTH DEALERSHIPS AND THEIR HEADQUARTERS, INQUIRING ABOUT RECALLS DUE TO THE RUSTED OUT FRAME ISSUES AND GET NOWHERE. THEY DENY ANY PROBLEM EXISTS. I UNDERSTAND THAT TOYOTA HAS ACKNOWLEDGED A SIMILAR ISSUE AND HAS TAKEN EXTREME ACTIONS TO BUY BACK OR REPAIR THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.