Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1986 Nissan Stanza
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Fuel & Propulsion
527.8%
0 crashes, 4 fires
Seat Belts
316.7%
Steering
211.1%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Electrical System
211.1%
0 crashes, 1 fires
Transmission & Drivetrain
211.1%
2 crashes, 0 fires
Equipment & Accessories
15.6%
Doors, Latches & Locks
15.6%
Body & Structure
15.6%
Engine & Cooling
15.6%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 138,000 mi
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.
Apr 1995peak 2Apr 2009
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 138,000 milesPuryear, TNFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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 138,000.
NHTSA complaint #10263881 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
INJECTOR FUEL LEAK CAUSED UNDER-HOOD FIRE AFTER VEHICLE WAS PARKED, TOTALLING VEHICLE. (SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPT. INCIDENT #18501).
NHTSA complaint #765808 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Winnetka, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
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.
NHTSA complaint #8013537 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Louiseville, KYFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
PIPES CONNECTED TO ENIGNE WHICH CARRY FUEL HAD LEAKED, AND THERE WAS A FIRE IN ENGINE.
NHTSA complaint #8003646 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bronx, NYCrash
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHEN LEAVING A PARKING SPACE THE CAR SLIPPED INTO REVERSE AND ACCLERATED ON ITS ON AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP.AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.PLEASE DESCCRIBE.
NHTSA complaint #987350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bronx, NYCrash
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHEN LEAVING A PARKING SPACE THE CAR SLIPPED INTO REVERSE AND ACCLERATED ON ITS ON AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP.AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.PLEASE DESCCRIBE.
NHTSA complaint #987350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 138,000 milesPuryear, TNFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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 138,000.
NHTSA complaint #10263881 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Grass Valley, CA
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
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.
NHTSA complaint #10071792 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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
NHTSA complaint #8022062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
INJECTOR FUEL LEAK CAUSED UNDER-HOOD FIRE AFTER VEHICLE WAS PARKED, TOTALLING VEHICLE. (SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPT. INCIDENT #18501).
NHTSA complaint #765808 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Winnetka, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
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.
NHTSA complaint #8013537 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Louiseville, KYFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
PIPES CONNECTED TO ENIGNE WHICH CARRY FUEL HAD LEAKED, AND THERE WAS A FIRE IN ENGINE.
NHTSA complaint #8003646 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ALL 4 FUEL INJECTORS ARE LEAKING FUEL. COULD CAUSE A FIRE HAZARD. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER AND MANUFACTURER; BUT, THEY REFUSED TO HELP CONSUMER. NISSAN REFERENCE NUMBER FOR COMPLAINT#3431540. *AK MANUFACTURERTOLD CONSUMER THAT FUEL INJECTORS USUALLY LEAK AND CONSUMER IS RESPONSIBILE FOR REPLACING THEM.
NHTSA complaint #889101 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bronx, NYCrash
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHEN LEAVING A PARKING SPACE THE CAR SLIPPED INTO REVERSE AND ACCLERATED ON ITS ON AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP.AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.PLEASE DESCCRIBE.
NHTSA complaint #987350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bronx, NYCrash
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHEN LEAVING A PARKING SPACE THE CAR SLIPPED INTO REVERSE AND ACCLERATED ON ITS ON AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP.AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.PLEASE DESCCRIBE.
NHTSA complaint #987350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Colorado S, CO
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL. *SKD
NHTSA complaint #485005 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Blaine, MNFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
VEHICLE FIRE, RESULTING FROM A COLD START.
NHTSA complaint #487695 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Blaine, MNFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
VEHICLE FIRE, RESULTING FROM A COLD START.
NHTSA complaint #487695 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Escondido, CACrash2 injured
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
POWER STEERING PROBLEMS. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
NHTSA complaint #978066 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wichita, KS
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
RECALL ON SEAT BELTS IN CAR AND DEALER DOES NOT HAVE PARTS TO FIX. HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR AT LEAST A YEAR FOR LETTER TO BE SERVICED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
NHTSA complaint #977875 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dallas, TX
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
THE CAR IS LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID. THIS CAUSING THE POWER STEERING TO GO OUT WHILE DRIVING. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
NHTSA complaint #970152 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cobden, 00
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
THE REAR SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE HAS RUSTED AWAY. TT
NHTSA complaint #969241 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Louiville, KY
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
BOTH REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELTS NO LONGER WORK, THEY WILL NOT FASTEN BECAUSE OF BROKEN PEICES THAT HAVE FALLEN INTO LOCKING SPACE. TT
NHTSA complaint #963918 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
East Falmout, MA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
PURCHASE CAR USED WHEN DRIVING CAR CUT OFF . TT
NHTSA complaint #963667 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.