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.
Fuel Injection System
624.0%
Injectors
624.0%
Engine
624.0%
Cooling Unit AND Lines
28.0%
Gasoline
28.0%
Trunk LID
14.0%
Catalytic Convertor
14.0%
Pump
14.0%
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 5Jun 2005
NHTSA investigations into the 1992 Nissan Stanza
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.
RQ99021Opened 2 Nov 1999Closed 22 May 2000VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
FUEL LEAKS FROM FUEL INJECTORS
In October of 1995, Nisan conducted a safety improvement campaign, 95I-006.The campaign recalled Maximas (1985-88), 200SX (1987-88), 300ZX (1984-88, and Infinity M30 (1990-92), for fuel leaking from the fuel injectors.The remedy called for a replacement of the fuel injectors and related hoses on the affected vehicles.The recall was influenced by EA94-018, involving over 680,000 1984-89 Maxima and 300ZX vehicles, and was originally initiated as PE94-018 with 25 complaints, for a complaint rate of 4 per 100K.ODI has received 34 complaints for the 1990-92 Stanzas and 240SXs, for fuel leaking in t...
Recalls on the 1992 Nissan Stanza
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.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 199523328,450 units in Canada
Fuel System
TRAPPED MUD AND SALT CAN RESULT IN CORROSION OF THE FUEL FILLER TUBE AND THE WHEEL HOUSING. SIGNIFICANT CORROSION OF THE FUEL FILLER TUBE MAY RESULT IN FUEL LEAKS WHICH, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. IN ADDITION, THE LEFT REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTOR IS MOUNTED TO THE WHEEL HOUSING, AND IN THE EVENT OF SIGNIFICANT CORROSION, OPERATION OF THE SEAT BELT COULD BE AFFECTED. CORRECTION: VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPAIRED AS NECESSARY.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Andover, NJFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
CAR WAS PARKED, SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND FIRE STARTED, TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER , THE ELECTRICAL WIRE HARNESS HAD TO BE REPLACED . PLEASE DESCRIBE.
NHTSA complaint #805082 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mesquite, TXFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
FUEL HOSE LEAK, CAUSING FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #509073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tempe, AZCrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS
THE PASSENGER SIDE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK DURING REAR IMPACT.
NHTSA complaint #984717 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Macon, 00Crash1 injured
SEAT BELTS
REAR ENDED VEHICLE THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER AND LAP BELT DID NOT SECURE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER. TT
NHTSA complaint #963696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Banning, CA
STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID
DT: CONSUMER REPORTS: THE TRUNK OF HER CAR FALLS DOWN ON HER HEAD. THERE ISN'T ANYTHING THERE TO SECURE IT; WHEN THE WIND BLOWS OR IF SHE IS PUTTING SOMETHING IN THE TRUNK, IT WILL FALL DOWN .
NHTSA complaint #10126380 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hillsborough, NJ
SEAT BELTS
FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT AUTOMATIC SEATBELT WILL NOT RETRACT INTO LOCKING POSITION, CAUSING CONSUMER NOT TO HAVE A SEATBELT ON WHILE DRIVING. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #8016746 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CONSUMER COULD SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. CONSUMER WAS PURCHASING MORE GAS, BUT NOT GETTING MILEAGE. TOOK TO DEALER ,AND THEY SAID IT WAS FUEL INJECTORS. THEY WERE LEAKING GAS ON ENGINE.
NHTSA complaint #878823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Grantville, KS
TIRES
TREAD SEPARATIONS ON THREE OUT OF FOUR TIRES (TIRESIZE: 195-65R14)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 195-65R14 )
NHTSA complaint #734713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Watertown, MA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WITH NO WARNING, THE TIMING CHAIN SKIPPED SPROCKETS ON STARTUP, CAUSING VALVE, CYLINDER, AND CRANKSHAFT DAMAGE. THIS NECCESSITATED REPLACEMENT OF THE ENGINE AT A TOTAL COST OF $3902.21. NISSAN WOULD DO NOTHING ABOUT REIMBURSING ANY OF THE EXPENSE DUE TO A TENSIONER DESIGN DEFECT, SINCE THE AUTO WAS OUT OF WARRANTEE. SINCE INTERNAL TIMING CHAINS USUALLY LAST THE USEFUL LIFE OF AN ENGINE, ABOUT 120-140K MILES, THIS WAS VERY PREMATURE. WHILE, THE INCIDENT HAPPENED WHILE THE AUTO WAS STATIONARY, IT COULD VERY WELL HAVE HAPPENED ON A HIGHWAY WHILE TRAVELING AT 70 MPH. THE ENGINE WOULD POSSIBLY SEIZE, WITH AN INSTANT DECELERATION WITH A MANUAL SHIFT CAR.
NHTSA complaint #734785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bellerose, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VEHICLE BROUGHT TO STAR NISSAN FOR 9/29/00 INSPECTION OF GAS SMELL. MR. JOHN CHOE GAVE WRITTEN REPAIR ESTIMATE. INFORMED BY MR. CHOE THAT GAS LEAK WAS DANGEROUS, AND ALL (4) INJECTORS AND SEALS MUST BE REPLACED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. SAME FOR REAR ENGINE MOUNT.
NHTSA complaint #732981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE BROUGHT TO STAR NISSAN FOR 9/29/00 INSPECTION OF GAS SMELL. MR. JOHN CHOE GAVE WRITTEN REPAIR ESTIMATE. INFORMED BY MR. CHOE THAT GAS LEAK WAS DANGEROUS, AND ALL (4) INJECTORS AND SEALS MUST BE REPLACED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. SAME FOR REAR ENGINE MOUNT.
NHTSA complaint #732981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
S. E. Atlanta, GA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
FUEL POURED OUT OF VEHICLE DUE TO FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM FAILURE. THIS COULD CAUSE A FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #863710 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ponpamo Beach, FL
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE AND A SLIGHT RUBBING SOUND WAS HEARD. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING WRONG. SLIGHT LEAK IN THE TRANSMISSION AIRLINES AND ZERO RING DISTRIBUTOR. ALSO, REAR BRAKE ADJUSTMENT AND BUSHING. POWER STEERING UNIT SHIFTED THE BELT WAS COMING OFF AND PUMP WAS ANGLED. CONTACTED ANOTHER DEALER, AND WAITING FOR A CALL BACK.
NHTSA complaint #855137 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ponpamo Beach, FL
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE AND A SLIGHT RUBBING SOUND WAS HEARD. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING WRONG. SLIGHT LEAK IN THE TRANSMISSION AIRLINES AND ZERO RING DISTRIBUTOR. ALSO, REAR BRAKE ADJUSTMENT AND BUSHING. POWER STEERING UNIT SHIFTED THE BELT WAS COMING OFF AND PUMP WAS ANGLED. CONTACTED ANOTHER DEALER, AND WAITING FOR A CALL BACK.
NHTSA complaint #855137 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING THE SMELL OF GAS IS NOTICED THROUGHOUT THE INSIDE OF THE CAR. TOOK IT IN TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT AND WAS TOLD THAT THE 2 FUEL INJECTORS ARE LEAKING, AND THAT NISSAN HAS BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH ITS FUEL INJECTORS IN THE STANZA AND MAXIMA MODELS. I DO NOT SEE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT SEEMS LIKE IT'S AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR NISSAN. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE PROBLEM TO FIX AND IF NOT FIXED RENDERS THE CAR DANGEROUS AND FIRE-PRONE.
NHTSA complaint #717478 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ponpamo Beach, FL
SUSPENSION:FRONT
WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE AND A SLIGHT RUBBING SOUND WAS HEARD. CONTACTED DEALER, AND HE DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING WRONG. SLIGHT LEAK IN THE TRANSMISSION AIRLINES, AND ZERO RING DISTRIBUTOR. POWER STEERING UNIT SHIFTED AND THE BELT WERE COMING OFF AND PUMP IS ANGLED. CONTACTED ANOTHER DEALER AND WAITING FOR A CALL BACK.
NHTSA complaint #852033 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chula Vista, CA
SUSPENSION
VEHICLE WILL VIBRATE AT VARIOUS OF SPEEDS WHICH COULD CAUSE LOSS OF STEERING AND CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #852006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ponpamo Beach, FL
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE AND A SLIGHT RUBBING SOUND WAS HEARD. CONTACTED DEALER, AND HE DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING WRONG. SLIGHT LEAK IN THE TRANSMISSION AIRLINES, AND ZERO RING DISTRIBUTOR. POWER STEERING UNIT SHIFTED AND THE BELT WERE COMING OFF AND PUMP IS ANGLED. CONTACTED ANOTHER DEALER AND WAITING FOR A CALL BACK.
NHTSA complaint #852033 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ponpamo Beach, FL
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE AND A SLIGHT RUBBING SOUND WAS HEARD. CONTACTED DEALER, AND HE DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING WRONG. SLIGHT LEAK IN THE TRANSMISSION AIRLINES, AND ZERO RING DISTRIBUTOR. POWER STEERING UNIT SHIFTED AND THE BELT WERE COMING OFF AND PUMP IS ANGLED. CONTACTED ANOTHER DEALER AND WAITING FOR A CALL BACK.
NHTSA complaint #852033 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NHTSA complaint #847279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Louisville, KY
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
2 FUEL INJECTORS LEAKING GAS ONTO ENGINE. I HAVE CHECKED AND THERE ARE AT LEAST 30 SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON 1990 - 1992 NISSAN STANZAS. WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO INITIATE A RECAL. SEVERAL OF THESE HAVE RESULTED IN FIRES. THE DEALER WOULD NOT TELL ME IF ANY OTHER MODELS USE THE SAME INJECTOR, OR I WOULD HAVE CHECKED THEM AS WELL. THIS IS A VERY VOLITILE SAFETY ISSUE WITH GASOLINE LEAKING ON A HOT ENGINE. I THINK SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE.
NHTSA complaint #711947 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL INJECTORS WERE LEAKING GASOLINE ONTO THE ENGINE. THE PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE FUEL INJECTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AT OWNER'S COST. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #848228 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Petaluma, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER/STALL.
NHTSA complaint #780962 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Middleburg, FL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
STRONG FUEL FUMES IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AT ANY SPEEDS
NHTSA complaint #704337 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bellevue, NE
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
2 INJECTORS HAVE FAILED, O-RINGS REPLACED AND STILL SMELL GAS IN THE VEHICLE
NHTSA complaint #703646 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newnan, GA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
FUEL INJECTOR IS CRACKED, CAUSING THE FUMES TO LEAK OUT AND GET INTO VEHICLE. GAS SMELL IS VERY STRONG.
NHTSA complaint #835071 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Manchester, NH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CHAIN ASSEMBLY FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #540510 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oakland, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER CAME OFF ON THE HIGHWAY, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CUT OFF. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER. THE DEALER TOOK OFF THE OTHER PART OF THE CONVERTER. ALSO THREE OTHER PARTS, INCLUDING THE PARTS FROM THE HEAT SHIELD WERE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #827271 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEN VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN THERE IS A SMELL OF FUEL IN THE PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT BECAUSE THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM IS LEAKING. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN.
NHTSA complaint #834417 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.