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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
1991 NISSAN STANZA FUEL INJECTOR LEAKAGE, TIMING BELT GUIDE BREAKAGE, CV JOINT FAILURE. WHAT WILL IT TAKE FOR A RECALL ON THESE LEAKING FUEL INJECTORS, SOMEONE'S DEATH? THIS CAR IS A PIECE OF JUNK!!! MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER HAS BEEN DRIVING THE CAR AND I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS PROBLEM IS ALLOWED TO CONTINUE (NO RECALL).
NHTSA complaint #10016200 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
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.
WHEN DRIVING AND GETTING INTO THE VEHICLE THE CONSUMER CAN SMELL FUMES GETTING INTO THE VEHICLE. ALSO, WHEN CONSUMER IS TRYING TO START VEHICLE UP, THE VEHICLE ISN'T GETTING ENOUGH FLUID, AND THE VEHICLE WILL CUT OFF. THERE IS SOME TYPE OF NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #836261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEN DRIVING AND GETTING INTO THE VEHICLE THE CONSUMER CAN SMELL FUMES GETTING INTO THE VEHICLE. ALSO, WHEN CONSUMER IS TRYING TO START VEHICLE UP, THE VEHICLE ISN'T GETTING ENOUGH FLUID, AND THE VEHICLE WILL CUT OFF. THERE IS SOME TYPE OF NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #836261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A SIDE COLLISION. VEHICLE SUFFERED SEVERE DAMAGE. CV JOINT BROKE. IN ADDITION, TIRE BLEWOUT/SHOCK ABSORBER BUSTED, AND RADIATOR BROKE.
NHTSA complaint #781801 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIMING CHAIN BRACKET BROKE AND THE VALVES WERE RUINED. DEALER AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, AND STATED THE BRACKET WAS REDESIGNED. NO TSB, NO INDICATION OR WARNING OF INCIDENT WHEN DRIVING. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #826016 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TECHNICAL BULLETIN #NTB95-027, ADVISED MECHANICS TO REPLACE PLASTIC SIDE TIMING CHAIN GUIDE WITH A STEEL-BACKED GUIDE AFTER THE PLASTIC ONE BREAKS. FOR THIS VEHICLE THE GUIDE BROKE AND CAUSED THE TIMING CHAIN TO STRIKE THE ENGINE COMPONENTS, RUINING THE ENGINE. THIS RESULTED IN ENGINE SUDDENLY WOULD NOT START, WITH NO PRIOR PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #537746 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.