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Nissan D21Years to avoid, problems & recalls

Based on 391 NHTSA owner complaints across 12 model years, no Nissan D21 year stands out as one to avoid, and the strongest years are 1991, 1993, 1994 and 1996. The D21 has 7 safety recalls on record.

Years to avoidNoneUse caution: 1995, 1997Best years'91 '93 '94 '96Fewest complaints for their ageOwner complaints391Top: StructureSafety recalls71986–1997 model years

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports. Updated daily. How we score years.

Best & worst years

Nissan D21 years to avoid

Complaints by model year, colored by the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the D21 median. Tap a year for its full report.

'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1997Caution40/10057 complaints · 0 recalls1996Solid54/10044 complaints · 1 recall1995Caution32/100129 complaints · 3 recalls1994Solid47/10065 complaints · 2 recalls1993Solid55/10043 complaints · 0 recalls1992Not rated–/10016 complaints · 0 recalls1991Solid59/10031 complaints · 1 recall1990Not rated–/1001 complaint · 1 recall1989Not rated–/1004 complaints · 1 recall1988Not rated–/1001 complaint · 1 recall1987Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1986Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall
Complaints by system

Most common Nissan D21 problems

All model years combined: 391 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Structure650
Engine and engine cooling446
Tires413
Power train382
Air bags3629
Seat belts3412
Electrical system319
Service brakes, hydraulic276
Suspension250
13 other systems9817
7 recalls

Nissan D21 recalls

Newest first. The ring shows the share of affected vehicles repaired, from the manufacturer's latest report to NHTSA.

–Front: buckle assembly02V-125 · 1994 · May 2, 2002 · 92,500 vehicles–Exterior lighting: tail lights98V-234 · 1995–1996 · Sep 21, 1998 · 100,032 vehicles–Front: buckle assembly96V-170 · 1994 · Sep 10, 1996 · 84,000 vehicles–Front: buckle assembly95V-103 · 1991 · May 24, 1995 · 2,730,462 vehicles–Disc: caliper94V-251 · 1995 · Dec 30, 1994 · 500 vehicles–Doors: latch94V-243 · 1995 · Dec 14, 1994 · 200 vehicles–Other: labels90V-072 · 1986–1990 · Apr 17, 1990 · 750,000 vehicles
3 investigations

NHTSA investigations of the D21

  1. SEAT BELT LATCH FAILURESRQ02009 · 1994 · closed Dec 17, 2002
    Led to recall 02V-125
  2. INADVERTENT RELEASE OF PARKING BRAKEPE95024 · 1994–1995 · closed Jul 27, 1995
    No recall
  3. TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILUREEA95007 · 1991 · closed Aug 2, 1995
    Led to recall 95V-103