1991 Nissan D21: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 31 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is seat belts (33% of complaints); the 1992 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 31 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“This truck has 18300 orig miles the frame is rotted so bad that it is ready to break in half. I googled this and found many other pickups and pathfinders that use the same frame assy also rotted badly . This seems to be the same as toyota. Can someone please contact me on this. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Jul 2011
“The frame on my 1991 nissan pickup truck rust out on both sides and almost snap clean through. Its being held together by a few inch of steel on frame. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Feb 2009
“This is a design flaw in the air induction system, filter fills up with water, causing the air induction system to rust out, and the fuel pressure regulator to rust shut, flooding the engine, fix is replace fuel pressure regulator, rebuild/replace air induction controls, and the filter and canister, and drill a small drain hole in the canister so that the condensation can drain out, until nissan makes a better replacement canister for the filter. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2008
Show 7 more owner reports
“Timing chain, timing chain cover defect (nissan ka24e). Timing chain tensioner failure causes damage to inside of timing chain cover. Coolant seeps into oil pan causing overheating and stalling. *jb”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · May 2004
“The only problem I have had with my 1991 nissan pickup is that the seat belts inadvertantly unlocking at will. A coworker mentioned his son's 1991 nissan pickup was recalled or tsb for seat belts inadvertantly unlocking.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jul 1999
“Power window failure - within 6 months, both passenger and driver side power window glass fell into door panel, causing security and water damage problem. Fan blade: the nylon fan blade has multiple wide (.08" through) cracks and fractures between the fan blades. *ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jul 1999
“The driver side seat belt is fraying at the point where the guide/latch pulls it through when engaged into anchored lock.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Apr 1999
“I checked and no dot#'s were on tire starting with dot, first set tires tread blew off back tires, now second set is starting to separate, contacted dealer and tire manufacturer both basically told me to bad!*ak( dot number: not ontire tire size: 30/9.5/15 )”Owner report · Tires · Sep 1998
“Report was given by trooper t. Bee. The consumer's vehicle was in an accident, causing the seat belts to disconnected from the anchors. Please provide futher information. *ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Aug 1998
“When shifting the vehicle into overdrive while driving at 35 mph, overdrive did not work. Manufacturer and dealer were contacted. *ak”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 1998
When filing, owners marked a crash in 6 of these complaints and injuries in 8 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
Remedy: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE.
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.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
How other years compare
Check your exact D21 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1991 Nissan D21 reliable?
NHTSA has 31 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1991 Nissan D21. The most complained-about area is seat belts (33% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1991 Nissan D21 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 83,000 miles or less.
Does the 1991 Nissan D21 have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.