1996 Nissan D21: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 44 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (28% of complaints).
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 44 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl*the contact owns a 1996 nissan pickup. When the contact started the vehicle and began to accelerate, the driver's side air bag deployed. There were no injuries. The manufacturer stated that an engineer would come out and inspect the vehicle. Two weeks after the inspection, the manufacturer called the contact and stated that no compensation would be provided due to the high mileage on the vehicle. The contact called the nissan dealer and received an estimate of $2,000 for the repair. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 205,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2009
“My nissan truck is very badly eaten by rust. The frame and body are being eaten away with rust. The brake lines and the power steering lines have disintegrated. The wheel axles and joints are badly corroded. Inferior quality metals and paint were used to manufacture this truck. This truck is now too dangerous to drive on the road. The engine and transmission are good but the rest is a disgrace. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Jan 2009
“We purchased a truck at curry's used cars. The truck had been wrecked, it was repaired at curry's paint and body shop. Then the owner sam curry had it for sale. We purchased it. Later we found out that he did not replace the airbag that had deployed. It has a dummy airbag in the vehicle. I know that this is a federal offense. Since I found this out know that other vehicles were repaired at this body shop and airbags replaced with dummy bags. *jb”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2003
Show 7 more owner reports
“While driving at 35 mph, the vehicle was involved in a frontal collision, and the air bags failed to deploy. *ak *ts *jb”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2003
“Tried to get emissions test, due to sensor light coming on (check engine light), vehicle failed test. Have reported this light several times. This light stays on, not been able to fix this problem. Have changed sensor three times. Did not have concerns before the emissions problems. Dlr seems to not know what to do about this problem, or how to to fix it. Maybe there should be some way of correcting this problem. I was told that the only solution was to keep replacing the sensor. Which is getting to be a problem. Dlr would do something to turn off the light, I drive down the road...the light comes back on...and stays on. This has been happening ever since vehicle purchase.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 2002
“Firestone said 6 year old tire not covered in recall. Had good tread and not low on air pressure. Blew out sidewalls and belts without any warning that tires were losing air. *ts *nlm ***dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12-12-02 cut over to artemis***762204”Owner report · Tires · May 2002
“The driver's shoulder harness is fraying where it wears against the clip that inserts in the receiver to secure the belt. I don't believe this should happen in less than 6 years/70,000 miles. It may be happening in other vehicles, and if so, is potentially quite dangerous as the restraining harness could fail in an accident. I will contact the manufacturer next.”Owner report · Seat Belts · May 2002
“Female end of seatbelt cable has broken. No unusual stress or accident just got in and found that female connector was only held on by 2 electrical cables. *ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jan 2002
“I check my tire pressure regularly since I bought this truck used with 15,000 miles on it I had the tires rotated a month ago or so.I have 40,000 on the truck now.the left rear firestone tire shredded like a potato peel .it damged my rear fender when it peeled back.I recently had helped a motorist with a flat tire on the highway.the vehicle was a ford ranger with firestone tires.the tire damge looked identicle to my tire damage.I believe firestone has more bad tires out there than their saying.are my tires recalled I don't believe this is a coincidence.I want my tires replaced and my truck fixed. *ak (dot number: w2hyfrn206 tiresize: p215-70r-1)”Owner report · Tires · Sep 2001
“Firestone, fr480, p215/70r14, dot unknown, replacement equipment, mileage unknown on a 1996, nissan king cab with 55000 miles. While driving 70 mph passenger's rear tire had tread separation. No accident.*ak dot number w2hyfrn226. *slc”Owner report · Tires · Aug 2001
When filing, owners marked a crash in 7 of these complaints and injuries in 6 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. A REAR LAMP WILL NOT ILLUMINATE BECAUSE THE METAL BARREL IN THE LIGHT BULB SOCKET MOVES OR SEPARATES FROM THE PLASTIC SOCKET HOUSING DUE TO INADEQUATE HEAT RESISTANCE OF THE PLASTIC AT THE LAMP OPERATING TEMPERATURE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BULB SOCKETS IN THE REAR COMBINATION LAMPS.
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.
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 1996 Nissan D21 reliable?
NHTSA has 44 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1996 Nissan D21. The most complained-about area is air bags (28% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1996 Nissan D21 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 92,500 miles or less.
Does the 1996 Nissan D21 have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:tail lights. 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.