MYRModel Year Report

1996 Nissan D21

● Typical for this model
1996 Nissan D21
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:31:14.123Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
44
Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 1996

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Air bags

30% of complaints

Complaints per year

1988: 1 complaint 1988 1989: 4 complaints 1990: 1 complaint 1990 1991: 31 complaints 1992: 16 complaints 1992 1993: 43 complaints 1994: 65 complaints 1994 1995: 129 complaints 1996: 44 complaints 1996 44 1997: 57 complaints
1988: 1 complaint 1988 1989: 4 complaints 1989 1990: 1 complaint 1990 1991: 31 complaints 1991 1992: 16 complaints 1992 1993: 43 complaints 1993 1994: 65 complaints 1994 1995: 129 complaints 1995 1996: 44 complaints 1996 44 1997: 57 complaints 1997
1988: 1 complaint 1988 1989: 4 complaints 1989 1990: 1 complaint 1990 1991: 31 complaints 1991 1992: 16 complaints 1992 1993: 43 complaints 1993 1994: 65 complaints 1994 1995: 129 complaints 1995 1996: 44 complaints 1996 44 1997: 57 complaints 1997

1996: 44 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19860
19870
19881
19894
19901
199131
199216
199343
199465
1995129
199644
199757

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Air bags

30% · 13 reports

Most commonly citing frontal.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

While driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle was involved in a frontal collision, and the air bags failed to deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-06-16

False deployment of driver's air bag resulted in injuries to both driver/passenger. 538435 dupe of 538424. Posted on 09-07-1999.

NHTSA ODI report, 1998-07-17

Air bag: was driving approximately 30MPH and fell asleep ,went off the side of the road, hit a parked vehicle and his air bag did not deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 1997-10-27

Suspension

14% · 6 reports

Most commonly citing front.

Tires

14% · 6 reports

Most commonly citing tread/belt and temporary/emergency spare tire.

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-05-06

Electrical system

9% · 4 reports

Most commonly citing front underhood and ignition.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

I bought the truck in 1999 from the original owner, it had 29,800 miles on it. The truck had 59,500 miles on it when this happened. I was driving the truck when the engine stopped and smoke came out from under the hood.

NHTSA ODI report, 2008-02-17

Engine and engine cooling

7% · 3 reports

Most commonly citing emission control and exhaust system.

CRASH

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1998-11-30Exterior lighting98V234000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the bulb sockets in the rear combination lamps.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2006-07-01Exterior lighting06E049000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1996 Nissan D21 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 13 reports on file for this year.
  • Suspension: 6 reports on file for this year.
  • Tires: 6 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 98V234000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E049000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years1 year

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1996 Nissan D21 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 Nissan D21 is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Nissan D21?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 30% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1996 Nissan D21 have?
3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.