1996 Nissan D21

● Typical for this model
1996 Nissan D21
RENDERED 2026-08-02T10:38:23.632Z

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Nissan D21 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1996 highlighted. 1986: 0 complaints 1986 1987: 0 complaints 1988: 1 complaints 1988 1989: 4 complaints 1990: 1 complaints 1990 1991: 31 complaints 1992: 16 complaints 1992 1993: 43 complaints 1994: 65 complaints 1994 1995: 129 complaints 1996: 44 complaints 1996 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

AIR BAGS 16%

16% of complaints: air bags — 7 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK *TS *JB

NHTSA ODI report, 20030616

FALSE DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S AIR BAG RESULTED IN INJURIES TO BOTH DRIVER/PASSENGER. 538435 DUPE OF 538424. POSTED ON 09-07-1999. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19980717

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. *AK *JB

NHTSA ODI report, 19971027

SUSPENSION 14%

14% of complaints: suspension — 6 distinct reports on file.

AIR BAGS 14%

14% of complaints: air bags — 6 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, FELL ASLEEP AND RAN OFF THE ROAD HITTING 5 TREES FRONTAL IMPACT AND SIDE WHICH DIDNOT TRIGGER THE AIRBAG SENSOR AND THE DRIVER AIRBAGD DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING INJURIES TO THE OCCUPANT IN THIS ACCIDENT. *SLC

NHTSA ODI report, 19970718

TIRES 9%

9% of complaints: tires — 4 distinct reports on file.

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, 20030506

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 5%

5% of complaints: electrical system — 2 distinct reports on file.

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, 20080217

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19981130 — exterior lighting

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

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BULB SOCKETS IN THE REAR COMBINATION LAMPS.

Campaign 98V234000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060701 — exterior lighting

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 N

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.

Campaign 06E049000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

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 CONF

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.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1996 Nissan D21 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (7 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for suspension issues (6 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (6 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 98V234000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E049000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1991 ● 1993 ◆ 1997

WORST YEARS

■ 1995 ◆ 1994 ◆ 1997

See all years ranked →

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:frontal, accounting for 16% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1996 Nissan D21 have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.