1997 Nissan D21

◆ Worse than typical

1997 Nissan D21
RENDERED 2026-08-02T10:38:21.261Z

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than 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

1997: 57 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1986	0
1987	0
1988	1
1989	4
1990	1
1991	31
1992	16
1993	43
1994	65
1995	129
1996	44
1997	57

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

AIR BAGS 32%

32% of complaints: air bags — 18 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

FRONTAL CRASH WITH LIVESTOCK - AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. ALSO THE PASSENGER SEATBELT DID NOT LOCK INTO PLACE PREVENTING PASSENGER FROM GOING FORWARD INTO DASH AND WINDSHIELD. TS

NHTSA ODI report, 20021022

WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH THE VEHICLE HIT THE BARRIER, CAUSING THE REAR AXLE TO FALL OFF, THE VEHICLE KEPT GOING AND HIT AN EMBANKMENT IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AND THE AIR BAG DIDNOT DEPLOY. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19970505

WHILE DRIVING STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM THE BACK AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19970408

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 5%

5% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 3 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

TIRES 5%

5% of complaints: tires — 3 distinct reports on file.

SUSPENSION 5%

5% of complaints: suspension — 3 distinct reports on file.

STRUCTURE 4%

4% of complaints: structure — 2 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

LADDER FRAME RUSTED FROM INSIDE. WILL NO LONGER PASS STATE INSPECTION. PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED BUT NO LONGER REPAIRABLE. VEHICLE HAS LESS THAT 58K MILES ON IT AND MECHANICALLY PERFECT. ALWAYS CAREFULLY MAINTAINED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20121119

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 1997 — complaint volume: 57

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

1997 Nissan D21 — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for air bags issues (18 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (3 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for tires issues (3 reports on file for this year).
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 ● 1996

WORST YEARS

■ 1995 ◆ 1994 ● 1996

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1997 Nissan D21 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Nissan D21 is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Nissan D21?

The most-reported component is air bags:frontal, accounting for 32% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1997 Nissan D21 have?

2 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.