1994 Nissan D21 Problems
- Complaints
- 65filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 120,000miles, 21 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1994 Nissan D21 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
What owners report
Owners of this model year most often report rust and cracks in the frame and underbody structure, frequently discovered during routine service or state inspection, and many note that the frame rusted from the inside out. Tire failures, several of them tread separations on Firestone tires, are the next most common theme, followed by engine cooling and exhaust manifold leaks. Complaints are spread over many years of ownership, with most structural reports appearing at higher mileages.
- Body and structure
Frame and underbody rust-through or cracking
- 21 complaints (32%)
- median 120,000 mi at 15.1 yrs old (17 state mileage)
- filed 2004–2018
Complaints describe frame sections rusting through from the inside out, holes and cracks near the front suspension, rear spring perches and rear wheel areas, and in some cases the frame breaking while the truck was parked or on a lift. Several owners say a dealer or mechanic declined to perform other repairs, or told them the truck was not safe to drive because of the frame condition, while others report being told no recall or warranty applied. Some note the body panels were largely rust-free even though the frame was heavily corroded. Mostly reported between roughly 80,000 and 225,000 miles, often after ten or more years of use, including in vehicles kept in garages and in non-coastal climates.
What to check: Inspect the frame closely on a lift, especially around the front suspension mounts, spring perches and above the rear wheels, probing with a screwdriver for soft or flaking metal. Ask about any prior welding or patching, and have an independent shop assess it before purchase.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Nothing happened to me yet. But I've been reading reports of this frame rust the same way in other trucks. I think there's integrity issue with the frame Nissan made. The rest of my truck is flawless no body rust. Was there a recall put out I just haven't heard of it? I just want to report it to make sure that Nissan might be aware of the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10474587, filed 2012-09, 160,000 miles“I have a 1994 Nissan pu D21 . I just noticed that the frame has a rusty hole on the frame at the front on the passenger side . For my safety and others I can't drive this truck . I hope Nissan will pay attention this issue before someone get killed .”
NHTSA complaint #11066825, filed 2018-02, 180,000 miles - Tires
Tire tread separation and blowouts
- 9 complaints (14%)
- median 90,000 mi at 18.9 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
- 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2000–2013
Owners describe bulges, deformed tread, tread separating at highway speeds and sudden blowouts, several of them on Firestone tires, in some cases with the truck shaking or pulling before the failure. Complaints mention replacement under warranty being refused for tires not covered by a recall, and in one case a tire that failed again after being swapped to the spare position. Reported at highway speeds and on hot days, mostly on tires with modest mileage and on original-equipment tires.
What to check: Check tire age by DOT date code, look for bulges, cracks or uneven tread, and replace any old tires regardless of remaining tread depth. Ask for the tire brand and date codes on any truck you are considering.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“While driving at highway speeds notice truck start to shake violently. Looked out left mirror and seen a bubble in my left rear tire. Stopped vehicle found tread was raised up about an inch high for about 12 inches in length and half the tread width. Put spare tire on and proceeded with extreme caution to my destination. Firestone would only replace the one tire due to it not being a recalled model yet. Changed all four with competitors tire. …”
NHTSA complaint #732352, filed 2000-09“While consumer was driving, heard a loud noise. Pulled over to check, but it was too dark to see what happened. Next day, noticed tread was missing from tire. Contacted firestone, and they wanted consumer to mail tires to firestone. Original equipment, tire size is p195/ 75 r14. Dot w2kaf28”
NHTSA complaint #879450, filed 2001-01
Buying note. The frame is the main thing to verify on this model year, so have it inspected on a lift before buying and walk away from anything with soft or cracked frame metal. Also confirm both seat belt buckle recalls were completed and check tire age and condition.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 39 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 65 consumer complaints for the 1994 Nissan D21. 21 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 120,000 miles. Of all complaints, 5 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 11 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 17 technical service bulletins for this model year.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Body and structure23 35%
- Tires9 14%
- Engine cooling8 12%
- Electrical system4 6.2%
- Seat belts4 6.2%
- Brakes3 4.6%
- Seats3 4.6%
- Suspension3 4.6%
- Fuel system2 3.1%
Also reported: Other or unknown (2), Steering (2), Engine (1), Exterior lighting (1), Vehicle speed control (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Body and structure: “Frame broke loose in 7 spots once a week I was patching then I would find a new spot but now from is to soft to even put a jack under it to get the spare tire on I finally had to retire it. But this truck only has 81000 on it.”
NHTSA complaint #10479290, filed 2012-10, 78,357 milesTires: “The contact owns a 1994 Nissan D21 equipped with 4 toyo eclipse tires, size: 195/75/r14. The contact was driving 65 MPH when the steering wheel and the vehicle began to wobble. The vehicle was merged off the roadway and the contact noticed that the rear passenger's side tire was deformed. The tire was replaced with a spare. One week later, the contact heard a loud explosion and saw that the deformed tire blew from the spare tire cabin. The contact stated that the failure recurred on the driver's side rear tire one year later. The tire manufacturer was notified of the incident. …”
NHTSA complaint #10538518, filed 2013-09, 90,000 milesEngine cooling: “1994 Nissan pickup with 3.5 v6 engine. Manifolds break loose. I've talked to a lot of people who have had the same problem. My mechanic sees it all the time. $2000 dealer repair. Internet search shows many similar problems. Heavy fumes in cab of truck. Fire risk.”
NHTSA complaint #10014225, filed 2003-04, 150,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “Due to the design of ball joints/tie rods wear out, causing tire to wear more frequently. Also a noise in the fuel tank, and axle bearing squeals. Please provide further information.”
NHTSA complaint #872981, filed 2000-10Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 21 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 110,000 and 150,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
- 02V125000May 2, 2002Seat belts › Front › Buckle assemblyCovers: Nissan D21 1994, Pathfinder 1994
On certain light duty pickup trucks, the latch plate used in the seat belt buckle was not manufactured according to design dimensions. If the seat belt tongue is inserted slowly at an angle into the buckle, there is a possibility of partial engagement.
- 96V170001Sep 10, 1996Seat belts › Front › Buckle assemblyCovers: Nissan D21 1994, Pathfinder 1994
The latch plate used in the seat belt buckle was not manufactured according to design dimensions. If the seat belt tongue is inserted slowly at an angle into the buckle, there is a possibility of partial engagement.
Recall details for the 1994 Nissan D21 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- PE95024Inadvertent release of parking brakeClosed · Apr 12, 1995
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 17 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10243708Sep 21, 2023Steering. DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10239062Jun 16, 2023Electrical system. SILICONE-BASED LUBRICANT OR GREASE CAN DAMAGE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SERVICE INFORMATION Do not apply Silicone-based lubricants or grease to, or around, any interior electrical components. To avoid…
- 10239060Jun 16, 2023Electrical system. 12 VOLT BATTERY TESTING FOR IN-SERVICE VEHICLES SERVICE INFORMATION The following Service Information lists NNA procedural recommendations for establishing good connections while performing 12V…
- 10235707Apr 27, 2023Electrical system. VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10235710Apr 17, 2023Electrical system. INTELLIGENT KEY REPLACEMENT OR SWAPPING BETWEEN VEHICLES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Discard all previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10232658Feb 27, 2023Body and structure, Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). REMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10232656Feb 27, 2023Body and structure, Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). WINDSHIELD CRACKING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10232657Feb 22, 2023Wheels. WHEEL BEARING COLLISION DAMAGE This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10232652Feb 22, 2023Steering. DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10206391Dec 7, 2021Suspension. STRUT AND SHOCK ABSORBER REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Other model years of the Nissan D21
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 57 | 68,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 44 | 75,000 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 129 | 92,500 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 65 | 120,000 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 43 | 144,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 16 | 78,327 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1991 | 31 | 50,672 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Nissan D21 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1994 Nissan D21?
Owners of this model year most often report rust and cracks in the frame and underbody structure, frequently discovered during routine service or state inspection, and many note that the frame rusted from the inside out. The issues reported most often: Frame and underbody rust-through or cracking; Tire tread separation and blowouts.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1994 Nissan D21 have?
NHTSA recorded 65 consumer complaints for the 1994 Nissan D21 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1994 Nissan D21 is reported most often?
Body and structure is named most often, in 23 complaints (35% of the total), followed by tires with 9.
Has the 1994 Nissan D21 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 1994 Nissan D21 reported?
Among the 21 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 120,000 miles and the middle half falls between 110,000 and 150,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.