1995 Nissan D21 Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 1995 Nissan D21 most often report frame and underbody corrosion, frequently found during inspection or repair and sometimes severe enough that shops decline to work on or inspect the truck. Brake complaints and a tail-light socket recall round out the most common themes, with the sampled trucks ranging from roughly 28,000 to 181,000 miles.

1. 1
   Body and structure

   Frame and underbody rust-through

   • 22 complaints (17%)
   • median 120,000 mi at 14.6 yrs old (17 state mileage)
   • filed 2000–2018

   Complaints describe frame rails and crossmembers rusting from the inside out, with holes, splits and chunks of metal separating, often near the rear wheels or in front of the suspension mounts. Owners say mechanics or inspection stations refused to pass or lift the truck, and that welded patches were a temporary fix. Several report contacting the dealer and the manufacturer and being told the vehicle was out of warranty or that no recall applied. Reported across a wide mileage range from about 28,000 to 181,000 miles, often on trucks in northern or coastal states where road salt is used.

   What to check: Inspect the frame rails, crossmembers and the area above the rear axle with a flashlight and a pick or screwdriver, and ask whether the truck has passed a recent state inspection. Pay extra attention to trucks from salt-belt states.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I bought a 95, 4x4 Nissan pickup in 2006. I took it to the local Nissan dealer, armory Nissan in albany, new york for a diagnostic workup. They said everything was alright, so I bought it. 2 years later, with only 70 some odd thousand miles on it, I cannot get the vehicle inspected because the frame is so rusted out it is dangerous to drive. ( I took it to my local neighborhood garage) I called Nissan consumer affairs and my statement was taken. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10242373, filed 2008-09, 78,000 miles

   “My 1995 Nissan pickup truck with only 28,000 miles has serious frame rust. Truck looks brand new and has been meticulously cared for but body shop and mechanic have said rust is too severe to repair. I am the original owner.”

   NHTSA complaint #10286678, filed 2009-10, 28,000 miles
2. 2
   Exterior lighting

   Tail lights out from bulb socket contact loss

   • 16 complaints (12%)
   • median 83,500 mi at 10.9 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1996–2007

   Complaints describe rear lamps failing because the bulb socket loses contact, sometimes leading to warnings from police or inspection failures. Several owners say they were told their VIN was outside the affected range of the tail-light socket recall, and some report parts were unavailable when the recall was issued. Owners also mention replacing bulbs repeatedly with no lasting fix. Reported at various mileages, often on trucks that had been in use for several years.

   Recall 98V234000

   What to check: Have someone watch the rear lamps while you work the brake and turn signals, wiggle the bulb sockets, and ask whether recall 98V234000 was completed or the sockets were replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was never notified of the recall from Nissan. I discovered the recall on my own. I took my truck to the dealer and was told that my VIN number was not included in the recall, which was only a number off. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10141639, filed 2005-11

   “I have replaced the lamp several times. In addition, I have received 2 warnings about the tail light being out. The local garage sais that it seems to be either a bad lamp socket or wiring problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #714963, filed 1999-11
3. 3
   Brakes

   Brake pull, squeal and pedal going to the floor

   • 13 complaints (10%)
   • median 99,000 mi at 9.5 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2005

   Owners describe the truck pulling to the right when braking, squealing, and in some cases the pedal dropping to the floor with a pop before stopping. Complaints mention caliper replacement and, in some cases, that the truck was not covered by the front caliper recall. Others report weak parking brake holding on an incline. Reported from moderate mileage up to about 176,000 miles, in general driving and braking conditions.

   Recall 94V251000

   What to check: Test braking from speed on a straight, empty road and note any pull or noise, check the front calipers for fluid seepage, and confirm the parking brake holds on a slope. Ask whether recall 94V251000 was performed on this vehicle.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When the brakes were applied the vehicle squeaked and pulled to the right. The dealer replaced the brake caliper. There was a recall on the original brake calipers. According to Nissan, the vehicle was serviced and taken by the original owner. These were genuine Nissan parts and also resulted in caliper failure. The vehicle pulled abruptly to the right upon brake application.”

   NHTSA complaint #10019742, filed 2003-07, 68,000 miles

   “Dt: caller complained about brake failure. While driving caller tried to stop vehicle and he heard a pop as he hit the brake.when hitting the brake it went to the floor. Caller down shifted and pulled the emergency brake to get the vehicle to stop. Dealer and manufacturer had not been contacted yet.”

   NHTSA complaint #10129673, filed 2005-07, 176,000 miles
4. 4
   Fuel system

   Fuel leaks and gauge/sending unit problems

   • 9 complaints (7%)
   • median 70,000 mi at 10.1 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1996–2009

   Owners report gasoline leaking or spilling from the tank area or gauge assembly, in one case whenever the ignition was turned on, and in another a corroded tank that was replaced. One complaint describes the truck stalling at highway speed due to a failed fuel sending unit and blown fuse. Complaints note the replacement part looked different from the original. Mostly reported between roughly 43,000 and 105,000 miles according to the sample.

   What to check: Look for corrosion or dampness around the tank, filler neck and fuel lines, and check for a fuel smell after starting. Ask whether the tank or sending unit has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving 60 MPH vehicle stalled. Driver was not able to restart vehicle, and it was towed to a garage for inspection. Mechanic determined that the fuel sending unit needed to be replaced. The wires on top of the fuel sending unit go into molded plastic. The wires and plastic separatedcausing the wires to contact, then no contact, this caused the fuse to blow.”

   NHTSA complaint #10113497, filed 2005-03, 43,555 miles

   “The vehicle was leaking gas from the gauge assembly. As soon as the ignition was turned on the vehicle would pump gas out of the vehicle. Repair shop has fixed.”

   NHTSA complaint #831682, filed 1998-12
5. 5
   Engine cooling

   Exhaust manifold studs breaking

   • 7 complaints (5%)
   • median 100,000 mi at 9.3 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 1998–2005

   Complaints describe exhaust manifold studs and bolts cracking or breaking, letting exhaust gases escape and, in some cases, warping the manifold. Owners mention a service bulletin calling for improved stud material, and reports of exhaust fumes entering the cabin. Repair estimates were quoted in the hundreds to about a thousand dollars when the manifold needed replacement. Reported from under about 60,000 miles up to higher mileage, with no clear weather pattern in the sample.

   What to check: Listen for a ticking or hissing exhaust leak on a cold start near the manifold, and ask a mechanic to check the studs and look for soot streaks around the manifold flange.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The vehicle nearly stalls,has severe loss of power,and decelerates at random times and at any speed.there is also an occcasional knocking sound coming from the engine.this is a very dangerous driving situation but, is my only means of transportation.the problem occured out of nowhere causing me to believe it is a manufacturer defect.the vehicle was serviced by the dealer before purchase and ran smoothly until this point..”

   NHTSA complaint #723160, filed 2000-05

   “Exhaust manifold bolts break, Nissan service bulletin (TSB 94041 4/94) states improved materials are needed. Cost to repair is nearly $1,000 because the manifolds will have to be replaced due to warpage. Nissan will not cover defect, I'm not sure I can afford it and the cabin fills with exhaust gasses. Nissan claims they have not seen this as a problem and yet they have a service bulletin stting the studs need to be made from improved materials.”

   NHTSA complaint #737094, filed 2000-11

Buying note. The frame is the deciding factor on this model year: have it inspected on a lift before buying, and treat serious rust as a reason to walk away. Beyond that, check the brakes, rear lamps and fuel lines, and ask about recall 98V234000 and 94V251000.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 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.