1996 Nissan D21 Problems
- Complaints
- 44filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 75,000miles, 7 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns 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 1996 Nissan D21 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 44 consumer complaints for the 1996 Nissan D21. The part named most often is air bags, with 13 complaints (30% of the total), followed by suspension (6) and tires (6). 7 of the complaints include a mileage, and 14% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 75,000 miles. Of all complaints, 7 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 6 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 19 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Suspension complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
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.
- Air bags13 30%
- Suspension6 14%
- Tires6 14%
- Electrical system4 9.1%
- Engine cooling3 6.8%
- Seat belts2 4.5%
- Body and structure2 4.5%
- Brakes1 2.3%
- Exterior lighting1 2.3%
Also reported: Fuel system (1), Interior lighting (1), Other or unknown (1), Steering (1), Vehicle speed control (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Air bags: “We purchased a truck at curry's used cars. The truck had been wrecked, it was repaired at curry's paint and body shop. Then the owner sam curry had it for sale. We purchased it. Later we found out that he did not replace the airbag that had deployed. It has a dummy airbag in the vehicle. I know that this is a federal offense. Since I found this out know that other vehicles were repaired at this body shop and airbags replaced with dummy bags.”
NHTSA complaint #10088129, filed 2004-08Suspension: “While driving the vehicle about 40 MPH noticed sudden vibration. Consumer then stated that driving the vehicle about 65 MPH the vibration is very noticeable. Took vehicle to a dealer, and they said it's normal for a small truck to do that, and it was nothing they could do about it. Consumer also stated that the manufacturer is aware of the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #814580, filed 1997-09Tires: “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. ***dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12-12-02 cut over to artemis***762204”
NHTSA complaint #10009345, filed 2002-05, 66,400 milesElectrical system: “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. I opened the hood to find that the main engine wiring harness along side of the engine valve cover had melted about eight wires together. The truck sat for several months before I had time to work on it. I separated the wires and put them back together and the truck would run, but not the way it should. …”
NHTSA complaint #10218263, filed 2008-02, 59,500 milesMileage when problems were reported
14% of the 7 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 66,400 and 110,000 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
- 98V234000Sep 21, 1998Exterior lighting › Tail lightsCovers: Nissan D21 1995–1996
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 heat resistance of the plastic at the lamp operating…
Recall details for the 1996 Nissan D21 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
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. 19 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
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1996 Nissan D21 have?
NHTSA recorded 44 consumer complaints for the 1996 Nissan D21 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1996 Nissan D21 is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 13 complaints (30% of the total), followed by suspension with 6.
Has the 1996 Nissan D21 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 1996 Nissan D21 reported?
Among the 7 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 75,000 miles and the middle half falls between 66,400 and 110,000 miles; 14% 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.