1997 Nissan D21 Problems
- Complaints
- 57filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 68,000miles, 7 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns 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 1997 Nissan D21 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
What owners report
Owners of this model year most often describe airbags that did not deploy in crashes, the largest group in the sample. Seat backrests or seat belts that failed while driving or in collisions, along with tires that separated or bulged, are also described. Where mileage is given, reports range from about 37,000 to 160,000 miles, while the airbag reports give none.
- Air bags
Airbag did not deploy in a crash
- 20 complaints (35%)
- typically at 3.2 yrs old
- 18 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1997–2003
Owners describe airbags that did not deploy in frontal and rear-end crashes, and in collisions with trees, guardrails, and poles, including the driver's airbag in some reports. Some reports say the airbag warning light was on after the crash, and a report says the vehicle was considered a total loss. Some describe injuries, including neck and shoulder injuries, after the airbag did not deploy. Reported in crashes, often at about 35 to 55 mph, and the sample gives no mileage for these complaints.
What to check: Ask a mechanic to scan the airbag system for stored fault codes and confirm the airbag warning light turns off after startup. Ask for any airbag or SRS repair records, and whether the vehicle was checked after any prior collision.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Was going about 40-50mph when another vehicle had stopped. Applied brakes quickly. Vehicle slid into other vehicle. Front end pushed towards radiator. The air bags failed to deploy. The ABS brakes failed to stop vehicle quickly. The seat belts failed to restrain passenger who hit head on dashboard. Will be taking vehicle to dealer.”
NHTSA complaint #849663, filed 1999-10“The vehicle was involved in a frontal collision, which forced the vehicle into another vehicle, and into a retaining wall. Upon impact, the driver's air bag did not deploy. Manufacturer was notified. The consumer states theat the vehicle had three major impacts and was considered a total loss.”
NHTSA complaint #8014540, filed 2002-07 - Seat belts
Seat backrest or seat belt failure
- 6 complaints (11%)
- typically at 5.2 yrs old
- 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1999–2003
Owners describe seats that broke or twisted, or a seat that reclined without warning during a collision, including a driver's seat backrest support that gave way while driving at about 60 mph. Other reports say a seat belt did not retract, or did not lock or restrain a passenger during a frontal crash. Some describe injuries in these collisions, and a report notes a seat belt that hangs out of the door when the door is closed. Reported while driving and in collisions, and the sample gives no mileage for these complaints.
What to check: Ask a mechanic to inspect the seat backrest supports and recline mechanism, and check that the seat belts retract and latch properly. Ask for any seat or seat belt repair records before buying.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Seat belt on this model does not retract, hangs out door when closed, which means if being worn it might not be tight enough to hold in accident. This form is overkill for reproting a defect such as this. Perhaps you can offer a simple form. How can I.”
NHTSA complaint #716193, filed 1999-12“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 complaint #767985, filed 2002-10 - Tires
Tire tread separation, bulges, or valve stem failure
- 5 complaints (9%)
- typically at 5.8 yrs old
- filed 2000–2008
Owners describe tread separating from a tire while driving, including at about 45 mph, and a report says the vehicle was unloaded at the time of the separation. Other reports describe a bulge on the inside of a tire with grinding noise or dragging, and a valve stem that sheared off, leading to a rapid flat on 17-inch rims. Some owners say the tire maker offered a replacement with a partial charge, while in another report the tire maker declined responsibility. Most reports give no mileage, though a tread separation report cites 25,000 miles on the tire, and that failure happened at about 45 mph.
What to check: Inspect each tire for tread separation, bulges, and uneven wear, and check the valve stems for cracks or shearing. Ask whether the tire maker's service notice applies to this vehicle's tire size, since some owners report a partial charge for replacement tires.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“I'm transit mechanic 30 years, proir coast gaurd DOT, keep tires inflated 35lbs at all times, check often, rotate 5-7 thousand miles,largest load ever carried less than 300 lbs-mulch for yard, vehicle unloaded at time of tire separation. It would appear that the other three tires are on the verge of seperation. I have parked vehicle until I hear from NHTSA.”
NHTSA complaint #764115, filed 2002-07“Two tires have an unusual bulge on the inside about 0.25 in wide, 0.125 in tall, running across from rim to rim. I believe this was the source of the incredible grinding noises. I thought the brakes were bad, so I had them rebuilt, but the only way to eliminate the noise and dragging effects was to replace the tires. (DOT number: st3231 tiresize: p215/70r14)”
NHTSA complaint #735698, filed 2000-11 - Electrical system
Battery, alternator, or electrical system faults
Mentioned in 4 of 40 sampled complaints
Owners describe battery and brake warning lights coming on while driving, and a battery that keeps going dead even after replacement. According to complaints, the alternator was repaired or replaced repeatedly, and a report says the vehicle was not inspected by a dealership. A separate report describes a battery that exploded when the truck was started after sitting for about 20 to 30 minutes, and another describes a speedometer that stops working at random. Reported at about 68,000 to 160,000 miles where mileage is given, and the battery explosion report describes starting the truck after it sat for about 20 to 30 minutes.
What to check: Ask a shop to load-test the battery and check the charging output with the engine running, and ask whether the alternator has been replaced before. Ask for records of any battery or alternator work, since some owners report repeat failures.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Battery keep's going dead over and over! I put a new one in and it happen all over. I had to have the alternator fixed about 3 times. The 4th time I got a new one and new battery and the battery is the same. I will drive and it runs the battery down. I can not find any recalls for this.”
NHTSA complaint #10124210, filed 2005-06, 100,000 miles“The speedometer stops working at will. A check on the internet shows thousands of people with same problem. Nissan 1997 king cab pickup, 2.4l engine 5 speed manual trans.”
NHTSA complaint #10238744, filed 2008-08, 160,000 miles
Buying note. Airbag non-deployment is the most noted concern in this sample, so ask a mechanic to check the airbag system and warning light before buying, and ask for any airbag or SRS repair records. Also check the tires and the seat and seat belt mounting, since those complaints are also described.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 40 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 57 consumer complaints for the 1997 Nissan D21. 7 of the complaints include a mileage, and 29% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 68,000 miles. Of all complaints, 22 involved a crash, 11 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 19 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.
- Air bags21 37%
- Electrical system6 11%
- Engine cooling5 8.8%
- Tires5 8.8%
- Seat belts4 7.0%
- Suspension4 7.0%
- Brakes3 5.3%
- Seats3 5.3%
- Body and structure3 5.3%
Also reported: Vehicle speed control (3), Exterior lighting (2), Fuel system (1), Other or unknown (1), Steering (1).
Example complaints
Air bags: “Consumer involved in a collision. Hit another vehicle at 40 MPH impact on the right front bumper, taking out headlights, and then ran into a tree head-on, and driver's side airbag did not deploy, causing neck and shoulder injuries.”
NHTSA complaint #860372, filed 2000-04Transmission and drivetrain: “What does it mean above in this web form to request a form to sign to send a notice to mfg? I don't care or mind you doing it? I thought this is what happenns anyway. Do you need my signature??? My truck has an automatic transmission. There are times.”
NHTSA complaint #716471, filed 1999-12Electrical system: “The contact stated while driving at various speeds the battery and brake indicator lights illuminated. Upon inspection the contact determined the alternator failed. The failure and replacement occurred on six different occasions under various circumstances. The failure continued to occur. The alternator part number is 23001-0s300. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealership.”
NHTSA complaint #10158713, filed 2006-05, 68,000 milesEngine cooling: “I have a 1997 Nissan pickup truck that has a dangerous hesitation problem. Whenever I drive the truck up any hills or encounter strong head winds, the truck's engine looses power and speed. Consequently, I have almost been rear-ended on multiple occasions. In 2005 I took the vehicle to an authorized Nissan dealer. Unfortunately, I was charged $450.00 to replace a part that was not responsible for the problem and was told that the service personnel do not know what is causing the malfunction. …”
NHTSA complaint #10148288, filed 2006-01, 37,046 milesMileage when problems were reported
29% of the 7 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 57,245 and 98,000 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
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1997 Nissan D21 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by 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
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Nissan D21?
Owners of this model year most often describe airbags that did not deploy in crashes, the largest group in the sample. The issues reported most often: Airbag did not deploy in a crash; Seat backrest or seat belt failure; Tire tread separation, bulges, or valve stem failure.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1997 Nissan D21 have?
NHTSA recorded 57 consumer complaints for the 1997 Nissan D21 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1997 Nissan D21 is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 21 complaints (37% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 7.
Has the 1997 Nissan D21 been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 1997 Nissan D21 reported?
Among the 7 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 68,000 miles and the middle half falls between 57,245 and 98,000 miles; 29% 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.