1986 Nissan Stanza Problems
- Complaints
- 16filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 138,000miles, 1 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.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 23 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 21 city / 26 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1986 Nissan Stanza (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 16 consumer complaints for the 1986 Nissan Stanza. The part named most often is fuel system, with 4 complaints (25% of the total), followed by seat belts (3) and electrical system (2). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 138,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 5 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 3 technical service bulletins for this model year. Fuel system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the filler pipe and cap filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
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.
- Fuel system4 25%
- Seat belts3 19%
- Electrical system2 13%
- Steering2 13%
- Engine cooling1 6.3%
- Equipment1 6.3%
- Body and structure1 6.3%
Example complaints
Seat belts: “Recall on seat belts in car and dealer does not have parts to fix. Have been waiting for at least a year for letter to be serviced. Please describe details. Tt”
NHTSA complaint #977875, filed 1996-01Electrical system: “Consumer started vehicle and it would not start. Consumer tried to restart and vehicle caught on fire. Fire caused total loss. Please provide any further information.”
NHTSA complaint #8013537, filed 2002-07Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 138,000 and 138,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1986 Nissan Stanza version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stanza FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 23 | 30 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Stanza FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 20 | 24 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Stanza Wagon 2WD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 21 | 26 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Stanza Wagon 2WD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 18 | 23 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Stanza Wagon 4WD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 22 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Stanza Wagon 4WD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 17 | 20 | 18 | $3,700 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 90V072000Apr 17, 1990Equipment › Other › LabelsCovers: Nissan Stanza 1986–1988, D21 1986–1990, Pathfinder 1987–1990 +1 more
Incorrect tire inflation pressures were printed on certification labels.
- 86V101000Jul 29, 1986Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and capCovers: Nissan Stanza 1986
If a certain type of rear end collision occurs, the edge of a welded bracket on the floor panel subframe may pierce the fuel filler pipe. Consequence of defect: fuel leakage would occur which could result in a fire. Vehicles would not comply with fmvss 301.
Recall details for the 1986 Nissan Stanza → · 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. 3 on record; the latest 3 are shown.
- 10031305Sep 30, 2010Tires. Nissan: tire pressure monitoring system (tpms) warning light on/flashing. No models or model years listed. *pe updated on 08-11-2011.
- 10032506Sep 13, 2010Equipment. Nissan: vent control valve replacement. When replacing the evap canister vent control valve for reason: use the one listed on page 2; for vent control valve replacement procedure, refer to the…
- 10030165Apr 6, 2009Electrical system. Nissan: the 12 volt battery is an important part of the vehicle electrical system and is required to stay connected when the engine is running. To prevent damage to vehicle electronic components…
Other model years of the Nissan Stanza
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 33 | — | 1 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 33 | 132,000 | 1 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 36 | 125,000 | 1 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 10 | — | 0 | — | 22 | — | Not enough data |
| 1988 | 6 | — | 1 | — | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 1987 | 21 | 125,000 | 1 | — | 22 | — | Stable |
| 1986 | 16 | 138,000 | 2 | — | 23 | — | Stable |
| 1985 | 6 | — | 0 | — | 26 | — | Not enough data |
All Nissan Stanza model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1986 Nissan Stanza have?
NHTSA recorded 16 consumer complaints for the 1986 Nissan Stanza as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1986 Nissan Stanza is reported most often?
Fuel system is named most often, in 4 complaints (25% of the total), followed by seat belts with 3.
Has the 1986 Nissan Stanza been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1986 Nissan Stanza get?
The EPA rates the 1986 Nissan Stanza (Stanza Wagon 2WD, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 23 mpg combined, 21 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1986 Nissan Stanza reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 138,000 miles and the middle half falls between 138,000 and 138,000 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 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
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.