1988 Nissan Van Problems
- Complaints
- 5filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 95,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 5campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 18 mpgcombined, 2.4L 4-cyl RWD · 16 city / 20 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1988 Nissan Van (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 1988 Nissan Van. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 2 complaints (40% of the total), followed by fuel system (1) and latches, locks and linkages (1). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 95,000 miles. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns and 3 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 3 recall campaigns covering the hoses/lines/piping/fittings 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.
- Engine cooling2 40%
- Fuel system1 20%
- Steering1 20%
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “When driving at any speed the vehicle will cut off. Also, when the consumer starts the vehicle/ backs out, vehicle will cut back off. Consumer states there is a bucking noise coming from the front of the vehicle by the engine.”
NHTSA complaint #832586, filed 1998-12Latches, locks and linkages: “The contact owns a 1988 Nissan VAN. While the vehicle was parked, the front passenger side manual door lock failed to disengage while locked. The door would only unlock manually from the exterior of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and they stated that the manufacturer no longer produces the lock mechanism for replacement. The failure and current mileages were 95,000. Updated 09/14/09. The consumer stated the latch/lock is now working properly. Updated 09/16/09.”
NHTSA complaint #10280363, filed 2009-08, 95,000 milesMileage 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 95,000 and 95,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1988 Nissan Van 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Van (cargo) RWD | 2.4L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 16 | 20 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Van (cargo) RWD | 2.4L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Van (passenger) RWD | 2.4L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 16 | 20 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Van (passenger) RWD | 2.4L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
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
- 95V103002May 24, 1995Seat belts › Front › Buckle assemblyCovers: Nissan Van 1987–1990, Sentra 1987–1991, Pathfinder 1988–1991 +6 more
The front safety belt buckle release buttons can break. These red plastic release buttons are marked "press." if a button breaks, pieces can fall into the buckle assembly causing the buckle to operate improperly.
- 94V031000Feb 25, 1994Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Hoses/lines/piping/fittingsCovers: Nissan Van 1987–1988, 1990
Engine compartment fires and other thermal incidents have occurred on vehicles which had received all of the remedies provided by a previous safety-related recall (nhtsa campaign no. 93v036000). The fires are attributed to errors in installing the remedy…
- 93V036000Mar 15, 1993Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Hoses/lines/piping/fittingsCovers: Nissan Van 1987–1988, 1990
Nissan has made a preliminary determination that a defect exists in engine compartment component(s) that may fail due to the engine compartment heat.
- 91V211000Dec 27, 1991Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Hoses/lines/piping/fittingsCovers: Nissan Van 1987–1988, 1990
The cooling system hoses deteriorate and fail because of inadequate heat resistance. Failure first occurs at the clamp connections, causing coolant fluid to be leaked or sprayed onto the engine compartment components.
- 90V136000Aug 6, 1990Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connectionsCovers: Nissan Van 1987–1988, 1990
Power steering hoses may leak fluid that can spread to the exhaust manifold.
Recall details for the 1988 Nissan Van → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- PE93019Power door lock failureClosed · Mar 31, 1993
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 Van
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | 5 | 95,000 | 5 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1987 | 7 | 1,000 | 6 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1988 Nissan Van have?
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 1988 Nissan Van as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1988 Nissan Van is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 2 complaints (40% of the total), followed by fuel system with 1.
Has the 1988 Nissan Van been recalled?
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1988 Nissan Van get?
The EPA rates the 1988 Nissan Van (Van (cargo), 2.4L 4-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 16 city and 20 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1988 Nissan Van reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 95,000 miles and the middle half falls between 95,000 and 95,000 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 28, 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.