NHTSA vehicle safety data

1996 Nissan D21 Recalls & Complaints

The 1996 Nissan D21 has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 44 owner complaints on file as of October 21, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Nissan dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1996 Nissan D21. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

1996 Nissan D21 owner complaints

Owners have filed 44 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 Nissan D21, describing incidents dated November 20, 1995 to February 26, 2009.

Most-cited components

Air Bags 13 complaints
Suspension 6 complaints
Tires 6 complaints
Electrical System 4 complaints
Engine and Engine Cooling 3 complaints
Power Train 2 complaints

Of the 44 complaints on file, 7 report a crash and 1 a fire; across all 44 complaints, owners report 6 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10445245 · Filed January 25, 2012
MY NISSAN TRUCK IS VERY BADLY EATEN BY RUST. THE FRAME AND BODY ARE BEING EATEN AWAY WITH RUST. THE BRAKE LINES AND THE POWER STEERING LINES HAVE DISINTEGRATED. THE WHEEL AXLES AND JOINTS ARE BADLY CORRODED. INFERIOR QUALITY METALS AND PAINT WERE USED TO MANUFACTURE THIS TRUCK. THIS TRUCK IS NOW TOO…
ODI #10262367 · Filed March 18, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 NISSAN PICKUP. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE AND BEGAN TO ACCELERATE, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT AN ENGINEER WOULD COME OUT AND INSPECT THE VEHICLE. TWO WEEKS AFTER THE INSPECTION, THE MANUFACTURER CALLED…
ODI #10247264 · Filed October 30, 2008
LEAKING FUEL TANK. FUEL TANK STARTED LEAKING FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *TR

Read all 44 complaints

FMVSS 108/AFTERMARKET COMBINATION LAMPS

NHTSA #09E012000 · Exterior Lighting · NHTSA notice

Reported April 7, 2009 · SABERSPORT

Potentially affected: 16,270 vehicles

Owners notified May 11, 2009

Defect description

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Safety consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON VEHICLES PRODUCED BY THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER.IN ORDER TO DETERMINE IF YOUR AFTERMARKET LAMP ASSEMBLY IS AFFECTED BY THIS NONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASE REVIEW THE LIST OF MODEL NUMBERS PROVIDED TO US BY SABERSPORT.THE LIST CAN BE FOUND UNDER "DOCUMENT SEARCH" LOCATED AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SCREEN.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

FMVSS 108/AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS

NHTSA #06E049000 · Exterior Lighting · NHTSA notice

Reported May 24, 2006 · CK MOTORSPORT, INC.

Potentially affected: 27,176 vehicles

Owners notified July 1, 2006

Defect description

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Safety consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Manufacturer remedy

CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS.FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE LAMP MODEL NUMBERS, CLICK ON DOCUMENT SEARCH AND VIEW DOCUMENT TITLED "LAMP MODEL NUMBERS."CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

NISSAN/LIGHT BULB SOCKET

NHTSA #98V234000 · Exterior Lighting — Tail Lights · NHTSA notice

Reported September 21, 1998 · NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 100,032 vehicles

Owners notified November 30, 1998 · Vehicles built March 1, 1995 – November 30, 1995 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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 TEMPERATURE.

Safety consequence

THE STOP/TAIL COMBINATION LAMP OR THE TURN SIGNAL LAMP WILL NOT FUNCTION.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BULB SOCKETS IN THE REAR COMBINATION LAMPS.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN NOVEMBER 30, 1998.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-NISSAN1 (1-800-647-7261).ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 1996 Nissan D21. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

44 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1996 Nissan D21.

Structure

ODI #10445245

Incident: January 1, 2009 · Filed: January 25, 2012

MY NISSAN TRUCK IS VERY BADLY EATEN BY RUST. THE FRAME AND BODY ARE BEING EATEN AWAY WITH RUST. THE BRAKE LINES AND THE POWER STEERING LINES HAVE DISINTEGRATED. THE WHEEL AXLES AND JOINTS ARE BADLY CORRODED. INFERIOR QUALITY METALS AND PAINT WERE USED TO MANUFACTURE THIS TRUCK. THIS TRUCK IS NOW TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE ON THE ROAD. THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION ARE GOOD BUT THE REST IS A DISGRACE. *TR

Air Bags

ODI #10262367

Incident: February 26, 2009 · Filed: March 18, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 NISSAN PICKUP. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE AND BEGAN TO ACCELERATE, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT AN ENGINEER WOULD COME OUT AND INSPECT THE VEHICLE. TWO WEEKS AFTER THE INSPECTION, THE MANUFACTURER CALLED THE CONTACT AND STATED THAT NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE PROVIDED DUE TO THE HIGH MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE NISSAN DEALER AND RECEIVED AN ESTIMATE OF $2,000 FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 205,000.

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #10247264

Incident: October 15, 2008 · Filed: October 30, 2008

LEAKING FUEL TANK. FUEL TANK STARTED LEAKING FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *TR

Electrical System

ODI #10218263

Fire

Incident: March 15, 2005 · Filed: February 17, 2008

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. I ENDED UP TAKING IT TO THE NISSAN DEALER WHERE IT STAYED FOR A FEW MONTHS AND THEY TRIED SEVERAL THINGS TO FIX THE TRUCK BUT DIDN'T. THE DEALER ENDED UP SAYING THAT IT NEEDED A COMPLETE WIRING HARNESS, WHICH IS FROM BUMPER TO BUMPER ALL ONE PIECE AND THE WIRING HARNESS WOULD COST APP. $1400.00 PLUS LABOR. I BROUGHT THE TRUCK BACK HOME WHERE IT SETS TODAY WITH 59,600 MILES ON IT. *TR

Air Bags

ODI #10088129

Incident: June 20, 2003 · Filed: August 18, 2004

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. *JB

Air Bags

ODI #10024078

Crash

Incident: June 3, 2003 · Filed: July 10, 2003

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK *TS *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10020624

Incident: September 17, 2002 · Filed: May 28, 2003

TRIED TO GET EMISSIONS TEST, DUE TO SENSOR LIGHT COMING ON (CHECK ENGINE LIGHT), VEHICLE FAILED TEST. HAVE REPORTED THIS LIGHT SEVERAL TIMES. THIS LIGHT STAYS ON, NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. HAVE CHANGED SENSOR THREE TIMES. DID NOT HAVE CONCERNS BEFORE THE EMISSIONS PROBLEMS. DLR SEEMS TO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, OR HOW TO TO FIX IT. MAYBE THERE SHOULD BE SOME WAY OF CORRECTING THIS PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT THE ONLY SOLUTION WAS TO KEEP REPLACING THE SENSOR. WHICH IS GETTING TO BE A PROBLEM. DLR WOULD DO SOMETHING TO TURN OFF THE LIGHT, I DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD...THE LIGHT COMES BACK ON...AND STAYS ON. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING EVER SINCE VEHICLE PURCHASE.

Tires

ODI #10009345

Incident: May 22, 2002 · Filed: May 23, 2002

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. *TS *NLM ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12-12-02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS***762204

Air Bags

ODI #8015329

Filed: August 1, 2002

CONSUMER WAS GETTING INTO TRUCK AND BEGAN TO SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM STEERING WHEEL. CONSUMER GOT OUT OF TRUCK ONCE SMOKE CLEARED. DROVE TO MECHANIC, AND WAS INFORMED THAT AIR BAG WIRE ASSEMBLY HAD BURNED, AND IT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

Electrical System

ODI #8011032

Filed: June 4, 2002

HORN WOULD GO OFF WHILE TURNING TRUCK EITHER DIRECTION UNTIL HORN BLAIRED CONSTANTLY. AFTER DEALER INSPECTED STEERING WHEEL, THEY FOUND HORN WAS LOOSE, AND A PART HAD ENGAGED ITSELF INSIDE AIR BAG. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT IT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED BECAUSE OF POSSIBLE DEPLOYMENT WITH NO WARNING. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

Other Nissan D21 model years

Check your 1996 Nissan D21 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Nissan D21 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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