1994 Nissan D21

Routine

Owners filed 65 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the structure › frame and members. It has been recalled 4 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Structure › Frame and Members12
000
Tires › Tread/Belt5
000
Tires4
106
Structure › Frame and Members › Underbody Shields3
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission3
000
Unknown or Other2
010
Structure › Body2
000
Structure2
000
Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly2
101
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe2
000

4 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting09E012000
Filed Apr 7, 200916,270 vehiclesSabersport

Defect. 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.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

Exterior Lighting06E049000
Filed May 24, 200627,176 vehiclesCk Motorsport, Inc.

Defect. 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.

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

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.

Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly02V125000
Filed May 2, 200292,500 vehiclesNissan North America, Inc.

Defect. ON CERTAIN LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS, THE LATCH PLATE USED IN THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WAS NOT MANUFACTURED ACCORDING TO DESIGN DIMENSIONS. IF THE SEAT BELT TONGUE IS INSERTED SLOWLY AT AN ANGLE INTO THE BUCKLE, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF PARTIAL ENGAGEMENT.

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE SEAT BELT TONGUE TO COME OUT OF THE BUCKLE IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION OR HARD BRAKING OF THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO AN OCCUPANT OF THE SEAT.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BUCKLE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW BUCKLE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 22, 2002. 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 1-800-647-7261.

Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly96V170001
Filed Sep 10, 199684,000 vehiclesNissan North America, Inc.

Defect. THE LATCH PLATE USED IN THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WAS NOT MANUFACTURED ACCORDING TO DESIGN DIMENSIONS. IF THE SEAT BELT TONGUE IS INSERTED SLOWLY AT AN ANGLE INTO THE BUCKLE, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF PARTIAL ENGAGEMENT.

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE SEAT BELT TONGUE TO COME OUT OF THE BUCKLE IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION OR HARD BRAKING OF THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO AN OCCUPANT OF THE SEAT.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BUCKLE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW BUCKLE.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Structure › Body
Filed Feb 3, 2018180,000 milesVA

I HAVE A 1994 NISSAN PU D21 . I JUST NOTICED THAT THE FRAME HAS A RUSTY HOLE ON THE FRAME AT THE FRONT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE . FOR MY SAFETY AND OTHERS I CAN'T DRIVE THIS TRUCK . I HOPE NISSAN WILL PAY ATTENTION THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE GET KILLED .

Tires
Filed Sep 3, 201390,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 NISSAN D21 EQUIPPED WITH 4 TOYO ECLIPSE TIRES, SIZE: 195/75/R14. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO WOBBLE. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED OFF THE ROADWAY AND THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE WAS DEFORMED. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH A SPARE. ONE WEEK LATER, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION AND SAW THAT THE DEFORMED TIRE BLEW FROM THE SPARE TIRE CABIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE ONE YEAR LATER. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE WAS 90,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE TIRE FAILURE WAS 5,000. UPDATED 10/23/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER EXPERIENCING TWO TOYO TIRE FAILURES, HE WENT TO THE LOCAL TOYO STORE. WHERE HE INFORMED THEM HE HAD TWO DEFECTIVE TIRES AND WANTED THEM REPLACED. THEY INSPECTED THE TIRES, BUT THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE THEM SIMPLY FOR DEFECTIVE OR UNSAFE. THEY INSISTED HIS ONLY OPTION WAS TO BUY NEW TIRES. THE CONSUMER LEFT THE ESTABLISHMENT. ON SEPT 18, 2013 A THIRD TIRE DEFORMED WHILE DRIVING AND THE TIRE NEEDED TO BE REMOVED IMMEDIATELY. UPDATED 10/24/13

Structure › Frame and Members › Underbody Shields
Filed Oct 8, 201278,357 milesME

FRAME BROKE LOOSE IN 7 SPOTS ONCE A WEEK I WAS PATCHING THEN I WOULD FIND A NEW SPOT BUT NOW FROM IS TO SOFT TO EVEN PUT A JACK UNDER IT TO GET THE SPARE TIRE ON I FINALLY HAD TO RETIRE IT. BUT THIS TRUCK ONLY HAS 81000 ON IT. *TR

Engine
Filed Sep 10, 2012160,000 milesFL

NOTHING HAPPENED TO ME YET. BUT I'VE BEEN READING REPORTS OF THIS FRAME RUST THE SAME WAY IN OTHER TRUCKS. I THINK THERE'S INTEGRITY ISSUE WITH THE FRAME NISSAN MADE. THE REST OF MY TRUCK IS FLAWLESS NO BODY RUST. WAS THERE A RECALL PUT OUT I JUST HAVEN'T HEARD OF IT? I JUST WANT TO REPORT IT TO MAKE SURE THAT NISSAN MIGHT BE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *TR

Suspension
Filed Apr 6, 2012PA

THE FRAME SECTION ABOVE THE RIGHT REAR FRONT SPRING PERCH IS CRACKED. FRAME HAS HOLES ON BOTH SIDES NEAR FRONT SUSPENSION ALSO. UNSAFE TO OPERATE VEHICLE. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members › Underbody Shields
Filed Dec 6, 2011CT

1994 NISSAN PICK UP TRUCK. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IT BEING UNSAFE TO DRIVE VEHICLE DUE TO THE FRAME ROTTING OUT *TGW

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Aug 5, 2011120,000 milesCT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 NISSAN PICKUP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, HE NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES FOR THIS FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Jun 1, 2011225,000 milesMD

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 NISSAN KING CAB. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED THE MECHANIC ADVISED HIM THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS SEVERELY COVERED WITH RUST. THEY ALSO ADVISED HIM NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF THE RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 225,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Mar 26, 2011165,000 milesPA

THE STRUCTURAL FRAME OF THE TRUCK IS ROTTING OUT IN VARYING DEGREES THROUGHOUT THE TRUCK. CREATES A SAFETY ISSUE IF IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE TRUCK MAY FAIL AND CAUSE A GREAT DEAL OF INJURY TO THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE. THE ROTTING WAS NOT NOTICED (ALTHOUGH IT WAS FREQUENTLY CHECKED FOR) UNTIL THE FRAME LITERALLY CRACKED OPEN WHILE IT WAS SITTING IN THE GARAGE. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Apr 19, 201080,000 milesMI

1994 NISSAN PICKUP, RUSTED FRAME. UNSAFE TO DRIVE BUT HAVE NO CHOICE NEED TO GET TO WORK. NISSAN SHOULD BE MADE TO BUY THESE VEHICLES BACK AT A REASONABLE PRICE. TOYOTA BOUGHT BACK THERE TRUCKS WITH ROTTED FRAMES. HOPEFULLY I DON'T GET HURT OR MORESO AN INNOCENT DRIVER. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Oct 18, 2009140,000 milesVA

1994 NISSAN EX 4X4 PICKUP TRUCK BAD FRAME ROT. THE TRUCK WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION. *TR

Structure
Filed Dec 17, 2008110,000 milesVA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 PICK UP. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR SERVICE. THE TECHNICIAN INSPECTED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED SEVERE FRAME DAMAGE. THE FRAME EXHIBITED HOLES AND EXCESSIVE RUST CORROSION FROM THE INSIDE TO THE EXTERIOR OF THE CAB. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 116,000. UPDATED 1/6/09 *CN UPDATED 01/14/09. *JB

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Nov 27, 2008120,000 milesOH

I HAVE A 1994 NISSAN TRUCK, WHICH I BOUGHT NEW. TRUCK RUNS GREAT HARDLEY AND RUST ON BODY. I WAS DRIVING TRUCK ON 11-19-2008 AND HEARD A LOUD BANG. TRUCK DARTED TO THE RIGHT AND JUST ABOUT WRECKED. I PULLED OVER AND LOOKED UNDER MY TRUCK. MY FRONT A-ARM STRUT MOUNT RUSTED AND BROKE FROM MY FRAME. THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS KILLED OR INJURED. I LOOKED AT MY FRAME AND THE ENTIRE FRAME IS RUSTED COMPLETELY. NOT JUST A SPOT HERE OR THERE BUT ENTIRE FRAME IS LITERALLY FALLING OFF THE TRUCK. I AM TO AFRAID TO DRIVE TRUCK AND NOONE WILL REPAIR DUE TO CONDITION OF THE FRAME. THE TRUCK HAD BEEN WELL CARED FOR AND SHOULD NOT BE RUSTED. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. IT APPEARS THAT TOYOTA HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND PURCHASED THEIR FAULTY TRUCKS BACK. NISSAN SHOULD DO THE SAME BEFORE MORE PEOPLE ARE KILLED OR INJURED FROM THEIR FAULTY PRODUCT. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Nov 17, 2008110,000 milesPA

I AM AN OWNER OF A 1994 NISSAN PICK UP WITH SERIOUS FRAME PROBLEMS. THE FRAME IS RUSTED IN MANY PLACES AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE. AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM IT SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH NISSAN PICK UPS AND PATHFINDERS. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Jun 19, 2008110,000 milesVA

DANGEROUS RUST ON THE FRAME. ONLY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. SOON TRUCK WILL BE UNABLE TO PASS INSPECTION. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed May 14, 2008120,000 milesME

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 NISSAN PICKUP. SHORTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, PORTIONS OF THE UNDERBODY FRAME RUSTED. THE FRAME HAD BEEN WELDED PRIOR TO THE VEHICLE BEING PURCHASED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jan 18, 2008118,000 milesMD

I TOOK MY 1994 NISSAN 4X4 PICKUP TRUCK IN FOR A WATER PUMP AND EXHAUST SYSTEM TO A NISSAN DEALER. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE TRUCK BECAUSE THE FRAME IS SO RUSTED THAT IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE THE TRUCK. THIS VEHICLE HAS 118,000 MILES AND WAS NOT USED FOR ANYTHING OTHER THEN DAILY TRANSPORTATION TO WORK AND BACK HOME. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System
Filed Jan 17, 2008118,000 milesMD

I HAVE A 1994 NISSAN 4X4 PICKUP XE WITH 118,000 MILES ON IT. I TOOK IT IN TO A NISSAN DEALER BECAUSE I NEEDED A WATER PUMP AND EXHAUST SYSTEM REPAIRED. I WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THEY WOULD NOT MAKE THE REPAIR BECAUSE THE FRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE TRUCK AND THE TRUCK IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. HOW CAN THIS BE POSSIBLE, THIS IS NOT A TRUCK THAT IS USED OFF ROAD OR FOR ANY 4X4 ACTIVITIES. I PURCHASED A NISSAN BECAUSE I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT A NISSAN WILL BASICALLY LAST FOREVER. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO BUY ANOTHER VEHICLE AND FEEL THAT NISSAN SHOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING IN MY LIFE THAT THE FRAME IS RUSTED AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members › Underbody Shields
Filed Aug 16, 2007105,000 milesMA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 NISSAN PICKUP. ON AUGUST 15, 2007, THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED ON A LIFT TO REPLACE THE WHEELS WHEN THE VEHICLE'S FRAME FAILED BY THE REAR WHEELS. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES. THE POWER TRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 105,000.

Exterior Lighting › Tail Lights
Filed Sep 28, 2006150,000 milesTX

FOR THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS, I'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE RIGHT TAILLIGHT ON MY 1994 NISSAN PICKUP. I'VE TRIED TO HAVE IT REPAIRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THUS FAR IT HAS BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL. I AM NOT ABLE TO GET MY TRUCK PAST STATE INSPECTION BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. IN LOOKING UP RECALLS ONLINE, I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR TAILLIGHT FAILURE FROM 1995 FORWARD AND WANTED TO KNOW IF 1994 WAS ALSO IMPACTED. *NM

20 of 65 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1995
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
199757200Routine
199644310Routine
1995129540Routine
1994 — this page65420Routine
199343251Fatalities reported
199216200Routine
199131310Routine
19901100Routine

Compare every D21 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Apr 7, 2009. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.