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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 1995–1997

Nissan D21 recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 230 owner complaints for the Nissan D21, covering model years 1995 to 1997. The 1995 model year drew the most complaints (129), and Structure is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Nissan D21 VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 3 recall campaigns on file
  • 230 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 3 model years with data (1995–1997)
  • most complaints: 1995 (129 for that model year)
  • top component: Structure (36 complaints)
  • latest recall 98V234000 (reported Sep 21, 1998)
  • 39 complaints reporting a crash (17.0%)
  • 5 complaints reporting a fire (2.2%)
  • 19 complaints reporting an injury (8.3%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

Nissan D21 complaints by model year

3 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 1995 model year has the most complaints: 129 of 230, or 56.1%. Next come 1997 (57) and 1996 (44).

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Nissan D21 owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 1995–1997Column chart of 230 complaints across 3 model years. The highest is 1995 with 129. The full figures are in the table below the chart.1995: 129 complaints12919951996: 44 complaints4419961997: 57 complaints571997
Nissan D21 complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Nissan D21 complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
199512910460
1996447140
19975722090
All model years230395190

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Nissan D21 components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Structure is the component named most often, in 36 complaints (15.7% of all 230), followed by Air Bags (35) and Engine and Engine Cooling (25).

Components named most often in Nissan D21 complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in Nissan D21 complaints (top 15)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Structure3615.7%
Air Bags3515.2%
Engine and Engine Cooling2510.9%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic208.7%
Tires208.7%
Exterior Lighting198.3%
Power Train198.3%
Electrical System177.4%
Suspension167.0%
Fuel System, Gasoline114.8%
Seat Belts104.3%
Vehicle Speed Control104.3%
Visibility104.3%
Seats41.7%
Parking Brake31.3%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Nissan D21 recalls

3 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name D21, newest first. The 3 campaigns cover model years 1995 to 1996. The 1995 model year appears in the most campaigns (3).

  • 3 recall campaigns
Nissan D21 recall campaigns covering each model year
1995: 3 campaigns1996: 1 campaign
Highlighted: the model year with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 98V234000

    Reported

    Exterior Lighting › Tail Lights

    Model years 1995–1996

    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.

    Consequence:
    The stop/tail combination lamp or the turn signal lamp will not function.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the bulb sockets in the rear combination lamps.

    Filed by Nissan North America, Inc.

  2. NHTSA campaign 94V251000

    Reported

    Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper

    Model year 1995

    The right front brake caliper piston seal groove was improperly machined causing a brake fluid leak when the brakes are applied.

    Consequence:
    This condition can cause a loss of braking capability.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect and replace the brake calipers on the affected vehicles.

    Filed by Nissan North America, Inc.

  3. NHTSA campaign 94V243000

    Reported

    Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch

    Model year 1995

    Trucks were assembled without a door lock plate in the right side door.

    Consequence:
    This condition can result in the door not latchingcorrectly, in an accident, exposing passenger to increased risk of injury.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect and install door lock plate in vehicles which are missing a door plate.

    Filed by Nissan North America, Inc.

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it; older campaigns, which NHTSA stores in capital letters, are shown in sentence case. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Nissan D21 questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Nissan D21 have?

NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recall campaigns for the Nissan D21, covering model years 1995 to 1997. The most recent, 98V234000, was reported on September 21, 1998 and is filed under “Exterior lighting”. The 1995 model year is covered by the most campaigns (3).

Which Nissan D21 model year has the most complaints?

The 1995 model year, with 129 of the 230 complaints in NHTSA’s file (56.1%). The next are 1997 (57) and 1996 (44). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Nissan D21 complaint?

Structure is the component named most often: 36 complaints, or 15.7% of all 230. Air Bags (35) and Engine and Engine Cooling (25) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Nissan D21?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Nissan dealer.

How many Nissan D21 complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 230 complaints, 39 report a crash, 5 a fire, 19 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Nissan models

8 models · most complaints first

The Nissan models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Nissan VIN decoder with every Nissan model page, WMI code and VIN note.

All Nissan models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.