VehicleVerdict

1991 Nissan D21 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 1991 Nissan D21 sits mid-pack among D21 years: 35 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 28, with 3 recalls and one closed investigation.

Seat Belts leads the complaint categories with 10 reports (29% of the total).

35

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

6

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

8

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1991 compare to other D21 years?

D21 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1991 highlighted159 complaints1986: 0 complaints1987: 0 complaints1988: 1 complaints1989: 5 complaints1990: 1 complaints1991: 35 complaints1992: 21 complaints1993: 49 complaints1994: 76 complaints1995: 159 complaints1996: 47 complaints1997: 72 complaints
D21 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1991 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all D21 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1991 Nissan D21 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Seat Belts1029%
Transmission514%
Engine411%
Suspension39%
Visibility & Wipers39%
Seats39%
Steering26%
Tires & Wheels26%
Other13%
Airbags13%
Body & Structure13%

Does the 1991 Nissan D21 have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

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.

Consequence

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.

06E049000LightingMay 24, 2006 · 27,176 units

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.

Consequence

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.

95V103002Seat BeltsMay 24, 1995 · 2,730,462 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“REPORT WAS GIVEN BY TROOPER T. BEE. THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT, CAUSING THE SEAT BELTS TO DISCONNECTED FROM THE ANCHORS. PLEASE PROVIDE FUTHER INFORMATION. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · August 27, 1998 · crash

“SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE WARPED, NEEDLE BEGAN TO DRAG AND CURRENTLY HANGS AWHILE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, NEEDLE SHOWS 30 OR 70 MPH AND VEHICLE GOING 15 OR 60MPH.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission

“POWER WINDOW FAILURE - WITHIN 6 MONTHS, BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOW GLASS FELL INTO DOOR PANEL, CAUSING SECURITY AND WATER DAMAGE PROBLEM. FAN BLADE: THE NYLON FAN BLADE HAS MULTIPLE WIDE (.08" THROUGH) CRACKS AND FRACTURES BETWEEN THE FAN BLADES. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 2, 1999

“THIS TRUCK HAS 18300 ORIG MILES THE FRAME IS ROTTED SO BAD THAT IT IS READY TO BREAK IN HALF. I GOOGLED THIS AND FOUND MANY OTHER PICKUPS AND PATHFINDERS THAT USE THE SAME FRAME ASSY ALSO ROTTED BADLY . THIS SEEMS TO BE THE SAME AS TOYOTA. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE CONTACT ME ON THIS. [XXX] INFORMATION…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · July 1, 2011

“WHEN TRUCK WAS REAR ENDED AT A STOP SIGN BY A HALF TON PICKUP, THE SEAT SLIPPED OUT OF PLACE ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AND COLLAPSED. THE SEAT HAS BEEN REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · December 23, 1997 · crash

1991 Nissan D21 — common questions

Is the 1991 Nissan D21 reliable?

It is close to typical for the D21: 35 NHTSA complaints, 3 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 1991 D21 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are seat belts (10 complaints), transmission (5 complaints), engine (4 complaints).

Does the 1991 Nissan D21 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1991 Nissan D21. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1991 Nissan D21 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Nissan D21 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the D21 years to avoid are 1995, 1994, 1997, 1993, 1996. The cleanest record among D21 years belongs to 1987.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.