VehicleVerdict

1994 Nissan D21 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 76 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.7 times the median D21 year — the 1994 model ranks #2 of 12 D21 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 12 injuries in total across these filings.

Body & Structure leads the complaint categories with 23 reports (30% of the total).

76

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

2

Investigations

6

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

12

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1994 compare to other D21 years?

D21 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1994 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, 1994 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all D21 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1994 Nissan D21 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure2330%
Tires & Wheels1013%
Engine912%
Transmission79%
Seat Belts57%
Electrical System45%
Brakes34%
Seats34%
Suspension34%
Steering23%
Other23%
Fuel System23%
Visibility & Wipers11%
Lighting11%
Speed Control11%

Does the 1994 Nissan D21 have recalls?

4 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.

02V125000Seat BeltsMay 2, 2002 · 92,500 units

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.

Consequence

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.

96V170001Seat BeltsSeptember 10, 1996 · 84,000 units

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.

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · September 10, 2012

“BACK TIRE BLEW AND THE TRUCK WENT OUT OF CONTROL THEN THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE BLEW AND THE TRUCK ROLL TROWING SEVERAL OF THE PASSENAGER OUT ON THE FREEWAY.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · August 12, 2000 · crash

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 10, 2012

“DUE TO THE DESIGN OF BALL JOINTS/TIE RODS WEAR OUT, CAUSING TIRE TO WEAR MORE FREQUENTLY. ALSO A NOISE IN THE FUEL TANK, AND AXLE BEARING SQUEALS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · February 1, 1996

“OWNER STATES THAT SEAT BELTS BROKE IN VEHCLE, OWNER WAS IN A CRASH AND SEAT BELTS WOULD NOT LATCH, BUT BELTS BROKE, TROWING OCCUPANT INTO WINDSHIELD, CAUSING INJURIES. SHE ALSO NOTES VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE FOR THE PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER STATES NEVER RECIVED THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · November 25, 1996 · crash

1994 Nissan D21 — common questions

Is the 1994 Nissan D21 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 76 complaints put the 1994 model at #2 of 12 D21 years. It is one of the D21 years to avoid.

What are the most common 1994 D21 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (23 complaints), tires & wheels (10 complaints), engine (9 complaints).

Does the 1994 Nissan D21 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1994 Nissan D21. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1994 Nissan D21 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations 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.