VehicleVerdict

1997 Nissan D21 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 72 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.6 times the median D21 year — the 1997 model ranks #3 of 12 D21 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 14 injuries in total across these filings.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 21 reports (29% of the total).

72

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

31

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

14

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1997 compare to other D21 years?

D21 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 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, 1997 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all D21 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1997 Nissan D21 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags2129%
Transmission811%
Engine710%
Electrical System68%
Tires & Wheels57%
Seat Belts46%
Suspension46%
Brakes34%
Seats34%
Speed Control34%
Body & Structure34%
Lighting23%
Fuel System11%
Other11%
Steering11%

Does the 1997 Nissan D21 have recalls?

2 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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“WAS GOING ABOUT 40-50MPH WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE HAD STOPPED. APPLIED BRAKES QUICKLY. VEHICLE SLID INTO OTHER VEHICLE. FRONT END PUSHED TOWARDS RADIATOR. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE ABS BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE QUICKLY. THE SEAT BELTS FAILED TO RESTRAIN PASSENGER WHO HIT HEAD ON DASHBOARD.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · September 1, 1999 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH THE VEHICLE HIT THE BARRIER, CAUSING THE REAR AXLE TO FALL OFF, THE VEHICLE KEPT GOING AND HIT AN EMBANKMENT IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AND THE AIR BAG DIDNOT DEPLOY. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 3, 1997 · crash

“MULTIPLE SENSORS THAT CONTROL THE FUEL INJECTION AND EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEMS HAVE FAILED PREMATURELY. THE AIR CHARGE TEMP SENSOR, BPT VALVE, EGR VALVE, CATALITIC CONVERTER, AND THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR HAVE FAILED. ALL OF THE PARTS EXCEPT THE CONVERTED HAVE BEEN REPLACED - THE DEALER REFUSES TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 16, 1999

“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE BATTERY AND BRAKE INDICATOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. UPON INSPECTION THE CONTACT DETERMINED THE ALTERNATOR FAILED. THE FAILURE AND REPLACEMENT OCCURRED ON SIX DIFFERENT OCCASIONS UNDER VARIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 31, 2006

“I'M TRANSIT MECHANIC 30 YEARS, PROIR COAST GAURD DOT, KEEP TIRES INFLATED 35LBS AT ALL TIMES, CHECK OFTEN, ROTATE 5-7 THOUSAND MILES,LARGEST LOAD EVER CARRIED LESS THAN 300 LBS-MULCH FOR YARD, VEHICLE UNLOADED AT TIME OF TIRE SEPARATION. IT WOULD APPEAR THAT THE OTHER THREE TIRES ARE ON THE VERGE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · July 10, 2002

1997 Nissan D21 — common questions

Is the 1997 Nissan D21 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 72 complaints put the 1997 model at #3 of 12 D21 years. It is one of the D21 years to avoid.

What are the most common 1997 D21 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (21 complaints), transmission (8 complaints), engine (7 complaints).

Does the 1997 Nissan D21 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1997 Nissan D21. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.