NISSAN D21 · model year

1993 NISSAN D21

49 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1993NISSAND21 carries 49 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 4 crashes, 6 fires, 4 injuries, and 1 fatality. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1993 D21 is tires:tread/belt with 4 filings, followed by electrical system:wiring:interior/under dash (3) and engine and engine cooling:engine (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 54 investigation files overlapping the 1993 D21, and 5 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

49
Complaints
4
Crashes
6
Fires
4
Injuries
1
Deaths

Total Complaints

49 filings

Crashes Reported

4 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
TIRES:TREAD/BELT4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE3
TIRES3
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS3
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR2
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY2
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP2
SUSPENSION:FRONT1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS1
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS1

Recent Complaints

20120511TIRES

TIRES PURCHASED ON 6-23-2008 FOR MY 1993 NISSAN TRUCK HAVE SIDEWALL DRY ROT. THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE HAS FAILED AT 25,000 MILES OF USAGE. I HAVE NOT TAKEN BACK TO SEE IF THEY WILL REPLACE THE TIRE(S). THE GOODYEAR P205/75R14 95T ALLEG TIRES NEED TO BE RECALLED FOR FAILURE OF CONSTRUCTION. *TR

Mileage: 169,300

20111031STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 NISSAN KING CAB. WHILE UNDERGOING INSPECTION, THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND EXHIBITED SEVERAL HOLES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

Mileage: 130,000

20091110TIRES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 NISSAN PICKUP WITH HANCOCK TIRES H215/75/R14. THE STEEL BELTS BEGAN SEPERATING, WHICH CAUSED GROOVES IN ALL FOUR TIRES. HE ALSO NOTICED A LEAK IN THE DRIVER-SIDE FRONT AND PASSENGER REAR TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DISCOUNT TIRES. THE PASSENGER REAR TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT HE WAS REFERRED BACK TO THE DEALER THAT SOLD HIM THE TIRES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 126,538. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 122,000. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 122,000

20091110STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

MY CHIEF COMPLAINT IS ON MY 93 NISSAN HARDBODY PICKUP.FRAME IS SEVERELY RUSTED IM A WELDER FABRICATOR MECHANIC AND HAD TO BOX FROB CAB BACK TO BUMPER IN STEAL AND PUT MY OWN CROSSMEMBER IN IT FELL OUT. THIS IS MERELY A BANDAID. TRUCK HAS 251,990 MILES AND ALL ORIGINAL IM 3RD OWNER TRUCK IS IN GREAT CONDITION OTHER THAN FRAME.THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THESE TRUCKS SEEMS MOSTLY FROM 90 -97 MY LAST 2 WHERE 87 AND 88 NOT TO BAD AND ONE WAS FROM NEW YORK WITH THE SALT. I'VE OWNED THE TRUCK SINCE 04-08 AND CHECKED FRAME AND WAS NOT BAD AT ALL THEN STARTED TO GO DOWN HILL FAST . ITS UNSAFE TO SELL I HAVE BEEN TAKING CARE OF IT NO ONE WOULD BUY IT AND I CANT JUST GO BUY ANOTHER TRUCK IM CONTRACTING NOW AND IT IS A MAJOR TOOL. I ALSO HAVE PICS OF FRAME WITH BED OFF. *TR

Mileage: 240,290

20090315STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

I OWN A 1993 NISSAN PICKUP AND THE FRAME BEHIND THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL HAS RUSTED TO PIECES I HAVE HAD IT WELDED BUT NO FRAME AFTER 16 YRS. SHOULD BE THAT BAD. *TR

Mileage: 190,000

20060130ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

CONSUMER ALTERNATOR BOLTS WERE OUT AN 1 1/2 INCH. THE GROUND WIRE FROM THE ALTERNATOR HAD NOT BEEN HOOKED TO THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED THE ESTABLISHMENT HE TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO, PERFORMED UNSATISFACTORY WORK. AFTER LEAVING THE ESTABLISHMENT, THE CONSUMER BEGAN EXPERIENCING MORE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. *JB

20060107POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

WHEN SLOWING DOWN AND TRYING TO DOWN SHIFT AFTER EXITING AN INTERSTATE, I FIND THAT THE CLUTCH PEDAL IS COMPLETELY DEPRESSED (BOTTOMED OUT) UNEXPECTEDLY, RESULTING IN INABILITY TO DOWN SHIFT OR MOVE GEAR SHIFT TO NEUTRAL. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIME OVER A PERIOD OF ONE YEAR. *NM

Mileage: 132,564

20050917FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

I DROVE SOMEWHERE, PARKED THE TRUCK AND I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I ASKED SOMEONE IF THEY HAD A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND THEY DID. I OPENED THE HOOD AND THE GUY USED THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. IT STARTED IN THE WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE HOOD. MORE SPECIFICALLY, THERE IS A RESISTOR AND A CAPACITOR COMING OUT OF THE WIRING HARNESS (NEAR THE DRIVER-SIDE HEADLIGHT / DISTRIBUTOR COIL AREA) THAT WAS ON FIRE. I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY NISSAN TRUCKS HAVE THIS DEFECT, BUT THAT'S FOR NISSAN AND THE GOVERNMENT TO KEEP TRACK OF. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO KNOW, HOW MANY ELECTRICAL / WIRING HARNESS FIRES HAVE TO OCCUR BEFORE A RECALL IS IN ORDER? *JB

Mileage: 181,994

20031111FireFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

I HAD A 1993 NISSAN EX CAB P/U STANDARD WITH A/C AND POWER STEERING AND I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE INJECTORS STAYING ON WITH THE KEY OFF AND WOULD FILL THE ENGINE FULL OF GAS. NEEDLESS TO SAY IT BURNT UP ONE DAY AND THE PLACE WHERE IT BURNT SAID FOR ME TO GET IT OUT OF THERE BEFORE THEY TOWED IT SO IT ENDED UP IN THE SCRAP YARD. *AK

Mileage: 156,000

20031111FireSTEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

I HAD A 1993 NISSAN EX CAB P/U STANDARD WITH A/C AND POWER STEERING AND I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE INJECTORS STAYING ON WITH THE KEY OFF AND WOULD FILL THE ENGINE FULL OF GAS. NEEDLESS TO SAY IT BURNT UP ONE DAY AND THE PLACE WHERE IT BURNT SAID FOR ME TO GET IT OUT OF THERE BEFORE THEY TOWED IT SO IT ENDED UP IN THE SCRAP YARD. *AK

Mileage: 156,000

20030707FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

THE FUEL SENDER CORRODED AND CAUSED FUEL TO LEAK FROM THE VEHICLE (NISSAN KING CAB). *AK *SCC *NLM

Mileage: 144,000

20030618TIRES:TREAD/BELT

I PURCHASED VIPER P22570S14 IN LATE 99. BETWEEN DEC 02 AND JUN 03 I HAVE HAD 3 SEPARATIONS/BLOWOUTS & 1 LARGE BULGE WITH STEEL SHOWING. THE 3 BLOWOUTS OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, BUT LUCKILY NO ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES, JUST HIGH HEARTBEATS. I STILL HAVE 2 OF THE TIRES IN MY POSSESSION. WHAT OPTIONS IF ANY DO I HAVE IN THIS SITUATION? THANKS FOR ANY INFO. JSC. *NLM

Mileage: 11,000

20030102FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM

GAS GAUGE IS DEFECTIVE IT IS NOT READING PROPERLY. *TS

Mileage: 7,048

20010820TIRES:TREAD/BELT

COMPLETE TIRE SIZE 31X10.50R15LT. FRONT TIRE TREAD SEPARATED WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE PULLING A TRAILOR. NEARLY FLIPPED THE VEHICLE OVER TRYING TO STOP.*AK (DOT NUMBER: VD60AT4435 TIRESIZE: 31X10.50R1)

20000825TIRES

FIRESTONE STATED THAT PROBLEM WAS UNIQUE, HAD NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE AND THAT THERE WAS NO WARRANTY ON TIRE. THEY PAID ME $100 REPLACEMENT COST. *AK( DOT NUMBER: VO66 ATX 4 )

20000815TIRES:TREAD/BELT

PE00 020; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 70MPH ON HIGHWAY AND THERE WAS NOISE. REAR RIGHT TIRE TREAD SEPARATED, AND WAS SLAPPING UP AGAINST TIRE. FIRESTONE #ATX TIRES, SIZE 31X10R15 . THERE WERE NO INJURIES. *AK

20000731FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE CUT OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, COMING TO A DEAD STOP DUE TO FUEL PUMP MALFUNCTIONING. ALSO, THIS WAS THE SECOND FUEL PUMP REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

20000725ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

EXAUST MANIFOLD ) IN THIS VEHICLE AS WELL AS THE MAXIMA AND PATHFINDER HAVE BEEN REDESIGNED. HOWEVER , THE PROBLEM WITH EARLIER YEAR VEHICLES HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED. I KNOW OF 6 OTHER OWNERS THAT HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM. I WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT THE REPLACEMENT BOLTS WERE MUCH STRONGER. THEY LASTED 10,000 MILES. THIS IS A WELL CARED FOR VEHICLE IN LIKE NEW CONDITION. PHOTOS OF THE REPLACEMENT OF THE MANIFOLD BOLTS AT THE DEALERSHIP ARE AVAILABLE AND CAN BE PROVIDED IN PDF FORMAT FOR YOUR VIEWING. A RANDOM CHECK OF ANY DEALERSHIP RECORDS WILL ADDITIONALLY HELP IDENTIFY THIS PROBLEM WITH THESE MODELS. I WAS REMOVED FROM THIS VEHICLE IN THE WINTER OF 99 BY A TRUCKER AFTER STOPPING AND SLEEPING IN THIS VEHICLE AT A REST STOP ON RETURN FROM A SKI TRIP. THESE VEHICLES SHOULD BE RECALLED. PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REQUIRED. *AK

20000201ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

TIMING BELT SLACK ADJUSTER PIVOT BOLT BACKED OUT HITTING THE GUIDE WHEN CAUSED THE TIMING CHAIN TO BREAK ALSO CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE VALVE AND VALVE PLATE. *MJS

19991109CrashSTEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)

WHILE DRIVING STEERING GEAR SNAPPED, CAUSING NO STEERING ABILITY AT ALL WHICH RESULTED IN A CRASH. DEALER WILL REPLACED THE STEERING GEAR BOX. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

Compare 1993NISSAND21 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 5 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1993 NISSAN D21 have?
The 1993 NISSAN D21 has 49 NHTSA complaints, 4 crashes, 6 fires, 4 injuries, and 1 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1993 NISSAN D21?
The most-complained component for the 1993 NISSAN D21 is TIRES:TREAD/BELT with 4 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE.
Is the 1993 NISSAN D21 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.