NISSAN D21 · model year

1995 NISSAN D21

159 NHTSA complaints, 11 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1995NISSAND21 carries 159 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 11 crashes, 4 fires, 9 injuries, and 0 fatalities. 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 1995 D21 is structure:frame and members with 19 filings, followed by exterior lighting:tail lights (9) and engine and engine cooling:engine (7). 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 1995 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.

159
Complaints
11
Crashes
4
Fires
9
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

159 filings

Crashes Reported

11 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS19
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS9
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE7
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP7
TIRES6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE5
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS4
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY4
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD4
SUSPENSION:FRONT4
POWER TRAIN4
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS4
STRUCTURE4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE4

Recent Complaints

20180114STRUCTURE:BODY

THE ENTIRE FRAME OF THE 1995 NISSAN HARDBODY PICKUP IS RUSTING APART, THIS IS THE SECOND TRUCK OF THIS TYPE IVE OWNED AND HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. IT IS NO LONGER DEEMED SAFE BY MECHANICS TO MEET N.C.D.M.V. INSPECTION STANDARDS . THE PROBLEM IS FROM THE SAME AS THE NISSAN FRONTIER TRUCKS RECALLED, COIL ROLLED FRAME AND NO DRAINAGE FOR WATER, MUD, SALT ETC ON THE BOTTOM OF THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS X2 SINCE THIS IS THE SECOND NISSAN I HAVE OWNED. THANKS.

Mileage: 150,000

20180114SUSPENSION

THE ENTIRE FRAME OF THE 1995 NISSAN HARDBODY PICKUP IS RUSTING APART, THIS IS THE SECOND TRUCK OF THIS TYPE IVE OWNED AND HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. IT IS NO LONGER DEEMED SAFE BY MECHANICS TO MEET N.C.D.M.V. INSPECTION STANDARDS . THE PROBLEM IS FROM THE SAME AS THE NISSAN FRONTIER TRUCKS RECALLED, COIL ROLLED FRAME AND NO DRAINAGE FOR WATER, MUD, SALT ETC ON THE BOTTOM OF THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS X2 SINCE THIS IS THE SECOND NISSAN I HAVE OWNED. THANKS.

Mileage: 150,000

20120514STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 NISSAN PICKUP TRUCK. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR FRAME WAS CORRODED AND EXHIBITING HOLES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THE CORROSION FAILURE BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS NO LONGER COMFORTABLE OPERATING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 136,000. UPDATED 06/06/12 *BF

Mileage: 135,000

20120423STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

I BOUGHT A ONE OWNER LOW MILEAGE 63,000 MILES 1995 NISSAN KING CAB 4X4 TRUCK. I TOOK IT IN FOR A OIL CHANGE AND WAS REFUSED SERVICE DUE TO THE FRAME DEEMED UNSAFE TO SUPPORT THE VEHICLE WHILE RESTING ON THE VEHICLE LIFT. I HAVE DOCUMENTED WORK ORDERS FROM ZIEBART STATING WHEN NEW FROM THE DEALER UNDERCOATING WAS APPLIED AND YEARLY INSPECTED FOR THE DURATION OF THE IMPLIED WARRANTY (10 YRS). STILL THE FRAME IS 40% GONE. DOES NISSAN UNDERSTAND MY BLUE BOOK VALUED TRUCK OF $5,300.00 IS NOT ONLY WORTHLESS IT COULD KILL ME OR OTHERS WHEN THE FRAME DOES COLLAPSE UNDER NORMAL HIGHWAY USAGE. PLEASE NISSAN DO SOMETHING! *TR

Mileage: 65,000

20120423EQUIPMENT

I BOUGHT A ONE OWNER LOW MILEAGE 63,000 MILES 1995 NISSAN KING CAB 4X4 TRUCK. I TOOK IT IN FOR A OIL CHANGE AND WAS REFUSED SERVICE DUE TO THE FRAME DEEMED UNSAFE TO SUPPORT THE VEHICLE WHILE RESTING ON THE VEHICLE LIFT. I HAVE DOCUMENTED WORK ORDERS FROM ZIEBART STATING WHEN NEW FROM THE DEALER UNDERCOATING WAS APPLIED AND YEARLY INSPECTED FOR THE DURATION OF THE IMPLIED WARRANTY (10 YRS). STILL THE FRAME IS 40% GONE. DOES NISSAN UNDERSTAND MY BLUE BOOK VALUED TRUCK OF $5,300.00 IS NOT ONLY WORTHLESS IT COULD KILL ME OR OTHERS WHEN THE FRAME DOES COLLAPSE UNDER NORMAL HIGHWAY USAGE. PLEASE NISSAN DO SOMETHING! *TR

Mileage: 65,000

20120203STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN A ONE OWNER TRUCK. I HAVE CAREFULLY MAINTAINED AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO STOP A SERIOUS FRAME RUST PROBLEM. I HAVE CONTACTED MY LOCAL DEALER AND CORPORATE USA NISSAN. NISSAN HAS REFUSED TO ADDRESS MY REPEATED REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE WITH THIS MATTER. I CAN NOT BE CERTAIN AT WHAT POINT THE TRUCK BECOMES UNSAFE TO OPERATE. NISSAN NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE ASAP TO PREVENT ANY SAFETY PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE AS OTHER MANUFACTURES HAVE IN THE PAST. *KB

Mileage: 90,000

20110810STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 NISSAN PICKUP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING EXAMINED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHEN THE MECHANIC NOTICED SMALL HOLES THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE FRAME. THE MECHANIC PATCHED UP ALL THE HOLES, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION AFTER THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A FRAME SPECIALIST, WHO REPLATED THE FRAME WITH STEEL. THE VEHICLE AGAIN WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION BECAUSE THE CROSS MEMBER WAS CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT AGAIN REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

Mileage: 117,000

20110214STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

I SEE THAT YOU ARE INVESTIGATING THE FRAMES ON THE INFINITI QX AND NISSAN PATHFINDERS. THE NISSAN HARDBODY TRUCKS ALSO SUFFER THE SAME FRAME PROBLEMS AS THE AFOREMENTIONED VEHICLES. HERE IS A LINK THAT WILL SHOW YOU THAT FRAME FAILURE IS ALSO COMMON IN THE HARDBODY TRUCKS. HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/REVIEWS/NISSAN/PATHFINDER/R78984/COMMENTS/PAGE-13/ THERE ARE MANY HARDBODY OWNERS ON THERE ASKING FOR A REMEDY AS WELL. MY FRAME ON MY 95 IS RUSTED AND CRACKING AS WELL RIGHT BEHIND THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SUSPENSION. ITS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THE FRAME GIVES WAY AND CAUSES A CRASH ON MY TRUCK AND SEVERAL OTHERS. NISSAN MOTOR CORP NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND GET THESE TRUCKS OFF THE ROADS. *TR

Mileage: 181,000

20110212STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

FRAME OF THE TRUCK IS RUSTED OUT VERY BADLY. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE, VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. NO NOTIFICATIONS OF THE COMMON DEFECT. OTHER OWNERS AND DRIVERS OF THE VEHICLES OF SAME MAKE AND MODEL NEEDS TO MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. ALSO, THESE TRUCKS SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR

20101221STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

SEVERE FRAME RUST WHICH WEAKENS THE STRUCTURE. REQUIRED WELDING SEVERAL PIECES OF STEEL PLATE TO THE FRAME TO STRENGTHEN THE RUSTED AREAS. THE PROBLEM CONTINUES AT OTHER AREAS OF THE FRAME AS CHUNKS OF RUSTED METAL CONTINUE TO SEPARATE FROM THE INSIDE OF THE FRAME RAILS. *TR

Mileage: 148,000

20100811STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

FRAME IS ALL ROTTED OUT AND IS BREAKING IN HALF. *TR

Mileage: 121,678

20091019STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 NISSAN PICKUP. THE ENTIRE SUB-FRAME OF THE VEHICLE HAD CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER REFERRED HER TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INFORMED THE MANUFACTURER THAT SINCE THE SUB-FRAME FAILED, THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER IN A DRIVABLE CONDITION. THE MANUFACTURER CONCLUDED THAT BECAUSE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED SHE WAS INELIGIBLE FOR A FREE REMEDY. TWO YEARS AGO THE FUEL TANK STARTED TO SPILL GAS ONTO THE GROUND. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL TANK AS A FREE REMEDY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 . THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000. UPDATED 05/12/10

Mileage: 70,000

20091019FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 NISSAN PICKUP. THE ENTIRE SUB-FRAME OF THE VEHICLE HAD CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER REFERRED HER TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INFORMED THE MANUFACTURER THAT SINCE THE SUB-FRAME FAILED, THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER IN A DRIVABLE CONDITION. THE MANUFACTURER CONCLUDED THAT BECAUSE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED SHE WAS INELIGIBLE FOR A FREE REMEDY. TWO YEARS AGO THE FUEL TANK STARTED TO SPILL GAS ONTO THE GROUND. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL TANK AS A FREE REMEDY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 . THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000. UPDATED 05/12/10

Mileage: 70,000

20091007STRUCTURE

MY 1995 NISSAN PICKUP TRUCK WITH ONLY 28,000 MILES HAS SERIOUS FRAME RUST. TRUCK LOOKS BRAND NEW AND HAS BEEN METICULOUSLY CARED FOR BUT BODY SHOP AND MECHANIC HAVE SAID RUST IS TOO SEVERE TO REPAIR. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. *TR

Mileage: 28,000

20091002STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

THE ENTIRE UNDERCARRIAGE AND FRAME IS RUSTED OUT. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE GASOLINE LINES, THE BRAKE LINES AND THE POWER STEERING LINES. THE FRAME IS TOTALLY RUSTED OUT AND CAN NOT PASS INSPECTION. EVERY COMPONENT UNDER THE VEHICLE IS DANGEROUSLY RUSTED AND FRAIL. BOTH FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS ARE ALSO FALLING OFF. ALSO EVERYTHING IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE IS DISINTEGRATING. I HAVE CALLED NUMEROUS AGENCIES, INCLUDING NISSAN, BOTH DEALERSHIPS AND THEIR HEADQUARTERS, INQUIRING ABOUT RECALLS DUE TO THE RUSTED OUT FRAME ISSUES AND GET NOWHERE. THEY DENY ANY PROBLEM EXISTS. I UNDERSTAND THAT TOYOTA HAS ACKNOWLEDGED A SIMILAR ISSUE AND HAS TAKEN EXTREME ACTIONS TO BUY BACK OR REPAIR THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. *TR

Mileage: 120,000

20091002FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

THE ENTIRE UNDERCARRIAGE AND FRAME IS RUSTED OUT. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE GASOLINE LINES, THE BRAKE LINES AND THE POWER STEERING LINES. THE FRAME IS TOTALLY RUSTED OUT AND CAN NOT PASS INSPECTION. EVERY COMPONENT UNDER THE VEHICLE IS DANGEROUSLY RUSTED AND FRAIL. BOTH FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS ARE ALSO FALLING OFF. ALSO EVERYTHING IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE IS DISINTEGRATING. I HAVE CALLED NUMEROUS AGENCIES, INCLUDING NISSAN, BOTH DEALERSHIPS AND THEIR HEADQUARTERS, INQUIRING ABOUT RECALLS DUE TO THE RUSTED OUT FRAME ISSUES AND GET NOWHERE. THEY DENY ANY PROBLEM EXISTS. I UNDERSTAND THAT TOYOTA HAS ACKNOWLEDGED A SIMILAR ISSUE AND HAS TAKEN EXTREME ACTIONS TO BUY BACK OR REPAIR THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. *TR

Mileage: 120,000

20091002STRUCTURE:BODY

THE ENTIRE UNDERCARRIAGE AND FRAME IS RUSTED OUT. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE GASOLINE LINES, THE BRAKE LINES AND THE POWER STEERING LINES. THE FRAME IS TOTALLY RUSTED OUT AND CAN NOT PASS INSPECTION. EVERY COMPONENT UNDER THE VEHICLE IS DANGEROUSLY RUSTED AND FRAIL. BOTH FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS ARE ALSO FALLING OFF. ALSO EVERYTHING IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE IS DISINTEGRATING. I HAVE CALLED NUMEROUS AGENCIES, INCLUDING NISSAN, BOTH DEALERSHIPS AND THEIR HEADQUARTERS, INQUIRING ABOUT RECALLS DUE TO THE RUSTED OUT FRAME ISSUES AND GET NOWHERE. THEY DENY ANY PROBLEM EXISTS. I UNDERSTAND THAT TOYOTA HAS ACKNOWLEDGED A SIMILAR ISSUE AND HAS TAKEN EXTREME ACTIONS TO BUY BACK OR REPAIR THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. *TR

Mileage: 120,000

20091002SUSPENSION

THE ENTIRE UNDERCARRIAGE AND FRAME IS RUSTED OUT. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE GASOLINE LINES, THE BRAKE LINES AND THE POWER STEERING LINES. THE FRAME IS TOTALLY RUSTED OUT AND CAN NOT PASS INSPECTION. EVERY COMPONENT UNDER THE VEHICLE IS DANGEROUSLY RUSTED AND FRAIL. BOTH FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS ARE ALSO FALLING OFF. ALSO EVERYTHING IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE IS DISINTEGRATING. I HAVE CALLED NUMEROUS AGENCIES, INCLUDING NISSAN, BOTH DEALERSHIPS AND THEIR HEADQUARTERS, INQUIRING ABOUT RECALLS DUE TO THE RUSTED OUT FRAME ISSUES AND GET NOWHERE. THEY DENY ANY PROBLEM EXISTS. I UNDERSTAND THAT TOYOTA HAS ACKNOWLEDGED A SIMILAR ISSUE AND HAS TAKEN EXTREME ACTIONS TO BUY BACK OR REPAIR THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. *TR

Mileage: 120,000

20091002PARKING BRAKE

THE ENTIRE UNDERCARRIAGE AND FRAME IS RUSTED OUT. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE GASOLINE LINES, THE BRAKE LINES AND THE POWER STEERING LINES. THE FRAME IS TOTALLY RUSTED OUT AND CAN NOT PASS INSPECTION. EVERY COMPONENT UNDER THE VEHICLE IS DANGEROUSLY RUSTED AND FRAIL. BOTH FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS ARE ALSO FALLING OFF. ALSO EVERYTHING IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE IS DISINTEGRATING. I HAVE CALLED NUMEROUS AGENCIES, INCLUDING NISSAN, BOTH DEALERSHIPS AND THEIR HEADQUARTERS, INQUIRING ABOUT RECALLS DUE TO THE RUSTED OUT FRAME ISSUES AND GET NOWHERE. THEY DENY ANY PROBLEM EXISTS. I UNDERSTAND THAT TOYOTA HAS ACKNOWLEDGED A SIMILAR ISSUE AND HAS TAKEN EXTREME ACTIONS TO BUY BACK OR REPAIR THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. *TR

Mileage: 120,000

20090710STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

FRAME RUST ON A 1995 NISSAN TRUCK -- HAVE TRIED TO HAVE THE FRAME REPAIRED BUT RUST DAMAGE IS TOO MUCH. REPAIR SHOP SAID TRUCK IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

Compare 1995NISSAND21 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 5 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1995 NISSAN D21 have?
The 1995 NISSAN D21 has 159 NHTSA complaints, 11 crashes, 4 fires, 9 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1995 NISSAN D21?
The most-complained component for the 1995 NISSAN D21 is STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS with 19 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE.
Is the 1995 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.