1987 Nissan VAN problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
7 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
1,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1987 model year. Data updated: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 7 complaints (28.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2 |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Hoses/Lines/Piping/Fittings | 1 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 1 |
| Steering:Column Locking:Anti-Theft Device | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 2; Electrical System:Wiring: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Hoses/Lines/Piping/Fittings: 1; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 1; Steering:Column Locking:Anti-Theft Device: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 6 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 1 |
| 1996 | 1 |
| 1997 | 2 |
| 1998 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
1995: 1; 1996: 1; 1997: 2; 1998: 1; 2002: 1; 2003: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System leads the component reports. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
7 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1994 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 228.6%ODI 816282CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS UNDER A RECALL . HE HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL IN 94. HE STATES THAT THE VEHICLE IS EXPERICNING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS HE WAS HAVING BEFORE THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED.THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. *AK | 120.0%ODI 832586WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE WILL CUT OFF. ALSO, WHEN THE CONSUMER STARTS THE VEHICLE/ BACKS OUT, VEHICLE WILL CUT BACK OFF. CONSUMER STATES THERE IS A BUCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE BY THE ENGINE. *AK | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 228.6%ODI 568339INADEQUATE HEAT RESISTANCE OF THE COOLING SYSTEM DESIGN CAUSED HOSES AND HEAD GASKET DETERIORATED, LOSS OF COOLANT TO HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD IGNITED AND CAUSED SMOKE AND FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND LEAKED INTO THE PASSENGER CABIN AT THE COOLANT RESERVOIR COMPARTMENT. *TT | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Hoses/Lines/Piping/Fittings | 114.3%ODI 807584RECALL RELATED, 94V031000, ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM FAILURE, NEVER RECEIVED THE NOTICE, IN FOR REPAIR, WILL NOT ACCEPT THE VEHICLE AS A TRADE IN. *AK | 120.0% | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 114.3%ODI 801971STANDESER NISSAN 93V0261. AFTER INSTALLATION OF ALARM SYSTEM VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND A SHORT DEVELOPED IN THE WIRE.*AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 120.0% | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 120.0%ODI 10280363 · 95,000 miTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 NISSAN VAN. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE MANUAL DOOR LOCK FAILED TO DISENGAGE WHILE LOCKED. THE DOOR WOULD ONLY UNLOCK MANUALLY FROM THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER NO LONGER PRODUCES THE LOCK MECHANISM FOR REPLACEMENT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 95,000. UPDATED 09/14/09. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE LATCH/LOCK IS NOW WORKING PROPERLY. UPDATED 09/16/09.*JB | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 120.0% | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 114.3% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | Too few reports for a range | 1,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 8022793 · 1,000 miTHE HOSES AND HEAD GASKET DETERIORATED RESULTING IN COOLANT LEAK. THE COOLANT LEAKED ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND CAUSED A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND SMOKE IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE MANUFACTURER HAS ISSUED FOUR RECALL FOR THE PROBLEM AND ALTHOUGH THE CORRECTIONS WERE MADE THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST ( RECALLS 91V-211, 90V-136, 95V-103.002). *TS *NLM |
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
1990: 0 complaints · 1994: 1 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1994 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1994 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | Electrical System:Wiring | Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Hoses/Lines/Piping/Fittings | Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | Steering:Column Locking:Anti-Theft Device |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 1ODI 801971STANDESER NISSAN 93V0261. AFTER INSTALLATION OF ALARM SYSTEM VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND A SHORT DEVELOPED IN THE WIRE.*AK |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Hoses/Lines/Piping/Fittings | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| Steering:Column Locking:Anti-Theft Device | 0 | 0 | 1ODI 801971STANDESER NISSAN 93V0261. AFTER INSTALLATION OF ALARM SYSTEM VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND A SHORT DEVELOPED IN THE WIRE.*AK | 0 | 0 | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.