U.S. public vehicle records

1997 Nissan D21: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

57 owner complaints analyzed

0 distinct recall campaigns

68,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1997 model year. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 7 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Air Bags:Frontal is the most frequently named component, appearing in 18 of 57 complaints (31.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Braking behavior	5	8.8%
Electrical and battery issues	2	3.5%
Transmission and shifting	1	1.8%
Steering behavior	1	1.8%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Air Bags:Frontal

Suspension:Front

Tires

Vehicle Speed Control

Air Bags

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine

Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System

Power Train:Clutch Assembly

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Air Bags:Frontal	18
Suspension:Front	3
Tires	3
Vehicle Speed Control	3
Air Bags	2
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	2
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System	2
Power Train:Clutch Assembly	2

Air Bags:Frontal: 18; Suspension:Front: 3; Tires: 3; Vehicle Speed Control: 3; Air Bags: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 2; Power Train:Clutch Assembly: 2

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 1

25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 50 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.

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2005

2006

2007

2008

2012

1997: 7; 1998: 3; 1999: 13; 2000: 11; 2001: 7; 2002: 5; 2003: 4; 2005: 1; 2006: 2; 2007: 1; 2008: 2; 2012: 1

Pattern summary

Air Bags:Frontal leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. 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.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10001594 · 2002-12-27 (December 27, 2002)

DURING A COLLISION AND WITHOUT WARNING DRIVER'S SEAT FULLY RECLINED BACKWARD CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS....*AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001594 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10003585 · 2003-01-28 (January 28, 2003)

I HAVE A 1997 NISSAN PU TRUCK AND HAVE BEEN HAVING A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE TIMING CHAIN ASSEMBLY. I HAVE HAD 2 TIMING CHAINS REPLACED AND BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AT LEAST 8 TIMES CONCERING THIS PROBLEM. THE MANAGER OF THE NISSAN REPAIR DEPARTMENT IN MISSOULA FINALLY TOULD ME THAT EVERY 1997 NISSAN PU THAT HE HAD EVER SEEN HAS THE SAME PROBLEM BUT HE DID NOT INFORM ME OF A RECALL OF THE TRUCK. HE TOULD ME THAT THE ENGINE DESIGN DOES NOT PROVIDE SUFFICIENT OIL PRESSURE TO THE TIMING CHAIN ASSEMBLY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS FIRST STARTED. T…

Owner-reported narrative. 41,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003585 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10008685 · 2003-03-04 (March 4, 2003)

THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED AND BOTH FRONT SEATS BROKE AND TWISTED TOWARDS RESULTING IN INJURIES TO THE OCCUPANTS. *AK *NLM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10008685 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10037860 · 2003-08-28 (August 28, 2003)

WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10037860 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10043580 · 2003-10-26 (October 26, 2003)

CLUTCH, SEAT BELTS, NOISE IN STEERING WHEEL, THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR, HORN, SPARK PLUGS AND DISTRIBUTOR. *LA

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10043580 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10124210 · 2005-06-04 (June 4, 2005)

BATTERY KEEP'S GOING DEAD OVER AND OVER! I PUT A NEW ONE IN AND IT HAPPEN ALL OVER. I HAD TO HAVE THE ALTERNATOR FIXED ABOUT 3 TIMES. THE 4TH TIME I GOT A NEW ONE AND NEW BATTERY AND THE BATTERY IS THE SAME. I WILL DRIVE AND IT RUNS THE BATTERY DOWN. I CAN NOT FIND ANY RECALLS FOR THIS.

Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10124210 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10148288 · 2006-01-22 (January 22, 2006)

I HAVE A 1997 NISSAN PICKUP TRUCK THAT HAS A DANGEROUS HESITATION PROBLEM. WHENEVER I DRIVE THE TRUCK UP ANY HILLS OR ENCOUNTER STRONG HEAD WINDS, THE TRUCK'S ENGINE LOOSES POWER AND SPEED. CONSEQUENTLY, I HAVE ALMOST BEEN REAR-ENDED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. IN 2005 I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED NISSAN DEALER. UNFORTUNATELY, I WAS CHARGED $450.00 TO REPLACE A PART THAT WAS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THAT THE SERVICE PERSONNEL DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING THE MALFUNCTION. AFTER COMPLAINING TO THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE P…

Owner-reported narrative. 37,046 miles reported. Look up ODI 10148288 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10158713 · 2006-05-31 (May 31, 2006)

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 ALTERNATOR PART NUMBER IS 23001-0S300. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALERSHIP.

Owner-reported narrative. 68,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10158713 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

57 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

12.3%Usable mileage7 / 57 records

77.2%Valid incident date44 / 57 records

100.0%Valid filing date57 / 57 records

77.2%Ordered incident and filing dates44 / 57 records

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.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997
Structure:Frame And Members	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	13.2% ODI 10259128 THE FRAME ON MY 1991 NISSAN PICKUP TRUCK RUST OUT ON BOTH SIDES AND ALMOST SNAP CLEAN THROUGH. ITS BEING HELD TOGETHER BY A FEW INCH OF STEEL ON FRAME. *TR Look up ODI 10259128 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	37.0% ODI 10261888 · 190,000 mi 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 Look up ODI 10261888 at NHTSA ↗	1320.0% ODI 10073012 BADLY RUSTED FRAME. *AK Look up ODI 10073012 at NHTSA ↗	1814.0% ODI 10242373 · 78,000 mi I BOUGHT A 95, 4X4 NISSAN PICKUP IN 2006. I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALER, ARMORY NISSAN IN ALBANY, NEW YORK FOR A DIAGNOSTIC WORKUP. THEY SAID EVERYTHING WAS ALRIGHT, SO I BOUGHT IT. 2 YEARS LATER, WITH ONLY 70 SOME ODD THOUSAND MILES ON IT, I CANNOT GET THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BECAUSE THE FRAME IS SO RUSTED OUT IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. ( I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL NEIGHBORHOOD GARAGE) I CALLED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND MY STATEMENT WAS TAKEN. THEY TOLD ME TO GO TO THE NEAREST NISSAN DEALER AND GET A DIAGNOSTIC AND SEND THE REPORT TO … Look up ODI 10242373 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	11.8% ODI 860990 CONSUMER FOUND A FRAME CRACKED ON DRIVER'S SIDE WHICH WAS BREAKING FAST. DUE TO MATERIAL AND FAULTY WORKMANSHIP. AK ML Look up ODI 860990 at NHTSA ↗
Air Bags:Frontal	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	13.2% ODI 10101507 · 135,000 mi THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION WHERE THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A GARAGE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB Look up ODI 10101507 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	10.8% ODI 986083 CONSUMER WAS IN AN HEAD-ON COLLISION, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY, RESULTING IN AN INJURY. *AK Look up ODI 986083 at NHTSA ↗	715.9% ODI 10024078 · 110,000 mi WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. AK TS *JB Look up ODI 10024078 at NHTSA ↗	1831.6% ODI 718916 FEEL AUTO COMPANY RESPONSIBLE FOR EYE INJURY SUSTAINED, AIRBAG FAILURE. *AK Look up ODI 718916 at NHTSA ↗
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 965809 DRIVER'S LAP BUCKLE HAS HAIRLINE CRACK ON PUSH BUTTON RELEASE. TT Look up ODI 965809 at NHTSA ↗	250.0% ODI 979126 PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE, DEALER MADE REPAIRS ON VEHICLE BUT THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE. TT Look up ODI 979126 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	619.4% ODI 801153 CONSUMER STATES THAT SEAT BELT BUCKLE DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY AFTER RECALL REPAIRS (95V-103.002). *AK Look up ODI 801153 at NHTSA ↗	318.8% ODI 828732 THE DRIVER'S SIDE SHOULDER SEAT BELT POPPED LOOSE WHILE THE DRIVER STRETCHED AT A STOP LIGHT, BELT DOES NOT LOCK TIGHTLY, DEALER CONTACTED, AND IS NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. NO WARRANTY AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK Look up ODI 828732 at NHTSA ↗	24.7% ODI 515377 SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILS TO STAY CLOSED. Look up ODI 515377 at NHTSA ↗	23.1% ODI 806037 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 NOTICE.JB Look up ODI 806037 at NHTSA ↗	21.6% ODI 965822 WK, [phone removed], DRIVING VEHICLE AT A SPEED 45MPH , LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE IMPACT 11:00 POSITION, HITTING TRAILER, DRIVER SIDE LAP/SHOULDER BELT UNLATCHED. Look up ODI 965822 at NHTSA ↗	12.3% ODI 757388 FEMALE END OF SEATBELT CABLE HAS BROKEN. NO UNUSUAL STRESS OR ACCIDENT JUST GOT IN AND FOUND THAT FEMALE CONNECTOR WAS ONLY HELD ON BY 2 ELECTRICAL CABLES. *AK Look up ODI 757388 at NHTSA ↗	11.8% ODI 767985 FRONTAL CRASH WITH LIVESTOCK - AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. ALSO THE PASSENGER SEATBELT DID NOT LOCK INTO PLACE PREVENTING PASSENGER FROM GOING FORWARD INTO DASH AND WINDSHIELD. TS Look up ODI 767985 at NHTSA ↗
Tires	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	13.2% ODI 10926419 AROUND FIVE YEARS AGO, WE BOUGHT 4 NEW DOUGLAS ULTRA TRAC 2 TIRES FROM THE LOCAL WALMART. THE TRUCK WAS RETIRED FROM HIGHWAY USE SHORTLY AFTER AND THE TIRES HAVE LESS THAN A THOUSAND MILES USE ON THEM. THE TRUCK HAS BEEN IN LIGHT USE AROUND THE HOUSE TO MOVE MATERIALS AFTER, AND SEEN LESS THAN ONE HUNDRED MILES USE. SILVER CITY NEW MEXICO IS A RURAL AREA WITH NO SMOG AT AROUND 6 THOUSAND FEET. I HEARD A NOISE IN THE YARD, WENT TO INVESTIGATE AND FOUND THAT A REAR TIRE HAD BLOWN OUT ON THE INSIDE REAR. THE FAILURE HAD COME FROM THE BEAD OF THE T… Look up ODI 10926419 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	37.0% ODI 10291623 · 122,000 mi 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. Look up ODI 10291623 at NHTSA ↗	46.2% ODI 10006145 CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT FIRESTONE TIRE ATX WILDERNESS. 30X95R15LT DOT. WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT 40MPH IT HAD HEAVY VIBRATION. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. CONSUMER STATED THIS TIRE WAS DEFECTIVE FROM MANUFACTURER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. AKINFORMATION.AK *TR Look up ODI 10006145 at NHTSA ↗	53.9% ODI 600473 FIRESTONE TIRE FAILURE. *AW Look up ODI 600473 at NHTSA ↗	49.1% ODI 10009345 · 66,400 mi FIRESTONE SAID 6 YEAR OLD TIRE NOT COVERED IN RECALL. HAD GOOD TREAD AND NOT LOW ON AIR PRESSURE. BLEW OUT SIDEWALLS AND BELTS WITHOUT ANY WARNING THAT TIRES WERE LOSING AIR. TS NLM *DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12-12-02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS*762204 Look up ODI 10009345 at NHTSA ↗	35.3% ODI 10217419 RECEIVED NOTICE FROM GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY THAT CERTAIN P215/70R14 DOUGLAS ETRA-TRAC A/W IT PRODUCED HAVE EXPERIENCED ADVERSE SERVICE CONDITIONS THAT HAVE LED TO TREAD AREA SEPARATION. IN THERE LETTER I WAS DIRECTED TO GO TO THE NEAREST WAL-MART RETAIL OUTLET TO SEE IF I QUALIFIED FOR THE FREE REPLACEMENT. I QUALIFIED. MY VEHICLE WAS PULLED INTO THE BAY, THE TIRES WERE REPLACE, AND I WAS THEN PRESENTED WITH A BILL OF $118.00 FOR THE NEW TIRES. IT WAS THEN THAT THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY PRORATE THE OLD TIRES AND GAVE ME A SMALL DISCOUNT FO… Look up ODI 10217419 at NHTSA ↗
Tires:Tread/Belt	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	13.2% ODI 731082 I CHECKED AND NO DOT#'S WERE ON TIRE STARTING WITH DOT, FIRST SET TIRES TREAD BLEW OFF BACK TIRES, NOW SECOND SET IS STARTING TO SEPARATE, CONTACTED DEALER AND TIRE MANUFACTURER BOTH BASICALLY TOLD ME TO BAD!*AK( DOT NUMBER: NOT ONTIRE TIRE SIZE: 30/9.5/15 ) Look up ODI 731082 at NHTSA ↗	318.8% ODI 731207 EXPERIENCED BELT SEPARATION ON ALL FOUR TIRES - SAME PROBLEM AS RECALLED TIRES. THIS MODEL NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AND ADDED TO RECALL LIST. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P195/75R14 ) Look up ODI 731207 at NHTSA ↗	49.3% ODI 10023288 · 11,000 mi 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 Look up ODI 10023288 at NHTSA ↗	57.7% ODI 557748 THE 2 FRONT FIRESTONE (P195/75R14) TIRES EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPLACEMENT TIRES. *SLC Look up ODI 557748 at NHTSA ↗	32.3% ODI 561830 CONSUMER STATES TIRES WERE LOOSING AIR AND WAS HAVING TO ADD AIR TO TIRES AT LEAST TWICE A WEEK, CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE IN TO MECHANIC TO HAVE TIRES REPLACED AND INQUIRED TO MECHANIC IF THERE WERE ANY SIGNS OF TREAD SEPARATION, IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT ONE OF THE FIRESTONE (FR486) TIRES WERE SEPARATING.*JB Look up ODI 561830 at NHTSA ↗	12.3% ODI 895510 FIRESTONE, FR480, P215/70R14, DOT UNKNOWN, REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT, MILEAGE UNKNOWN ON A 1996, NISSAN KING CAB WITH 55000 MILES. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH PASSENGER'S REAR TIRE HAD TREAD SEPARATION. NO ACCIDENT.AK DOT NUMBER W2HYFRN226. SLC Look up ODI 895510 at NHTSA ↗	11.8% ODI 868274 PE00020; FIRESTONE ATX TIRE TREAD SEPARATION: WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH, TREAD ON REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE CAME OFF. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO CONTROL VEHICLE, AND WAS NOT INJURED. TIRE SIZE P23575R14, ORIGINAL TIRE EQUIPMENT ON A 1997, NISSAN, PICKUP TRUCK. TIRE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. FIRESTONE WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE TIRE. FIRESTONE CLAIMED NO RESPONSIBILITY. OWNER REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES WITH TIRES MADE BY COOPER. AK THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE DUE TO TREAD SEPARATION. SLC Look up ODI 868274 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	37.0% ODI 503977 ENGINE NOISE. *SD Look up ODI 503977 at NHTSA ↗	11.5% ODI 858183 TIMING BELT GUIDE WENT BAD, EATING UP THE TIMING BELT COVER, AND CAUSING OIL LEAKAGE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED, AND IS OFFERING NO HELP. AK ML Look up ODI 858183 at NHTSA ↗	75.4% ODI 10141592 · 66,009 mi DT:THE CONTACT STATED THE LIFTER VALVE WAS MAKING A TAPPING NOISE IN THE ENGINE. THE NOISE WAS HEARD WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT EXPERIENCED ANY ENGINE FAILURE AT THIS TIME. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP OR REPAIRED.*AK Look up ODI 10141592 at NHTSA ↗	12.3% ODI 830253 THERE WAS KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE, AND DEALER PUT NEW BEARINGS IN THE ENGINE. *AK Look up ODI 830253 at NHTSA ↗	23.5% ODI 10003585 · 41,000 mi I HAVE A 1997 NISSAN PU TRUCK AND HAVE BEEN HAVING A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE TIMING CHAIN ASSEMBLY. I HAVE HAD 2 TIMING CHAINS REPLACED AND BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AT LEAST 8 TIMES CONCERING THIS PROBLEM. THE MANAGER OF THE NISSAN REPAIR DEPARTMENT IN MISSOULA FINALLY TOULD ME THAT EVERY 1997 NISSAN PU THAT HE HAD EVER SEEN HAS THE SAME PROBLEM BUT HE DID NOT INFORM ME OF A RECALL OF THE TRUCK. HE TOULD ME THAT THE ENGINE DESIGN DOES NOT PROVIDE SUFFICIENT OIL PRESSURE TO THE TIMING CHAIN ASSEMBLY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS FIRST STARTED. T… Look up ODI 10003585 at NHTSA ↗
Suspension:Front	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	12.3% ODI 958265 ADNORMAL WEAR OF TIRES IN THE FRONT OF VEHICLE. TT Look up ODI 958265 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	43.1% ODI 514245 VEHICLE MISALIGNED/POOR STABILITY. Look up ODI 514245 at NHTSA ↗	613.6% ODI 537970 FRONT END MISALIGNED, CAUSING TIRE WEAR. Look up ODI 537970 at NHTSA ↗	35.3% ODI 700427 TRUCK VIBRATES AT SPEEDS OF 50MPH TO 80MPH FOR NO APPARENT REASON. Look up ODI 700427 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	24.7% ODI 817646 WHEN THE EMERGENCY IS HITCHED UP TO BE IN OPERATION THE REGULAR BRAKES AR INOPERABLE, CAUSING THE FRONT DRIVER'S WHEEL TO LOCK UP. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK Look up ODI 817646 at NHTSA ↗	11.5% ODI 977380 FAILURE OF THE ABS BRAKE. TT Look up ODI 977380 at NHTSA ↗	75.4% ODI 10129673 · 176,000 mi DT: CALLER COMPLAINED ABOUT BRAKE FAILURE. WHILE DRIVING CALLER TRIED TO STOP VEHICLE AND HE HEARD A POP AS HE HIT THE BRAKE.WHEN HITTING THE BRAKE IT WENT TO THE FLOOR. CALLER DOWN SHIFTED AND PULLED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET.*AK Look up ODI 10129673 at NHTSA ↗	12.3% ODI 859348 WHILE DRIVING AND APPLIED THE BRAKES HEARD NOISE COMING FROM BRAKES, SOUNDED LIKE GRINDING METAL TO METAL. ALSO, VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *AK Look up ODI 859348 at NHTSA ↗	23.5% ODI 827963 VEHICLE LOCKS UP AND TURNS SIDEWAYS IN EMERGENCY BRAKING SITUATIONS, EVEN ON DRY PAVEMENT. DEALERSHIP SHOP PERSONNEL ADVISED THAT TO CHECK IT OUT. CONSUMER HAD TO PAY. TRUCK STILL UNDER WARRANTY. WAS ADVISED ABS ONLY ON THE REAR WHEELS. DOES NOT SEEM SAFE BASED ON PERSONAL EXPERIENCES, BEING THROWN VIOLENTLY SIDEWAYS. *AK Look up ODI 827963 at NHTSA ↗

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 failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	Too few reports for a range	41,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10003585 · 41,000 mi I HAVE A 1997 NISSAN PU TRUCK AND HAVE BEEN HAVING A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE TIMING CHAIN ASSEMBLY. I HAVE HAD 2 TIMING CHAINS REPLACED AND BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AT LEAST 8 TIMES CONCERING THIS PROBLEM. THE MANAGER OF THE NISSAN REPAIR DEPARTMENT IN MISSOULA FINALLY TOULD ME THAT EVERY 1997 NISSAN PU THAT HE HAD EVER SEEN HAS THE SAME PROBLEM BUT HE DID NOT INFORM ME OF A RECALL OF THE TRUCK. HE TOULD ME THAT THE ENGINE DESIGN DOES NOT PROVIDE SUFFICIENT OIL PRESSURE TO THE TIMING CHAIN ASSEMBLY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS FIRST STARTED. T… Look up ODI 10003585 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

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

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	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.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

1996: 19 complaints · 1997: 27 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
1996	13	15	19
1997	10	16	27

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
1996	38	5	1
1997	44	13	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 co-occurrence matrix
Component	Air Bags:Frontal	Suspension:Front	Tires	Vehicle Speed Control	Air Bags	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System	Power Train:Clutch Assembly
Air Bags:Frontal	—	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Suspension:Front	0	—	0	0	0	0	0	0
Tires	0	0	—	0	0	0	0	0
Vehicle Speed Control	0	0	0	—	0	1 ODI 10043580 CLUTCH, SEAT BELTS, NOISE IN STEERING WHEEL, THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR, HORN, SPARK PLUGS AND DISTRIBUTOR. *LA Look up ODI 10043580 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 739390 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 REPLACE IT, CLAIMING IT IS OK. A DIFFERENT NISSAN DEALER I HAD TO STOP AT WHILE ON A TRIP TOLD ME IT IS NOT OK, THAT IT IS PLUGGING UP. RESPONSE FROM REGAL NISSAN DEALER HAS BEEN "TOO BAD, IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY". Look up ODI 739390 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10043580 CLUTCH, SEAT BELTS, NOISE IN STEERING WHEEL, THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR, HORN, SPARK PLUGS AND DISTRIBUTOR. *LA Look up ODI 10043580 at NHTSA ↗
Air Bags	0	0	0	0	—	0	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	0	0	0	1 ODI 10043580 CLUTCH, SEAT BELTS, NOISE IN STEERING WHEEL, THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR, HORN, SPARK PLUGS AND DISTRIBUTOR. *LA Look up ODI 10043580 at NHTSA ↗	0	—	0	1 ODI 10043580 CLUTCH, SEAT BELTS, NOISE IN STEERING WHEEL, THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR, HORN, SPARK PLUGS AND DISTRIBUTOR. *LA Look up ODI 10043580 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System	0	0	0	1 ODI 739390 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 REPLACE IT, CLAIMING IT IS OK. A DIFFERENT NISSAN DEALER I HAD TO STOP AT WHILE ON A TRIP TOLD ME IT IS NOT OK, THAT IT IS PLUGGING UP. RESPONSE FROM REGAL NISSAN DEALER HAS BEEN "TOO BAD, IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY". Look up ODI 739390 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	—	0
Power Train:Clutch Assembly	0	0	0	1 ODI 10043580 CLUTCH, SEAT BELTS, NOISE IN STEERING WHEEL, THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR, HORN, SPARK PLUGS AND DISTRIBUTOR. *LA Look up ODI 10043580 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 10043580 CLUTCH, SEAT BELTS, NOISE IN STEERING WHEEL, THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR, HORN, SPARK PLUGS AND DISTRIBUTOR. *LA Look up ODI 10043580 at NHTSA ↗	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.

Search patterns

2 patterns with matching reports.

Brake response concerns

1 mentions · 1.8% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 849663

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. WILL BE TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER.

Look up ODI 849663 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

1 mentions · 1.8% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 809381

WHILE DRIVING HIT A TREE AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. ALSO THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ON AFTER THE ACCIDENT. *AK

Look up ODI 809381 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b