SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

1986 Nissan Stanza

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
16Owner complaints

Model-year median: 6

2Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
1
19832
19846
198516
198621
19876
198810
1989
Compare all Stanza years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Fuel System, Gasoline
4Seat Belts
3Electrical System
2Steering
2Engine And Engine Cooling
1
All reported categories
Equipment
1Latches/locks/linkages
1Power Train
1Structure
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 1 of 16 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seat Belts. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports5 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

16 reports
138,000 miles · Apr 1, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1986 NISSAN STANZA. AS THE CONTACT PARKED HER VEHICLE IN THE DRIVEWAY, SHE NOTICED SMOKE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, BUT DID NOT KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE BECAUSE THE ENGINE WAS TOTALLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND BADLY BURNED. THE NI…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1986 NISSAN STANZA. AS THE CONTACT PARKED HER VEHICLE IN THE DRIVEWAY, SHE NOTICED SMOKE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, BUT DID NOT KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE BECAUSE THE ENGINE WAS TOTALLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND BADLY BURNED. THE NISSAN MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOO OLD. FIVE YEARS AGO, THE CONTACT'S 1987 NISSAN STANZA WAGON CAUGHT FIRE IN THE SAME MANNER. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.

NHTSA ODI #10263881

Mileage unknown · Apr 28, 2004
Latches/locks/linkages

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OR IN MOTION DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE DOORS WOULD UNEXPECTEDLY OPEN ON THEIR OWN. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10071792

Mileage unknown · Nov 1, 2002
Equipment

VEHICLE FUEL GAUGE IS RECEIVING FALSE READING FROM THE SENDING UNIT WHILE DRIVING. CONDITION CAUSES VEHICLE TO STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. MR

NHTSA ODI #8022062

Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 2002
Fuel System, GasolineFire

INJECTOR FUEL LEAK CAUSED UNDER-HOOD FIRE AFTER VEHICLE WAS PARKED, TOTALLING VEHICLE. (SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPT. INCIDENT #18501). *AK

NHTSA ODI #765808

Mileage unknown · Jul 9, 2002
Electrical SystemFire

CONSUMER STARTED VEHICLE AND IT WOULD NOT START. CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE CAUSED TOTAL LOSS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8013537

Mileage unknown · Feb 6, 2002
Fuel System, GasolineFire

PIPES CONNECTED TO ENIGNE WHICH CARRY FUEL HAD LEAKED, AND THERE WAS A FIRE IN ENGINE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #8003646

Mileage unknown · May 24, 2001
Fuel System, Gasoline

ALL 4 FUEL INJECTORS ARE LEAKING FUEL. COULD CAUSE A FIRE HAZARD. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER AND MANUFACTURER; BUT, THEY REFUSED TO HELP CONSUMER. NISSAN REFERENCE NUMBER FOR COMPLAINT#3431540. *AK MANUFACTURERTOLD CONSUMER THAT FUEL INJECTORS USUALLY LEAK AND CONSUMER IS RESPONSIBILE FOR REPLACING THEM.*JB

NHTSA ODI #889101

Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 1996
Power TrainCrash

WHEN LEAVING A PARKING SPACE THE CAR SLIPPED INTO REVERSE AND ACCLERATED ON ITS ON AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP.AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.PLEASE DESCCRIBE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #987350

Mileage unknown · Jan 23, 1996
SteeringCrashInjury

POWER STEERING PROBLEMS. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

NHTSA ODI #978066

Mileage unknown · Jan 19, 1996
Seat Belts

RECALL ON SEAT BELTS IN CAR AND DEALER DOES NOT HAVE PARTS TO FIX. HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR AT LEAST A YEAR FOR LETTER TO BE SERVICED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT

NHTSA ODI #977875

Official recalls

2

90V072000 · Equipment:other:labels

Apr 17, 1990

INCORRECT TIRE INFLATION PRESSURES WERE PRINTED ON CERTIFICATION LABELS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: INCORRECT TIRE INFLATION COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy: INSTALL CORRECTED TIRE INFORMATION LABEL ON DOORPOST CERTIFICATION LABEL.

86V101000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap

Jul 29, 1986

IF A CERTAIN TYPE OF REAR END COLLISION OCCURS, THE EDGE OF A WELDED BRACKET ON THE FLOOR PANEL SUBFRAME MAY PIERCE THE FUEL FILLER PIPE. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: FUEL LEAKAGE WOULD OCCUR WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. VEHICLES WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 301.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Not supplied

Remedy: INSTALL A COVER OVER THE BRACKET.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.