The Nissan Micra spans 1985–1991 with 0 recorded NHTSA recalls. It delivers up to 22 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
We're still compiling NHTSA safety, recall and owner-complaint data for the Nissan Micra — its ForCar Reliability Score will appear once that data is in.
Overview
The Nissan Micra is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 1985 to 1991 across multiple generations.
How to read a Nissan Micra VIN — every digit explained
Every Nissan Micra carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Nissan and the country it was built in (real Nissan codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this Micra.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- USA1N4 · 1N6 · 5BZ · 5N1
- Mexico3N1 · 3N6 · 3N8 · 3PC
- JapanJN1 · JN6 · JN8
- UKSJK
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your Micra, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Nissan Micra have?
The Nissan Micra has 0 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1985–1991. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
Best and worst years for the Nissan Micra
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint history for the Nissan Micra — best- and worst-year trends will appear here once that data is in.
What are the most common Nissan Micra problems?
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint data for the Nissan Micra — the most-reported problems will appear here once that data is in.
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Nissan Micra specifications & dimensions
The 1988–1991 Nissan Micra measures 149″ long on a 91″ wheelbase, with a curb weight near 1,565 lb. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Nissan Micra window sticker.
| Years | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988–1991 | 149″ | 61″ | 55″ | 91″ | 1,565 lb |
| 1985 | 149″ | 65″ | 55″ | 91″ | 1,488 lb |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Nissan Micra cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the Micra holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 78 cu ft of passenger volume and 17 cu ft of cargo. Seating capacity and legroom vary by trim.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Nissan Micra tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Nissan Micra get?
The Nissan Micra returns up to 22 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $3,500/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 1988 Nissan Micra (3L 6-cyl) gets 19 mpg combined and costs about $3,300/yr to fuel, emitting 468 g/mi CO₂ — about $5,500 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 Micra | 16 | 23 | $3,300 | 468 | — | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 1987 Micra | 16 | 24 | $3,300 | 468 | — | 3L 6-cyl |
The 1991 Nissan Micra (2.4L 4-cyl) gets 22 mpg combined and costs about $3,500/yr to fuel, emitting 404 g/mi CO₂ — about $6,500 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 Micra | 19 | 26 | $3,500 | 404 | — | 2.4L 4-cyl | |
| 1990 Micra | 18 | 23 | $3,100 | 444 | — | 2.4L 4-cyl | |
| 1989 Micra | 18 | 23 | $3,100 | 444 | — | 2.4L 4-cyl | |
| 1988 Micra | 19 | 26 | $2,850 | 404 | — | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 1987 Micra | 19 | 26 | $2,850 | 404 | — | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 1986 Micra | 19 | 26 | $2,850 | 404 | — | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 1985 Micra | 19 | 26 | $2,850 | 404 | — | 1.8L 4-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the Micra stacks up against the most fuel-efficient sedans, or calculate this Micra's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Nissan Micra have? Power & range
The Nissan Micra is offered with 2 powertrains — 3L 6-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V6 | 3.0L · 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | RWD | Regular |
| 4-cyl | 2.4L · 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | RWD | Premium |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a Nissan Micra cost to own?
A Nissan Micra tends to depreciate faster than average. A typical example keeps roughly 37% of its value after five years — losing about 63% to depreciation. Check what a used Micra is worth today or browse current used-market prices before you buy or sell. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 75% | $22,500 | −$7,500 |
| Year 2 | 63% | $18,900 | −$11,100 |
| Year 3 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 4 | 44% | $13,200 | −$16,800 |
| Year 5 | 37% | $11,100 | −$18,900 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this Micra loses about 63% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $17,500 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the Micra ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
Is the Nissan Micra safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the Micra yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
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How many miles does a Nissan Micra last?
A well-maintained Nissan Micra typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain.
Check your Nissan Micra’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this Micra’s VIN free →All Nissan Micra model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Nissan Micra — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 Micra | 0 | — | |
| 1990 Micra | 0 | — | |
| 1989 Micra | 0 | — | |
| 1988 Micra | 0 | — | |
| 1987 Micra | 0 | — | |
| 1986 Micra | 0 | — | |
| 1985 Micra | 0 | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the Micra?
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint history for the Nissan Micra.
How many recalls does the Micra have?
0 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1985–1991. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all Nissan recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the Micra get?
Up to 22 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a Micra last?
A well-maintained Micra typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the Micra reliable?
We're still compiling NHTSA data for the Nissan Micra — its ForCar Reliability Score will appear once that data is in.
What's the Nissan Micra warranty?
New Nissan models carry a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Nissan dealer.
Where is the Nissan Micra made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your Micra's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Nissan may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much does a Micra weigh?
The Micra's curb weight is around 1,565 lb. Its GVWR — the maximum loaded weight — decodes from the VIN.
How much ground clearance does the Micra have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.