The most-reported Stanza run is JN1FU21P9LT (1990 builds) with 5 complaints, 3.8× the typical run. Fuel system problems make up 34% of reports; 1990 is the worst model year at 1.7 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for Stanza model years 1982–1992.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Nissan Stanza has 89 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 15% of every Stanza complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JN1FU21P9LT•••••• | 1990 | 1 | 1 | |
| JN1FU21P4LT•••••• | 1990 | — | — | |
| JN1FU21P6LT•••••• | 1990 | — | 1 | |
| JN1FU21P9MX•••••• | 1991 | — | — | |
| JN1FU21P3MT•••••• | 1991 | — | — | |
| JN1HT21S1KT•••••• | 1989 | — | 1 | |
| JN1FU21P2LT•••••• | 1990 | — | — | |
| JN1FU21P6MT•••••• | 1991 | — | — | |
| JN1FU21PXMT•••••• | 1991 | — | 1 | |
| JN8HM05Y6GX•••••• | 1986 | — | 1 | |
| JN1FU21P3LT•••••• | 1990 | — | — | |
| JN1FU21P1MT•••••• | 1991 | — | — |
Each of the other 77 Stanza runs has 2 complaints or fewer.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Nissan Stanza the gap between build years is 1.7×: a 1990 car draws 1.7 complaints per run, a 1985 one 1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 24 | 17 | 2 | |
| 1991 | 26 | 18 | — | |
| 1990 | 26 | 15 | 1 | |
| 1989 | 7 | 5 | 1 | |
| 1988 | 4 | 4 | — | |
| 1987 | 16 | 16 | 4 | |
| 1986 | 9 | 8 | 1 | |
| 1985 | 4 | 4 | — |
Heaviest year here is 1990 at 1.7 complaints per run; lightest is 1985 at 1.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 34% of everything Nissan Stanza owners report: Fuel System, 56 of 118 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel System | — | 9 | |
| Gasoline | — | 9 | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | — | 3 | |
| Power Train | 1 | — | |
| Seat Belts | 3 | — | |
| Steering | 1 | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 | — | |
| Structure | 1 | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 4 recall campaigns on the Nissan Stanza; the 4 below cover build years 1982 to 1992. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 95V244000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap | 1990–1992 |
| 90V072000 | Equipment:other:labels | 1986–1988 |
| 86V101000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap | 1986 |
| 82V035000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals And Linkages | 1982 |
95V244000 was opened in 1995 on cars built from 1990: 5 years on the road before the recall.
The Stanza against its rivals
The Stanza draws 1.3 complaints per production run; the Toyota Cressida 1. That is the highest rate of the 2.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Stanza | 118 | 89 | 7.6% | |
| Toyota Cressida | 23 | 22 | 21.7% |
How serious were they
Of the 118 reports on the Nissan Stanza, 7.6% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Nissan Stanza | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 118 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 9 (7.6%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 14 (11.9%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 13 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 31% above the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Nissan Stanza share of that is 118 complaints over 89 runs, 0.01% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Nissan Stanza VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 118 NHTSA complaints from 89 Stanza runs and 4 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Stanza production run has the most complaints?
JN1FU21P9LT, a 1990 build, with 5 complaints, 1 of them after a crash. The typical Stanza run has 1.3.
Which Stanza years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 1990 is heaviest at 1.7 complaints per run and 1985 lightest at 1.
Does the Stanza get more complaints than the Toyota Cressida?
Yes: 1.3 complaints per production run for the Stanza against 1 for the Toyota Cressida.
How many Stanza complaints involve a crash?
7.6% of 118 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 14 involved a fire.
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