INADEQUATE 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
1987 Nissan Van
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Van years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
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 7 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.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Seat Belts. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
7 reportsTHE 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-…
Read full complaint
THE 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
VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER RECALL FOR ENGINE IN 1994. WHILE DRIVING ENGINE OVERHEATED, CAUSING THE RADIATOR HOSE TO BURST. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
CONSUMER'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
RECALL RELATED, 94V031000, ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM FAILURE, NEVER RECEIVED THE NOTICE, IN FOR REPAIR, WILL NOT ACCEPT THE VEHICLE AS A TRADE IN. *AK
STANDESER NISSAN 93V0261. AFTER INSTALLATION OF ALARM SYSTEM VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND A SHORT DEVELOPED IN THE WIRE.*AK
PASSENGER SIDE SEATBELT DO NOT LATCH AT ALL. TT
Official recalls
695V103002 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
May 24, 1995
THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE.
94V031000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:hoses/lines/piping/fittings
Feb 25, 1994
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES AND OTHER THERMAL INCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED ON VEHICLES WHICH HAD RECEIVED ALL OF THE REMEDIES PROVIDED BY A PREVIOUS SAFETY-RELATED RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NO. 93V036000). THE FIRES ARE ATTRIBUTED TO ERRORS IN INSTALLING THE REMEDY SPECIFIED IN THE RECALL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE REMEDY SPECIFIED FOR RECALL 93V036000 WAS NOT PERFORMED CORRECTLY OR THE VEHICLE HAS NOT RECEIVED THE REMEDY, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: NISSAN WILL OFFER TO REPURCHASE THESE VEHICLES FROM THE OWNERS. THE VEHICLES WILL THEN BE DESTROYED. FOR OWNERS THAT DECLINE THE REPURCHASE OFFER NISSAN WILL PROVIDE A REINSPECTION OF THEIR VEHICLE, FREE OF CHARGE, TO CONFIRM THE PRIOR RECALL WAS COMPLETED PROPERLY. ALSO, NISSAN WILL PERFORM ANY RECALL-RELATED REPAIRS THAT MAY BE NEEDED AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNER.
93V036000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:hoses/lines/piping/fittings
Mar 15, 1993
NISSAN HAS MADE A PRELIMINARY DETERMINATION THAT A DEFECT EXISTS IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT COMPONENT(S) THAT MAY FAIL DUE TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT HEAT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE UNDETERMINED ENGINE COMPARTMENT COMPONENT(S) CANCAUSE AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE, RESULTING IN POSSIBLE INJURY TO VEHICLEOCCUPANTS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN COOLING SYSTEM INCLUDING THE FAN BELTS, RADIATOR, WATER PUMP, ALTERNATOR, FREEZE PLUG SHIELDS, AND ASSOCIATED HOSES. THE REMEDY WILL ALSO INCLUDE A NEW AUXILIARY ELECTRIC FAN AND POWER STEERING FLUID COOLER. TO COMPLETE THE REMEDY, A WARNING SYSTEM TO MONITOR COOLING SYSTEM PERFORMANCE WILL BE INSTALLED TO DETECT POTENTIAL ENGINE OVERHEATING.
91V211000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:hoses/lines/piping/fittings
Dec 27, 1991
THE COOLING SYSTEM HOSES DETERIORATE AND FAIL BECAUSE OF INADEQUATE HEAT RESISTANCE. FAILURE FIRST OCCURS AT THE CLAMP CONNECTIONS, CAUSING COOLANT FLUID TO BE LEAKED OR SPRAYED ONTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COMPONENTS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED WITH A LOW COOLANT LEVEL, THECOOLING SYSTEM TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE WOULD RISE VERY QUICKLY. COOLANTREACHING THE HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD CAN IGNITE AND CAUSE AN ENGINE COMPARTMENTFIRE.
Remedy: REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE COOLING SYSTEM HOSES WITH IMPROVED HEAT RESISTANT HOSES, MODIFY THE COOLANT RECOVERY SYSTEM TO PREVENT SUDDEN INCREASES IN COOLING SYSTEM TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE, AND REPLACE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COMPONENTS WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED OR WOULD DETERIORATE WITH TIME.
90V136000 · Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections
Aug 6, 1990
POWER STEERING HOSES MAY LEAK FLUID THAT CAN SPREAD TO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE MANIFOLD MAY BECOME HOTENOUGH TO IGNITE THE POWER STEERING FLUID AND RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENTFIRE.
Remedy: INSTALL NEW HEAT RESISTANT POWER STEERING HOSES. ALSO, INSTALL NEW FAN COUPLING TO INCREASE AIR FLOW VOLUME THROUGH ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND REPLACE ANY OTHER DAMAGED COMPONENTS.
87V109000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine
Jul 16, 1987
VALVE COVER GASKET MAY LEAK OIL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: OIL MAY DRIP ON EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND IF ENGINE ISOPERATED UNDER SEVERE CONDITION OR OPERATED AT CONTINUOUSLY HIGH SPEEDS. THEMANIFOLD MAY BECOME HOT ENOUGH TO IGNITE THE OIL. THIS COULD RESULT IN ANENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
Remedy: THE VALVE COVER GASKET WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW GASKET REDESIGNED TO CORRECT THE OIL LEAK.
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
3EA95007 · Takata Seat Belt Buckle Failure
Opened Mar 10, 1995 · Closed Aug 2, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
There is no summary currently available
PE93019 · Power Door Lock Failure
Opened Mar 31, 1993 · Closed Jul 28, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
PE90065 · Engine Compartment Fire
Opened Mar 27, 1990 · Closed Oct 15, 1990
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections
There is no summary currently available
Illustration