AI Damage1989 Nissan Stanza: common problems
Owners of the 1989 Nissan Stanza filed 10 complaints with NHTSA, most often about fuel system and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 10
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Fuel system 30% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 20% of all complaints
- 3 Structure 20% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 10% of all complaints
- 5 Seat belts 10% of all complaints
- 6 Service brakes 10% of all complaints
- 7 Vehicle speed control 10% of all complaints
- Fuel system: 3 complaints (30% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 2 complaints (20% of all).
- Structure: 2 complaints (20% of all).
- Powertrain: 1 complaints (10% of all).
- Seat belts: 1 complaints (10% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 10 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 1 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
When shifted from neutral to drive, vehicle took off at high speed, brakes applied, hit building, hood flew up.
The vehicle has a cracked unibody, making it impossible for the vehicle to be aligned.
The consumer has been experiencing problems with door assembly. When consumer opened the door, it fell off. The manufacturer has been contacted.
Bad cylinder rings caused engine to burn oil excessively at 45000 miles and had to rebuild the engine at 70000 due to excessive oil usage.
Two fuel injectors leaked fuel onto intake manifold when engine running , causing strong smell of gas within engien compartment.
Fumes are not as strong when the window is down. Took vehicle to nissan for repairs and dealer4 said that her fuel injectors were leaking.
The vehicle has a fuel leak coming from the #1 fuel injector, causing a strong fuel odor inside of the vehicle.
The vehicle caught on fire from the engine compartment.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 10,921 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 30% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Stanza has 11 complaints (15 years in the data). This year has 10, about average.
What to check before buying
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1989 Nissan Stanza?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: fuel system, engine and cooling, structure. Total complaints: 10. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: fuel system, fuel smell (20%), oil leak or consumption (10%), seat belts (10%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1989 Nissan Stanza?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1989 Nissan Stanza from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1989 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.