1988 Nissan Van
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Nissan › Van › 1988
These records cover every 1988 Nissan Van. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
5 recalls name the 1988 Nissan Van. Newest first.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Nissan has made a preliminary determination that a defect exists in engine compartment component(s) that may fail due to the engine compartment heat.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Power steering hoses may leak fluid that can spread to the exhaust manifold.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Owner complaints
5 complaints
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Latches/locks/linkages
Tl*the contact owns a 1988 nissan van. while the vehicle was parked, the front passenger side manual door lock failed to disengage while locked. the door would only unlock manually from the exterior of the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and they stated that the…
Tl*the contact owns a 1988 nissan van. while the vehicle was parked, the front passenger side manual door lock failed to disengage while locked. the door would only unlock manually from the exterior of the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and they stated that the manufacturer no longer produces the lock mechanism for replacement. the failure and current mileages were 95,000. updated 09/14/09. *Lj the consumer stated the latch/lock IS now working properly. Updated 09/16/09.*jb
- Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system › Injectors · Power train › Automatic transmission
Transmission failed. nlm
- Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections
Power steering hose failure; no parts available.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
When driving at any speed the vehicle will cut off. Also, when the consumer starts the vehicle/ backs out, vehicle will cut back off. Consumer states there IS a bucking noise coming from the front of the vehicle by the engine. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Hoses/lines/piping/fittings
Had cooling recall done, vehicle IS overheating again. tt
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Takata seat belt buckle failure
There is no summary currently available
- Power door lock failure
There is no summary currently available
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10032506Nissan: vent control valve replacement. When replacing the evap canister vent control valve for reason: use the one listed on page 2; for vent control valve replacement procedure, refer to the appropriate section of the electronic service manuals (esm; when installing the new valve, do not add any lube to its o ring; for frontier (D40 series) only, install the protector listed in parts information. Includes 2005-09 frontier. Updated 12/8/10.
- 10031305Nissan: tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) warning light on/flashing. No models or model years listed. Updated on 08-11-2011.
- 10030165Nissan: the 12 volt battery IS an important part of the vehicle electrical system and IS required to stay connected when the engine IS running. To prevent damage to vehicle electronic components follow the instructions/cautions. No model years listed.
- 39642Squeak or squeal noise after installation of recall water pump.
- 39641Unable to maintain 160 lbs tension on alternator belt after recall rc-006.
Every Nissan Van model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.