Model year guide

1986 Nissan Stanza

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1986 Nissan Stanza is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.

1986 Nissan Stanza — representative photo
Representative photo

1986 Nissan Stanza at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints18
Combined21–25 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1986 Nissan Stanza recalls 2

Equipment:other:labels NHTSA Campaign #90V072000 · 17/04/1990

INCORRECT TIRE INFLATION PRESSURES WERE PRINTED ON CERTIFICATION LABELS.

Fix: INSTALL CORRECTED TIRE INFORMATION LABEL ON DOORPOST CERTIFICATION LABEL.

Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap NHTSA Campaign #86V101000 · 29/07/1986

IF A CERTAIN TYPE OF REAR END COLLISION OCCURS, THE EDGE OF A WELDED BRACKET ON THE FLOOR PANEL SUBFRAME MAY PIERCE THE FUEL FILLER PIPE. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: FUEL LEAKAGE WOULD OCCUR WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. VEHICLES WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 301.

Fix: INSTALL A COVER OVER THE BRACKET.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1986 Nissan Stanza common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 18 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Gasoline
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Seat Belts
Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.

1986 Nissan Stanza MPG & running costs

Combined21–25 mpg
City22 mpg
Highway27 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,950
EPA size classCompact Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 3-spd or Manual 5-spd
Passenger volume89 cu ft
Cargo volume11 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$2,750 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1986 Nissan Stanza costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$14,750
Fuel only$14,750
Per mile$0.20

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
176.4–181.9 in
Width
66.5 in
Height
55.1 in
Wheelbase
100.4 in
Curb weight
2,831–2,844 lb

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1986 Nissan Stanza — ranges cover the 2 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 3

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered.

NISSAN: TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) WARNING LIGHT ON/FLASHING. NO MODELS OR MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE UPDATED ON 08-11-2011. *KB

Bulletin NTB-09-101 · Tires · Sep 2010

NISSAN: 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 IN…

Bulletin NTB-09-129 · Equipment · Sep 2010

NISSAN: 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. *PE

Bulletin NTB-09-030 · Electrical System · Apr 2009

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the STANZA. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

About the Nissan Stanza

The Nissan Violet is a compact car that was first released in Japan in 1973 and produced until 1992. It was initially exclusive to Nissan's Japanese Nissan Cherry Store dealerships, as a larger companion to the Nissan Cherry.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

1986 Nissan Stanza vehicles on record

1986 Nissan Stanza 1986 Nissan StanzaJN10FPT11U0407815

Other Nissan Stanza model years

1992 1990 1985 1984 1983

1986 Nissan Stanza — frequently asked questions

Does the 1986 Nissan Stanza have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1986 Nissan Stanza. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1986 Nissan Stanza?

Across all 18 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are fuel system, gasoline, seat belts.

What gas mileage does the 1986 Nissan Stanza get?

The 1986 Nissan Stanza has U.S. EPA estimates of 21–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (2 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.