Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 42 complaints with NHTSA about the 1990 Nissan Stanza, and it carries 1 recall. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system | 20 | 48% |
| Seat belts | 6 | 14% |
| Power train | 5 | 12% |
| Service brakes | 2 | 5% |
| Power train | 2 | 5% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | 2% |
| Service brakes | 1 | 2% |
| Power train | 1 | 2% |
| Fuel system | 1 | 2% |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
A VERY BAD GAS ODOR/FUMES IN THE VEHICLE, GAS IS LEAKING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. ALSO GAS LEAKING FROM GAS FILLER TUBE. *JB
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF FUEL IN VEHICLE, SMELL GETS WORSE WHEN VEHICLE IS STOPPING OR SLOWING DOWN. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
FUEL LEAKED FROM BOTH FUEL INJECTORS AND FROM GAS TANK ONTO GROUND. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED FROM PARKING LOT TO NISSA REPAIR SHOP. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
GAS WAS POURING OUT OF INJECTORS, CONSUMER HAD A PUDDLE OF GAS AROUND CAR. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
FUEL INJECTORS LEAK. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON VEHICLE'S MAKE AND MODEL; HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
THE FUEL FILLER TUBE HAS CORRODED, RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON THE VEHICLE;,HOWEVER,THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
THE 1ST TIME WAS @ 65000 MILES, NOW AGAIN - PIECE OF JUNK! NO SAFETY DEFECT (S) MENTIONED IN SUMMARY. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
I HAVE A 1990 NISSAN STANZA, WHICH HAS LEAKING FUEL INJECTORS RESULTING IN A STRONG GAS ODOR IN THE CAR. IN REVIEWING THE NISSAN VEHICLE OWNERS FAILED COMPONENT INFORMATION ON-LINE, I DISCOVERED THAT OTHERS HAVE REPORTE
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1990 Nissan Stanza. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A MIXTURE OF MUD AND SALT TO GET TRAPPED BETWEEN THE FUEL FILLER TUBE AND WHEEL HOUSING. THE TRAPPED MUD AND SALT CAN RESULT IN CORROSION OF THE FUEL FILLER TUBE AND THE WHEEL HOUSING.
Risk: SIGNIFICANT CORROSION OF THE FUEL FILLER TUBE MAY RESULT IN FUEL LEAKS WHICH IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. IN ADDITION, THE LEFT REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTOR IS MOUNTED TO
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND CORRECTIVE ACTION WILL BE TAKEN DEPENDING UPON THE EXTENT OF THE CORROSION.
| Reliability raw | 86 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 80 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 88 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 55 | average |
| Performance | 49 | below average |
| Efficiency | 40 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 42 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and fuel system is the most reported area with 20 of them (48%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 86/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 80/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1990 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 72/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.