1992 Nissan Stanza XE from North America - Comments

My 5-speed has run great until recently. I am having the first major problem. My speedometer jumps around and gets stuck as high as it will go. Now when it gets stuck my odometer stops turning over. Also I don't know if this had anything to do with the odometers, but on some occasions my car will start jerking when it gets to 2500 RP Ms. When this happens I cannot go faster than 65 miles per hour. I have to shift the lower gears before it starts bucking at 2500 RP Ms. If I restart my car this will stop happening for a while. I've had my speed sensor changed and the problems all still exist.

The interior has held up great. It still looks new.

Even though it's a 1992 it doesn't feel that outdated.

I also have a 1992 Nissan Stanza XE! 130,000 miles. Excellent car, no major problems, but I do have to change my oil every 3,000 miles or so due to ticking noise if it goes on too long. Could lead to major repair... mainly replacing all 12 lifters in engine if not diligent with the oil change.

Other than that, I never had any problems and I'm the only owner. I will continue to drive it until the wheels fall off and it's gone to Stanza Heaven. I don't predict this for another 10 years +. I would buy another just like it without hesitation!

Dawn Nestor bibobibo@excite.com.

I would suggest checking your timing chain and its tensioner. I had the same problem and my engine blew very sooner after because of a faulty plastic guide. This could lead to a very serious problem, complete engine rebuild with new oil pump and head plaining cause if your timing jumps, your values will be out of sync.

We had the timing chain blow at 60,000 miles also! We checked the factory TSB (tech service bulletin's) and found they had one for a faulty chain tensioner. We had one month on extended warranty and get them to replace the engine only after we mentioned the TSB. Otherwise it has been a great car and now has 159,000 miles and still going strong. Still has original exhaust system!!!

We had the timing chain blow at 60,000 miles also! We checked the factory TSB (tech service bulletin's) and found they had one for a faulty chain tensioner. We had one month on extended warranty and get them to replace the engine only after we mentioned the TSB. Otherwise it has been a great car and now has 159,000 miles and still going strong. Still has original exhaust system!!!

You may want to check your transmission mine just went on my 92 Nissan stanza and your problem sounds about the same.

I have a question about the speedometer. On my 1992 Stanza the speedometer gets stuck at zero when the car is at higher speeds for instance highway driving. This happens especially when on a slight corner. Then for no apparent reason it jumps up to indicate the speed. So far it hasn't affected the car's performance, but should I be worried?

Man holy crap, my car does the exact same thing, and I'm not kidding, but mines automatic. it buckles at 2500 rpm, that is so weird. my mechanic keeps giving me a list of crap that it might be, but I don't know. he changed my fuel filter and it didn't help, I was out 50 $ with a crippled stanza still. but I'm gonna fix it. my speedometer AND odometer does that exact same thing. its gotta be something stock wrong with the car. my mechanic also said it might be a contaminated fuel tank or pump. but I just think hes trying to rip me off so I'm doing it myself. other than that, the car is great, clean. it needs, a new CV boot, needs the motor mounts replaced, its rolling around, but not bad. um, but it's a good car, great gas mileage. I'm gonna get my car fixed whether I have to do it myself. I'm gonna be a mechanic anyways so yeah.

Same here, my '92 stanza bucks at 2500 rpm. The speedometer freaks out occasionally and only bucks when the speedometer settles at zero. I try to let people know and they don't beleive me because it hasn't done it to them, I really need to find out what it is because this car costed me $2500. Frustrating really.

Well, I took my 1992 stanza in, I was told that the bucking problem at 250rpms was because of the speed sensrr, I sure hope that is all that's causing the problem.

Actually I don't own a Stanza, but from what I remember the tach and speedo made durin the first half of the 90's are electrically controlled. Surging speedos most likely mean jumps in electricity. Check your fuses, maybe some of them are burned up. Yep, as far as I can tell without seeing any Stanzas, it's electrical. BTW, your mechanic's thoughts that the problem is with the fuel pump is COMPLETELY relevant, so no, he's probably not trying to rip you off.

After reading the comments, I'm having difficulty fathoming how this car/model-year constitute a "Dependable and Great Bargai.n"

I own a 1992 stanza Xe I love it. It is not bad on gas, fairly cheap repairs, but some parts are really hard to find used. I just had my transmission blow out on me while on the highway, this happened at 327,000kms.But other than the transmission the car will still idle at 750-800rpm at 7:00 in the morning when I start it. I really wish the transmission didn't blow. I don't want to repair such an expensive part. I'm gonna miss driving it.

IF YOU COME ACROSS ONE..........BUY IT!!!!!!!!!

R.I.P STANLEY the STANZA.

I have a 1992 Stanza, the car has been great, no serious problems until today, was driving along and suddenly the engine started racing, and the car wouldn't go, guess the transmission went, no warning or anything, was working fine. Is currently at the mechanics to be evaluated, the cost of a transmission rebuild may place it in "Nissan Heaven".

The car did eat batteries and the brakes could have been better, but I got 15 years of reliable service with no major problems.

I recently acquired a 1992 Nissan Stanza XE (automatic) from my parents, which they had bought from a dealer about a year before. So far, I have enjoyed the car's decent acceleration and the fact that not everyone else has one.

I began to smell gasoline when stopped at a light or in Park. Leaky fuel injector - got it replaced. Right after that, took it on a road trip across the state, and started smelling gas again. Had to go up to college, so didn't get it fixed until a week ago.. had all the rest of the injectors replaced. A friend of mine whose sister AND aunt both own Stanzas, as well as another friend of mine, said that it's normal for the injectors to need replaced at around 150k. Mine has 157k, so no surprise.

I also experience shaking when I am at an idle, which my mechanic claimed would stop once the injectors were replaced; however, it did not.

There is also "bucking" only when I am in Overdrive and going up a hill at about 60-70 mph (not sure what rpm, will check next time I'm driving).

My Stanza seems to be very loud. Not a puttering sound (such as an exhaust leak) but more of a faint "moaning" sound, which is worst at around 50-55 mph. My family complains about it, and my friend with the Stanza-owning sister and aunt said it seemed louder than theirs. I read in a review that they just ARE loud cars, and it's road noise, but I might end up checking to see if it's the CV joints or something of that nature.

However, being a poor college student, that will have to wait another several months, and for now I'll deal with it.

Anyone else have these problems?

I read in the manual that you should disengage the overdrive when driving up an incline. That is probably what's causing the bucking. That was the case with me.