1987 Nissan Gxe van problems
The Nissan Vanette (Japanese: 日産・バネット, Hepburn: Nissan Banetto) is a cabover van and pickup truck produced by the Japanese automaker Nissan from 1978 until 2011. The first two generations were engineered by Nissan's Aichi Manufacturing Division for private, personal ownership, with the last two generations built by Mazda, rebadged as Nissans and refocused as commercial vehicles, based on the Mazda Bongo. The van has also been sold as the Nissan Sunny-Vanette or Nissan Van. The private purchase passenger platform was replaced by the Nissan Serena in 1991, renamed Vanette in various international markets, and came equipped with multiple engine and drivetrain configurations.
2WD and 4WD versions were produced, with manual, automatic, floor and column shift options available. While no longer produced for the Japanese market, it was still available in other markets around the world such as Malaysia. Production ended around 2010, eventually being replaced by the Nissan NV200.
History
The first appearance of a cabover truck/delivery van appeared in 1962 with the Datsun Cablight, a rebadged version of the earlier Kurogane Mighty Nissan acquired when they assumed the operations of Tokyu Kogyo Kurogane. As the Cablight was reengineered, it was offered as a cab-over truck and van called the Datsun Sunny Cab/Nissan Cherry Cab (C20) introduced in 1969, and was one size smaller from the Prince Homer truck and the Prince Homy van. The cabover approach allowed the exterior dimensions to remain unchanged while increasing the length of the cargo area of the Nissan Sunny truck. The Sunny Cab Van/Cherry Cab Van passenger van could accommodate five passengers and an extended length coach that could carry eight people. Both Cab Vans didn't have sliding passenger doors, instead they had conventional front-hinged doors with extended lengths on the passenger side. The rear tailgate was a clamshell design where the door separated into two pieces that would extend up, with a tailgate on the lower half of the door.
The commercial model was basic, that kept the price low. The Sunny Truck continued to be built after the introduction of the second generation passenger version, and was only replaced in early 1971 by the new B120-series truck. The Cabover trucks were renamed the Nissan Vanette and the Nissan Cherry Cab/Vanette or Vonnate.
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Common 1987 Nissan Gxe van problems
The Nissan GXE van, sold in the United States in 1987, was based on the Nissan Vanette, a popular van in Japan and other parts of the world. However, the GXE van was plagued with chronic overheating problems and engine fires, which proved to be unsolvable despite multiple recalls and upgrades by Nissan.
The main issue was the engine placement, which was low and between the front seats, with the accessories and radiator in the front. This made it difficult to solve overheating problems, and the engine bay became prone to overheating and engine fires, especially when a leaky valve cover gasket allowed oil to spill on the exhaust manifold.
Four recalls were initiated to solve the overheating issues, which also contributed to the fires. A whole new cooling system was part of the recall, including new radiators, fans, and warning systems. However, problems persisted, and Nissan started offering to buy back owners’ problematic vans. When word of that got out, a class-action suit was initiated, which led to the settlement offer of the buyback of all vans. That only came to about 33,000 vans, sold in 1987 and 1988, mostly in California. The debacle cost Nissan some $200 million.
The Nissan Vanette, on which the GXE van was based, was a popular van in Japan and other parts of the world. It was simple, rugged, and had mediocre dynamic qualities, making it suitable for developing countries. However, when the minivan explosion in the US hit hard in 1985, the Japanese manufacturers, including Nissan, quickly adapted their workhorse vans to conform to US safety standards, which explains their ant-eater front ends.
Nissan shoehorned in the larger 2.4 L Z24i engine into the engine bay that had previously been occupied by smaller and more austere engines. Combined with fuel injection, A/C, etc., the engine bay became prone to overheating and engine fires, especially when a leaky valve cover gasket allowed oil to spill on the exhaust manifold.
The GXE van was eventually phased out, and Nissan introduced the Quest minivan in 1993, which was designed and manufactured in the US. The Quest was redesigned at Nissan Design America in San Diego, California, under Diane Allen, during 1993 and 1995. The production design by Shinken Tanaka was frozen in 1995 and design patents were filed at the Japan Patent Office on 1995 under patent #1009611. The exterior was given a more aerodynamic look, and the driver's side sliding door was added (it had been absent in the three-door Quests from 1993 to 1998). The Quest also got a power boost via the 3.3 L VG33E SOHC engine, making 171 hp (128 kW) and 200 lb⋅ft (270 N⋅m) of torque.
In conclusion, the Nissan GXE van, sold in the United States in 1987, was plagued with chronic overheating problems and engine fires, which proved to be unsolvable despite multiple recalls and upgrades by Nissan. The main issue was the engine placement, which was low and between the front seats, with the accessories and radiator in the front. This made it difficult to solve overheating problems, and the engine bay became prone to overheating and engine fires, especially when a leaky valve cover gasket allowed oil to spill on the exhaust manifold. The debacle cost Nissan some $200 million, and the GXE van was eventually phased out, and Nissan introduced the Quest minivan in 1993, which was designed and manufactured in the US.
What is the mpg on a 1987 Nissan van?
Fuel Economy of 1987 Nissan Vehicles
| EPA MPG | Owner MPG Estimates |
|---|---|
| 1987 Nissan 300ZX 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Automatic 4-spd | |
| 1987 Nissan Van(cargo) 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Automatic 4-spd | |
| Regular Gasoline | Not Available How can I share my MPG? |
| 17 combined city/highway MPG 16 city 19 highway 5.9 gals/100 miles |
Are Nissan NV200 vans reliable?
The 2018 Nissan NV200 is perhaps the most reliable model year in this list, but some of its reliability issues may deter used car buyers. One of the top problems of the 2018 NV200 is the door locks. One user reported that their NV200's rear and passenger sliding doors would not always unlock.
Is A Nissan Vanette A Good car?
NissanVanette is also known as Nissan Sunny-Vanette or Nissan Van in some markets. The Vanette was equipped with multiple engine and drive train configurations. Nissan Vanette evolution can be broken down into four generations. Nissan Vanette has good quality features that offer comfortable and smooth drive.
Where are Nissan vans made?
Nissan NV200
| Nissan NV200 (M20) | |
|---|---|
| Assembly | Japan: Shōnan, Kanagawa (Nissan Shatai) Mexico: Jiutepec, Morelos (Nissan Mexico) Spain: Barcelona (Nissan Motor Ibérica) (2009-2021) China (Zhengzhou Nissan) India: Chennai (Renault Nissan India) (2012–2015) Indonesia: Purwakarta (NMI) (2012–2016) Malaysia: Kuala Lumpur (TCMA) |
1987 Nissan Gxe van car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Nissan Gxe van problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Electrical system problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1987 Nissan Gxe van vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1987 Nissan Gxe van complaints
The NHTSA has received 4 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1987 Nissan Gxe van.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED VEHICLE OVERHEATED. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, AND VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME. RECALL 93V036000 WAS ISSUED ON THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER, DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR IT. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-11-24
- VIN: JN8SC26SOH4
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY WARNING LIGHTS COME ON. THEN, MOTOR WENT OUT. CONSUMER STATED THIS WAS DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT WAS HARD TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-07-28
- VIN: JN8SC26S5H4
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: THE RADIATOR IS, I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY REPAIR SHOP, A GRAVITY FLOW ONE, THE FLOW GOES FROM TOP-TO-BOTTOM INSTEAD OF SIDE-TO-SIDE. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: JN8SC26S5H4
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1987 Nissan Gxe van problems:
Curbside Classic: 1987 Nissan Van - How Did This Turkey Escape ...
Nov 21, 2011 ... Overheating was/is a common problem with Toyota vans as well. A wise owner replaces the radiator every 30k or so. Reply. avatar. educatordan.
Common 2007 Nissan Quest Problems: A/C Quit Blowing in Front ...
Sep 5, 2009 ... 2007 Nissan Quest had classic blower motor problems: fan ... ... OK, does the van have auto climate control or manual? ... GXE - Replaced Blower ...
Nissan Vanette - Wikipedia
The Nissan Vanette is a cabover van and pickup truck produced by the Japanese automaker Nissan from 1978 until 2011. The first two generations were ...
Q&A: 1993 Nissan Altima - Common Issues & Troubleshooting
Dec 12, 2012 ... David.C and 87 other Nissan Specialists are ready to help you ... van is cold is ok ... I have a 1997 Nissan Altima GXE with the 2.4L KA24DE engine.
chugging, bucking and stalling problem? - Maxima Forums
May 25, 2011 ... 4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999) - chugging, bucking and stalling problem? - I have a 1997 Nissan Maxima SE and a while ago a check engine ...
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