1988 Nissan Van (cargo)
Fuel Economy Overview
The 1988 Nissan Van (cargo) achieves an EPA-estimated 17 MPG in combined city and highway driving, with 16 MPG in the city and 20 MPG on the highway. Powered by a 2.4L 4-cylinder engine paired with a automatic 4-spd, this vans features Rear-Wheel Drive drive.
In terms of environmental impact, the 1988 Van (cargo) produces approximately 523 grams of CO2 per mile. This figure is measured under standardized EPA test conditions and represents tailpipe emissions only. For context, the average new vehicle sold in the United States produces approximately 400 grams of CO2 per mile, meaning this Van (cargo) has higher-than-average emissions in this regard.
The estimated annual fuel cost for this vehicle is $3,500, based on 15,000 miles of driving per year and current national average fuel prices. Compared to the average new vehicle, you would save $6,750 over a 5-year period. This calculation accounts for differences in fuel consumption efficiency and provides a practical measure of long-term ownership costs attributable to fuel economy.
Energy DNA
Green Scorecard
Personalized Commute CalculatorEPA defaults to 55% City / 45% Hwy
Adjust the slider to match your daily driving habits. City driving involves stop-and-go traffic under 45mph, while highway driving represents sustained speeds over 55mph.
The Brick Effect: Highway Speed Penalty
EPA highway tests average roughly 48 mph. Driving at 75 mph increases aerodynamic drag exponentially. Because the Vans has a large frontal area, expect your real-world highway fuel economy to drop by up to 25% at high speeds.
5-Year Total Cost of Ownership
Recall Intelligence
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.
Consequence & Remedy
Consequence: 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.
Consequence & Remedy
Consequence: 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.
Consequence & Remedy
Consequence: 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.
Consequence & Remedy
Consequence: 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.
Consequence & Remedy
Consequence: 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.
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Looking for comprehensive historical data?
NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crash History) and broader generational safety trends are aggregated at the model level rather than by specific engine configurations. View the complete historical data profile for all Nissan Van (cargo) configurations.
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1988 Ford Aerostar Van
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1988 Ford Aerostar Wagon
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1988 Ford Aerostar Wagon
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Fuel Cost Analysis
Based on 15,000 miles/year and current fuel prices.
Efficiency Breakdown
Estimated Lifetime Carbon Footprint
(Based on 200,000 miles driven)