Nissan 200SX Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 160 consumer complaints across the 8 model years of the Nissan 200SX (1985–1998) that have at least 5 complaints. 1995 has the most, with 51. Across all years, the part named most often is air bags (45 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All 200SX model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 18 | 120,198 | 1 | 26 | — | Stable |
| 1997 | 16 | 142,653 | 1 | 24 | — | Stable |
| 1996 | 37 | 104,250 | 1 | 25 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 51 | 100,100 | 2 | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 8 | 100,000 | 1 | 3 | — | Not enough data |
| 1987 | 13 | 151,151 | 1 | 3 | — | Not enough data |
| 1986 | 11 | — | 0 | 3 | — | Not enough data |
| 1985 | 6 | — | 0 | 3 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Air bags45 31%
- Fuel system21 14%
- Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)19 13%
- Engine cooling16 11%
- Brakes14 9.7%
- Electrical system12 8.3%
- Transmission and drivetrain10 6.9%
- Seat belts8 5.5%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
1997: “After making a right turn, about 20 feet after turn both the driver and passenger side airbag deployed. I was struck in the face, chin, throat and chest. There was no accident, no pot holes in the road, no other car even on the road. I cannot find one reason why the air bags would deploy. It has been 48 hours and I am still sore including my neck and bruising on my neck and chest.”
NHTSA complaint #10478382, filed 2012-10, 142,653 miles1995: “I had a minor fender bender about 5 days ago and my airbags deployed, causing serious burns to my hands and wrists and minor facial burns. I would have been unhurt had the airbags not deployed. I rear-ended another car due to sun glare. I had no idea airbags caused such injury and I have never received a recall notice or any other warning about this. The airbags also broke my steering wheel and my windshield. Otherwise the car suffered relatively minimal damage.”
NHTSA complaint #10090646, filed 2004-09, 48,000 miles1987: “Fuel injectors leak. Nissans voluntary recall campaign does not include the ca20e engine which is installed in my vehicle. The fuel pump wiring is exposed to the elements and shorted out on my vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10018666, filed 2003-05, 212,302 milesOther Nissan models
15,506 complaintsNissan Rogue
7,412 complaintsNissan Pathfinder
7,382 complaintsNissan Maxima
6,949 complaintsNissan Murano
5,964 complaintsNissan Sentra
5,957 complaintsNissan Frontier
3,363 complaintsNissan Versa
3,327 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology