1986 Nissan 200SX Problems
- Complaints
- 11filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 21 mpgcombined, 1.8L 4-cyl RWD · 19 city / 24 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1986 Nissan 200SX (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 1986 Nissan 200SX. The part named most often is seat belts, with 4 complaints (36% of the total), followed by engine cooling (3) and fuel system (2). NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 3 technical service bulletins for this model year.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Seat belts4 36%
- Engine cooling3 27%
- Fuel system2 18%
- Exterior lighting1 9.1%
- Tires1 9.1%
Example complaints
Fuel system: “Vehicle was not getting gas at first & had died out on highway. Took to dealership & had temporary repair done on fuel pump wiring harness. Later, there was a strong odor of gasoline inside vehicle after having fuel pump repaired. Vehicle was still experiencing the same leakage problem. Took vehicle back & was informed by mechanic vehicle could be driving from massachusetts to rhode island without any problems. Owner was not satisfied with answer.”
NHTSA complaint #855261, filed 2000-01Exterior lighting: “Headlights and communcation system, the switch that controls the headlights/lighting systems and windshield wipers, had an electrical short, continues to fail.”
NHTSA complaint #807778, filed 1997-03Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1986 Nissan 200SX version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 200SX RWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 19 | 24 | 21 | $3,200 |
| 200SX RWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 19 | 26 | 22 | $3,050 |
| 200SX RWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 19 | 24 | 21 | $3,200 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1986 Nissan 200SX in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 3 on record; the latest 3 are shown.
- 10031305Sep 30, 2010Tires. Nissan: tire pressure monitoring system (tpms) warning light on/flashing. No models or model years listed. *pe updated on 08-11-2011.
- 10032506Sep 13, 2010Equipment. Nissan: vent control valve replacement. When replacing the evap canister vent control valve for reason: use the one listed on page 2; for vent control valve replacement procedure, refer to the…
- 10030165Apr 6, 2009Electrical system. Nissan: the 12 volt battery is an important part of the vehicle electrical system and is required to stay connected when the engine is running. To prevent damage to vehicle electronic components…
Other model years of the Nissan 200SX
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 18 | 120,198 | 1 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1997 | 16 | 142,653 | 1 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1996 | 37 | 104,250 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 51 | 100,100 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 8 | 100,000 | 1 | — | 22 | — | Not enough data |
| 1987 | 13 | 151,151 | 1 | — | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 1986 | 11 | — | 0 | — | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 1985 | 6 | — | 0 | — | 21 | — | Not enough data |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1986 Nissan 200SX have?
NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 1986 Nissan 200SX as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1986 Nissan 200SX is reported most often?
Seat belts is named most often, in 4 complaints (36% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 3.
Has the 1986 Nissan 200SX been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1986 Nissan 200SX get?
The EPA rates the 1986 Nissan 200SX (200SX, 1.8L 4-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 19 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.