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Nissan 240SXModel year report

1989 Nissan 240SX Problems

Complaints
36filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
128,000miles, 4 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
20 mpgcombined, 2.4L 4-cyl RWD · 18 city / 23 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1989 Nissan 240SX (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 36 consumer complaints for the 1989 Nissan 240SX. The part named most often is fuel system, with 11 complaints (31% of the total), followed by seat belts (7) and engine cooling (6). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 128,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 3 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 4 technical service bulletins for this model year. Seat belts complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the buckle assembly and 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

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.

Also reported: Transmission and drivetrain (1).

Example complaints

Fuel system: “Fuel is leaking from the fuel injection system. Vehicle not included in recall. Fuel injectors throwing fuel onto the manifold and could cause and engine fire.”

NHTSA complaint #800210, filed 1996-07

Seat belts: “When I was driving my car the electronic seat belt went forward, which basically means im unbuckled and it wont go back to the buckled position for some reason.”

NHTSA complaint #10458747, filed 2012-05, 126,000 miles

Engine cooling: “There was a recall in 1989 for a timing chain guide, later after the recall was done the timing chain broke causing the vehicle to loss power at highway speeds.”

NHTSA complaint #965089, filed 1995-05

Mileage when problems were reported

0% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 126,000 and 130,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–250%25–500%50–750%75–10075%100–15025%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (4 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 128,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

19951996141997199819992000200320092012
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1989 Nissan 240SX version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
240SX RWD2.4L 4-cyl4-speed automatic182320$3,350
240SX RWD2.4L 4-cyl5-speed manual182420$3,350

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

Recall details for the 1989 Nissan 240SX → · Check a 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. 4 on record; the latest 4 are shown.

Other model years of the Nissan 240SX

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
1997656,5000—22—Not enough data
1996846,5000—22—Not enough data
199560117,2811—22Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199310140,0000—22—Not enough data
19927—0—21—Not enough data
19919143,0001—22—Not enough data
199043163,6301—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
198936128,0001—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Nissan 240SX model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1989 Nissan 240SX have?

NHTSA recorded 36 consumer complaints for the 1989 Nissan 240SX as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1989 Nissan 240SX is reported most often?

Fuel system is named most often, in 11 complaints (31% of the total), followed by seat belts with 7.

Has the 1989 Nissan 240SX been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1989 Nissan 240SX get?

The EPA rates the 1989 Nissan 240SX (240SX, 2.4L 4-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 18 city and 23 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1989 Nissan 240SX reported?

Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 128,000 miles and the middle half falls between 126,000 and 130,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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.