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Nissan 240SXModel year report

1995 Nissan 240SX Problems

Complaints
60filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
117,281miles, 18 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
22 mpgcombined, 2.4L 4-cyl RWD · 19 city / 26 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1995 Nissan 240SX (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report a cracked plastic fuel tank that leaks gasoline near the mounting straps, frequently noticed as a fuel smell while driving or after the car sits. Airbag complaints form a second cluster, mostly an illuminated or flashing airbag warning light that owners were told meant the bags would not work, plus several accounts of bags not deploying in collisions. Complaints generally arrive on high-mileage cars, though the airbag reports often concern much lower mileage.

  1. Fuel system

    Fuel tank cracks and leaks at mounting strap

    • 23 complaints (38%)
    • median 120,000 mi at 17.8 yrs old (16 state mileage)
    • filed 2004–2021

    Owners describe a strong gasoline smell while driving or after the car has sat, followed by visible fuel dripping or pooling under the rear of the car. In most accounts the tank has split or stress-cracked at the point where the retaining strap contacts it, with no impact or puncture involved. Some owners say the dealer or manufacturer told them the replacement tank is no longer available, and one owner reported a replacement tank leaking again. Several complaints note the crack appears in the same location other owners describe. Reported from roughly 50,000 to over 200,000 miles, often during or after normal driving, refueling, or a period of disuse.

    What to check: Inspect the tank around both mounting straps for cracks, wetness, or a fuel smell, and check for drips after the car sits overnight. Ask whether the tank has been replaced and whether a replacement is still available.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “As I was driving down the road I started smelling an extremely large gas smell so I pulled over and looked under my car and my gas tank was leaking everywhere. It has a stress crack. No puncture or anything like that. The tank just started splitting apart.”

    NHTSA complaint #10731109, filed 2015-06, 217,178 miles

    “The vehicles fuel tank cracked at mounting strap and started leaking fuel, the tank has a know issue among other owners. The tank is very specific to the chassis with no available replacement. The issue happens mostly at the same location but Nissan has so solution. This happened under normal driving condition.”

    NHTSA complaint #11396732, filed 2021-02, 120,000 miles
  2. Air bags

    Airbag warning light on or flashing

    • 8 complaints (13%)
    • median 20,000 mi at 6.3 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 1996–2007

    Owners report the airbag light coming on or flashing steadily, in some cases after years of normal use with no deployment. Dealers and shops identified the airbag control module or control unit as the cause, and one owner said a dealer told them the light did not affect airbag function while a later mechanic said the bags would not work in a crash. Some owners had the module replaced, and one reported needing it replaced a second time. Often noted at low mileage, in some cases within the first few years of ownership, and typically noticed while driving.

    2 related service bulletins

    What to check: Turn the key and confirm the airbag light goes out after the self-check; a light that stays on or flashes warrants a diagnostic scan of the airbag control module before purchase.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “The airbag system of my car is inoperable because of a malfunctioning airbag control unit. The vehicle has an accelent maintenance history, is only a few years old, and the airbags have never even been deployed. This malfunction is unreasonable and I have discovered that it is rather common on this car.”

    NHTSA complaint #721979, filed 2000-04

    “Nissan left; oncoming vehicle did not stop, it hit Nissan right rear wheel, passenger's air bag deployed and driver's side air bag did not deploy; was at dealer to correct the malfunctioning air bag light 2 months. Ago.”

    NHTSA complaint #810253, filed 1997-04
  3. Air bags

    Airbags did not deploy in a collision

    • 10 complaints (17%)
    • typically at 2.2 yrs old
    • 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 1995–2001

    Several owners describe collisions — rear impacts, a head-on at highway speed, and a chain of impacts — in which one or both front airbags did not deploy. A few note the airbag light had been on before the crash, and one describes the driver's bag failing while the passenger bag deployed. Complaints do not consistently say what diagnosis or repair followed. Described in crashes at various ages of the vehicle; several complaints do not state mileage.

    2 related service bulletins

    What to check: Any history of an airbag light or module replacement should be documented; ask for service records showing the system was diagnosed and cleared rather than just the bulb or light addressed.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Consumer was involved in a head-on collision while driving at 65 MPH, and neither driver's side nor passenger's side air bag deployed. Vehicle was a total loss. Please provide any further details.”

    NHTSA complaint #865773, filed 2000-07

    “On two occassions consumer was in an accident and both air bags didn't deploy, first consumer was rearended and second time consumer hit another car and air bags didn't deploy . Please describe .”

    NHTSA complaint #803094, filed 1996-10

Buying note. The fuel tank is the item to look at closely on this model year: check the tank at the strap mounts for cracks or fuel residue and confirm a replacement tank can still be sourced. Also verify the airbag warning light behavior and ask for records of any airbag module or brake recall work.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 37 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 60 consumer complaints for the 1995 Nissan 240SX. 18 of the complaints include a mileage, and 6% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 117,281 miles. Of all complaints, 9 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 5 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 22 technical service bulletins for this model year.

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: Equipment (1), Other or unknown (1), Steering (1), Body and structure (1), Suspension (1), Vehicle speed control (1).

Example complaints

Fuel system: “As is common on 95+ 240SX gasoline began leaking out of my tank suddenly. I had no issues until one day I noticed the smell and a constant drip onto my driveway.”

NHTSA complaint #10562605, filed 2014-02, 50,000 miles

Air bags: “While driving on road noticed airbag light came on and stayed on. Contacted dealer , dealer stated that it was air bag control unit that needed to be replaced .”

NHTSA complaint #852991, filed 1999-12

Brakes: “I forgot to mention not only is the brake system bad but the takometer and gas gauge as well. Odi #738038. No one will listen. The 91 240SX was great! This car is a safety hazard. I've inquired about why it was discontinued and I can't get a answer from anyone.”

NHTSA complaint #738040, filed 2000-12

Electrical system: “Drove vehicle out of garage & parked it; left & got water to wash vehicle; returned & found vehicle in flames; fire dept. Arrived & put flames out; insurance adjuster said it was an electrical short underhood.”

NHTSA complaint #809693, filed 1997-03

Mileage when problems were reported

6% of the 18 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 90,000 and 178,000 miles.

0%0–106%10–250%25–5011%50–7522%75–10028%100–15033%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (18 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 117,281 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

’9510’98’01’07’12’15’21
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.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1995 Nissan 240SX. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
240SX · coupe not rated3 / 4———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1995 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-cyl5-speed manual192622$3,750
240SX RWD2.4L 4-cyl4-speed automatic182420$4,100

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 1995 Nissan 240SX → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

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. 22 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 22 bulletins →

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

What are the most common problems with the 1995 Nissan 240SX?

Owners of this model year most often report a cracked plastic fuel tank that leaks gasoline near the mounting straps, frequently noticed as a fuel smell while driving or after the car sits. The issues reported most often: Fuel tank cracks and leaks at mounting strap; Airbag warning light on or flashing; Airbags did not deploy in a collision.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1995 Nissan 240SX have?

NHTSA recorded 60 consumer complaints for the 1995 Nissan 240SX as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1995 Nissan 240SX is reported most often?

Fuel system is named most often, in 25 complaints (42% of the total), followed by air bags with 15.

Has the 1995 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 1995 Nissan 240SX get?

The EPA rates the 1995 Nissan 240SX (240SX, 2.4L 4-cyl) at 22 mpg combined, 19 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,750 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1995 Nissan 240SX reported?

Among the 18 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 117,281 miles and the middle half falls between 90,000 and 178,000 miles; 6% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. 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.