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Nissan 240SXModel year report

1997 Nissan 240SX Problems

Complaints
6filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
56,500miles, 2 complaints with mileage
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
22 mpgcombined, 2.4L 4-cyl RWD · 19 city / 26 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1997 Nissan 240SX (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 1997 Nissan 240SX. The part named most often is air bags, with 3 complaints (50% of the total), followed by equipment (1) and exterior lighting (1). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 56,500 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 25 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Equipment complaints overlap with 4 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

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.

Example complaints

Air bags: “My car (1997 Nissan 240 sx) being driven by my son was in an accident where the car was totaled by impact. None of the airbags deployed but yet the light came on saying they did. If they had my son may not have suffered from a serious concussion which we're about to go to the hospital the 2nd time for nor the neck sprain that he did. I've e-mailed Nissan to see if I can get an answer as to why the airbags did not deploy when the light indicates they did but I've not heard back from them yet.”

NHTSA complaint #10532455, filed 2013-07

Exterior lighting: “Parked vehicle, shift lever popped out of gear/socket. Signal switch on & steering wheel locked up. Engine light came on. There was rattling noise when driving. Took to dealer for engine light & shift lever. Mechanic could not find problem. Said rattling comes from hub cap & changed those.”

NHTSA complaint #822295, filed 1998-04

Fuel system: “There is a leak from the top of my 1997 Nissan 240SX's fuel tank that seemed to spring up for no apparent reason. From what I've researched, this is not an uncommon problem for owners of this vehicle and is not easily fixed. I am petitioning for this to be a mandatory repair for Nissan, as this is a major safety hazard due to faulty construction and materials.”

NHTSA complaint #10435317, filed 2011-11, 103,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

50% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 10,000 and 103,000 miles.

0%0–1050%10–250%25–500%50–750%75–10050%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (2 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 56,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

199822003200520112013
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 1997 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 1997 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 automatic192421$3,900

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 1997 Nissan 240SX 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.

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. 25 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 25 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

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1997 Nissan 240SX have?

NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 1997 Nissan 240SX as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1997 Nissan 240SX is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 3 complaints (50% of the total), followed by equipment with 1.

Has the 1997 Nissan 240SX 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 1997 Nissan 240SX get?

The EPA rates the 1997 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 1997 Nissan 240SX reported?

Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 56,500 miles and the middle half falls between 10,000 and 103,000 miles; 50% 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.