Owners have filed 18 complaints
about the 1997 Nissan 200SX with NHTSA between 1997 and 2015.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 3 of 4 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 23
Against the median year of the Nissan 200SX. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 86
16.7% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1997 Nissan 200SX
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Airbags
527.8%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 142,653 mi
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
422.2%
Median failure at 117,500 miles
Electrical System
316.7%
Median failure at 150,000 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
211.1%
Lights
15.6%
Median failure at 135,000 miles
Acceleration & Cruise Control
15.6%
Brakes
15.6%
Engine & Cooling
15.6%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
75,000 – 99,999 miles
120.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
240.0%
150,000+ miles
240.0%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Nov 1997peak 3Apr 2015
Recalls on the 1997 Nissan 200SX
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 199809312,168 units in Canada
Visual System
WATER COULD ENTER AND DISPLACE THE GREASE IN THE WIPER ARM LINKAGE BALL JOINT WHERE THE WIPER LINKAGE ATTACHES TO THE WIPER MOTOR LINKAGE. THIS COULD RESULT IN GRADUAL WEAR INSIDE THE JOINT THAT COULD LEAD TO THE SEPARATION OF THE WIPER LINKAGE ASSEMBLY FROM THE WIPER MOTOR LINKAGE AT THE BALL JOINT. THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT IN LOSS OF WINDSHIELD WIPER FUNCTION. CORRECTION: A WATER DIVERSION SHIELD WILL BE ADDED TO THE WIPER LINKAGE BALL JOINT AREA. ALSO, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WIPER PIVOT AND TWO WIPER LINKS WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEW ONES.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Winston-Salem, NCCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DRIVING DOWN ROAD AND BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED CAUSING DRIVER TO STEER INTO CURB. ONLY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE WAS DEEP SCRAPES ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE RIM AND MINOR SCRAPES ON REAR PASSENGER SIDE RIM. NO OTHER BODY OR SHEET METAL DAMAGE. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES DID ANYTHING HAPPEN WHICH WOULD HAVE OR SHOULD HAVE CAUSE THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. WINDSHIELD BROKE AS A RESULT OF PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIRBAG.
NHTSA complaint #717799 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Worth, TX1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN INTO A PARKING LOT, HIT CURB AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH WHEN DUAL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, CAUSING 2 BROKEN FINGERS AND BRUISES. CONSUMER HAD TO HAVE HAND SURGERY DUE TO INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #823630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 150,000 milesLittle EGG Harbor TWP, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN 200SX. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WITHOUT HAVING THE BATTERY RECHARGED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FORMALLY DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
NHTSA complaint #10705397 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 142,653 milesBorger, TX
AIR BAGS
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 156,000 milesSaint Paul, MN
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN 200SX. WHILE DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE OF A RAIN STORM, HER WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED FUNCTIONING. THE VEHICLE TOWED SINCE SHE HAD NO VISIBILITY. THE AUTO REPAIR SHOP STATED THAT THE WIPER LINKAGE SEPARATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED IN REFERENCE TO RECALL 98V093000; HOWEVER, THEY CONFIRMED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 156,036 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 156,000.
NHTSA complaint #10286366 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 135,000 milesSaint Petersburg, FL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HEADLIGHT LENSES PRODUCED A THICK FOG OVER THEM. AS A RESULT, THE LIGHTS WERE NOT AS BRIGHT AT NIGHT. *AK THE HEADLIGHT LENSES WERE DAMAGED DUE TO THE SUNS ULTRA-VIOLET RAYS.
NHTSA complaint #10101894 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 79,001 milesPiscataway, NJ
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES
I HAD TO PAY $235 FOR A REPAIR THAT WAS PART OF A RECALL IN 1998. I WAS NEVER SENT RECALL INFO. REGARDING MY VEHICLE. I HAPPENED UPON THE NISSAN WEBSITE LOOKING FOR OTHER INFORMATION. FIRST NISSAN REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME THE REPAIR HAD TAKEN PLACE IN SEPTEMBER OF 1998 AT THE DEALERSHIP, WHEN I PROVED THAT TO BE WRONG I WAS THEN TOLD THAT MY VIN # WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. NISSAN WEBSITE CLEARLY SHOWS A RANGE OF VIN'S AND MINE FELL WITHIN THAT RANGE, NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN I WAS TOLD THE RANGE IS NOT SPECIFIC. IF THAT IS THE CASE THEN I SHOULD BE ABLE TO KNOW WHAT VIN'S ARE INCLUDED.
NHTSA complaint #10066472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austell, GA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES
THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPERS IN MY 1997 NISSAN 200SX JUST STOPPED WORKING WHILE IN USE. I WAS DRIVING THE CAR GOING TO MY MOTHER'S HOME FROM WORK AND THE WIPER JUST STOPPED. IT WAS VERY SCARY AND I COULD HARDLY SEE BECAUSE IT WAS RAINING SO HARD. I COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN IN A TERRIBLE WRECK. I QUICKLY PUT ON MY BLINKERS AND WITH ONLY VIEW OF MY REAR VIEW MIRROR MOVED TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER OF I-75.
NHTSA complaint #10059065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sparta, WI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
ELECTRICAL PROBLEM: ALTERNATOR IN 2000 THERE WAS A BULLETIN IN MY LOCAL NEWSPAPER OF A DEFECTIVE ALTERNATOR IN A 1997 NISSAN 200 SX. I REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR PRIOR TO THIS PRESS RELEASE. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED AND NEVER RECEIVED THIS RECALL OR REPAIR NOTICE I WASN'T SURE IF THIS WAS COVERED SEEING IT WAS A USED VEHICLE. I NEVER RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION FROM NISSAN OR THE DEALERSHIP SO I GAVE UP UNTIL I SEEN YOUR ORGANIZATION ON LOCAL TV. IS THERE ANY FORM OF REIMBURSEMENT I CAN RECEIVE?
NHTSA complaint #10037259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Morrisville, PA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
IN 03/01 THE ENGINE WENT AT 69,000 MILES, THEN 2 WEEKS AFTER THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AXLE WENT, 06/01 THE FRONT CRANK SEAL WENT, 02/02 THE TRANSMISSION AND THE CLUTCH WENT ALONG WITH THE EGR SYSTEM CODE HOSE NOT BEING ATTACHED TO THE DASH.
NHTSA complaint #758286 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Morrisville, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
IN 03/01 THE ENGINE WENT AT 69,000 MILES, THEN 2 WEEKS AFTER THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AXLE WENT, 06/01 THE FRONT CRANK SEAL WENT, 02/02 THE TRANSMISSION AND THE CLUTCH WENT ALONG WITH THE EGR SYSTEM CODE HOSE NOT BEING ATTACHED TO THE DASH.
NHTSA complaint #758286 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Morrisville, PA
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
IN 03/01 THE ENGINE WENT AT 69,000 MILES, THEN 2 WEEKS AFTER THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AXLE WENT, 06/01 THE FRONT CRANK SEAL WENT, 02/02 THE TRANSMISSION AND THE CLUTCH WENT ALONG WITH THE EGR SYSTEM CODE HOSE NOT BEING ATTACHED TO THE DASH.
NHTSA complaint #758286 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lancaster, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
ALTERNATOR KEEPS OVERHEATING, CAUSING IT TO DRAIN. ALTERNATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE, BUT IT HAS DRAINED AGAIN. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #883948 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Port Charl, FL
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES
CONSUMER MADE APPOINTMENT TO HAVE RECALL 998-093 SERVICE PERFORMED AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD ONLY TAKE AN HOUR, UPON RETURNING TO PICK IT UP CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN SERVICED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #552401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Winston-Salem, NCCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DRIVING DOWN ROAD AND BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED CAUSING DRIVER TO STEER INTO CURB. ONLY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE WAS DEEP SCRAPES ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE RIM AND MINOR SCRAPES ON REAR PASSENGER SIDE RIM. NO OTHER BODY OR SHEET METAL DAMAGE. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES DID ANYTHING HAPPEN WHICH WOULD HAVE OR SHOULD HAVE CAUSE THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. WINDSHIELD BROKE AS A RESULT OF PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIRBAG.
NHTSA complaint #717799 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gillette, WY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1) TAPPED ON BRAKE TO TAKE OUT OF GEAR AND STOP. CAME OUT OF GEAR, BUT CRUISE REMAINED ON AND ACCELERATOR STUCK. HAD TO STEP ON BRAKE HARD TO GET CRUISE OFF. 2) YESTERDAY, MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED, EXCEPT THIS TIME TACHOMETER WENT UP TO AROUND 6. WAS VERY FRIGHTENING FOR HER. IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME A FEW TIMES SINCE THE FIRST INCIDENT AROUND 6-1-99. IT HAS NOT HAPPENED WHEN WE HAVE BEEN TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAYS, ONLY IN TOWN. THE FAILED COMPONENT/PART SECTION INDICATES THAT THERE WAS 22,000 INJURIES, THE SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED ON 6-1-99 AND THAT THERE WERE 35 FATALITIES. THIS IS NOT TRUE. I ENTERED THE INFORMATION CORRECTLY TWICE AND IT STILL KEEPS COMING UP INCORRECT IN THE CONFIRMATION AREA.
NHTSA complaint #707810 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glendale, AZ
AIR BAGS
AIR BAGS DID NOT INFLATE DURING COLLISION.
NHTSA complaint #539540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Burleson, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHEN BRAKES GET WET THEY WILL LOCK UP, AND THE VEHICLE WILL SLIDE ALL ACROSS THE ROAD.
NHTSA complaint #826390 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Worth, TX1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN INTO A PARKING LOT, HIT CURB AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH WHEN DUAL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, CAUSING 2 BROKEN FINGERS AND BRUISES. CONSUMER HAD TO HAVE HAND SURGERY DUE TO INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #823630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rangely, CO
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON AND THIS IS THIS SECOND TIME THAT THE LIGHT CAME ON IN THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER STATES THAT THIS MEANS THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE AIR BAG SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #818443 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.