Owners have filed 28 complaints
about the 1998 Nissan 200SX with NHTSA between 1998 and 2018.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 4 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 — 36
Against the median year of the Nissan 200SX. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 37
7.1% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1998 Nissan 200SX
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Engine & Cooling
517.9%
Equipment & Accessories
414.3%
Transmission & Drivetrain
414.3%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
310.7%
Electrical System
310.7%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 120,197 mi
Suspension
27.1%
Brakes
27.1%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Airbags
27.1%
Wheels
13.6%
Tires
13.6%
Steering
13.6%
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.
Dec 1998peak 5Dec 2018
Recalls on the 1998 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.
Scotch Plains, NJCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS FULLY DEPRESSED, IT GOES LOWER THAN THE GAS PEDAL. IF THE RIGHT FOOT/SHOE IS NOT FULLY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE FOOT/SHOE WILL ALSO PUSH DOWN ON THE GAS PEDAL CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE WHILE YOU ARE TRYING TO BRAKE. SEEMS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW. I'VE CHECKED OUT 1 OTHER 200SX AND THE SAME THING HAPPENS. ALTHOUGH MY WIFE IS NOW AWARE OF IT, IT HAPPENED TO HER TWICE IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS, BUT THOSE DID NOT RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT, UNLIKE THE 10/10/98 INCIDENT INVOLVING MY DAUGHTER..
NHTSA complaint #724153 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Woodland Hills, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES BEFORE PARKING VEHICLE, IMMEDIATELY AFTER ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF COSUMER BEGAN TO NOTICE SMOKE, FIRST WHITE SMOKE. CONSUMER THEN STARTED ENGINE AND BACKED VEHICLE OUT OF GARAGE. SHORTLY AFTER, FLAMES BEGAN UNDER HOOD. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. ONE MONTH LATER DEALERSHIP DECIDED TO REPLACE VEHICLE BECAUSE NISSAN COULD NOT FIND A CAUSE FOR FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #837029 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 162,000 milesFederal WAY, WA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CAR WONT CRANK, REPLACED THE STARTER, BATTERY, IGNITION SWITCH AND NO ONE KNOWS HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM EVEN THE DEALERSHIP WONT HELP UNLESS YOU HAVE OVER $1,000. ITS SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE DASH LIGHTS COMES ONE BUT NOTHING ELSE. I REPLACED EVERYTHING. WHEN YOU SHUT THE ENGINE OFF YOU HAVE TO WAIT SOMETIMES FOR 3 TO 4 HOURS OR LONGER AND THAT IS IN PUBLIC PARKING LOTS.
NHTSA complaint #11157211 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 78,395 milesCocoa, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ALL INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES QUIT WORKING ODOMETER, GAS. RPM. TEMP, ALL QUIT WORKING.
NHTSA complaint #10449320 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Milton, VT
VISIBILITY
RECENTLY MY WIPER FAILED DUE TO LINKAGE ISSUES, UPON INVESTIGATION MY MAKE MODEL AND YEAR OF CAR HAD A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. WHEN TRYING TO GET IT REPAIRED I WAS TOLD MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT AMONG THOSE ELIGIBLE FOR REPAIR DUE TO RECALL. I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THIS CONSIDERING I AM ACTUALLY HAVING THE SPECIFIC FAILURE ON MY VEHICLE THERE OBVIOUSLY HAS BEEN A MISTAKE AND THIS SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF BY THE MANUFACTURER SEEING AS MY VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION WITH THIS DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #10266813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oley, PA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD COME ON AND GO OFF ON THEIR OWN. THE DEALER WAS AWARE THE PROBLEM. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR NEEDED REPLACEMENT. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10108745 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
OAK Park, MI
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
NAR 04/01/2003. THE CONSUMER HAD TO HAVE HER VEHICLE TOWED TWICE BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT START. WHEN EVER THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE SERVICE NO PROBLEMS WERE FOUND REGARDING THE VEHICLE NOT STARTING. ON ONE OCCASION THE DEALER LOCATED A CRACKED BELT. THE STUD/NUT WAS REPLACED ON THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL.
NHTSA complaint #10015028 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
OAK Park, MI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
NAR 04/01/2003. THE CONSUMER HAD TO HAVE HER VEHICLE TOWED TWICE BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT START. WHEN EVER THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE SERVICE NO PROBLEMS WERE FOUND REGARDING THE VEHICLE NOT STARTING. ON ONE OCCASION THE DEALER LOCATED A CRACKED BELT. THE STUD/NUT WAS REPLACED ON THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL.
NHTSA complaint #10015028 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
OAK Park, MI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START.
NHTSA complaint #564021 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
OAK Park, MI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START.
NHTSA complaint #564021 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Conway, AR
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
WHEN THE CAR WAS ASSEMBLED AT THE MANUFACTURER, THE AIR COMPROSSER WAS BOLTED DOWN TO TIGHTLY. WE HAD PURCHASED THE CAR IN NOV. 1998 AND WHEN SUMMER OF 1999 ROLLED AROUND THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULD NOT COOL. THE DEALER FILLED THE UNIT WITH FREON AND IT HELD FOR THE SUMMER BY SUMMER OF 2000 THE FREON HAD LEAKED OUT AGAIN. THIS TIME THEY CHARGED US TO REFILL THE UNIT BUT PUT A DIE TO SEE ABOUT A LEAK, WHAT THEY FOUND WAS WHEN IT WAS BUILT, THE SCREW AT THE TOP WAS TIGHTENED DOWN TOO TIGHT AND THERE WAS A SMALL LEAK ALLOWING THE FREON TO ESCAPE. NOW INSTEAD OF STANDING BEHIND THE PART AND THE LABOR THEY ONLY ARE WILLING TO PROVIDE THE PART. IT WAS THE MANUFACTURER LABOR THAT MADE THE PART DEFECTIVE. PLEASE HELP.
NHTSA complaint #743767 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kingston, PA
SUSPENSION
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 60 MPH VEHICLE WILL START PULLING TO SIDES. HAD BEEN TAKEN TO DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THEN, PROBLEM RETURNED WITH VIBRATION ON STEERING WHEEL.
NHTSA complaint #886152 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Scotch Plains, NJCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS FULLY DEPRESSED, IT GOES LOWER THAN THE GAS PEDAL. IF THE RIGHT FOOT/SHOE IS NOT FULLY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE FOOT/SHOE WILL ALSO PUSH DOWN ON THE GAS PEDAL CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE WHILE YOU ARE TRYING TO BRAKE. SEEMS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW. I'VE CHECKED OUT 1 OTHER 200SX AND THE SAME THING HAPPENS. ALTHOUGH MY WIFE IS NOW AWARE OF IT, IT HAPPENED TO HER TWICE IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS, BUT THOSE DID NOT RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT, UNLIKE THE 10/10/98 INCIDENT INVOLVING MY DAUGHTER..
NHTSA complaint #724153 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Franci, CA
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
A/C PRESSURE HOSE CONNECTOR BROKE. YH
NHTSA complaint #723105 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Franci, CA
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
CLUTCH CABLE BROKE TWICE WHILE DRIVING . YH
NHTSA complaint #723105 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Francisco, CA
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
1. WHEN I DROVE @ THE SPEED OF 55, THE WHEEL STILL SHIFT TO THE RIGHT. 2. ELLIS BROOKS(DEALER) REPLACED THE NEW CABLE ON 01/2000, TWO WEEKS LATER I WANT ON VACATION FOR 5 WEEKS, THE CAR HAVEN'T DRIVE THEN. ABOUT 2 WEEKS AFTER I CAME BACK FROM VACATION, I START TO FEEL THE CLUTCH LOOSE AGAIN. THEN ABOUT 3 WEEKS LATER THE CLUTCH CABLE HAD BROKEN AGAIN. FROM THERE I CHANGED NEW CLUTCH(DEALER SUGGEST TO REPLACE CLUTCH), BUT NOW THE CAR STILL IN THE DEALER GARAGE WAITING FOR THE CABLE, IT IS BEEN 3 WEEKS. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURE CLAIM CAN'T FIND THE NEW CLUTCH CABLE YET. AND THEY DON'T WANT TO PROVIDE CAR RENTAL.
NHTSA complaint #723007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Francisco, CA
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE)
SINCE THE SECOND TIME THE CLUTCH CABLE WAS BROKE TILL NOW, THE CAR STILL SIT IN THE GARAGE OF ELLIS BROOKS(DEALER). THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURE CAN NOT FIND ANY REPLACEMENT PARTS(#30770-9B410). AND THEY REFUSE TO GIVE ANY RENTAL CAR. I TRIED TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURE AND DEALER MANY TIMES, BUT STILL CAN NOT FIX THIS PROBLEM. COULD IT BE A LEMON CAR?
NHTSA complaint #723105 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Francisco, CA
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
1. WHEN I DROVE @ THE SPEED OF 55, THE WHEEL STILL SHIFT TO THE RIGHT. 2. ELLIS BROOKS(DEALER) REPLACED THE NEW CABLE ON 01/2000, TWO WEEKS LATER I WANT ON VACATION FOR 5 WEEKS, THE CAR HAVEN'T DRIVE THEN. ABOUT 2 WEEKS AFTER I CAME BACK FROM VACATION, I START TO FEEL THE CLUTCH LOOSE AGAIN. THEN ABOUT 3 WEEKS LATER THE CLUTCH CABLE HAD BROKEN AGAIN. FROM THERE I CHANGED NEW CLUTCH(DEALER SUGGEST TO REPLACE CLUTCH), BUT NOW THE CAR STILL IN THE DEALER GARAGE WAITING FOR THE CABLE, IT IS BEEN 3 WEEKS. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURE CLAIM CAN'T FIND THE NEW CLUTCH CABLE YET. AND THEY DON'T WANT TO PROVIDE CAR RENTAL.
NHTSA complaint #723007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Francisco, CA
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
SINCE THE SECOND TIME THE CLUTCH CABLE WAS BROKE TILL NOW, THE CAR STILL SIT IN THE GARAGE OF ELLIS BROOKS(DEALER). THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURE CAN NOT FIND ANY REPLACEMENT PARTS(#30770-9B410). AND THEY REFUSE TO GIVE ANY RENTAL CAR. I TRIED TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURE AND DEALER MANY TIMES, BUT STILL CAN NOT FIX THIS PROBLEM. COULD IT BE A LEMON CAR?
NHTSA complaint #723105 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Francisco, CA
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
1. WHEN I DROVE @ THE SPEED OF 55, THE WHEEL STILL SHIFT TO THE RIGHT. 2. ELLIS BROOKS(DEALER) REPLACED THE NEW CABLE ON 01/2000, TWO WEEKS LATER I WANT ON VACATION FOR 5 WEEKS, THE CAR HAVEN'T DRIVE THEN. ABOUT 2 WEEKS AFTER I CAME BACK FROM VACATION, I START TO FEEL THE CLUTCH LOOSE AGAIN. THEN ABOUT 3 WEEKS LATER THE CLUTCH CABLE HAD BROKEN AGAIN. FROM THERE I CHANGED NEW CLUTCH(DEALER SUGGEST TO REPLACE CLUTCH), BUT NOW THE CAR STILL IN THE DEALER GARAGE WAITING FOR THE CABLE, IT IS BEEN 3 WEEKS. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURE CLAIM CAN'T FIND THE NEW CLUTCH CABLE YET. AND THEY DON'T WANT TO PROVIDE CAR RENTAL.
NHTSA complaint #723007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Muphys, CA
AIR BAGS
WHILE TRAVELING NOTICED AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT ON. DEALER STATED THAT CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO PAY $40 FOR REPAIRS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #860896 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Savoy, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
WHEN YOU HIT THE BRAKES YOU WILL HIT THE GAS PEDAL AT THE SAME TIME IF YOUR FOOT IS NOT SQUARE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL
NHTSA complaint #709750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Whittier, CA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #606828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Whittier, CA
TIRES
TIRES SQUEAK.
NHTSA complaint #606828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL
AXLE SEAL ASSEMBLY FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #608598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Woodland Hills, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES BEFORE PARKING VEHICLE, IMMEDIATELY AFTER ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF COSUMER BEGAN TO NOTICE SMOKE, FIRST WHITE SMOKE. CONSUMER THEN STARTED ENGINE AND BACKED VEHICLE OUT OF GARAGE. SHORTLY AFTER, FLAMES BEGAN UNDER HOOD. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. ONE MONTH LATER DEALERSHIP DECIDED TO REPLACE VEHICLE BECAUSE NISSAN COULD NOT FIND A CAUSE FOR FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #837029 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Eastgrenwich, RI
SUSPENSION
WHEN DRIVING OVER 50 MPH VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO SLOW DOWN SO THE CONSUMER WON'T LOSE CONTROL OF THE VELHICLE. ALSO, WATER PUMP/MOTOR WENT OUT, AND WERE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #835542 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.