NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Injectors
627.3%
Fuel Injection System
313.6%
Engine
313.6%
Linkages
29.1%
Interior/Under Dash
29.1%
Column
29.1%
Retractor
29.1%
Buckle Assembly
29.1%
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.
Apr 1995peak 4May 2012
NHTSA investigations into the 1989 Nissan 240SX
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
EA95007Opened 10 Mar 1995Closed 2 Aug 1995SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE
Recalls on the 1989 Nissan 240SX
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 1995084106,721 units in Canada
Seats And Restraints
THE (Takata) ABS PLASTIC FRONT SEAT BELT RELEASE BUTTONS ON THESE VEHICLES MAY BREAK ALLOWING PLASTIC PIECES TO FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY. IF THIS SHOULD HAPPEN, A NO LATCH, FALSE LATCH OR FAILURE TO UNLATCH CONDITION COULD OCCUR CREATING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH OR SUDDEN STOP. CORRECTION: FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES WILL BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED AS NECESSARY.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 123,900 milesProvidence, RIFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
ELECTRICAL FIRE IN THE INTERIOR OF VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10029200 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lake Charles, LAFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
ALL FUEL INJECTERS KEPT LEAKING AND SPILLING GAS,THE DEALERSHIP FAILED TO FIX IT RIGHT CAUSING FIRE
NHTSA complaint #701143 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Depew, NY1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION RESULTING IN A VEHICLE COLLISION.
NHTSA complaint #533882 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rohnert PA, CACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
SUDDEN ACCELERATION,RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL/COLLISION.
NHTSA complaint #533378 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santee, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD DUE TO ELECTRICAL SHORT WHILE DRIVING WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT.*AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #801049 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kent, WACrash
STEERING
FRONT LEFT WHEEL KNUCKLE FAILED RESULTING IN BRAKE LINE CUT AND TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
NHTSA complaint #965486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 126,000 milesBoynton Beach, FL
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 205,000 milesMesa, AZ
SEAT BELTS
AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT DOESN'T MOVE WHEN DOOR IS OPENED OR CLOSED.
NHTSA complaint #10285093 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 123,900 milesProvidence, RIFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
ELECTRICAL FIRE IN THE INTERIOR OF VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10029200 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesWillow Creek, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
THE LOWER BOLT THAT HOLDS THE BACK, LEFT BRAKE CALIPER HAS BROKEN TWICE WITHIN 3 YEARS. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10023070 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dixon, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
FUEL INJECTORS LEAKING-- 2 OUT OF THE 4
NHTSA complaint #731656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL INJECTORS ON CYLINDERS 1 AND 2 DEVELOPED FUEL EXTERNAL FUEL LEAKS. THIS WAS NOT THE SEALS AS THEY WERE REPLACED AND HAD NO EFFECT ON THE LEAK. INJECTOR REPLACEMENT @ $100 EACH SOLVED THE PROBLEM. POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD.
NHTSA complaint #704881 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lake Charles, LAFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
ALL FUEL INJECTERS KEPT LEAKING AND SPILLING GAS,THE DEALERSHIP FAILED TO FIX IT RIGHT CAUSING FIRE
NHTSA complaint #701143 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lake Charl, LA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
STRONG GAS ODOR AROUND VEHICLE. OWNER CANNOT LOCATE ANY LEAKS.
NHTSA complaint #540710 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Depew, NY1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION RESULTING IN A VEHICLE COLLISION.
NHTSA complaint #533882 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rohnert PA, CACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
SUDDEN ACCELERATION,RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL/COLLISION.
NHTSA complaint #533378 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Angeles, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
FUEL INJECTORS: FUEL INJECTORS ARE LEAKING. EGR IS BROKEN, , VACUUM IS CRACKED.
NHTSA complaint #812575 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.