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
1337.1%
Fuel Injection System
822.9%
Engine
411.4%
Master Cylinder
38.6%
Body
25.7%
Recliner
25.7%
Hydraulic Power Assist System
25.7%
Fuel Injection System
12.9%
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.
Feb 1995peak 7Sep 2016
NHTSA investigations into the 1990 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.
RQ99021Opened 2 Nov 1999Closed 22 May 2000VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
FUEL LEAKS FROM FUEL INJECTORS
In October of 1995, Nisan conducted a safety improvement campaign, 95I-006.The campaign recalled Maximas (1985-88), 200SX (1987-88), 300ZX (1984-88, and Infinity M30 (1990-92), for fuel leaking from the fuel injectors.The remedy called for a replacement of the fuel injectors and related hoses on the affected vehicles.The recall was influenced by EA94-018, involving over 680,000 1984-89 Maxima and 300ZX vehicles, and was originally initiated as PE94-018 with 25 complaints, for a complaint rate of 4 per 100K.ODI has received 34 complaints for the 1990-92 Stanzas and 240SXs, for fuel leaking in t...
EA95007Opened 10 Mar 1995Closed 2 Aug 1995SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE
Recalls on the 1990 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.
NHTSA complaint #758667 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Roseville, CAFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
NISSAN CORPORATION IS AWARE OF THE FUEL INJECTOR DEFECT. ACCORDING TO FUTURE NISSAN IS ROSEVILLE, CA. NISSAN CORPORATION HAS WARRANTIED THE FUEL INJECTORS IN A SELECT NUMBER OF MODELS AND CYLINDER TYPES. THE 240SX WITH 6 CYLINDERS HAS BEEN WARRANTIED, HOWEVER MY 4 CYLINDER MODEL WHICH HAS THE EXACT SOME FUEL INJECTORS WHICH THE EXACT SAME SEAL BREAKDOWN PROBLEM HAS BEEN CHOSEN BY NISSAN NOT TO WARRANTY. HOW IS IT THAT A COMPANY WHICH IS AWARE OF FUEL INJECTOR BREAKDOWN CAN WARRANTY ONE MODEL WITH THE SAME INJECTORS AND NOT ANOTHER? ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, THE FUEL INJECTOR LEAKING IS CAUSED BY THE GASOLINE SOLD IN CALIFORNIA BREAKING DOWN THE SEALS. WHEN THE SEALS BREAK DOWN, THE GASOLINE LEAKS ALL OVER THE MANIFOLD CAUSING FIRES. I WANT TO HAVE MY CARS FUEL INJECTORS WARRANTIED BY NISSAN CORPORATION SINCE THEY HAVE THE EXACT SAME PART WHICH ARE WARRANTIED IN OTHER NISSAN MODES, INCLUDING 6 CYLINDER 240SX. I HAD TO WAIT 1 MONTH TO HAVE MY 240SX FIXED SINCE THERE IS SUCH A BACKLOG DUE TO THIS SERIOUS MALADY OF SEAL BREAKDOWN. NISSAN OWES ME $500 TO CORRECT THEIR DEFECTIVE FUEL INJECTORS. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #701194 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Woodbine, MDCrash1 killed
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN DRIVER UPON IMPACT, DRIVER THROWN HALF WAY OUT OF WINDOW; VEHICLE CRUSHED DRIVER, RESULTING IN A FATALITY.
NHTSA complaint #181161 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Woodbine, MDCrash1 injured1 killed
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
STRUCK ON PASSENGER SIDE; VEHICLE SLIDES SIDEWAYS STRIKING TREE, FLIPPED OVER ON DRIVER SIDE, DRIVER THROWN HALF WAY OUT OF WINDOW; VEHICLE CRUSHED DRIVER
NHTSA complaint #981161 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Somis, CA
SEAT BELTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 NISSAN 240SX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 95V103002 (SEAT BELTS). THE CONTACT WAS EXPERIENCING A FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE DEALER WOULD NOT HONOR THE RECALL AND WANTED TO CHARGE THE CONTACT FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10904813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Warrensburg, MO
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE FACTORY BREAK BOOSTERS ON NISSAN 240SX MODEL YEARS 1989-1998 LEAK AND DRIP BREAK FLUID ONTO THE FRAME RAIL, EATING AWAY THE RUST PREVENTIVE COATING. THIS ALLOWS THE ELEMENTS TO CONTACT BARE METAL, OXIDIZING IT AND BOTH WEAKENING THE STRUCTURE OF THE VEHICLE AND POTENTIALLY CAUSING THE BREAKS TO FAIL.
NHTSA complaint #10851310 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE PURCHASED THIS AUTO APRIL 20, 2005. I DROVE IT FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS. THEN AN OVERPOWERING ODOR OF GASOLINE EMITTED IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. UPON INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, THERE WAS GASOLINE LEAKING FROM THE FUEL RAIL. I HAVE HAD THE O-RINGS AND INSULATORS REPLACED ON ALL FOUR FUEL INJECTORS AND THE LEAK IS STILL PRESENT. IT SEEMS THAT I MUST NOW REPLACE THE INJECTORS. IN CHECKING FOR POSSIBLE RECALLS, I HAVE NOTICED THERE WERE SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS MADE REFERRING TO THE FUEL SYSTEM ON THESE MODELS, AND THAT NISSAN WOULD NOT RECALL THE 240 SX EVEN THOUGH THE EXACT SAME DESIGN IS USED IN THE FOUR CYLINDER ENGINE AS THE SIX CYLINDER MODELS THAT THEY DID RECALL. !!! WHY NOT THE 240 SX, NISSAN????? I INTEND TO KEEP ALL OLD PARTS THAT ARE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10120938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE PURCHASED THIS AUTO APRIL 20, 2005. I DROVE IT FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS. THEN AN OVERPOWERING ODOR OF GASOLINE EMITTED IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. UPON INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, THERE WAS GASOLINE LEAKING FROM THE FUEL RAIL. I HAVE HAD THE O-RINGS AND INSULATORS REPLACED ON ALL FOUR FUEL INJECTORS AND THE LEAK IS STILL PRESENT. IT SEEMS THAT I MUST NOW REPLACE THE INJECTORS. IN CHECKING FOR POSSIBLE RECALLS, I HAVE NOTICED THERE WERE SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS MADE REFERRING TO THE FUEL SYSTEM ON THESE MODELS, AND THAT NISSAN WOULD NOT RECALL THE 240 SX EVEN THOUGH THE EXACT SAME DESIGN IS USED IN THE FOUR CYLINDER ENGINE AS THE SIX CYLINDER MODELS THAT THEY DID RECALL. !!! WHY NOT THE 240 SX, NISSAN????? I INTEND TO KEEP ALL OLD PARTS THAT ARE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10120938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 170,000 milesSAN Marcos, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
SMELLED BAD GAS ODOR. TOOK TO REPAIR SHOP AND SAID 3 OUT OF 4 INJECTORS WERE LEAKING, VERY DANGEROUS. REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. NOW I AM READING ABOUT RECALL # 95I006000--NEVER NOTIFIED. WILL NISSAN REFUND OR CREDIT ME FOR COST SINCE THIS WAS IMMEDIATE DANGER PROBLEM. WILL PROVIDE PROOF OF SERVICE AND COST.
NHTSA complaint #10066006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
3 OF 4 FUEL INJECTORS LEAKING AND FUEL REGULATORS NEEDS REPLACEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10052863 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Aneihem, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
FUEL INJECTOR HAS LEAKED FUEL DUE TO FUEL RAIL. VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED THREE TIMES. THIS PART IS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8011028 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Aneihem, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
FUEL INJECTORS HAVE LEAKED FUEL DUE TO THE FUEL RAIL. VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED THREE TIMES. PARTS ARE ON A NATIONAL BACK ORDER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8009265 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL INJECTOR IS LEAKING AND COULD CAUSE A FIRE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT EXPERIENCED ANY PROBLEM YET DUE TO LEAKING FUEL INJECTORS. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA complaint #8007407 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Burnswick, NJ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THERE IS A NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE. TIMING CHAIN HAS MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #8005460 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NHTSA complaint #784478 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glendale, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
THE SAFTEY BUTTON ON THE IGNITION THAT YOU USUALLY HAS TO BE PUSHED IN TO GET THE KEY OUT KEEPS GETTING STUCK. THEREFORE I'M NOT ABLE TO GET MY KEY OUT. THE PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 5 OR 6 TIMES ALREADY AND TO RESOLVE IT, I HAVE TO REMOVE THE PLATE THAT COVERS THE IGNITION AND BUTTON AND PRESS IT A CERTAIN WAY. I HAVE BEEN STUCK AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS, NOT BEING ABLE TO LEAVE MY CAR, DUE TO THE FACT THAT I CAN'T GET MY KEY OUT. I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD FALL UNDER THE MANUFACTURERS RESPONSIBILITY AND NOT THE CUSTOMERS.
NHTSA complaint #723743 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alpharetta, GA
SEATS
THE METAL BACKING IN THE DRIVERS SEAT IS STARTING TO PROTRUDE THROUGH THE SEAT MATERIAL AND INTO THE DRIVERS BACK.
NHTSA complaint #722912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Emporia, KS
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
THE ENGINE IDLE CONTROL FAILS WHILE ON THE ROAD, NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE OF IDLE PROBLEMS. YH
NHTSA complaint #551048 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Emporia, KS
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WAS COMING TO A LIGHT, TOOK FOOT OFF GAS, AND RPMS DROPPED TO 1800. WHEN TAKEN VEHICLE OUT OF GEAR, RPMS WOULD JUMP UP OVER 1800 & THEN SLOWLY DECREASE. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP 5 OR 6 TIMES FOR PROBLEM. MECHANIC NOT ABLE TO RESOLVE PROBLEM. FRONT TIRES WOULD HAVE NO GRIP. CAR WOULD KEEP ROLLING DUE TO BACK WHEEL PUSHING. *AK
NHTSA complaint #857363 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Emporia, KS
TIRES
WAS COMING TO A LIGHT, TOOK FOOT OFF GAS, AND RPMS DROPPED TO 1800. WHEN TAKEN VEHICLE OUT OF GEAR, RPMS WOULD JUMP UP OVER 1800 & THEN SLOWLY DECREASE. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP 5 OR 6 TIMES FOR PROBLEM. MECHANIC NOT ABLE TO RESOLVE PROBLEM. FRONT TIRES WOULD HAVE NO GRIP. CAR WOULD KEEP ROLLING DUE TO BACK WHEEL PUSHING. *AK
NHTSA complaint #857363 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL INJECTORS ARE LEAKING WHICH CAUSES A POTENTIAL FOR VEHICLE TO IGNITE AND CATCH FIRE. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #853877 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Atlanta, GA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKE FLUID CAUSED THE SEALS TO FAIL, RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKE POWER. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #851696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Atlanta, GA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID
BRAKE FLUID CAUSED THE SEALS TO FAIL, RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKE POWER. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #851696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orlando, FL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER CAN SMELL GAS WITHIN THE VEHICLE, AND ALL FOUR OF FUEL INJECTORS HAVE TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THERE IS A NOISE COMING FROM THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #842565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.