1998 Nissan 200Sx

Routine

Owners filed 18 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine and engine cooling › engine › gasoline. It has been recalled 2 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Suspension2
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Pedals and Linkages2
100
Electrical System2
000
Air Bags2
000
Wheels › Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs1
000
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor1
000
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer1
000
Visibility1
000
Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar1
000
Power Train › Clutch Assembly › Pedal/Hand Lever(motorcycle)1
000

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting06E049000
Filed May 24, 200627,176 vehiclesCk Motorsport, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy. CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Linkages98V093000
Filed May 5, 1998512,387 vehiclesNissan North America, Inc.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. WATER CAN ENTER AND DISPLACE THE GREASE IN THE WIPER ARM LINKAGE BALL JOINT WHERE THE WIPER LINKAGE ATTACHES TO THE WIPER MOTOR LINKAGE.

Risk. THIS CAN RESULT IN GRADUAL WEAR OVER A PERIOD OF TIME INSIDE THE JOINT THAT COULD LEAD TO THE SEPARATION OF THE WIPER LINKAGE ASSEMBLY FROM THE WIPER MOTOR LINKAGE AT THE BALL JOINT. A LOSS OF WINDSHIELD WIPER FUNCTION CAN RESULT IN THIS SEPARATION OCCURS.

Remedy. TO PREVENT GREASE FROM BEING WASHED OUT OF THE JOINT, THE DEALERS WILL MODIFY BY ADDING A WATER DIVERSION SEAL THAT WILL PREVENT WATER FROM ENTERING THE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE BALL JOINT AREA.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical System
Filed Dec 10, 2018162,000 milesWA

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.

Electrical System
Filed Feb 25, 201278,395 milesFL

ALL INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES QUIT WORKING ODOMETER, GAS. RPM. TEMP, ALL QUIT WORKING. *TR

Visibility
Filed Apr 27, 2009VT

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. *TR

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Jan 24, 2005PA

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. *JB

Wheels › Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
Filed Mar 31, 2003MI

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. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Jan 17, 2002MI

THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. *YH

Suspension
Filed Apr 17, 2001PA

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. *AK

Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
Filed Apr 9, 2001AR

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. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Pedals and LinkagesCrash
Filed Jun 18, 2000NJ

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..*AK

Power Train › Clutch Assembly › Pedal/Hand Lever(motorcycle)
Filed May 23, 2000CA

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?

Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
Filed May 21, 2000CA

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.

Air Bags
Filed Apr 25, 2000CA

WHILE TRAVELING NOTICED AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT ON. DEALER STATED THAT CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO PAY $40 FOR REPAIRS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Pedals and Linkages
Filed Aug 8, 1999TX

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

Electrical System › Wiring › Front UnderhoodFire
Filed Apr 22, 1999CA

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. *AK

Suspension
Filed Mar 8, 1999RI

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. *AK

Power Train › Axle Assembly › Axle Shaft › Seal
Filed Feb 1, 1999CA

AXLE SEAL ASSEMBLY FAILED. *YC

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Feb 1, 1999CA

WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED. *YC

Air Bags
Filed Apr 17, 1998FL

NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAG DURING VEHICLE COLLISION.

18 of 18 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1995
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20012000Routine
19990100Routine
1998 — this page18210Routine
199716200Routine
199637210Routine
199551310Routine
19911000Routine

Compare every 200Sx year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: May 24, 2006. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.