Nissan 200SX Problems by Year
NHTSA has 124 owner complaints and 2 safety recalls on file for the Nissan 200SX, across 5 model years (1995–2001). The 1995 model year has the most complaints (51). The most reported problem area overall is air bags.
Nissan 200SX years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical 200SX year: 1995, 1996. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 1995 200SX: 51 complaints, 2 recalls
- 1996 200SX: 37 complaints, 1 recall
- 1998 200SX: 18 complaints, 1 recall
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Nissan 200SX problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 45 | 4 | 19 |
| Visibility | 19 | 5 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 13 | 5 | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 11 | 4 | 2 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 9 | 4 | 0 |
| Power Train | 8 | 3 | 0 |
| Equipment | 5 | 3 | 0 |
| Suspension | 5 | 3 | 0 |
| Tires | 5 | 3 | 0 |
| Structure | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Parking Brake | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Wheels | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Nissan 200SX model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 200SX | 2 | 0 | — | Electrical System | |
| 1998 200SX | 18 | 1 | — | Electrical System | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 1997 200SX | 16 | 1 | — | Air Bags | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 1996 200SX | 37 | 1 | — | Air Bags | Far more complaints than other years |
| 1995 200SX | 51 | 2 | — | Air Bags | Far more complaints than other years |
More from Nissan: all Nissan models · Nissan VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Nissan 200SX years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 1995 (51), 1996 (37) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical 200SX year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Nissan 200SX?
Air Bags, with 45 complaints across 4 model years.
How many recalls does the Nissan 200SX have?
2 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.