RoadVitals

1988 Nissan 200SX

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
8
Latest Sep 4, 2003
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Nov 1, 1995
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
4

Overview

Our database contains 8 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1988 Nissan 200SX, most frequently naming the fuel system, engine and interior & seats categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 3 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Fuel system562.5%
  • Engine112.5%
  • Interior & seats112.5%
  • Seat belts112.5%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
95I006000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

Nov 1, 1995
686,649 units potentially affected
The defect: THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATION 573. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. THE CAMPAIGN WILL REPLACE THE FUEL INJECTORS AND RELATED HOSES OF AFFECTED VEHICLES WHICH COULD LEAK.
The risk: FUEL LEAKS IN THE ENGINE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: NISSAN DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL INJECTORS AND RELATED HOSES ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.
NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
95V103002

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

May 24, 1995
2,730,462 units potentially affected
The defect: THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
The risk: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE.
NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA95007ClosedEngineering Analysis

TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE

Opened Mar 10, 1995
Closed Aug 2, 1995

There is no summary currently available

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLYLed to recall 95V103002

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Fuel system
Filed Sep 4, 2003

FUEL LEAKED ONTO THE ENGINE THAT COULD HAV E CAUSED A POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE CHECKED, AND WAS INFORMED THAT FUEL INJECTERS WERE DEFECTIVE.*AK

NHTSA ID
10038240
Incident
Aug 12, 2003
Mileage
100,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 22, 2002

CONSUMER STATED THERE IS A FUEL SMELL COMING INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE VENTS, DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK *YH

NHTSA ID
8002593
Incident
Dec 1, 2001
Fuel system
Filed Jul 31, 2001
Fire reported

THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BECAUSE A FUEL ODOR WAS PRESENT WHICH WAS COMING FROM THE FUEL INJECTORS, THE CONSUMER MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE VEHICLE REPAIRED BUT PRIOR TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED, THE CONSUMER WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN CONCERNING THE FUEL INJECTORS AND HOSES. NLM

NHTSA ID
562304
Incident
Feb 24, 2001
Interior & seats
Filed Jun 11, 2001

VEHICLE WAS PARKED, CONSUMER SAT IN DRIVER SEAT, SEAT BOTTOM DETACHED FROM BOTTOM OF VEHICLE AND CONSUMER WAS THROWN BACKWARD. CONSUMER STATED LEFT FRONT ANCHOR BROKE, VEHICLE AT DEALER AT THIS TIME. CONSUMER NOT INJURED. *SLC

NHTSA ID
890105
Incident
Jun 9, 2001
Fuel system
Filed Apr 27, 2001
Fire reported

RECALL 95I00600; CONSUMER FOUND OUT ABOUT A RECALL. CALLED NISSAN DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS AFFECTED. CONSUMER WANTED TO GET THIS DONE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, BUT DEALER SAID COULD NOT DO IT UNTIL 3 DAYS LATER. BEFORE DEALER WOULD PERFORM RECALL VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN GARAGE AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. TOTALLED VEHICLE, AND DESTROYED GARAGE. NISSAN WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS LOSS.*AK

NHTSA ID
886984
Incident
Feb 24, 2001
Fuel system
Filed Nov 1, 1996
Fire reported

ENGINE FIRE DUE TO LEAK IN THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM.

NHTSA ID
510908
Incident
Jul 3, 1995
Engine
Filed Aug 22, 1995
Fire reported

SMALL ENGINE FIRE OCCURED ON THE SIDE WERE THE DISTRIBUTOR IS LOCATED. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

NHTSA ID
970841
Incident
Aug 18, 1995
Seat belts
Filed Jul 17, 1995

SEAT BELT FAILURE, BELT BUCKLE BROKEN, CANNOT LATCH SEAT BELTS, DEALER IS CHARGING FOR REPAIR. TT

NHTSA ID
968882
Incident
May 17, 1995

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

NTB-09-101

TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS

NISSAN: TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) WARNING LIGHT ON/FLASHING. NO MODELS OR MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE UPDATED ON 08-11-2011. *KB

NTB-09-129

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

NISSAN: VENT CONTROL VALVE REPLACEMENT. WHEN REPLACING THE EVAP CANISTER VENT CONTROL VALVE FOR REASON: USE THE ONE LISTED ON PAGE 2; FOR VENT CONTROL VALVE REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE, REFER TO THE APPROPRIATE SECTION OF THE ELECTRONIC SERVICE MANUALS (ESM; WHEN INSTALLING THE NEW VALVE, DO NOT ADD ANY LUBE TO ITS O RING; FOR FRONTIER (D40 SERIES) ONLY, INSTALL THE PROTECTOR LISTED IN PARTS INFORMATION. *PE INCLUDES 2005-09 FRONTIER. UPDATED 12/8/10. *PE

NTB-09-030

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

NISSAN: THE 12 VOLT BATTERY IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND IS REQUIRED TO STAY CONNECTED WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING. TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO VEHICLE ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS/CAUTIONS. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Nissan 200SX by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2001200—
1999010—
1998182048.0
1997162048.9
1996372048.7
1995513062.3
1991101—
1990001—
1989101—
1988Viewing821—
1987132158.3
1986110028.7
1985600—
1984102—
1983102—
1982002—
1981000—
1980010—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.