1998 Nissan 200SX Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1998 Nissan 200SX, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine312.5%
- Visibility312.5%
- Heating & air conditioning312.5%
- Electrical312.5%
- Airbags28.3%
- Brakes28.3%
- Suspension28.3%
- Transmission28.3%
- Other / unspecified14.2%
- Tires & wheels14.2%
- Powertrain (other)14.2%
- Steering14.2%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. *YH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
A/C PRESSURE HOSE CONNECTOR BROKE. YH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
ALL INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES QUIT WORKING ODOMETER, GAS. RPM. TEMP, ALL QUIT WORKING. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE TRAVELING NOTICED AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT ON. DEALER STATED THAT CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO PAY $40 FOR REPAIRS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAG DURING VEHICLE COLLISION.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
A/C PRESSURE HOSE CONNECTOR BROKE. YH
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TIRES SQUEAK. *YC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
AXLE SEAL ASSEMBLY FAILED. *YC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .