RoadVitals

1989 Nissan 240SX

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.
36
Latest May 16, 2012
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.
1
Latest May 24, 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.
5
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 36 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1989 Nissan 240SX, most frequently naming the fuel system, seat belts and engine categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 9 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 system1125.6%
  • Seat belts818.6%
  • Engine614.0%
  • Driver assistance49.3%
  • Brakes37.0%
  • Steering37.0%
  • Visibility37.0%
  • Electrical24.7%

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

1 campaign 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
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

View all 36
Seat belts
Filed May 16, 2012

WHEN I WAS DRIVING MY CAR THE ELECTRONIC SEAT BELT WENT FORWARD, WHICH BASICALLY MEANS IM UNBUCKLED AND IT WONT GO BACK TO THE BUCKLED POSITION FOR SOME REASON.

NHTSA ID
10458747
Incident
Apr 30, 2012
Mileage
126,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Sep 24, 2009

AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT DOESN'T MOVE WHEN DOOR IS OPENED OR CLOSED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10285093
Incident
Jun 20, 2008
Mileage
205,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Jul 25, 2003
Fire reported

ELECTRICAL FIRE IN THE INTERIOR OF VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10029200
Incident
May 11, 2003
Mileage
123,900 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 14, 2003

THE LOWER BOLT THAT HOLDS THE BACK, LEFT BRAKE CALIPER HAS BROKEN TWICE WITHIN 3 YEARS. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10023070
Incident
Jun 10, 2003
Mileage
130,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 16, 2000

FUEL INJECTORS LEAKING-- 2 OUT OF THE 4

NHTSA ID
731656
Fuel system
Filed Sep 6, 2000

FUEL INJECTORS ARE LEAKING GAS, AND ITS A FIRE HAZARD.*AK

NHTSA ID
869729
Incident
Aug 20, 2000
Seat belts
Filed Mar 9, 2000

SEAT BELT MOTOR DOES NOT WORK, AND THE SHOULDER BUCKLE DOES NOT LOCK IN PLACE, MAKING THE SHOULDER BELT USELESS. *AK

NHTSA ID
719863
Incident
Feb 21, 2000
Fuel systemSeat belts
Filed Aug 26, 1999

SEAT BELTRETRACTOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE ISN'T WORKING, AND THERE IS A FUEL LEAKAGE WITHIN THE FUEL INJECTORS. *AK

NHTSA ID
845935
Incident
Aug 12, 1999

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

99022

SEAT BELTS:FRONT

FRONT SEAT BELT LATCH PLATE RETAINING BUTTON MISSING. *TT

NTB99022C

SEAT BELTS:FRONT

FRONT SEAT BELT LATCH PLATE RETAINING BUTTON MISSING. *TT

NTB99022B

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

SEAT BELT LATCH PLATE RETAINING BUTTON MISSING. *TT

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 240SX by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1999000—
1998101—
1997601—
1996801—
1995601152.2
1994200—
1993100033.8
1992701—
1991912—
1990431250.0
1989Viewing361150.7
1988001—
1987001—
1983100—

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.