RoadVitals

1991 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.
9
Latest Dec 28, 2010
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.
2
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 9 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1991 Nissan 240SX, most frequently naming the seat belts, engine and transmission categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 24 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

  • Seat belts444.4%
  • Engine222.2%
  • Transmission222.2%
  • Fuel system111.1%

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.

RQ99021ClosedRecall Query

FUEL LEAKS FROM FUEL INJECTORS

Opened Nov 2, 1999
Closed May 22, 2000

In October of 1995, Nisan conducted a safety improvement campaign, 95I-006.The campaign recalled Maximas (1985-88), 200SX (1987-88), 300ZX (1984-88, and Infinity M30 (1990-92), for fuel leaking from the fuel injectors.The remedy called for a replacement of the fuel injectors and related hoses on the affected vehicles.The recall was influenced by EA94-018, involving over 680,000 1984-89 Maxima and 300ZX vehicles, and was originally initiated as PE94-018 with 25 complaints, for a complaint rate of 4 per 100K.ODI has received 34 complaints for the 1990-92 Stanzas and 240SXs, for fuel leaking in the engine compartment from the fuel injectors, for a complaint rate of 10 per 100K.Fuel in the presence of an ignition source can lead to a vehicle fire.The purpose of this investigation is to evaluate whether the 1990-92 Stanzas and 240SXs should be recalled.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGESLed to recall 95I006000
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 9
Seat belts
Filed Dec 28, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 1991 NISSAN 240 SX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS INOPERABLE. HE CONTACTED A LOCAL DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY BOTH DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONTROL MODULE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

NHTSA ID
10373175
Incident
Apr 1, 2010
Mileage
190,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 4, 2003

ON COLD START-UP, BLACK SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE EXHAUST. *JB

NHTSA ID
10016983
Incident
Feb 12, 2003
Mileage
96,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Apr 14, 1999

THE LAP BELT UNBUCKLES WHEN PRESSURE IS APPLIED SUCH AS HARD BRAKING WHERE THERE IS STRESS PLACED ON THE COUPLING. *MJS

NHTSA ID
705623
Fuel system
Filed Mar 25, 1999

NEED ALL INJECTORS TO BE REPLACED...WAS INFORMED THAT LEAKY INJECTORS MAY CAUSE FIRE. *AK

NHTSA ID
704893
Incident
Mar 15, 1999
Transmission
Filed Jan 29, 1999

THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION UNEXPECTEDLY STOPPED WORKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. NO ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES RESULTED, BUT THIS COULD EASILY HAVE OCCURRED UNDER DIFFERENT CIRCMSTANCES. WHEN I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A KNOWLEDGEABLE TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP, THE CHIEF MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT THERE IS A KNOWN DESIGN FLAW IN THIS TRANSMISSION. IN FACT, HE HAD REBUILT MANY OF THESE AND KNEW HOW TO "MODIFY" THE UNIT TO PREVENT FURTHER PROBLEMS. MY QUESTION: DOESN'T THE MANUFACTURER HAVE SOME RESPONSIBILITY HERE? I AM IN THE PROCESS OF CONTACTING NISSAN AND WILL AWAIT THEIR FORMAL RESPONSE. IN THE MEANTIME, CAN YOU HELP ME GET THIS PROBLEM RESOLVED? I AM CONVINCED THERE ARE MANY MORE CONSUMERS OUT THERE DRIVING THESE VEHICLES WHO ARE AT RISK. *AK

NHTSA ID
702702
Incident
Jan 19, 1999
Transmission
Filed Jun 1, 1998

TRANSMISSION WAS WASHED AND NOW TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF 1ST. VEHICLE HAS SAT FOR OVER A WEEK AND STILL WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF LOW WHEN IT IS IN DRIVE.

NHTSA ID
536403
Seat belts
Filed Feb 25, 1997

BOTH SEAT BELTS IN THE FRONT WILL NOT RETRACT. UPON PUTTING THE BELT ON THE BELT, IT WILL NOT RETRACT AROUND THE FRONT PASSENGER OR DRIVER. *AK

NHTSA ID
809350
Incident
Feb 12, 1997
Seat belts
Filed Nov 13, 1996

THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOES NOT GO BACK AND FORTH. *AK

NHTSA ID
803587

Manufacturer communications

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

NTB08-097L

STEERING

DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

NTB23-049

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

12 VOLT BATTERY TESTING FOR IN-SERVICE VEHICLES SERVICE INFORMATION The following Service Information lists NNA procedural recommendations for establishing good connections while performing 12V battery testing. These recommendations are expected to promote uniformity during the connection process, therefore reducing the number of incorrect “Test with DCA” and “Replace” results. HINT: If 12 volt batteries are allowed to discharge for a prolonged period of time, battery life may be drastically reduced. This condition may lead to premature battery replacement and customer dissatisfaction. IMPORTANT:  CPX-900 is now an accepted testing tool to use along with or in place of the DSS-5000  CPX-900 operating instructions are found at: https://nissancpx900.midtronics.com/  DSS-5000 operating instructions are found at: https://nissandss5000.midtronics.com/  DCA-8000 is now a required testing tool to be used for all warranty replacement decisions. The DCA-8000 is also a more efficient charger than previously available, and will charge any available 12 volt lead acid battery safely and accurately as long as all precautions and inputs are made correctly. The DCA-8000 operating instructions are found at: https://nissandca8000.midtronics.com/

NTB23-053

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SILICONE-BASED LUBRICANT OR GREASE CAN DAMAGE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SERVICE INFORMATION Do not apply Silicone-based lubricants or grease to, or around, any interior electrical components. To avoid the risk of death or severe personal injury, do not directly spray Silicone-based lubricant or grease, or inadvertently overspray Silicone-based lubricant or grease onto any interior electrical components. These types of lubricants can be detrimental to the proper operation of electrical components.

NTB13-107F

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

NTB16-003C

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

INTELLIGENT KEY REPLACEMENT OR SWAPPING BETWEEN VEHICLES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Discard all previous versions of this bulletin.

NTB09-081J

STRUCTURE; VISIBILITY

WINDSHIELD CRACKING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

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—
1991Viewing912—
1990431250.0
1989361150.7
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.