RoadVitals

1996 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.
8
Latest Mar 4, 2011
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.
0
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.
3

Overview

Our database contains 8 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1996 Nissan 240SX, most frequently naming the brakes, fuel system and tires & wheels categories. 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 40 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

  • Brakes337.5%
  • Fuel system225.0%
  • Tires & wheels225.0%
  • Engine112.5%

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

No recalls in our database for this model year

That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.

Safety investigations

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

SQ98007ClosedInvestigation

INCORRECT CHILD SAFETY SEAT TETHER ANCHO

Opened May 4, 1998
Closed May 22, 1998

SEE RESUME FOR DETAILS.

CHILD SEAT:TETHER: STRAP/WEBBING

Recent owner complaints

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

Fuel system
Filed Mar 4, 2011

I WAS DRIVING NORMALLY TO SCHOOL ALONG WITH MY BROTHER AND I NOTICED THAT THERE'S A VERY STRONG SMELL OF GAS INSIDE THE CAR DURING DRIVING. I STOPPED AT A SAFE PLACE TO CHECK AND I NOTICE THAT THERE'S GAS DRIPPING SLOWLY UNDER THE GAS TANK. IT STILL LEAKS AND IT SEEMS TO BE CONTINUING TO LEAK A LITTLE MORE. PARTS FOR THIS REPAIR ARE ESTIMATE TO $400+ EXCLUDING LABOR, AS THE GAS TANK IS ALSO LOCATED QUITE BEHIND LOADS OF SUSPENSION PARTS FOR THE REAR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10386511
Incident
Dec 7, 2010
Fuel system
Filed Sep 22, 2005

DT: THERE WAS A SPLIT IN THE SEAM OF THE GAS TANK. THE SMELL OF GAS WAS STRONG IN THE GARAGE. THIS HAD BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT A WEEK. THE CONSUMER NOTICED A SPOT ON THE DRIVEWAY AND SUSPECTED THAT IT WAS GAS. THE CONSUMER'S HUSBAND HAD TAKEN A PIECE OF TISSUE AND DIPPED IT INTO THE SPOT AND DETERMINED IT WAS GASOLINE ON THE SPOT WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE DAY BEFORE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THEY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND DISCOVERED A SPLIT IN THE SEAM OF A GAS TANK THE COST WOULD BE $1,200 TO FIX IT. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT SHE SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, WHO SAID THEY WOULD NOT PAY BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. NO REPAIRS OR CORRECTIONS HAD BEEN MADE. *AK (11/22/05) *SC

NHTSA ID
10137347
Incident
Sep 16, 2005
Mileage
48,000 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 14, 2003

IF THE AIR CONDITION WAS ON WHEN THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE ENGINE SURGED AND THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD. *JB

NHTSA ID
10015816
Incident
Dec 28, 2002
Mileage
45,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 4, 2001

BRIDGESTONE TURANZA T SIZE P20555R16, REPLACEMENT TIRES ON A NISSAN, 240SX, 1996. VEHICLE WAS WOBBLING. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THE DEALER STATED THAT LEFT FRONT TIRES BELT HAD SEPARATED. *AK BRIDGESTONE TURANZAT, DOT NUMBER Y78KPVB397. *SLC

NHTSA ID
895661
Incident
Sep 2, 2001
Tires & wheels
Filed Jun 12, 2001
Crash reported

TIRE TREAD SEPARATED ON TWO INSTANCES. ONE DID DAMAGE TO REAR OF CAR. ALMOST HAD ACCIDENT AS RESULT. *AK (TIRESIZE: 175/70/14)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 175/70/14 )

NHTSA ID
746702
Incident
Jun 1, 2001
Brakes
Filed Oct 16, 1997

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND PARKED ON A INCLINE AND PASSENGERS GETTING INTO THE REAR SEAT, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE DID NOT KEEP THE VEHICLE SECURE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. *AK *SLC

NHTSA ID
817154
Incident
Jul 12, 1997
Brakes
Filed Mar 19, 1997
Crash reported

WHEN APPLYING THE ABS BRAKES, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *AK

NHTSA ID
810154
Incident
Dec 1, 1996
Brakes
Filed Jan 13, 1997
Crash reported

WHEN APPLYING THE ABS BRAKES, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *AK

NHTSA ID
807515
Incident
Dec 1, 1996

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—
1996Viewing801—
1995601152.2
1994200—
1993100033.8
1992701—
1991912—
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.