Total Complaints
28 filings
NISSAN 200SX · model year
1998 NISSAN 200SX
28 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1998NISSAN200SX carries 28 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 1 fire, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1998 200SX is engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline with 4 filings, followed by equipment:appliance:air conditioner (4) and air bags (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 54 investigation files overlapping the 1998 200SX, and 5 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
28
Complaints
1
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
1 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 4 |
| EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER | 4 |
| AIR BAGS | 2 |
| SUSPENSION | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER | 1 |
| TIRES | 1 |
| STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE) | 1 |
| WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20181210ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
Mileage: 162,000
20120225ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ALL INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES QUIT WORKING ODOMETER, GAS. RPM. TEMP, ALL QUIT WORKING. *TR
Mileage: 78,395
20090427VISIBILITY
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
20050124VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
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
20041222WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
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
20041222ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
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
20020514ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. *YH
20020131ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. *YH
20010419EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
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
20010417SUSPENSION
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
20000623CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
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
20000612EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
A/C PRESSURE HOSE CONNECTOR BROKE. YH
20000612POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
CLUTCH CABLE BROKE TWICE WHILE DRIVING . YH
20000531STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
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.
20000531EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
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.
20000531POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
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.
20000531POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE)
SINCE THE SECOND TIME THE CLUTCH CABLE WAS BROKE TILL NOW, THE CAR STILL SIT IN THE GARAGE OF ELLIS BROOKS(DEALER). THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURE CAN NOT FIND ANY REPLACEMENT PARTS(#30770-9B410). AND THEY REFUSE TO GIVE ANY RENTAL CAR. I TRIED TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURE AND DEALER MANY TIMES, BUT STILL CAN NOT FIX THIS PROBLEM. COULD IT BE A LEMON CAR?
20000531EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
SINCE THE SECOND TIME THE CLUTCH CABLE WAS BROKE TILL NOW, THE CAR STILL SIT IN THE GARAGE OF ELLIS BROOKS(DEALER). THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURE CAN NOT FIND ANY REPLACEMENT PARTS(#30770-9B410). AND THEY REFUSE TO GIVE ANY RENTAL CAR. I TRIED TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURE AND DEALER MANY TIMES, BUT STILL CAN NOT FIX THIS PROBLEM. COULD IT BE A LEMON CAR?
20000425AIR BAGS
WHILE TRAVELING NOTICED AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT ON. DEALER STATED THAT CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO PAY $40 FOR REPAIRS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
19990808SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
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
Compare 1998NISSAN200SX to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations 5 Open
PE25005Preliminary EvaluationOpen
Driver Airbag Inflator Rupture
PE24020Preliminary EvaluationOpen
Inner Tie Rod Failures
PE24017Preliminary EvaluationOpen
Side curtain air bags may deploy inadvertently
PE24007Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Reduced Power After Engine Stall
PE23020Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Loss of motive power due to broken crankshaft with no ability to restart.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1998 NISSAN 200SX have?▼
The 1998 NISSAN 200SX has 28 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1998 NISSAN 200SX?▼
The most-complained component for the 1998 NISSAN 200SX is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE with 4 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER and AIR BAGS.
Is the 1998 NISSAN 200SX safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.