1997 Nissan 200SX: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 16 owner complaints on record; most reports concern air bags.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2006
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 nissan 200sx. While driving 25 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle failed to start without having the battery recharged. The vehicle was not formally diagnosed. The dealer and the manufacturer were made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 150,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2015
“After making a right turn, about 20 feet after turn both the driver and passenger side airbag deployed. I was struck in the face, chin, throat and chest. There was no accident, no pot holes in the road, no other car even on the road. I cannot find one reason why the air bags would deploy. It has been 48 hours and I am still sore including my neck and bruising on my neck and chest. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2012
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 nissan 200sx. While driving in the middle of a rain storm, her windshield wipers stopped functioning. The vehicle towed since she had no visibility. The auto repair shop stated that the wiper linkage separated. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were notified in reference to recall 98v093000; however, they confirmed that her VIN was not related to the recall. There were no prior warnings. The current mileage was 156,036 and the failure mileage was approximately 156,000.”Owner report · Visibility · Oct 2009
Show 7 more owner reports
“Headlight lenses produced a thick fog over them. As a result, the lights were not as bright at night. *ak the headlight lenses were damaged due to the suns ultra-violet rays. *sc”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Nov 2004
“The driver's side windshield wipers in my 1997 nissan 200sx just stopped working while in use. I was driving the car going to my mother's home from work and the wiper just stopped. It was very scary and I could hardly see because it was raining so hard. I could have easily been in a terrible wreck. I quickly put on my blinkers and with only view of my rear view mirror moved to the right shoulder of I-75. *ak”Owner report · Visibility · Feb 2004
“I had to pay $235 for a repair that was part of a recall in 1998. I was never sent recall info. Regarding my vehicle. I happened upon the nissan website looking for other information. First nissan representative told me the repair had taken place in september of 1998 at the dealership, when I proved that to be wrong I was then told that my VIN # was not included in the recall. Nissan website clearly shows a range of VIN's and mine fell within that range, now all of a sudden I was told the range is not specific. If that is the case then I should be able to know what VIN's are included.*ak”Owner report · Visibility · Feb 2004
“Electrical problem: alternator in 2000 there was a bulletin in my local newspaper of a defective alternator in a 1997 nissan 200 sx. I replaced the alternator prior to this press release. I bought the car used and never received this recall or repair notice I wasn't sure if this was covered seeing it was a used vehicle. I never received any information from nissan or the dealership so I gave up until I seen your organization on local tv. Is there any form of reimbursement I can receive? *ak”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2002
“In 03/01 the engine went at 69,000 miles, then 2 weeks after that the front driver axle went, 06/01 the front crank seal went, 02/02 the transmission and the clutch went along with the egr system code hose not being attached to the dash.”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2001
“Consumer made appointment to have recall 998-093 service performed and was told it would only take an hour, upon returning to pick it up consumer was told that the vehicle had not been serviced. Nlm”Owner report · Visibility · May 2000
“Driving down road and both airbags deployed causing driver to steer into curb. Only damage to the vehicle was deep scrapes on front passenger side rim and minor scrapes on rear passenger side rim. No other body or sheet metal damage. Under no circumstances did anything happen which would have or should have cause the airbags to deploy. Windshield broke as a result of passenger side front airbag. *ak”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 1999
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. WATER CAN ENTER AND DISPLACE THE GREASE IN THE WIPER ARM LINKAGE BALL JOINT WHERE THE WIPER LINKAGE ATTACHES TO THE WIPER MOTOR LINKAGE.
Remedy: TO PREVENT GREASE FROM BEING WASHED OUT OF THE JOINT, THE DEALERS WILL MODIFY BY ADDING A WATER DIVERSION SEAL THAT WILL PREVENT WATER FROM ENTERING THE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE BALL JOINT AREA.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1997 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact 200SX by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Nissan 200SX reliable?
NHTSA has 16 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1997 Nissan 200SX. The most complained-about area is air bags.
Does the 1997 Nissan 200SX have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.