1998 Nissan 200SX: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 18 owner complaints on record; most reports concern equipment.
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 18 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2018
“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”Owner report · Visibility · Jun 2008
“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”Owner report · Visibility · Jan 2005
Show 7 more owner reports
“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”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Nov 2001
“Consumer was driving approximately 30 minutes before parking vehicle, immediately after engine was turned off cosumer began to notice smoke, first white smoke. Consumer then started engine and backed vehicle out of garage. Shortly after, flames began under hood. Vehicle was towed to dealership. One month later dealership decided to replace vehicle because nissan could not find a cause for fire. *ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 1999
“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”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Oct 1998
“When driving over 50 mph vehicle pulls to the left, causing the consumer to slow down so the consumer won't lose control of the velhicle. Also, water pump/motor went out, and were replaced. *ak”Owner report · Suspension · Sep 1998
“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”Owner report · Suspension · Sep 1998
“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.”Owner report · Equipment · Feb 1998
“While traveling noticed air bag indicator light on. Dealer stated that consumer would have to pay $40 for repairs. Please provide further information. *ak”Owner report · Air Bags
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - 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 1998 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 1998 Nissan 200SX reliable?
NHTSA has 18 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Nissan 200SX. The most complained-about area is equipment.
Does the 1998 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.