Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1996 Nissan 200SX, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Air bags12
- Visibility9
- Power train4
- Tires3
- Parking brake2
- Suspension2
- Electrical system2
- Engine and engine cooling2
- Unknown or other2
- Service brakes, hydraulic1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 4 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 1996 Nissan 200SX failed the safety check 1.96% of the time — 34% more often than the average 1996 passenger car (1.47%). Median odometer at inspection: 104,713 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In Finland
7 of these cars first registered in 1996 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 248,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
22 1996 cars are on the New Zealand register; 5% arrived as used imports, 86% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls in Canada
2 Transport Canada recalls for the 1996 Nissan 200SX.
| 1998093 12 May 1998 | Visual System WATER COULD ENTER AND DISPLACE THE GREASE IN THE WIPER ARM LINKAGE BALL JOINT WHERE THE WIPER LINKAGE ATTACHES TO THE WIPER MOTOR LINKAGE. THIS COULD RESULT IN … |
| 1997140 14 Aug 1997 | Engine WHEN THE THROTTLE POSITION REMAINS UNCHANGED WHEN DRIVING FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME AT LOW AMBIENT TEMPERATURES, MOISTURE MAY CONDENSE IN THE THROTTLE CHAM… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Nissan told its dealers about the 1996 Nissan 200SX: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 632164 | SUBJECT REGARDING REVISED THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR (TPS) ADJUSTMENT PROCEDURE. *TT |
| 631971 | INFORMATION ON NISSAN REVISED TPS ADJUSTMENT PROCDURE. *SLC |
| 631766 | INFORMATION REGARDING ESSENTIAL TOOL: THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR TEST CONNECTOR. *SLC |
| 629210 | SEAT BELT LATCH PLATE RETAINING BUTTON MISSING. *TT |
| 6092407 | VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN FOR POTENTIAL OF WATER ENTERING WIPER ARM LINKAGE BALL JOINT, RESULTING GRADUAL WEAR INSIDE THE JOINT AND CAUSING THE WIPERS TO STOP WORKING WHILE THEY ARE BEING USED WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. *TT |
| 607942 | VEHICLES WITHIN CERTAIN VIN RANGES MAY EXHIBIT A HORN THAT ACTIVATES RANDOMLY. *TT |
| 607626 | CONCERNS WITH THE FRONT SEAT BELT LATCH PLATE STOPPER BUTTON MISSING. *TT |
| 604411 | VEHICLE WITHIN VARIOUS VIN RANGES MAY EXHIBIT MISFIRE OR RUNNING ROUGHLY DUE TO SPARK PLUG WIRE(S). *TT |
| 603937 | A REVISED SERVICE PROCEDURE FOR THE ENGINE FRONT COVER / TIMING CHAIN HAS BEEN ADOPTED FOR THE GA16DE. *YC |
| 602818 | VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT ON WITH DTCS P0120, P0510, P0731, P0732 OR P0733 WITH NO DRIVEABILITY INCIDENTS. *YC |
| 601717 | INFORMATION REGARDING INSTRUMENT PANEL INSPECTION AFTER PASSENGER AIR BAG ACTIVATION. *TT |
| 52172 | SHIFT RELEASE BUTTON REPLACEMENT. *JD |
| 52171 | DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURE FOR P0731, P0732 & P0733 (A/T SIGNALS) WITH NO DRIVEABILITY INCIDENTS. *JD |
| 51295 | IF A VEHICLE EXPERIENCES A MIL "ON" AND DTC P0505 STORED IN THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE- DUE TO A REVERSE IN POLARITY OF THE IACV-AAC VALVE POWER SOURCE, NORMAL OPERATION OF THE IACV-AAC VALVE MAY BE AFFECTED CAUSING THE MIL TO ACTIVATE. *JD |
| 10243708 | 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. |
| 10239062 | 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. |
| 10239060 | 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. |
| 10235710 | 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. |
| 10235707 | 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. |
| 10232658 | REMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin. |
| 10232657 | WHEEL BEARING COLLISION DAMAGE This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin. |
| 10232656 | WINDSHIELD CRACKING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin. |
| 10232652 | 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. |
| 10206391 | STRUT AND SHOCK ABSORBER REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin. |
| 10192305 | SERVICE INFORMATION Information necessary to service the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) safely is included in the "RESTRAINTS" section of the Electronic Service Manual (ESM) for each vehicle. IMPORTANT: Turn the ignition switch OFF, disconnect both battery terminals, and wait at least 3 minutes before performing any service on the SRS. See this bulletin for further detail. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)