VehicleVerdict

1996 Nissan 200SX problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 44 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 8.8 times the median 200SX year — the 1996 model ranks #2 of 17 200SX years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 12 reports (27% of the total).

44

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1996 compare to other 200SX years?

200SX NHTSA complaints by model year, 1996 highlighted65 complaints1980: 0 complaints1982: 0 complaints1983: 1 complaints1984: 1 complaints1985: 8 complaints1986: 14 complaints1987: 14 complaints1988: 8 complaints1989: 2 complaints1990: 0 complaints1991: 1 complaints1995: 65 complaints1996: 44 complaints1997: 18 complaints1998: 28 complaints1999: 0 complaints2001: 5 complaints
200SX NHTSA complaints by model year, 1996 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 200SX years to avoid →

What are the most common 1996 Nissan 200SX problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags1227%
Visibility & Wipers920%
Transmission49%
Tires & Wheels49%
Brakes37%
Suspension25%
Other25%
Engine25%
Electrical System25%
Seat Belts12%
Lighting12%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)12%
Speed Control12%

Does the 1996 Nissan 200SX have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

06E049000LightingMay 24, 2006 · 27,176 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

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.

98V093000Visibility & WipersMay 5, 1998 · 512,387 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THIS CAN RESULT IN GRADUAL WEAR OVER A PERIOD OF TIME INSIDE THE JOINT THAT COULD LEAD TO THE SEPARATION OF THE WIPER LINKAGE ASSEMBLY FROM THE WIPER MOTOR LINKAGE AT THE BALL JOINT. A LOSS OF WINDSHIELD WIPER FUNCTION CAN RESULT IN THIS SEPARATION OCCURS.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“WHILE AT A STOP VEHICLE WAS HIT IN THE REAR BY A DODGE VAN. THIS CAUSED VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF VEHICLE IN FRONT, WHICH WAS ALSO STOPPED. THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. *AK CONSUMER ALSO STRUCK A DEER RESULTING IN $3900 IN DAMAGE YET NEITHER FRONTAL AIR BAG…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · September 26, 1997 · crash

“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE WIPER ARM LINKAGE DISENGAGED WITHOUT WARNING, WHILE THE WINDSHIELD WASHER/WIPERS WERE ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 98V093000, REGARDING THE WINDSHIELD WASHER/WIPER ARM LINKAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · August 3, 2006

“MANUAL TRANSMISSION CLUTCH CABLE FAILED, UNABLE TO CHANGE GEARS WHILE DRIVING. THIS CONDITION WAS INTERMITTENT AND HAPPENED THREE TIMES BEFORE DEALER WAS ABLE TO DIAGNOSE AND REPAIR. AS A RESULT OF FAILURE, CAR WAS UNABLE TO DOWNSHIFT WHICH LED TO VEHICULAR LACK OF CONTROL. LOCAL NISSAN DEALER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 30, 2005

“SET OF 4 TIRES WERE BOUGHT AS REPLACEMENT TO VEHICLE, AFTER 13500 MILES OF USE A LARGE BULDGE WAS OBSERVED ON RIGHT FRONT TIRE SIDEWALL, DEALER REPLACED TIRE AT NO COST(FIRESTONE FT70C SIZE P175/65R14 8/S M+S). NLM”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · September 9, 2000

“CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 60MPH ON HIGHWAY AND NOTICED THAT BRAKES WERE GRINDING. ALSO, WHEN SHE PUT VEHICLE IN REVERSE VEHICLE WOULD JERK AND MAKE A ROARING NOISE. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK *JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · July 21, 2001

1996 Nissan 200SX — common questions

Is the 1996 Nissan 200SX reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 44 complaints put the 1996 model at #2 of 17 200SX years. It is one of the 200SX years to avoid.

What are the most common 1996 200SX problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (12 complaints), visibility & wipers (9 complaints), transmission (4 complaints).

Does the 1996 Nissan 200SX have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1996 Nissan 200SX. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Nissan 200SX years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the 200SX years to avoid are 1995, 1996. The cleanest record among 200SX years belongs to 1999.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.