1996 Nissan 200SX: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1996 Nissan 200SX: 1 recall, 37 owner complaints and up to 29 mpg combined.

Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #98V093000 · 1998 · 512,387 vehicles
What's wrong: Water can enter and displace the grease in the wiper arm linkage ball joint where the wiper linkage attaches to the wiper motor linkage.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E049000 · 2006 · 27,176 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
The fix: Ck motorsport will notify owners and replace the noncompliant lamps free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2006.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 4 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Airbags (12): the most common themes are fails to deploy (3).
- Visibility (wipers, glass) (9): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Transmission & drivetrain (4): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (3), noise or vibration (2).
- Tires (3): the most common themes are tire tread / blowout (3).
The 1996 Nissan 200SX has 37 owner complaints, ranking #2 of 6 200SX model years for complaints (1.8× the average 200SX year). Complaints peaked in 1998 (5 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 104,250 miles. Neighboring years: 1995 (51 complaints, 2 recalls), 1997 (16 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 | 36 | 29 | Regular |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 33 | 28 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 29 | 24 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 28 | 23 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1996 Nissan 200SX.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 1996 Nissan 200SX have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 1996 Nissan 200SX, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1996 Nissan 200SX problems?
Owners have filed 37 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (12), visibility (wipers, glass) (9), transmission & drivetrain (4).
What gas mileage does the 1996 Nissan 200SX get?
EPA ratings run up to 29 mpg combined (1.6 L, Manual 5-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1996 Nissan 200SX repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.