MotorDeets

1997 Nissan 200SX: Recalls, Problems & MPG

Here are the deets on the 1997 Nissan 200SX: 1 recall, 16 owner complaints and up to 29 mpg combined.

1vehicle recalls
16owner complaints
1mention a crash
29best combined mpg
1997 Nissan 200SX
Photo: Calreyn88 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Representative photo of this generation; trim may differ.

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. 0 mention a fire, 2 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.

Airbags5
Visibility (wipers, glass)4
Electrical3
Brakes (hydraulic)1
Speed control / throttle1
Engine & cooling1
Transmission & drivetrain1
Exterior lights1

What owners describe

The 1997 Nissan 200SX has 16 owner complaints, ranking #4 of 6 200SX model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 21). Complaints peaked in 1998 (3 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 142,653 miles. Neighboring years: 1996 (37 complaints, 1 recalls), 1998 (18 complaints, 1 recalls).

Engines & fuel economy (EPA)

EngineTransmissionDriveCityHwyComb.Fuel
1.6 L 4-cylManual 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive253529Regular
1.6 L 4-cylAutomatic 4-spdFront-Wheel Drive233327Regular
2.0 L 4-cylManual 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive212924Regular
2.0 L 4-cylAutomatic 4-spdFront-Wheel Drive212823Regular

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 1997 Nissan 200SX.

eManualOnline Download (PDF), keep forever

Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.

Most $25–$78, one-time
Check 1997 Nissan 200SX manual
Mitchell 1 DIY Online access, factory-level data

Pro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.

From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yr
Check 1997 Nissan 200SX manual
ALLDATAdiy Online access, factory OEM info

OEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.

From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yr
Check 1997 Nissan 200SX manual
Haynes Print book or AllAccess online

Step-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.

Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/mo
Check 1997 Nissan 200SX manual

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FAQ

Does the 1997 Nissan 200SX have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 1997 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 1997 Nissan 200SX problems?

Owners have filed 16 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (5), visibility (wipers, glass) (4), electrical (3).

What gas mileage does the 1997 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 1997 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.

Other 200SX years

199119951996199719982001