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VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE

Nissan 200SX1995–1998

Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.

🚗 SEDAN
Nissan 200SX
1995–1998
B
Defect Risk
Recall intensity
0.0/yr · seg. median 1.8
Limited data — provisional
Safety
Low
0 inj.
✓No open federal investigations
5
Recalls
78
Complaints
—
Best Yr
3
Injuries
Top issue: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
4
Years Analyzed
5
Total Recalls
78
Total Complaints
3
Reported Injuries
0
Reported Deaths

Federal Defect Investigations

NHTSA investigations are the stage that precedes a recall. 1 past investigation into the 200SX became recall.

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Data current as of October 25, 2026.

Nissan 200SX — Year-by-Year Comparison

Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.

YearRecallsComplaintsInjuriesDeathsReliabilityValueBuyer ScoreVerdict
1998111——
57
39
51
Good
1997111——
57
39
51
Good
1996121——
57
39
51
Caution
19952353—
57
39
51
Avoid

Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.

Known Nissan 200SX Problems

Most frequently reported components across all model years, from NHTSA owner complaints.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
14
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES
10
AIR BAGS
9
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
4
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
2

Complaint counts across all model years. Numbers indicate frequency, not severity.

Shopping by Era

How each generation of the 200SX compares — best year within each era shown.

Pre-2013

Older 200SX models are deeply depreciated but carry higher wear and repair risk. High mileage is common. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and verify full recall history.

Proceed with Caution
1995 · 511996 · 511997 · 511998 · 51

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best year 200SX to buy?+

See the Buyer Score table above for a full ranking of every 200SX model year.

Which 200SX years have the most problems?+

See the year-by-year problem table for a complete breakdown.

What is the Buyer Score?+

The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.

What are the most common 200SX problems?+

The most frequently reported Nissan 200SX issues involve: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES, AIR BAGS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER. These are aggregated across all model years from NHTSA owner complaint filings. Frequency of complaints does not necessarily indicate severity.

Deep-Dive Research

Common Problems

Full year-by-year breakdown of every documented defect for the Nissan 200SX.

Reliability Score

Reliability rating and score breakdown compared to similar sedan vehicles.

Years to Avoid

Every 200SX year ranked by problem score — worst years listed with full reasoning.

Found the right year? Verify the specific car.

A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.

Run a VIN Check →