JN1CS26SXFW0553821985 NISSAN 200SX
1985 NISSAN 200SX was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. 6 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA — review the complaint section for the most common failure patterns.
Executive Summary
1985 NISSAN 200SX
1985 NISSAN 200SX was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. 6 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA — review the complaint section for the most common failure patterns.
6 owner complaints filed — top areas: Fuel System (50%), Visibility (17%), Engine/Powertrain (17%).
Title Brand Check
Mined from auction damage fields and listing titles — not a DMV title history pull
No auction records available. Title brand status could not be verified — request title history from seller or state DMV.
Vehicle Specifications
Decoded from NHTSA vPIC database
- Make
- NISSAN
- Model
- 200SX
- Year
- 1985
- Body Style
- Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback
- Vehicle Type
- PASSENGER CAR
- Drive Type
- 4x2
- Fuel Type
- Gasoline
- Engine
- 1.8L
- Doors
- 2
- Manufacturer
- NISSAN MOTOR COMPANY, LTD
- Assembly
- MIYAWAKA, FUKUOKA, JAPAN
Assembly Plant Quality
Plant: MIYAWAKA, FUKUOKA
No specific quality data available for this plant. No documented recall or complaint concentrations on record.
Safety Intelligence
Composite analysis from NHTSA recall, complaint, and crash data
✓ No high-risk recall components found
Deferred Failure Risk
Vehicle-specific risks from this model-year's complaint record, known defects, and service milestones
Owners of the 1985 NISSAN 200SX report fuel system issues more than most other systems. Complaints concentrated in one area often signal a systemic weakness worth a targeted pre-purchase inspection.
Worn chain tensioners cause timing chain skip or snap — common on GM 5.3L/6.2L, Ford EcoBoost, VW/Audi EA888, BMW N47/N63. Listen for cold-start rattles.
Water pump failure causes rapid overheating. If the engine overheats even once, head gasket damage is likely — turning a $400 part into a $3,000+ repair.
Degraded transmission fluid destroys clutch packs and solenoids. CVT transmissions are especially sensitive — neglected fluid can result in a $4,000–$8,000 replacement.
Degraded coolant loses corrosion inhibitors and attacks aluminum engine components. Can cause head gasket failure and water pump corrosion.
Worn spark plugs cause misfires that can foul and crack catalytic converters. A $150 tune-up can prevent a $1,200 catalytic converter replacement.
Dirty or failing injectors cause rough idle, reduced fuel economy, and increased emissions. Cleaning costs $100–$200; replacement $800–$1,600.
NHTSA Safety Recalls
CLEARComplaint Intelligence
6 complaints analyzed across 4 system categories
Owner Complaints
HIGH VOLUME6 safety complaints filed with NHTSA
1. THE FUEL INJECTORS ARE LEAKING, SMELL GASOLINE. WHEN I OPEN THE HOOD, I CAN SEE THE GASOLINE SEEPING FROM THE FUEL INJECTORS. I CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE RECALL, THEY SAID MY CAR IS NOT COVERED, EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A RECALL FOR SAME TYPE OF PROBLEM FOR '87 200SX, '84-89 MAXIMA MODELS.
LEFT HEADLIGHT FAILED TO FLIP UP, WIPER BRACKET FELL OFF FIREWALL, AND ENGINE NEED VALVE ADJUSTMENT EVERY 25,OOO MILES.
CONSUMER WENT FOR AN EMISSION CHECK AND FOUND OUT THE FUEL INJECTOR WAS LEAKING . *AK
WHEN VEHICLE IS ENGAGED IN OVERDRIVE VEHICLE REVS HIGH.
FUEL INJECTOR IS LEAKING GASOLINE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
SEAT BELTS DON'T WORK AT ALL AND NEVER DID. TT
Complaint & Reliability Timeline
Annual complaints (blue) vs. composite reliability score (amber) — recall years marked in red
The blue line shows 6 NHTSA complaints on file for the NISSAN 200SX — a relatively low volume that spans from 1995 to 1998.
The amber reliability line averaged 100/100 across the vehicle's life — relatively stable, with the lowest point of 99/100 in 1995.
Legal & Regulatory Actions
Known class action lawsuits, settlements, and manufacturer extended warranty programs
5-Year Ownership Cost Estimate
Based on EPA fuel data, standard depreciation, and US average insurance/maintenance costs
Estimates use EPA fuel economy data, AAA 2024 national averages for insurance and maintenance, and a standard depreciation curve. Actual costs vary by location, driving habits, and vehicle condition.
5-Year Total Cost of Ownership
Estimated based on EPA fuel data, risk-adjusted maintenance, and depreciation
Estimated 5-year cost of ownership: $38,614 (~$644/mo). Repair risk buffer is standard due to vehicle risk profile.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Tailored for the 1985 NISSAN 200SX — specific failure modes your mechanic must check, not a generic list
Recall Probability Forecast
Estimated likelihood of a new recall in the next 18 months based on NHTSA signals
5% baseline recall probability — no strong indicators of an imminent recall.
Maintenance Schedule
OEM-specified service intervals for this vehicle
Maintenance intervals vary significantly by make, model, year, engine, and driving conditions. Always follow the manufacturer's official schedule — not generic industry estimates.
Tip: Request the seller's service records and compare against the manufacturer schedule. Missing intervals are a negotiation point.
Auction History
Public sale records from Copart, IAAI, and auction aggregators
Searching Public Auction Records
Checking Copart, IAAI, BidFax, and other sources for JN1CS26SXFW055382. Results appear automatically when found.
Insurance Cost Estimate
Estimated annual premiums based on vehicle profile, theft data, and NHTSA safety ratings
Based on 2024 national avg ($2,011/yr full coverage). Individual rates vary by driver, location & insurer. Always compare 3+ quotes.
Manufacturer NHTSA Penalty History
Federal fines issued for recall delays and safety violations
NISSAN has been fined $3M+ by NHTSA. Most recently in 2014: Failure to file required Early Warning Reports on vehicle defects.
State-Specific Legal Protections
What consumer laws apply to this vehicle purchase in your state
Select your state to see what consumer protection laws, lemon law coverage, and title disclosure requirements apply to this vehicle purchase.
Complete Data Table
All decoded fields in a single flattened view
Vehicle Identity
| VIN | JN1CS26SXFW055382 |
| Model Year | 1985 |
| Make | NISSAN |
| Model | 200SX |
| Vehicle Type | PASSENGER CAR |
Body & Configuration
| Body Style | Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback |
| Doors | 2 |
| Drive Type | 4x2 |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline |
Engine
| Displacement (L) | 1.8 |
Manufacturer
| Manufacturer | NISSAN MOTOR COMPANY, LTD |
| Assembly City | MIYAWAKA |
| Assembly Country | JAPAN |
VIN Structure
| WMI (Chars 1–3) | JN1 |
| Check Digit (Char 9) | X |
| Model Year Code (Char 10) | F |
| Plant Code (Char 11) | W |
| Sequence (Chars 12–17) | 055382 |
Safety Data
| NHTSA Recall Count | 0 |
| NHTSA Complaint Count | 6 |
VIN Structure Decode
ISO 3779 character-by-character breakdown of this Vehicle Identification Number
Disclaimer: Data sourced from NHTSA public APIs and scraped auction listings. For informational purposes only. Not a substitute for a paid vehicle history report. Retrieved: 8/1/2026, 12:01:12 PM.