Model year guide

1998 Nissan 200SX

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1998 Nissan 200SX is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 5 on record.

1998 Nissan 200SX — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1998 Nissan 200SX at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints22

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1998 Nissan 200SX recalls 2

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #06E049000 · 24/05/2006

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.

Fix: 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.

Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:linkages NHTSA Campaign #98V093000 · 05/05/1998

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.

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.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1998 Nissan 200SX common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 22 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Equipment
Test all accessories — sunroof, climate, seats, electronics — for proper operation.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Visibility
Test wipers, washers, defrosters and all mirrors. Check the windshield for cracks and any camera/sensor for fogging or faults.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.

Dimensions & weight

Length
171.7 in
Width
66.5 in
Height
54.3 in
Wheelbase
100.0 in
Curb weight
2,348–2,524 lb
Front track
58.3 in
Rear track
56.3 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1998 Nissan 200SX — ranges cover the 2 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 43

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 43.

DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

Bulletin NTB08-097L · Steering · Sep 2023

12 VOLT BATTERY TESTING FOR IN-SERVICE VEHICLES SERVICE INFORMATION The following Service Information lists NNA procedural recommendations for establishing good connections while performing 12V battery testing. These recommendations are expected to promote uni…

Bulletin NTB23-049 · Electrical System · Jun 2023

SILICONE-BASED LUBRICANT OR GREASE CAN DAMAGE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SERVICE INFORMATION Do not apply Silicone-based lubricants or grease to, or around, any interior electrical components. To avoid the risk of death or severe personal injury, do not directly sp…

Bulletin NTB23-053 · Electrical System · Jun 2023

VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

Bulletin NTB13-107F · Electrical System · Apr 2023

INTELLIGENT KEY REPLACEMENT OR SWAPPING BETWEEN VEHICLES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Discard all previous versions of this bulletin.

Bulletin NTB16-003C · Electrical System · Apr 2023

WINDSHIELD CRACKING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

Bulletin NTB09-081J · Visibility, Structure · Feb 2023

REMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

Bulletin NTB13-028H · Visibility, Structure · Feb 2023

WHEEL BEARING COLLISION DAMAGE This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

Bulletin NTB10-126C · Wheels · Feb 2023

DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

Bulletin NTB08-097K · Steering · Feb 2023

STRUT AND SHOCK ABSORBER REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

Bulletin NTB99-001F · Suspension · Dec 2021

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the 200SX. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

Canadian recalls 1

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1998 Nissan 200SX. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Visual System

WATER COULD ENTER AND DISPLACE THE GREASE IN THE WIPER ARM LINKAGE BALL JOINT WHERE THE WIPER LINKAGE ATTACHES TO THE WIPER MOTOR LINKAGE. THIS COULD RESULT IN GRADUAL WEAR INSIDE THE JOINT THAT COULD LEAD TO THE SEPARATION OF THE WIPER LINKAGE ASSEMBLY FROM THE WIPER MOTOR LINKAGE AT THE BALL JOINT. THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT IN LOSS OF WINDSHIELD WIPER FUNCTION. CORRECTION:…

Transport Canada #1998093 · May 1998

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

About the Nissan 200SX

The Nissan 200SX is an automobile nameplate that has been used on various export specification Nissan automobiles between 1975 and 2002.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

1998 Nissan 200SX trims & engines on record

Trims
SE · Base
Engines
1.6L 4-cyl

1998 Nissan 200SX vehicles on record

1998 Nissan 200SX 1998 Nissan 200SX SE1N4AB42D2WC513060 1998 Nissan 200SX 1998 Nissan 200SX SE1N4AB42D5WC521752 1998 Nissan 200SX 1998 Nissan 200SX Base1N4AB42D7WC520327 1998 Nissan 200SX 1998 Nissan 200SX SE1N4AB42D0WC504731 1998 Nissan 200SX 1998 Nissan 200SX SE1N4AB42D9WC504002

Other Nissan 200SX model years

1996

1998 Nissan 200SX — frequently asked questions

Does the 1998 Nissan 200SX have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1998 Nissan 200SX. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Nissan 200SX?

Across all 22 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine and engine cooling, equipment, power train.

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.