Model year guide

1997 Nissan 240SX

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1997 Nissan 240SX is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 3 on record.

1997 Nissan 240SX — representative photo
Representative photo

1997 Nissan 240SX at a glance

Safety recallsNone
Owner complaints14
Combined21–22 mpg

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

1997 Nissan 240SX recalls 0

No NHTSA safety-recall campaigns are on record for the 1997 Nissan 240SX.

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.

1997 Nissan 240SX common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 14 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Gasoline
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Tires
Check tread depth, the DOT age date, and that all four tires match with even wear. Look for bulges or cracks.
Equipment
Test all accessories — sunroof, climate, seats, electronics — for proper operation.

1997 Nissan 240SX safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Frontal — driver★★★★★
Frontal — passenger★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 1997 Nissan 240 SX 2-DR.. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

1997 Nissan 240SX MPG & running costs

Combined21–22 mpg
City19 mpg
Highway25 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,825
EPA size classMinicompact Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd or Manual 5-spd
Passenger volume71 cu ft
Cargo volume9 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$7,125 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1997 Nissan 240SX costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$19,125
Fuel only$19,125
Per mile$0.26

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
177.2 in
Width
68.1 in
Height
50.8 in
Wheelbase
99.6 in
Curb weight
2,813 lb

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1997 Nissan 240SX. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

NHTSA defect investigations 1

INCORRECT CHILD SAFETY SEAT TETHER ANCHO Closed

SEE RESUME FOR DETAILS.

NHTSA #SQ98007 · Child Seat · opened May 1998 · closed May 1998

An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.

Manufacturer service bulletins 50

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 50.

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 240SX. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

About the Nissan 240SX

The Nissan 240SX is a sports compact car that was introduced to the North American market by Nissan in 1988 for the 1989 model year, replacing the outgoing 200SX (S12) model. Two distinct generations of the 240SX, the S13 (1989–1994) the S14 (1994-1998) were produced, based on the Nissan S platform.

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

1997 Nissan 240SX vehicles on record

1997 Nissan 240SX 1997 Nissan 240SXJN1AS44D9WW106605 1997 Nissan 240SX 1997 Nissan 240SXJN1AS44DXVW102660 1997 Nissan 240SX 1997 Nissan 240SXJN1AS44D4WW107113

Other Nissan 240SX model years

1996 1993

1997 Nissan 240SX — frequently asked questions

Does the 1997 Nissan 240SX have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists no safety-recall campaigns for the 1997 Nissan 240SX. 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 1997 Nissan 240SX?

Across all 14 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are air bags, suspension, fuel system.

What is the 1997 Nissan 240SX safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 1997 Nissan 240SX crash-test ratings of frontal 3★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 1997 Nissan 240SX get?

The 1997 Nissan 240SX has U.S. EPA estimates of 21–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (2 versions).

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