AI Damage1985 Nissan 200SX: common problems
Owners of the 1985 Nissan 200SX filed 6 complaints with NHTSA, most often about fuel system and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 6
What fails most often
- 1 Fuel system 50% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 17% of all complaints
- 3 Exterior lighting 17% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 17% of all complaints
- 5 Seat belts 17% of all complaints
- 6 Visibility 17% of all complaints
- Fuel system: 3 complaints (50% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 1 complaints (17% of all).
- Exterior lighting: 1 complaints (17% of all).
- Powertrain: 1 complaints (17% of all).
- Seat belts: 1 complaints (17% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.8 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- 2 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 6 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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 .
Fuel injector is leaking gasoline. Please describe details. Tt
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 13,278 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 36% most complained about).
On average one model year of the 200SX has 13 complaints (13 years in the data). This year has 6, below average.
What to check before buying
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1985 Nissan 200SX?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: fuel system, engine and cooling, exterior lighting. Total complaints: 6. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: headlights and tail lights (17%), seat belts (17%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1985 Nissan 200SX?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1985 Nissan 200SX from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1985 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.