AI Damage1986 Nissan 200SX: common problems
Owners of the 1986 Nissan 200SX filed 11 complaints with NHTSA, most often about seat belts and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 11
What fails most often
- 1 Seat belts 36% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 27% of all complaints
- 3 Fuel system 18% of all complaints
- 4 Exterior lighting 9% of all complaints
- 5 Latches, locks, linkages 9% of all complaints
- 6 Tires 9% of all complaints
- Seat belts: 4 complaints (36% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 3 complaints (27% of all).
- Fuel system: 2 complaints (18% of all).
- Exterior lighting: 1 complaints (9% of all).
- Latches, locks, linkages: 1 complaints (9% 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 11 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seat belts | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 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.
I was doing a lot of interstate driving. The first one shredded in central idaho and the second in salt lake. I was living in denver at the time and got nowhere with the dealer. Said it must have been my fault or road conditions, etc. Ya right, sound familiar. Passed me on to an 800 number.
Took to dealership & had temporary repair done on fuel pump wiring harness. Later, there was a strong odor of gasoline inside vehicle after having fuel pump repaired. Vehicle was still experiencing the same leakage problem.
Recall on seatbelt, driver side will not buckle at all, dealer does not have the part.
Exhaust leaked into passenger's compartment, causing constant smell of exhaust fluid. There is a possible risk of carbon monoxide.
The hood on the vehicle has been replaced (3) times since purchasing vehicle in december of 1995. While driving the vehicle the hood becomes unlatched, hits the windshield and flies right over the roof of the vehicle.
Headlights and communcation system, the switch that controls the headlights/lighting systems and windshield wipers, had an electrical short, continues to fail.
Fuel injectors are leaking fuel onto manifold; could cause engine fire; 4 cylnder; not included in safety improvement campaign by nhtsa #951006000.
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 10,520 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 29% most complained about).
On average one model year of the 200SX has 13 complaints (13 years in the data). This year has 11, about average.
What to check before buying
- Seat belts. Belt pretensioners after airbag deployment, SRS codes.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1986 Nissan 200SX?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: seat belts, engine and cooling, fuel system. Total complaints: 11. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: seat belts (27%), fuel system, fuel smell (9%), headlights and tail lights (9%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1986 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 1986 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 1986 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.