AI Damage1997 Nissan 200SX: common problems
Owners of the 1997 Nissan 200SX filed 16 complaints with NHTSA, most often about air bags and visibility. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 16
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Air bags 31% of all complaints
- 2 Visibility 25% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 19% of all complaints
- 4 Engine and cooling 6% of all complaints
- 5 Exterior lighting 6% of all complaints
- 6 Powertrain 6% of all complaints
- 7 Service brakes 6% of all complaints
- 8 Vehicle speed control 6% of all complaints
- Air bags: 5 complaints (31% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Visibility: 4 complaints (25% of all).
- Electrical system: 3 complaints (19% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 1 complaints (6% of all).
- Exterior lighting: 1 complaints (6% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 16 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 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.
Driving down road and both airbags deployed causing driver to steer into curb. Only damage to the vehicle was deep scrapes on front passenger side rim and minor scrapes on rear passenger side rim. No other body or sheet metal damage.
While driving 25 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle failed to start without having the battery recharged. The vehicle was not formally diagnosed. The dealer and the manufacturer were made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 150,000.
After making a right turn, about 20 feet after turn both the driver and passenger side airbag deployed. I was struck in the face, chin, throat and chest. There was no accident, no pot holes in the road, no other car even on the road. I cannot find one reason why the air bags would deploy.
Tl contact owns a 1997 nissan 200sx. While driving in the middle of a rain storm, her windshield wipers stopped functioning. The vehicle towed since she had no visibility. The auto repair shop stated that the wiper linkage separated. The vehicle was repaired.
Headlight lenses produced a thick fog over them. As a result, the lights were not as bright at night. The headlight lenses were damaged due to the suns ultra-violet rays.
I had to pay $235 for a repair that was part of a recall in 1998. I was never sent recall info. Regarding my vehicle. I happened upon the nissan website looking for other information.
The driver's side windshield wipers in my 1997 nissan 200sx just stopped working while in use. I was driving the car going to my mother's home from work and the wiper just stopped. It was very scary and I could hardly see because it was raining so hard. I could have easily been in a terrible wreck.
Electrical problem: alternator in 2000 there was a bulletin in my local newspaper of a defective alternator in a 1997 nissan 200 sx. I replaced the alternator prior to this press release.
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 9,040 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 25% most complained about).
On average one model year of the 200SX has 13 complaints (13 years in the data). This year has 16, above average.
What to check before buying
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Nissan 200SX?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: air bags, visibility, electrical system. Total complaints: 16. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: airbag warning light (6%), headlights and tail lights (6%), won't start (6%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1997 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 1997 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 1997 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.