AI Damage1992 Nissan 240SX: common problems
Owners of the 1992 Nissan 240SX filed 7 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and service brakes. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 7
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 29% of all complaints
- 2 Service brakes 29% of all complaints
- 3 Tires 29% of all complaints
- 4 Equipment 14% of all complaints
- 5 Exterior lighting 14% of all complaints
- 6 Powertrain 14% of all complaints
- 7 Suspension 14% of all complaints
- 8 Vehicle speed control 14% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 2 complaints (29% of all).
- Service brakes: 2 complaints (29% of all).
- Tires: 2 complaints (29% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Equipment: 1 complaints (14% of all).
- Exterior lighting: 1 complaints (14% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.4 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 7 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 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.
Intuitively, I knew this was a manufacturing defect even though at the time I was denied compensation or adjustment. I bought 4 new tires after the failure of my firestone atx's but I saved the "exploded tire that damaged my truck to the tune of $500. And shook the hell out of me.
While driving out of a red light about 5 mph left rear tire was punctured by a nail on sidewall. Insurance company stated that tire wore out and was uneven, and over inflated by tire dealer. P-195/60hr15, nissan, 240sx, 1992.
Smoke eminates from center console aprox where gear shift lever is located, inside vehicle. Unable to determine the source of the smoke, it is very light, but noticable. Smell evident as well
The consumer said she was not around when the vehicle got on fire, but when she got there, the police told her they did not know how the vehicle got on fire. According to consumer, she thinks the fire had started in the engine.
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 12,538 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 34% most complained about).
On average one model year of the 240SX has 17 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 7, below average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Tires. Tire age by DOT code, bulges, wear pattern.
- 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 1992 Nissan 240SX?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, service brakes, tires. Total complaints: 7. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: smoke, burning smell, fire (29%), brake failure (14%), infotainment or screen glitches (14%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1992 Nissan 240SX?
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 1992 Nissan 240SX 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 1992 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.