AI Damage1993 Nissan 240SX: common problems
Owners of the 1993 Nissan 240SX filed 10 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and seat belts. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 10
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 30% of all complaints
- 2 Seat belts 20% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 20% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 20% of all complaints
- 5 Engine and cooling 10% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel system 10% of all complaints
- 7 Latches, locks, linkages 10% of all complaints
- 8 Seats 10% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 3 complaints (30% of all).
- Seat belts: 2 complaints (20% of all).
- Service brakes: 2 complaints (20% of all).
- Steering: 2 complaints (20% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 1 complaints (10% 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 10 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 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.
Avoiding a car crashing directly into my left side I surved and loss control of my car. Then my front left tire blew, causing me to crash into the median on the freeway. Improperly designed or constructed tires that may blow out unexpectedly
The seat belt failed to restrain around the chest area. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The diagnostic located the failure at the signal sending unit. The manufacturer stated they would not assist with the repair because the seat belt was only warranted for three years.
On numerous occasions the steering wheel has locked up, and the ignition key will not turn. I have replaced both the ignition and the starter, and still the problem persists.
Automatic seatbelt failed on 3 occasions with no apparent reason. When ignition was turned, seatbelt did not engage.
While this problem has not happened to me, the seat backs in the 240sx fatigue over the years and eventually fail in normal use. The section of the frame where the bolts holding the seat back are mounted peels away over time, allowing the bolt head to pull through, at which point the seat back collapses.
Intermittent hydraulic light appearence, grinding noise, spongy pedal and low pedal, after being fixed by private garage, grinding noise persists.
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 10,921 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 30% most complained about).
On average one model year of the 240SX has 17 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 10, below average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Seat belts. Belt pretensioners after airbag deployment, SRS codes.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1993 Nissan 240SX?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, seat belts, service brakes. Total complaints: 10. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: knocking, grinding or other noise (20%), seat belts (20%), stalls while driving (10%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1993 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 1993 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 1993 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.