Most common 1997 Nissan 200SX problems
Share of the 16 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Nissan 200SX complaints by model year
Best 200SX years: 1997, 1998. Years to avoid: 1995, 1996. Compare all years →
1997 Nissan 200SX recalls (1)
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Linkages
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Water can enter and displace the grease in the wiper arm linkage ball joint where the wiper linkage attaches to the wiper motor linkage.
Remedy: To prevent grease from being washed out of the joint, the dealers will modify by adding a water diversion seal that will prevent water from entering the windshield wiper linkage ball joint area.
What 1997 Nissan 200SX owners say
Air bags
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. Under no circumstances did anything happen which would have or should have cause the airbags to deploy. Windshield broke as a result of passenger side front airbag.
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. It has been 48 hours and I am still sore including my neck and bruising on my neck and chest.
Windows, wipers & sunroof
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. First Nissan representative told me the repair had taken place in September of 1998 at the dealership, when I proved that to be wrong I was then told that my VIN # was not included in the recall. Nissan website clearly shows a range of VIN's and mine fell within that range, now all of a sudden I was told the range is not specific. If that is the case then I should be able to know what VIN's are included.
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. The dealer and manufacturer were notified in reference to recall 98V093000; however, they confirmed that her VIN was not related to the recall. There were no prior warnings. The current mileage was 156,036 and the failure mileage was approximately 156,000.
Electrical system
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Nissan 200sx. 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.
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. I bought the car used and never received this recall or repair notice I wasn't sure if this was covered seeing it was a used vehicle. I never received any information from Nissan or the dealership so I gave up until I seen your organization on local tv. Is there any form of reimbursement I can receive?
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Nissan 200SX a good car?
Based on 16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1997 200SX rates better than average: 52% fewer complaints than a typical year of the 200SX at the same age. It is one of the best 200SX years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1997 Nissan 200SX?
The air bags — 5 complaints, 31% of all complaints for this model year, most often about frontal. Next are the windows, wipers & sunroof (4) and electrical system (3).
How many recalls does the 1997 Nissan 200SX have?
There is 1 recall for the 1997 Nissan 200SX, the most recent from May 5, 1998 (linkages). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Nissan 200SX?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1997 and 1998. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1995 and 1996. See the full Nissan 200SX years comparison.
At what mileage do 1997 Nissan 200SX problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 143,000 miles; 0% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.