Most common 1998 Nissan 200SX problems
Share of the 18 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 →
1998 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 1998 Nissan 200SX owners say
Engine & cooling
Nar 04/01/2003. The consumer had to have her vehicle towed twice because it would not start. When ever the consumer took the vehicle to the dealer to be service no problems were found regarding the vehicle not starting. On one occasion the dealer located a cracked belt. The stud/nut was replaced on the right front wheel.
When driving over 50 MPH vehicle pulls to the left, causing the consumer to slow down so the consumer won't lose control of the velhicle. Also, water pump/motor went out, and were replaced.
Electrical system
Car wont crank, replaced the starter, battery, ignition switch and no one knows how to fix the problem even the dealership wont help unless you have over $1,000. Its sitting in the driveway. The dash lights comes one but nothing else. I replaced everything. When you shut the engine off you have to wait sometimes for 3 to 4 hours or longer and that is in public parking lots.
Consumer was driving approximately 30 minutes before parking vehicle, immediately after engine was turned off cosumer began to notice smoke, first white smoke. Consumer then started engine and backed vehicle out of garage. Shortly after, flames began under hood. Vehicle was towed to dealership. One month later dealership decided to replace vehicle because Nissan could not find a cause for fire.
Transmission & drivetrain
1. When I drove @ the speed of 55, the wheel still shift to the right. 2. Ellis brooks(dealer) replaced the new cable on 01/2000, two weeks later I want on vacation for 5 weeks, the car haven't drive then. About 2 weeks after I came back from vacation, I start to feel the clutch loose again. Then about 3 weeks later the clutch cable had broken again. From there I changed new clutch(dealer suggest to replace clutch), but now the car still in the dealer garage waiting for the cable, it is been 3 weeks. The dealer and manufacture claim can't find the new clutch cable yet. And they don't want to provide car rental.
Since the second time the clutch cable was broke till now, the car still sit in the garage of ellis brooks(dealer). The dealer and manufacture can not find any replacement parts(#30770-9b410). And they refuse to give any rental car. I tried to contact the manufacture and dealer many times, but still can not fix this problem. Could it be a lemon car?
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Nissan 200SX a good car?
Based on 18 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1998 200SX rates better than average: 45% 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 1998 Nissan 200SX?
The engine & cooling — 3 complaints, 17% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine › gasoline. Next are the electrical system (3) and transmission & drivetrain (3).
How many recalls does the 1998 Nissan 200SX have?
There is 1 recall for the 1998 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 1998 Nissan 200SX problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 162,000 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.