1989 Nissan 240SX: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
22 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
128,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1989 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Seat Belts is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 22 complaints (13.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 2 | 9.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 9.1% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 9.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Seat Belts | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors | 2 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 2 |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 2 |
| Child Seat | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 1 |
Seat Belts: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors: 2; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 2; Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls: 2; Child Seat: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 18 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 6 |
| 1996 | 9 |
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
1995: 6; 1996: 9; 2000: 3; 2003: 2; 2009: 1; 2012: 1
Pattern summary
Seat Belts leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10023070 · 2003-06-14 (June 14, 2003)
THE LOWER BOLT THAT HOLDS THE BACK, LEFT BRAKE CALIPER HAS BROKEN TWICE WITHIN 3 YEARS. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 130,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10023070 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10029200 · 2003-07-25 (July 25, 2003)
ELECTRICAL FIRE IN THE INTERIOR OF VEHICLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 123,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10029200 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10285093 · 2009-09-24 (September 24, 2009)
AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT DOESN'T MOVE WHEN DOOR IS OPENED OR CLOSED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 205,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10285093 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10458747 · 2012-05-16 (May 16, 2012)
WHEN I WAS DRIVING MY CAR THE ELECTRONIC SEAT BELT WENT FORWARD, WHICH BASICALLY MEANS IM UNBUCKLED AND IT WONT GO BACK TO THE BUCKLED POSITION FOR SOME REASON.
Owner-reported narrative. 126,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10458747 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 481787 · 1995-02-20 (February 20, 1995)
SPEEDOMETER FAILED.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 481787 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 486160 · 1995-04-19 (April 19, 1995)
ADJUSTABLE SUPPORT LEVER ON KOLCRAFT CHILD SAFETY SEAT FAILS TO HOLD SEAT IN UPRIGHT POSITION WHEN FACING FORWARD. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 486160 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 503522 · 1996-04-15 (April 15, 1996)
TILT STEERING WHEEL LOCKING MECHANISM FAILS TO HOLD STEERING WHEEL IN POSITION. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 503522 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 505044 · 1996-05-18 (May 18, 1996)
WATER PUMP REPLACED. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 505044 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
95V103002 · Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
Reported: 1995-05-24 (May 24, 1995)
THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
Consequence: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗