Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 47 complaints with NHTSA about the 1990 Nissan 240SX, and it carries 1 recall. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system | 20 | 43% |
| Seat belts | 5 | 11% |
| Seats | 4 | 9% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 3 | 6% |
| Service brakes | 3 | 6% |
| Structure | 2 | 4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 4% |
| Steering | 2 | 4% |
| Fuel system | 1 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 NISSAN 240SX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 95V103002 (SEAT BELTS). THE CONTACT WAS EXPERIENCING A FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE DEALER WOULD NOT HONOR THE RECA
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
THE FACTORY BREAK BOOSTERS ON NISSAN 240SX MODEL YEARS 1989-1998 LEAK AND DRIP BREAK FLUID ONTO THE FRAME RAIL, EATING AWAY THE RUST PREVENTIVE COATING. THIS ALLOWS THE ELEMENTS TO CONTACT BARE METAL, OXIDIZING IT AND BO
NHTSA complaint: Structure
I HAVE PURCHASED THIS AUTO APRIL 20, 2005. I DROVE IT FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS. THEN AN OVERPOWERING ODOR OF GASOLINE EMITTED IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. UPON INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, THERE WAS GASOL
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
SMELLED BAD GAS ODOR. TOOK TO REPAIR SHOP AND SAID 3 OUT OF 4 INJECTORS WERE LEAKING, VERY DANGEROUS. REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. NOW I AM READING ABOUT RECALL # 95I006000--NEVER NOTIFIED. WILL NISSAN REFUND OR CREDIT ME FOR C
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
3 OF 4 FUEL INJECTORS LEAKING AND FUEL REGULATORS NEEDS REPLACEMENT. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
FUEL INJECTOR HAS LEAKED FUEL DUE TO FUEL RAIL. VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED THREE TIMES. THIS PART IS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
FUEL INJECTORS HAVE LEAKED FUEL DUE TO THE FUEL RAIL. VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED THREE TIMES. PARTS ARE ON A NATIONAL BACK ORDER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
FUEL INJECTOR IS LEAKING AND COULD CAUSE A FIRE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT EXPERIENCED ANY PROBLEM YET DUE TO LEAKING FUEL INJECTORS. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK *TT
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1990 Nissan 240SX. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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.
Risk: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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 A
| Reliability raw | 87 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 80 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 85 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 55 | average |
| Performance | 54 | average |
| Efficiency | 38 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 47 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and fuel system is the most reported area with 20 of them (43%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 87/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 80/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1990 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 72/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.