Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1983 200SX.
The 1983 Nissan 200SX represents a notably trouble-free point in the model's documented history, carrying a 4-quart oil capacity with viscosity options of 20W-40, 20W-50, or 5W-30 depending on operating conditions, and backed by a striking reliability record of just a single owner complaint — focused on seat belts — with zero recalls. That near-clean slate stands in sharp relief against the broader complaint trajectory Nissan's sporty coupe would trace in later years, as the model's documented history from 1991 through 2001 climbs from a low of one complaint in 1991 to a peak of 58 in 1995. For a researcher, this positions the 1983 model year as an early high-water mark for owner satisfaction, suggesting that whatever engineering and manufacturing choices defined this generation held up substantially better in real-world use than the revisions that followed.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the 200SX of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | SE 3-door Hatchback 3.0L V6 | 10.00 sec | 17.50 sec | 160 hp | RWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 4 qt of 20W-40 / 20W-50 / 5W-30 engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid.
| Brake Fluid | DOT 3 |
| Engine Oil | 20W-40 · 20W-50 · 5W-30 · 10W-30 · 10W-40 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 4 qt |
| Power Steering Fluid | ATF |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
For the 1983 Nissan 200SX, the federal record indicates just 1 complaint regarding seat belts and zero crash or fire incidents. Although the provided generational data lacks the years immediately before and after 1983, the broader record from 1991 to 2001 reveals a trend of complaints and recalls peaking in 1995 with 58 complaints and 3 recalls, before steadily declining to 0 complaints and 1 recall by 1999. Because the 1983 model year predates this documented arc of escalating issues, it implies this early production year was largely free of the widespread defects seen later in the generation. The data does not specify a root cause for the single 1983 seat belt complaint or the later generation spike. Ultimately, the 1983 model's exceptionally low complaint volume makes it a favorable year to purchase within this generation, assuming the single seat belt concern is properly addressed.
All 1 complaints on record, top 1 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.
Showing 3 of 3 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| NTB-09-101 | 2010-09-30 | Tires | NISSAN: TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) WARNING LIGHT ON/FLASHING. NO MODELS OR… |
| NTB-09-129 | 2010-09-13 | Equipment | NISSAN: VENT CONTROL VALVE REPLACEMENT. WHEN REPLACING THE EVAP CANISTER VENT CONTROL… |
| NTB-09-030 | 2009-04-06 | Electrical System | NISSAN: THE 12 VOLT BATTERY IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND IS… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
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Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
4 qt of ABOVE 50 degrees F: 20W-40 OR 20W-50, BELOW 60 degrees F: 5W-30 OR 10W-30, ABOVE 0 degrees F: 10W-30 OR 10W-40, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.