- What you'll get from Nissan 200SX VIN check?
- Nissan 200SX Vehicle History Risk Factors
- Characters 1-3 of a Nissan 200SX VIN
- List of WMI Codes for a Nissan 200SX
- Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Nissan 200SX VIN
- Character 9 is the "check digit" in a Nissan 200SX VIN.
- 10th Character in the Nissan 200SX VIN — Year Code
- 11th Character in the Nissan 200SX VIN — Plant Code(s)
- Known Nissan 200SX Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
- VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Nissan 200SX
- How to find a Nissan 200SX's VIN?
- Sample VIN Decode Report for a Nissan 200SX
What you’ll get from Nissan 200SX VIN check?
- Manufacturer Name: The VIN can reveal the manufacturer of the vehicle, offering information about the company that produced it.
- Model: The VIN indicates the specific model of the vehicle, allowing the identification of the exact variant of the {make} {model}.
- Vehicle Type: The VIN provides information about the type of vehicle, such as whether it is a passenger car, truck, SUV, or other vehicle classification.
- Model Year: The VIN specifies the year in which the vehicle was manufactured, which can help in determining its age and production timeline.
- Plant City and State: The VIN may include details about the specific city and state where the vehicle was manufactured, providing insights into its production location.
Nissan 200SX Vehicle History Risk Factors
Nissan’s reliability record is mixed — the Frontier and older Maxima have strong reputations, while the CVT-heavy lineup of the 2010s has generated one of the highest rates of powertrain complaints in the segment. A Bumper VIN check on a used Nissan should focus on the following:
CVT transmission failures across multiple models (2012–2018 Altima, Rogue, Sentra, Versa). Nissan’s Jatco CVT transmissions in this generation have among the highest owner-reported failure rates of any modern powertrain component. Failures typically manifest as shuddering, overheating, and sudden loss of drive between 60,000 and 120,000 miles. Nissan extended the warranty on these transmissions multiple times due to failure rates. A service record showing CVT replacement or fluid service is important context — but a replacement doesn’t guarantee the replacement unit will outlast the original.
Timing chain stretch on 2.5L QR25DE engine (2002–2012 Altima, Sentra, Rogue). Nissan’s QR25DE engine had documented timing chain and tensioner stretch issues that could cause engine damage if the chain jumped. Look for service records referencing timing chain noise or replacement.
Rust on Frontier and older Xterra. Nissan issued a frame rust recall for Frontiers from 2005–2016 in certain states after discovering frames that could rust completely through. Verify recall compliance on any Frontier from this era — this is a structural safety issue, not cosmetic rust.
Flood damage on Rogues and Altimas. Nissan’s compact SUVs and sedans appear frequently in flood damage reports from hurricane-affected regions. Electrical system issues from water intrusion are particularly problematic on the CVT-heavy Nissan lineup.
A Bumper VIN check shows accident history, title brands, flood damage, and odometer records for this specific vehicle.
How to decode a Nissan 200SX VIN
Characters 1-3 of a Nissan 200SX VIN
The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the first three characters of a vehicle’s unique 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). It specifically identifies the manufacturer and the country where the vehicle was produced. For the Nissan 200SX, a sporty and compact car produced under the Nissan brand, the most common WMIs are ‘1N4’ for models manufactured in North America, and ‘JN1’ for those produced in Japan. The WMI is essential for vehicle registration, identification, and for understanding where a car comes from. Each WMI code tied to the Nissan 200SX correlates to specific manufacturing details, which can be especially important for collectors, mechanics, and automotive enthusiasts looking to understand more about the origins and pedigree of their vehicle.
List of WMI Codes for a Nissan 200SX
WMI: JN1
- Model Years Covered: 1983, 1985, 1987
- Example VIN: JN1RS06SXDW004525
- Manufacturer Name: Nissan Motor Company, Ltd.
- Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
- City: Chuo-Ku
- State or Province: Tokyo
- Country: Japan
WMI: 1N4
- Model Years Covered: 1997-1998
- Example VIN: 1N4BB42D4VC516822
- Manufacturer Name: Nissan North America, Inc.
- Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
- City: Franklin
- State or Province: Tennessee
- Country: United States
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Nissan 200SX VIN
These characters correspond to components like:
- Engine type
- Transmission
- Model or trim
- Body style
- Gross vehicle weight range
Nissan’s Vehicle Descriptor Section encodes body style, restraint system type, engine variant, and series level across its Altima, Rogue, Sentra, Frontier, and Titan lineups. On the Rogue and Altima — Nissan’s two highest-volume models — the VDS distinguishes between CVT-equipped and traditional automatic variants, and between the 2.0L and 2.5L four-cylinder engines offered in different trim levels and model years. This is particularly relevant for used buyers because Nissan’s CVT transmission has a well-documented reliability gap compared to traditional automatics, and confirming which transmission a specific VIN has can significantly affect the risk profile of a used purchase.
Auto manufacturers have some discretion to decide how they want to code this section, but its contents and decoded results are generally consistent.
Character 9 is the “check digit” in a Nissan 200SX VIN.
Based on a formula developed by the US Department of Transportation, it helps reduce fraud by ensuring the validity of the VIN.
10th Character in the Nissan 200SX VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| W | 1998 Nissan 200SX |
| V | 1997 Nissan 200SX |
| H | 1987 Nissan 200SX |
| F | 1985 Nissan 200SX |
| D | 1983 Nissan 200SX |
11th Character in the Nissan 200SX VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known Nissan 200SX Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | Smyrna | Tennessee | United States | Smyrna Plant | 1N4BB42D4VC516822 |
| W | Miyawaka | Fukuoka | Japan | Kyushu Plant | JN1RS06SXDW004525 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Nissan 200SX
The final 6 characters in a Nissan 200SX’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Want to unlock even more detailed info about your vehicle?
How to find a Nissan 200SX’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your Nissan 200SX is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Nissan 200SX; the VIN can usually be seen through the windshield.
- Examine the door jamb area on the driver’s side, as the Nissan 200SX often has the VIN on a label or sticker where the door latches.
- Under the hood, the VIN might also be stamped on the engine block or the firewall of the Nissan 200SX.
- Check the vehicle’s registration documents or insurance card, as the VIN will be printed there for reference for the Nissan 200SX.
- Inspect beneath the spare tire in the trunk, as some Nissan 200SX models may have the VIN located in that area.
Don’t have your Nissan 200SX’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a Nissan 200SX
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback |
| Displacement (CC) | 2960 |
| Displacement (CI) | 180.630282520 |
| Displacement (L) | 3 |
| Doors | 2 |
| Drive Type | 4x2 |
| Engine Configuration | V-Shaped |
| Engine Manufacturer | Volvo |
| Engine Model | VG30E |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 6 |
| Engine Stroke Cycles | 4 |
| Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type | Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI) |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Model | 200SX |
| Model Year | 1987 |
| Other Engine Info | EFI |
| Other Restraint System Info | Standard |
| Plant City | Miyawaka |
| Plant Company Name | Kyushu plant |
| Plant Country | Japan |
| Plant State | Fukuoka |
| Valve Train Design | Single Overhead Cam (SOHC) |
| Vehicle Descriptor | JN1VS26S*HW |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample VIN | JN1VS26S1HW014828 |
Specs tell you what it was built with. A VIN check tells you what's happened since.
Check any Nissan 200SX for accident history, flood damage, salvage title, and odometer fraud.
Run a free VIN check →Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the VIN on a Nissan 200SX?
On most Nissan vehicles, the VIN is located on the driver’s side dashboard, visible through the windshield from outside the car. It’s also on a sticker inside the driver’s side door jamb, and on your insurance card, title, and registration documents.
How do I check a Nissan 200SX's history for free?
Enter the Nissan 200SX’s 17-digit VIN into Bumper’s free VIN check at bumper.com. The free check shows factory specs and open NHTSA recalls. For the full history including accident records, title brands, theft status, and ownership history, run a full Bumper report.
What do Nissan 200SX VIN numbers start with?
Nissan 200SX VIN's start with JN1 for vehicles manufactured by Nissan Motor Company, Ltd. in Japan, 1N4 for vehicles manufactured by Nissan North America, Inc. in United States. The first three characters of any VIN identify the manufacturer. The full WMI table on this page lists all known codes for the Nissan 200SX.
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