- What you'll get from Nissan 240SX VIN check?
- Nissan 240SX Vehicle History Risk Factors
- Characters 1-3 of a Nissan 240SX VIN
- List of WMI Codes for a Nissan 240SX
- Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Nissan 240SX VIN
- Character 9 is the "check digit" in a Nissan 240SX VIN.
- 10th Character in the Nissan 240SX VIN — Year Code
- 11th Character in the Nissan 240SX VIN — Plant Code(s)
- Known Nissan 240SX Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
- VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Nissan 240SX
- How to find a Nissan 240SX's VIN?
- Sample VIN Decode Report for a Nissan 240SX
What you’ll get from Nissan 240SX VIN check?
- Model Year: The VIN can indicate the model year of the Nissan 240SX, possibly being the year 1998, offering insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
- Manufacturing Plant Location: The VIN can provide information about the location where the Nissan 240SX was possibly manufactured, in this case, possibly Miyawaka, Fukuoka, Japan.
- Vehicle Type: The VIN may indicate that the Nissan 240SX is classified as a passenger car.
- Body Style: The VIN can reveal the body style of the Nissan 240SX, possibly being a coupe, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
- Engine Specifications: The VIN might provide information about the engine of the Nissan 240SX, including the number of cylinders, displacement, and engine model.
- Fuel Type: The VIN can indicate the primary fuel type of the Nissan 240SX, which in this case might be gasoline.
- Safety Features: The VIN may offer insight into the safety features included in the Nissan 240SX, possibly including the presence of front airbags.
Nissan 240SX 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 240SX VIN
Characters 1-3 of a Nissan 240SX VIN
The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the unique sequence that comprises the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). This code identifies the manufacturer of the vehicle and sometimes includes information about the vehicle type and manufacturing division. For the Nissan 240SX, the WMI is ‘JN1’ which designates Nissan Motor Company, Ltd., and indicates that the vehicle was manufactured in Japan. This distinctive code is essential for vehicle tracking, registration, and identification purposes. By analyzing the WMI, one can immediately recognize the make of the vehicle and the country where it was produced, providing an initial layer of important information about the car’s origins.
List of WMI Codes for a Nissan 240SX
WMI: JN1
- Model Years Covered: 1989-1993, 1995-1998
- Example VIN: JN1HS36P0KW015975
- Manufacturer Name: Nissan Motor Company, Ltd.
- Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
- City: Chuo-Ku
- State or Province: Tokyo
- Country: Japan
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Nissan 240SX 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 240SX 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 240SX VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| W | 1998 Nissan 240SX |
| V | 1997 Nissan 240SX |
| T | 1996 Nissan 240SX |
| S | 1995 Nissan 240SX |
| P | 1993 Nissan 240SX |
| N | 1992 Nissan 240SX |
| M | 1991 Nissan 240SX |
| L | 1990 Nissan 240SX |
| K | 1989 Nissan 240SX |
11th Character in the Nissan 240SX VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known Nissan 240SX Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | Miyawaka | Fukuoka | Japan | Kyushu Plant | JN1HS36P0KW015975 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Nissan 240SX
The final 6 characters in a Nissan 240SX’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 240SX’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your Nissan 240SX is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Nissan 240SX. The VIN is usually located on a small plaque and can be seen through the windshield.
- Open the driver’s side door and examine the door jamb area. The VIN for your Nissan 240SX is frequently found on a label or sticker where the door latches.
- Inspect the firewall of the engine compartment. Sometimes, the VIN plate can be mounted on the firewall inside the Nissan 240SX’s engine bay.
- Check the vehicle’s insurance and registration documents. The VIN for your Nissan 240SX should be clearly printed on these legal papers.
- Look under the hood and check the front of the engine block. The VIN can sometimes be stamped on the metal surface of the engine in your Nissan 240SX.
Don’t have your Nissan 240SX’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a Nissan 240SX
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback |
| Cooling Type | Water |
| Displacement (CC) | 2400.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 146.45698582735 |
| Displacement (L) | 2.4 |
| Doors | 2 |
| Drive Type | 4x2 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 134 |
| Engine Manufacturer | Nissan |
| Engine Model | KA24E |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 4 |
| Engine Stroke Cycles | 4 |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating To | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) |
| Model | 240SX |
| Model Year | 1990 |
| Other Restraint System Info | Motorized 2 Points Automatic Belt System |
| Plant City | Miyawaka |
| Plant Company Name | Kyushu plant |
| Plant Country | Japan |
| Plant State | Fukuoka |
| Seat Belt Type | Automatic |
| Valve Train Design | Single Overhead Cam (SOHC) |
| Vehicle Descriptor | JN1HS36P*LW |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample VIN | JN1HS36P0LW121487 |
Specs tell you what it was built with. A VIN check tells you what's happened since.
Check any Nissan 240SX 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 240SX?
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 240SX's history for free?
Enter the Nissan 240SX’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 240SX VIN numbers start with?
Nissan 240SX VIN's start with JN1 for vehicles manufactured by Nissan Motor Company, Ltd. in Japan. The first three characters of any VIN identify the manufacturer. The full WMI table on this page lists all known codes for the Nissan 240SX.
Decode a Nissan VIN
Look up a Nissan 240SX by license plate:
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