Most Nissan 200SX VINs open with 1N4 (the United States, 1995–1998) or JN1 (Japan, 1983–1988). Position 11, the plant, shows 2 codes, most often C (71%); a 1998 200SX carries W in position 10. Decoding one also brings up 5 recall campaigns and 118 owner complaints from NHTSA.
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How to read a Nissan 200SX VIN
Here is a real 1985 Nissan 200SX VIN from our database, split into its parts:
VIN JN1PS26S4FW024551 — decoded free on its own report page.
| Position | Section | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | WMI | World Manufacturer Identifier — country, manufacturer and vehicle type. |
| 4–8 | VDS | Vehicle Descriptor Section — body style, engine, restraint system, series. |
| 9 | Check digit | A calculated digit that validates the whole VIN. Wrong digit = wrong VIN. |
| 10 | Model year | One character for the model year. Letters skip I, O, Q, U and Z. |
| 11 | Plant | The assembly plant that built the car. |
| 12–17 | Serial | Sequential production number of this exact vehicle. |
Nissan 200SX VIN prefixes, and when each one was used
The Nissan 200SX VINs on record carry 2 different prefixes. The main one is 1N4 (the United States, 1995–1998), then JN1 (Japan, 1983–1988):
| VIN starts with | Years seen | Built in | Vehicle type | VINs on record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JN1 | 1983–1988 | Japan | Passenger Car | |
| 1N4 | 1995–1998 | United States | Passenger Car |
Position 11 names the plant. On the Nissan 200SX it is not one number either — assembly moved between 2 of them over the years:
| Plant code | Years active | VINs on record | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | 1995–1998 | 84 | |
| W | 1984–1988 | 28 |
Counted from 115 dated Nissan 200SX VINs attached to NHTSA complaints, each code checked against the NHTSA manufacturer registry.
Model-year codes for the Nissan 200SX
Position 10 carries the model year, skipping I, O, Q, U and Z. The alphabet comes round every 30 years, which the Nissan 200SX has not yet outlived: its 12 years still map one-to-one. All 12 model years of the Nissan 200SX, 1981 to 1998, with the character each one carries:
| Model year | VIN character (position 10) | Same character as |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | W | — |
| 1997 | V | — |
| 1996 | T | — |
| 1995 | S | — |
| 1988 | J | — |
| 1987 | H | — |
| 1986 | G | — |
| 1985 | F | — |
| 1984 | E | — |
| 1983 | D | — |
| 1982 | C | — |
| 1981 | B | — |
Body and engine characters we see on Nissan 200SX VINs
Positions 4–8 are the maker's own build code. Across 1 VINs the Nissan 200SX uses 3 different characters in positions 4, 5 and 8:
| Position | Characters seen on real VINs | Variety |
|---|---|---|
| 4 — body | P (100%) | 1 distinct |
| 5 — series | S (100%) | 1 distinct |
| 8 — engine | S (100%) | 1 distinct |
What a decoded Nissan 200SX VIN gets you
Behind a Nissan 200SX VIN: 118 owner complaints and every recall campaign NHTSA has on record:
| Data | For this model | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Recall campaigns | 5 campaigns | NHTSA |
| Owner complaints | 118 filed | NHTSA |
| Fuel economy | 24 mpg combined (avg) | EPA |
| Model years covered | 12 years | ForCar catalog |
Where to find the VIN on a Nissan 200SX
A Nissan 200SX VIN normally opens with JN1; the full number sits in four places, and all four must match.
| Where | How to see it | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Dashboard, driver side | Through the windshield, bottom corner | Easiest to check before you touch anything |
| Driver door jamb | Open the door, sticker on the pillar | Also lists tire pressures and build date |
| Under the hood | Firewall or strut tower plate | Survives a windshield replacement |
| Title and insurance | Paper documents | Must match the car — a mismatch means fraud or a swapped panel |
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Frequently asked questions
Is this Nissan 200SX VIN decoder free?
Yes, with no account. Besides the year, plant and build characters it shows 5 recall campaigns and 118 owner complaints NHTSA holds on the Nissan 200SX.
Why does my 200SX VIN start differently from another 200SX?
Because the Nissan 200SX was built under several maker codes, by plant and period. Across the Nissan 200SX VINs on record we see 2 of them: JN1 (1983–1988), 1N4 (1995–1998). Each is genuine for its years.
What year is my 200SX by its VIN?
Read position 10: a 1998 200SX carries W, a 1997 200SX carries V, a 1996 200SX carries T.
Where was my 200SX built?
Position 11 names the plant. Across 118 dated Nissan 200SX VINs it reads C 71%, W 24%.
What does position 4 mean on a Nissan 200SX VIN?
It is part of the maker's own build code, so read it against this model, not a generic chart. On 1 Nissan 200SX VINs here, P is the most common character in position 4, on 100% of them.
What if the VIN on the dashboard doesn't match the door jamb?
On a Nissan 200SX check the prefix first: most genuine ones open with 1N4 or JN1. A plate that starts with anything else, or disagrees with the other copies of the number, needs documents checked before any money changes hands.
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