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1986 Nissan 300ZX

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 3 of 59 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports32 fire reports4 injury reports

What owners actually said

59 reports
163,000 miles · Apr 18, 2013
Fuel System, Gasoline

NISSAN IS DECLINING TO HONOR A RECALL FOR FUEL INJECTORS THAT WAS ISSUED ON ALL 1986 NISSANS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10508671

186,000 miles · Mar 28, 2013
Tires

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1986 NISSAN 300ZX (NA) EQUIPPED WITH LANDSAIL TIRES (NA), SIZE 205/65/R15. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER AND DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, HE WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND IT SPUN OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. AFTER DIAGNOSIS, THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE DESIGN OF…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1986 NISSAN 300ZX (NA) EQUIPPED WITH LANDSAIL TIRES (NA), SIZE 205/65/R15. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER AND DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, HE WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND IT SPUN OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. AFTER DIAGNOSIS, THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE DESIGN OF THE TIRE MAY BE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WAS APPROXIMATELY 186,000 ON THE VEHICLE AND 7,000 ON THE TIRES. THE VIN AND DOT NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10504806

Mileage unknown · Jan 22, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION ON APRIL 9,2010. NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 95I006000. THIS WAS AND IS THE ONLY RECALL THAT I HAVE RECEIVED SINCE OWNING THE VEHICLE THAT WAS BOUGHT FROM GIES NISSAN OF CORTLANDT MANOR, NY BACK IN 1989. THE VEHICLE WAS ORIGINALLY SOLD FROM NEWBURGH NISSAN OF NEWBURG NY. THE VEHICLE IS DOING EXACTLY WHAT TH…

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I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION ON APRIL 9,2010. NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 95I006000. THIS WAS AND IS THE ONLY RECALL THAT I HAVE RECEIVED SINCE OWNING THE VEHICLE THAT WAS BOUGHT FROM GIES NISSAN OF CORTLANDT MANOR, NY BACK IN 1989. THE VEHICLE WAS ORIGINALLY SOLD FROM NEWBURGH NISSAN OF NEWBURG NY. THE VEHICLE IS DOING EXACTLY WHAT THE CAMPAIGN DESCRIBES. THE VEHICLE IS LEAKING GAS FROM THE INJECTORS. THE VEHICLE IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORST. I CONTACTED THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY CAN NOT PERFORM THE RECALL DUE TO PARTS AVAILABILITY. THEY TOLD ME THAT I CAN FIND THE PARTS AFTER MARKET PRODUCED AND THEY WOULD NEGOTIATE PAYMENT REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE PARTS BUT COST OF LABOR WAS MY RESPONSIBILITY, THIS WAS ALSO TOLD TO ME BY NISSAN CONSUMERS AFFAIRS SERVICE OF NORTH AMERICA THE REGIONAL DIRECTORS NAME THAT I SPOKE TO ONLY WOULD GIVE ME HIS FIRST NAME "MIKE". I WAS ABLE TO LOCATED THE PARTS WHICH ARE AVAILABLE THRU NISSAN. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT IT SHOULD BE MY RESPONSIBILITY TO HANDLE THIS WHEN THIS WAS A NATIONAL RECALL. ALSO A NOTE, THIS VEHICLE IS STORED IN MY HOME IN A GARAGE BELOW THE LIVING QUARTERS. THE DEFECT CAUSES FIRE IN THE VEHICLE. NISSAN CORP CUSTOMER SERVICE IS GIVING ME A RUN AROUND, THE DEALERS HAVE STATED THAT THEY WOULD PERFORM THE RECALL IF THE PARTS WERE MADE AVAILABLE. PLEASE GIVE ME SOME ASSISTANCE WITH THIS MATTER BEFORE THIS VEHICLE BURNS ALONG WITH HOPEFULLY NOT A MORE SERIOUS SITUATION. SECOND NOTE THIS VEHICLE UP UNTIL THIS PAST YEAR WAS ONLY USED O ABOUT FIVE TIMES A YEAR AND ALWAYS GARAGE KEPT. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED TO BE USED MORE OFTEN IS WHEN THE SMELL OF GAS HAS GOT WORST. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT DUE TO THIS FUEL PROBLEM THE VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS NYS EMISSIONS NOR SAFETY INSPECTIONS.[XXX] NISSAN CLAIM #[XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10378251

Mileage unknown · May 1, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

CAR RUNS HOT EVEN THOUGH I HAVE REPLACED FAN CLUTCH, WATER PUMP,THERMOSTAT, CHANGED HOSES, GASKETS. STILL CAR GET HOT AFTER RUNNING ONLY FOR 20 MIN. RADIATOR EMPTIES BUT OVERFLOW IS FULL. NO LEAKS FROM UNDER CAR. IT NEEDS TO BE FIXED BY NISSAN. ALSO SLIPS OUT OF 2ND GEAR WITHOUT WARNING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10267414

Mileage unknown · Oct 31, 2007
Fuel System, OtherFire

TALKED TO NISSAN USA ABOUT 1986 NISSAN 300ZX, FUEL INJECTOR AND RELATED HOSES LEAKING. THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE NEAREST NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND THEY WOULD REPLACE THE FUEL INFECTOR AND HOSES AS PART OF THE RECALL ID #95I006000 - FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. I TOOK THE CAR TO TOWN CENTER NISSAN AND WAS…

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TALKED TO NISSAN USA ABOUT 1986 NISSAN 300ZX, FUEL INJECTOR AND RELATED HOSES LEAKING. THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE NEAREST NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND THEY WOULD REPLACE THE FUEL INFECTOR AND HOSES AS PART OF THE RECALL ID #95I006000 - FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. I TOOK THE CAR TO TOWN CENTER NISSAN AND WAS GIVEN AN ESTIMATE OF APPROXIMATELY $3,000 FOR REPAIRS. NISSAN NORTH AMERICA TOLD THE SHOP NOT TO DO THE REPAIRS BECAUSE THE ESTIMATE WAS FOR MORE THAN THE VALUE OF THE CAR. NISSAN NORTH AMERICA THEN TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD PAY ME THE FAIR MARKET VALUE OF THE CAR. NOW THEY REFUSE TO DO THIS. MY CAR IS STILL AT THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP WITH NO RESOLUTION. SUPERVISOR AT NISSAN NORTH AMERICA DOES NOT RETURN CALLS AND HER MAIL BOX HAS BEEN FULL FOR OVER 10 DAYS SO WE CANNOT LEAVE A VOICE MAIL MESSAGE - WHAT ARE WE SUPPOSED TO DO? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10207548

Mileage unknown · Nov 3, 2004
Electrical SystemFire

WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED ON THE DASHBOARD AND ALL THE ELECTRICAL LIGHTS FAILED TO COME ON. THE DRIVER SMELL SMOKE COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER . THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. NO INJURIES. THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAD THE…

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WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED ON THE DASHBOARD AND ALL THE ELECTRICAL LIGHTS FAILED TO COME ON. THE DRIVER SMELL SMOKE COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER . THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. NO INJURIES. THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED AND DEEMED IT TOTALED THE INSPECTOR INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE FIRE STARTED FROM THE UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD. *JB *SC

NHTSA ODI #10094233

153,000 miles · Apr 21, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline

CALL NISSAN NUMBER LISTED ON THE RECALL AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR LEAKING FUEL INJECTOR REPLACEMENT FOR MY VIN. THE RECALL LISTED ON YOUR WEB SITE REFERS TO ALL Z CARS 84-89. IS THE RECALL NOT LONGER VALID. IT APPEARS THEY ARE NO LONGER CONCERNED ABOUT THE FIRE RISK TO MY CAR. VIN NUMBER [XXX] 86 N…

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CALL NISSAN NUMBER LISTED ON THE RECALL AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR LEAKING FUEL INJECTOR REPLACEMENT FOR MY VIN. THE RECALL LISTED ON YOUR WEB SITE REFERS TO ALL Z CARS 84-89. IS THE RECALL NOT LONGER VALID. IT APPEARS THEY ARE NO LONGER CONCERNED ABOUT THE FIRE RISK TO MY CAR. VIN NUMBER [XXX] 86 NISSAN 300 ZX NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 95I006000 MAKE: NISSAN MODEL: 300ZX YEAR: 1986 CAUSING FAULT : FLOODS,LEAKS RESULTING FAULT : FIRE, FLUID,ELECTRICAL,GAS(LPG),GASOLINE,OTHER COMPONENT: FUEL:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM MANUFACTURER: NISSAN MOTORS CORPORATION YEAR OF RECALL: 1995 TYPE OF REPORT: VEHICLE IMPROVEMENT POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED: 1 SUMMARY: NISSAN DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL INJECTORS AND RELATED HOSES OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. SYSTEM: FUEL; FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEM: THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERALREGULATION 573. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THEAGENCY. THE CAMPAIGN WILL REPLACE THE FUEL INJECTORS AND RELATED HOSES OFAFFECTED VEHICLES WHICH COULD LEAK.CONSEQUENCE OF PROBLEM: FUEL LEAKS IN THE ENGINE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.NOTE: NISSAN HAS DECIDED TO CONDUCT A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT SERVICE CAMPAIGN TOREPLACE THE FUEL INJECTORS AND RELATED HOSES WITHOUT CHARGE. OWNERS CAN CONTACTNISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

NHTSA ODI #10067560

Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 2002
Fuel System, GasolineFireInjury

THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BURST INTO FLAMES AFTER I PULLED INTO A STORE RECALL CAMPAIGN #95I006000 WAS COMPLIED WITH THOUGH I HAVE NOT TOUCHED ANYTHING.(ANY REPAIRS MADE) I CAN CLEARLY SEE FUEL SHOOT OUT OF THE HOSE BETWEEN THE INJECTOR SUPPLY TUBES. THIS FIRE DID NOT THIS SPLIT AS CAN BE SEEN BY THE BURN PATTERN..ANY INFORMATION F…

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THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BURST INTO FLAMES AFTER I PULLED INTO A STORE RECALL CAMPAIGN #95I006000 WAS COMPLIED WITH THOUGH I HAVE NOT TOUCHED ANYTHING.(ANY REPAIRS MADE) I CAN CLEARLY SEE FUEL SHOOT OUT OF THE HOSE BETWEEN THE INJECTOR SUPPLY TUBES. THIS FIRE DID NOT THIS SPLIT AS CAN BE SEEN BY THE BURN PATTERN..ANY INFORMATION FOR MY COURSE OF ACTION WOULD BE APPRECIATED. DT

NHTSA ODI #769043

Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2002
Fuel System, Gasoline

A FUEL SMELL COMING ON IN SIDE OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, TECHNICIAN NOTICED FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. RECALL 95I006000 FOR THIS MAKE/ MODEL WAS ISSUED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8016999

Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

CYLINDER HEAD BOLT BROKE. HEAD OF BOLT GOT CAUGHT BETWEEN CAMSHAFT AND CYLINDER HEAD WHICH CAUSED THE CAMSHAFT TO STOP ROTATING. THIS CAUSED THE CAMSHAFT SPROCKET TO SHEAR THE END OF THE CAMSHAFT OFF. MAJOR ENGINE DAMAGE RESULTED.

NHTSA ODI #764430

Official recalls

1

87V098000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift

Jul 6, 1987

UNINTENDED ACCELERATION MAY OCCUR, FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN SHIFTING FROM THE PARK POSITION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy: INSTALL A SHIFT INTERLOCK SYSTEM WHICH PREVENTS THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER FROM BEING MOVED FROM THE PARK POSITION UNLESS THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

EA94018 · Fuel Injector Assembly Leakage

Opened Jun 23, 1994 · Closed Nov 8, 1995

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System

AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS CLOSING REPORT IS INCLUDED IN THE PUBLIC FILE.SERVICE CAMPAIGN 95I-006.

PE94018 · Engine Compartment Fires

Opened Feb 22, 1994 · Closed Jun 23, 1994

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

There is no summary currently available