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2003 Nissan 350Z

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most 350Z years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Nissan 350Z are substantially higher than the model-year median of 73.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

214 reports with mileage · 61 unknown

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.

  • Suspension. Review the 110 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Tires. Review the 71 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports1 fire reports3 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

34 reports
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137,000 miles · May 19, 2014
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN 350Z. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED SUDDENLY. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), EVEN THOUGH IT E…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN 350Z. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED SUDDENLY. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), EVEN THOUGH IT EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000.

NHTSA ODI #10592392

150,000 miles · Jul 9, 2013
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN 350Z. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED TO THE SHOULDER WHERE IT WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CAM POSITION SENSOR HAD FAILED. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN 350Z. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED TO THE SHOULDER WHERE IT WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CAM POSITION SENSOR HAD FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) BUT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL AND NO REASON WAS PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 8/12/13 *CN

NHTSA ODI #10523904

53,313 miles · Apr 9, 2013
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN 350Z. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILUR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN 350Z. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,313. *TR UPDATED 7/15/13 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES.

NHTSA ODI #10505655

94,301 miles · Jul 30, 2012
EngineEngine And Engine Cooling

THE INCIDENT FIRST OCCURRED DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING WHERE THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER COMPLETELY. SINCE THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION WAS IN GEAR, THE ENGINE "PUSH STARTED" ITSELF WITH A VIOLENT SURGE MOTION AND REGAINED POWER. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT THREE TIMES ON THIS TRIP. WHEN I GOT OFF THE FREEWAY, THIS HAPPENED AS I SLOWED FOR…

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THE INCIDENT FIRST OCCURRED DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING WHERE THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER COMPLETELY. SINCE THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION WAS IN GEAR, THE ENGINE "PUSH STARTED" ITSELF WITH A VIOLENT SURGE MOTION AND REGAINED POWER. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT THREE TIMES ON THIS TRIP. WHEN I GOT OFF THE FREEWAY, THIS HAPPENED AS I SLOWED FOR A STOPLIGHT AND THE ENGINE STALLED COMPLETELY SINCE I WAS NOT IN GEAR. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE VERY DANGEROUS SINCE ALL ENGINE POWER IS LOST AT HIGH SPEEDS AND THE JOLT THAT RESULTS FROM THE "PUSH STARTING" CAN CAUSE THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE VERY EASILY. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY BUT DID NOT CAUSE A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT UNTIL LAST WEEK. IT IS SHOWING CODE P 0340 AND I HAVE FOUND THAT NISSAN IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE, BUT DOES NOT RECOGNIZE IT AS A BEING ASSOCIATED WITH MY VIN NUMBER- THIS IS HARD TO BELIEVE SINCE MY CAR WAS PRODUCED ABOUT A YEAR BEFORE THE RECALL NOTICE (RECALL ID #03V455000) WAS ISSUED. I WAS INFORMED BY NISSAN REPRESENTATIVES THAT THE ONLY WAY TO APPEAL MY VIN#'S APPLICABILITY TO THIS RECALL IS THROUGH THE NHTSA. MY CASE # WITH NISSAN IS[XXX]. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10468312

132,000 miles · May 8, 2012
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FAILURE CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STALL DURING OPERATION. VEHICLE IS HARD TO RESTART AFTER FAILURE. THIS MAY CAUSE A POTENTIALLY SERIOUS ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF SUDDEN ENGINE FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10457742

90,600 miles · May 2, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN 350Z. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED MOMENTS LATER AND RESUMED AS NORMAL. THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE CAMSH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN 350Z. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED MOMENTS LATER AND RESUMED AS NORMAL. THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,600. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10457125

29,000 miles · Jan 10, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN 350 Z. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE SELF-DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAM SHAFT SENSORS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHIC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN 350 Z. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE SELF-DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAM SHAFT SENSORS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 29,000.

NHTSA ODI #10443367

82,000 miles · Nov 25, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN 350Z. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

NHTSA ODI #10437231

68,000 miles · Sep 22, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN 350Z. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND WITHIN A FEW MINUTES HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN 350Z. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND WITHIN A FEW MINUTES HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THE CAM SHAFT AND THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

NHTSA ODI #10426807

64,000 miles · Jul 11, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY MY CAR DIED OUT AND TCS SLIP LIGHTS CAME ON. THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER AND I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE. WHILE DOING SO I ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE SEVERAL CARS ALMOST HIT ME AND THE AREA THAT I HAD TO PULL OVER HAD A VERY SMALL MEDIAN. I RESTARTED THE CAR AND EVERY THING WAS FINE. …

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WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY MY CAR DIED OUT AND TCS SLIP LIGHTS CAME ON. THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER AND I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE. WHILE DOING SO I ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE SEVERAL CARS ALMOST HIT ME AND THE AREA THAT I HAD TO PULL OVER HAD A VERY SMALL MEDIAN. I RESTARTED THE CAR AND EVERY THING WAS FINE. THE NEXT WEEK THE CAR DIED OUT MANY TIMES WHILE GOING UP A HILL ON THE WAY TO THE NISSAN SERVICE DEALER. THEY CHANGED 2 CAM POSITION SENSORS, AND 1 CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10411840

Official recalls

2

05V555000 · Fuel System, Gasoline

Dec 13, 2005

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FUEL FILLER HOSE MAY CRACK AND RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE HOSE WHILE REFUELING.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILLER HOSE. RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 27, 2006, FOR NISSAN OWNERS, AND ON MARCH 13, 2006, FOR INFINITI OWNERS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.

03V455000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Nov 17, 2003

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR OR CAM POSITION SENSOR MAY HAVE AN IMPROPER SOLDER JOINT DUE TO SOLDER DEFORMATION CAUSED BY HEAT STRESS ACCELERATED BY THE EXISTENCE OF FLUX RESIDUE DURING THE SOLDERING PROCESS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON, CREATE A NO START CONDITION, CAUSE REDUCED ENGINE POWER, OR CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CRANK POSITION SENSORS. CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR(S), AND IN SOME CASES, THE VARIABLE TIMING CONTROL SENSOR(S). VEHICLES INVOLVED IN A PREVIOUS RECALL CAMPAIGN, 01V357, ARE ALSO INCLUDED IN THIS NEW CAMPAIGN. THE REPLACEMENT SENSORS USED IN THAT CAMPAIGN ARE ALSO AFFECTED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 22, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.