Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1310–25K
2925–50K
1650–75K
1875–100K
15100–150K
5150K+
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
What owners actually said
275 reports
73,000 miles · Oct 23, 2006
Power TrainSuspensionVisibility
BOUGHT A 2003 NISSAN 350Z USED FROM KEYES NISSAN OF WOODLAND HILLS,CA. TIPTRONIC (AUTO/SEMI-MANUAL) TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WITHIN 45 DAYS. NOW A WHINING NOISE THAT IS STILL NOT FIXED AS WELL AS EXCESSIVE HEAT FROM SHIFTER AREA THAT CAUSES PASSENGERS TO SWEAT & SCALDING HOT TO TOUCH. CAR HASN'T SEEMED TO RUN RIGHT SIN…
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BOUGHT A 2003 NISSAN 350Z USED FROM KEYES NISSAN OF WOODLAND HILLS,CA. TIPTRONIC (AUTO/SEMI-MANUAL) TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WITHIN 45 DAYS. NOW A WHINING NOISE THAT IS STILL NOT FIXED AS WELL AS EXCESSIVE HEAT FROM SHIFTER AREA THAT CAUSES PASSENGERS TO SWEAT & SCALDING HOT TO TOUCH. CAR HASN'T SEEMED TO RUN RIGHT SINCE. SEEMS EVERY 350Z OWNER HAS THE SAME ATYPICAL PROBLEMS-TIRE FEATHERING, TRANSMISSIONS REPLACED,REAR AXLES, POWER WINDOW MOTORS FAIL(THE LAST 2 ARE MY NEXT TRIP TO THE DEALER). NISSAN NEEDS TO FIX OUR NIGHTMARE. NISSAN SUPPORT IS NONEXISTENT AS WELL,WHICH MAKES YOUR ORDEAL ALL THE MORE MISERABLE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10171566
70,342 miles · Oct 23, 2006
Suspension
BOUGHT 2003 NISSAN 350Z USED IN 2/06. KEYES WOODLAND HILLS NISSAN OF CA SOLD ME THE CAR WITH BOTH FRONT TIRES WORN DOWN TO THE WIRE ON THE INSIDE RIM. THEY STILL HAVE NOT DISCLOSED OR ACKNOWLEDGE THE ALIGNMENT/TIRE FEATHERING PROBLEM. ITS BEEN 12000 MILES & I NEED NEW TIRES. THIS IS VERY COSTLY & I WOULD NEVER HAVE BOUGHT THIS C…
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BOUGHT 2003 NISSAN 350Z USED IN 2/06. KEYES WOODLAND HILLS NISSAN OF CA SOLD ME THE CAR WITH BOTH FRONT TIRES WORN DOWN TO THE WIRE ON THE INSIDE RIM. THEY STILL HAVE NOT DISCLOSED OR ACKNOWLEDGE THE ALIGNMENT/TIRE FEATHERING PROBLEM. ITS BEEN 12000 MILES & I NEED NEW TIRES. THIS IS VERY COSTLY & I WOULD NEVER HAVE BOUGHT THIS CAR KNOWING ABOUT THIS. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10171565
12,434 miles · Sep 25, 2006
SuspensionTires
350Z TOURING MODEL PRE-MATURE TIRE WEAR. I ORDERED MY CAR ON 01/2003 AND TOOK DELIVERY ON 04/2006. AT WHICH TIME I DISCOVERING THAT NISSAN HAD PUT OUT ITS 1ST TSB BULLETIN DATED 01/23/2003. REFERENCE # NTB03-006. I HAVE 15,434 MILES ON MY CAR. I DRIVE IT VERY LITTLE AND THEREFORE, JUST STARTING TO EXPERIENCE THE PROBLEMS THAT…
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350Z TOURING MODEL PRE-MATURE TIRE WEAR. I ORDERED MY CAR ON 01/2003 AND TOOK DELIVERY ON 04/2006. AT WHICH TIME I DISCOVERING THAT NISSAN HAD PUT OUT ITS 1ST TSB BULLETIN DATED 01/23/2003. REFERENCE # NTB03-006. I HAVE 15,434 MILES ON MY CAR. I DRIVE IT VERY LITTLE AND THEREFORE, JUST STARTING TO EXPERIENCE THE PROBLEMS THAT I'VE BEEN READING ABOUT. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE DEALER AT LEAST THREE TIMES FOR THE SAME RECALL AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE FRONT. THE LASTEST RECALL NOTICE WAS DURING THE MONTH OF AUGUST 2005. AGAIN I TOOK MY CAR INTO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG THAT APPLIED TO THE RECALL NOTICE WHICH INVOLVED THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND UNEVEN TIRE WEAR. THE SERVICE REP TOLD ME AGAIN THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR. I DECIDED TO GET UP UNDER MY CAR AND DO MY OWN INSPECTION. WHAT I DISCOVERED WAS UNBELIEVABLE, MY TIERS WERE WEARING ON THE INNER TOE TO THE POINT THEY WERE ALMOST BALD AT 12,500 MILES. I RETURNED TO THE SERVICE REP. AND POINTED THIS OUT, HE IMMEDIATELY CHANGED HIS MIND AND ORDERED ME NEW TIRES AT NISSAN EXPENSE. AT 15,434 THE TIRES HAD BEGUN TO WEAR IN THE SAME MANNER. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER WHO WANTED ME TO PAY FOR AN ALIGNMENT. I REFUSE TO PUT ANOTHER DIME IN THIS CAR. HE SAID THAT I WOULD HAVE TO CONTACT NISSAN. I DID AND NOW NISSAN WILL NOT FIX MY CAR UNTIL I GET A RELEASE FROM ONE OF THOSE LEMON LAW ATTORNEYS THAT I HAD CONTACTED OUT OF DESPERATION. THAT'S ANOTHER STORY AND NOW I'M FIGHTING THEM TOO. I TOLD THE LAWYERS THAT I WANTED MY CAR REPLACED BUT LET THEM PERSUADE ME INTO A 4,500 MONETARY VERBAL AGREEMENT. WHEN I RECEIVED THE TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT FROM NISSAN I REFUSED TO SIGN IT AND RETURN IT TO THE LAWYER FOR PAYMENT. THE LAW FIRM CONTACTED ME AND INFORMED ME THAT A VERBAL AGREEMENT IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND IS THE SAME AS A BINDING CONTRACT. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF WRITING LETTERS TO ATTORNEY GENERAL, FEDERAL TRADE, BBB NISSAN AND THOSE SO CALLED LAWYERS WHO CLAIM TO REPRESENT US. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10169273
42,000 miles · Aug 29, 2006
Tires
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S SIDE TIRES WORE OUT ON THE INSIDE. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONTACT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS IMPROPERLY ALIGNED FROM THE FACTORY AND THAT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE TWO TIRES WERE REPLACED BY THE MANUFACTURER IN 2004. TWO MONTHS AGO, THE CONTACT NOTICED A GR…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S SIDE TIRES WORE OUT ON THE INSIDE. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONTACT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS IMPROPERLY ALIGNED FROM THE FACTORY AND THAT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE TWO TIRES WERE REPLACED BY THE MANUFACTURER IN 2004. TWO MONTHS AGO, THE CONTACT NOTICED A GROWLING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONTACT THE TREAD WAS SEPARATING CAUSING THE TIRES TO WEAR OUR PREMATURELY.
NHTSA ODI #10166850
19,000 miles · Aug 8, 2006
Power Train
I HAVE A 2003 NISSAN 350Z AND I'M HAVING PROBLEMS WITH GRINDING WHEN I SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR(MANUAL) I HAVE ONLY 20K MILES ON MY STOCK CAR NO MAJOR MODIFICATIONS DONE. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO NISSAN AND THEY TRIED TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM BUT NOTHING WAS FOUND AND WHEN THEY TOLD ME TO DRIVE IT I FOUND MY CAR SHIFTING LIKE BUTTER I WAS …
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I HAVE A 2003 NISSAN 350Z AND I'M HAVING PROBLEMS WITH GRINDING WHEN I SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR(MANUAL) I HAVE ONLY 20K MILES ON MY STOCK CAR NO MAJOR MODIFICATIONS DONE. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO NISSAN AND THEY TRIED TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM BUT NOTHING WAS FOUND AND WHEN THEY TOLD ME TO DRIVE IT I FOUND MY CAR SHIFTING LIKE BUTTER I WAS AMAZED ON HOW SMOOTH IT WAS. AFTER A FEW DAYS THE PROBLEM IS BACK LIKE IT WAS TEMPORARILY FIXED OR SOMETHING BECAUSE IT GRADUALLY STARTED GETTING TO WHERE IT WAS BEFORE I TOOK IT IN. NOW I DON'T KNOW IF I SHOULD TAKE IT BACK OR AM I STUCK. I HAVE DONE SOME TALKING WITH OTHER "Z" OWNERS ON A WELL KNOWN MESSAGE BOARD AND OVER THE YEARS HUNDREDS HAVE GOT THEIR TRANSMISSION REPLACED AND HUNDREDS HAVEN'T DEPENDING ON DEALERSHIPS. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10164991
31,000 miles · May 18, 2006
Visibility
THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW ON MY 2003 NISSAN 350Z DOES NOT ROLL UP AND HAS STOPPED WORKING. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM. IT HAPPENED TO THE PASSENGER WINDOW BEFORE. I LIVE IN A PLACE OF EXTREME HEAT AND DUST AT TIMES AND IT BECOMES DIFFICULT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. NISSAN NEEDS TO HAVE A SERVICE BULLETIN MADE A…
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THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW ON MY 2003 NISSAN 350Z DOES NOT ROLL UP AND HAS STOPPED WORKING. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM. IT HAPPENED TO THE PASSENGER WINDOW BEFORE. I LIVE IN A PLACE OF EXTREME HEAT AND DUST AT TIMES AND IT BECOMES DIFFICULT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. NISSAN NEEDS TO HAVE A SERVICE BULLETIN MADE AND FIX THE NUMEROUS WINDOW FAILURES THAT ARE OCCURRING. MAJOR 350Z FORUMS TALK ABOUT THIS AND WILL BE WRITING SOON ALSO. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10157786
45,500 miles · May 11, 2006
Fuel System, Gasoline
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED RECALL #05V555000, CONCERNING THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS RECEIVED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER WOULD NOT COMPLETE THE ENTIRE REMEDY WITHOUT CHARGE AND WANTED A FEE FOR REMOVAL OF AN AFTER MARKET EXHAUST SYSTEM BEFORE COMPLETING THE RECALL. THERE IS CURRENTLY NO PROBLEM BEING …
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED RECALL #05V555000, CONCERNING THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS RECEIVED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER WOULD NOT COMPLETE THE ENTIRE REMEDY WITHOUT CHARGE AND WANTED A FEE FOR REMOVAL OF AN AFTER MARKET EXHAUST SYSTEM BEFORE COMPLETING THE RECALL. THERE IS CURRENTLY NO PROBLEM BEING EXPERIENCED WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND WAS IN AGREEMENT WITH THE DEALER ON THE ISSUE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10157260
44,500 miles · Apr 10, 2006
Fuel System, Gasoline
NISSAN 350Z RECALL FOR REPLACEMENT OF FUEL FILLER HOSE AND FUEL VAPOR HOSE BECAUSE OF RISK OF LEAKAGE THAT CAN CAUSE FIRE/EXPLOSION. COWLES NISSAN DEALER IN WOODBRIDGE VIRGINIA REPLACED MY FUEL VAPOR HOSE, IGNORE THE FUEL FILLER HOSE DESPITE OF MY ARGUMENT THAT THOSE 2 PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS PER THE RECALL LETTER. I CAL…
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NISSAN 350Z RECALL FOR REPLACEMENT OF FUEL FILLER HOSE AND FUEL VAPOR HOSE BECAUSE OF RISK OF LEAKAGE THAT CAN CAUSE FIRE/EXPLOSION. COWLES NISSAN DEALER IN WOODBRIDGE VIRGINIA REPLACED MY FUEL VAPOR HOSE, IGNORE THE FUEL FILLER HOSE DESPITE OF MY ARGUMENT THAT THOSE 2 PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS PER THE RECALL LETTER. I CALLED NISSAN NORTH AMERICA WHO THEN SUGGESTED ME TO GO TO ANOTHER DEALER TO HAVE IT REPLACED. WHERE ARE THE CUSTOMER'S RIGHT AND SAFETY AWARENESS OF THAT DEALER??? *NM
NHTSA ODI #10154986
21,000 miles · Apr 7, 2006
Fuel System, Gasoline
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE IS NOT CURRENTLY HAVING THE PROBLEM ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL, BUT THE LETTER WAS RECEIVED ON MARCH 31, 2006. THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. THIS IS NHTSA RECALL #05V555000 REGARDING…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE IS NOT CURRENTLY HAVING THE PROBLEM ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL, BUT THE LETTER WAS RECEIVED ON MARCH 31, 2006. THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. THIS IS NHTSA RECALL #05V555000 REGARDING THE FUEL SYSTEM.
NHTSA ODI #10154811
3,500 miles · Mar 3, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE SHUTDOWN WHILE CAR IS RUNNING.. LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND CELL. NM
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.
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.
2003 Nissan 350Z Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year