SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND VEHICLE SUDDENLY TURNED OFF WITHOUT WARNING RESULTING IN NEAR CRASH. TOOK VEHICLE TO SERVICE STATION AND WAS INFORMED IT WAS THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR. *CN
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all 350Z years →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
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.
What owners actually said
275 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN 350Z. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH IN A PARKING LOT, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN 350Z. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH IN A PARKING LOT, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,022. UPDATED 12/10/09.*JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN 350Z. THE FAILURE OCCURRED IN 2005 WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED ON ITS OWN IN 3 TO 5 SECONDS. THE FAILURE RECURRED 4 TIMES DURING AN 18 HOUR DRIVE. THE NISSAN DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THREE DAYS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS DIA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN 350Z. THE FAILURE OCCURRED IN 2005 WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED ON ITS OWN IN 3 TO 5 SECONDS. THE FAILURE RECURRED 4 TIMES DURING AN 18 HOUR DRIVE. THE NISSAN DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THREE DAYS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER LATER STATED THAT THE HEAT MAY HAVE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHUT OFF. WHILE ADDING FUEL TO THE VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT LOST ALL POWER AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART IT. THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD TO OBSERVED THAT THERE WERE NO WIRES DISCONNECTED AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE RISK AND STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MAY HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURE. IN DECEMBER 2007 THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V455000 COMPONENT: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, WAS NOT RELATED TO HIS VIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35400.
I AM WONDERING, WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL ON THE 2003 NISSAN 350Z TRANSMISSION? THERE HAS BEEN MORE THAN ENOUGH COMPLAINTS ON THIS YEARS TRANSMISSION. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE, BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION LOCKS OUT OF GEAR. I CANNOT EVEN PUT IT INTO 1ST GEAR ON A DEAD STOP AND SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING IT WON'T EVEN SHIFT INTO G…
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I AM WONDERING, WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL ON THE 2003 NISSAN 350Z TRANSMISSION? THERE HAS BEEN MORE THAN ENOUGH COMPLAINTS ON THIS YEARS TRANSMISSION. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE, BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION LOCKS OUT OF GEAR. I CANNOT EVEN PUT IT INTO 1ST GEAR ON A DEAD STOP AND SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING IT WON'T EVEN SHIFT INTO GEAR. I FEEL VERY UNCOMFORTABLE BEING ON THE ROAD AND FEEL FOR MY SAFETY AND OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH ON THIS 2003 NISSAN 350Z YEAR AND MODEL; AND MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS, AND I FEEL MORE THAN ENOUGH TO GET A RECALL. PEOPLE JUST DON'T KNOW WHERE TO GO TO REPORT THIS PROBLEM. I JUST STUMBLED UPON THIS MYSELF. THIS IS THE ONLY CAR I HAVE TO DRIVE TO WORK AND SCHOOL, AND EVERYTIME I GET IN IT, I FEEL UNSAFE AND ASK MYSELF WHEN IS IT GOING TO LOCK UP ON ME AGAIN? FOR A $30,000.00 +, I FEEL NISSAN OWES US THE RIGHT TO HAVE A CAR THAT IS SAFE AND DRIVABLE FOR MANY YEARS TO COME. PLEASE HELP ME, WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP YOU GUYS HELP ALL THE OWNERS OF THE 2003 350Z 'S FEEL THAT THEY HAVE A RELIABLE, DEPENDABLE AND ESPECIALLY SAFE CAR. TODAY, I WAS HEADING TO THE STORE TO GROCERY SHOP, I COULD NOT SHIFT INTO FIRST OR SECOND GEAR AT A LIGHT, AND HAD MULTIPLE CARS BEHIND ME. I STARTED TO PANIC, BECAUSE THEY WERE ALL HONKING, SO I TURNED OFF THE CAR. THE CARS THAT WENT AROUND ME THREW THE BIRD AT ME AND SOME BELITTLED ME WITH SOME CURSE WORDS. IT WAS SHAMEFUL AND EMBARRASSING. SO I TOLD MYSELF I HAD TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS, SO I CALLED FRIENDS FOR SUPPORT, AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR THE 2003 NISSAN 350Z. THE TRANSMISSION IS A BIG PROBLEM. EITHER GRINDING GOING INTO GEAR OR LOCKING OUT OF GEAR. SO THEN I ASK MYSELF, WHO DO I TURN TO? AND I FOUND YOU GUYS AFTER HOURS OF RESEARCHING. I NEED YOUR HELP. WE NEED THIS YEARS TRANSMISSION TO BE RECALLED, BECAUSE IT IS DANGEROUS FOR US AS THE DRIVER, AND ALL THE OTHER PEOPLE ON THE ROADS. NISSAN NEEDS TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND FIX THIS PROBLEM,THEY KNOW ITS THERE. *TR
HELLO. MY NAME IS [XXX]. I OWN A 2003 NISSAN 350Z TOURING EDITION AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE. ON APRIL 20TH 2009, MY CAR STARTED STALLING. I WAS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF CACTUS AND SCOTTSDALE RD DUE TO THE FOLLOWING DEFECT ON THE 2003 NISSAN 350Z I OWN AND DRIVE. ALSO, AS I WAS DRIVING THE CAR, LIGHTS IN THE DASH SUCH "SERVICE ENGINE S…
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HELLO. MY NAME IS [XXX]. I OWN A 2003 NISSAN 350Z TOURING EDITION AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE. ON APRIL 20TH 2009, MY CAR STARTED STALLING. I WAS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF CACTUS AND SCOTTSDALE RD DUE TO THE FOLLOWING DEFECT ON THE 2003 NISSAN 350Z I OWN AND DRIVE. ALSO, AS I WAS DRIVING THE CAR, LIGHTS IN THE DASH SUCH "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" AND OTHER VARIOUS LIGHTS WARNED ME. I TOOK THE CAR TO AUTOZONE THE NEXT DAY AND THEY REPORTED CODE P0340 WHICH MEANS THE CAM SHAFT POSITIONAL SENSORS WERE BAD. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER ON FRIDAY, APRIL 24TH 2009, AND THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR THE AUTO UNDER THE 2003 NISSAN 350Z RECALL BULLETIN-REFERENCE # NTB03-124. I SPOKE WITH [XXX] AT THE SERVICE DEPT. AT PINNACLE NISSAN OF SCOTTSDALE AND HE SAID "THIS CAR IS NOT IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN". I WAS UNCLEAR WHY HE REPORTED THIS ESPECIALLY WHEN I HAVE SOLID PROOF THAT THE CAR'S VIN NUMBER WAS IN THE RANGE OF NISSAN CARS THAT ARE RECALLED FOR THIS DEFECT. I GAVE UP AFTER TIM(THE SERVICE ADVISOR) COULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNDER THE RECALL. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY MECHANIC THAT DAY TO KELLY CLARK AUTOMOTIVE. KELLY CLARK WAS ALSO UNCLEAR AS TO WHY NISSAN WOULD NOT REPAIR THE CAR UNDER THE RECALL AS WELL. FRUSTRATION CONTINUED FURTHER WHEN NISSAN SALES WERE CALLING ME ON THE 26TH AND THE FOLLOWING DAYS, BRIBING ME TO COME TO THE DEALER AND REIMBURSE ME THE COST OF THE REPAIR THAT I PAID TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED, GIVEN THAT I BUY A NEW 350Z FROM THEM. I FELT VIOLATED AND HARASSED AND COULD NOT BELIEVE A DEALER WOULD HAVE THE AUDACITY TO ASK ME TO BUY A VEHICLE IN ORDER FOR THEM TO PAY FOR MY REPAIR ON MY CURRENT VEHICLE. ([XXX] IN THE SALES DEPARTMENT AT PINNACLE NISSAN STATED THIS). THE CHARGES FOR REPAIRS OUT OF POCKET THAT I PAID WERE $454.65 TO KELLY CLARK TO FIX THE PROBLEM RELATED TO THE RECALL. I FEEL I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THESE CHARGES. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
GRINDING GETTING INTO 2ND AND 3RD FROM 3K RPM TO 6K RPM. NO PROBLEM IF UNDER 3K RPM BUT I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION I WAS PURCHASING A "SPORTS CAR". I'VE HAD THE CAR FOR 15K MILES BOUGH USED WITH 40K ON IT BUT AFTER WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. I AM WAITING TO SAVE FOR THE CD009 TRANSMISSION SO I CAN REPLACE WITH THE "UPGRADE" AND DO TH…
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GRINDING GETTING INTO 2ND AND 3RD FROM 3K RPM TO 6K RPM. NO PROBLEM IF UNDER 3K RPM BUT I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION I WAS PURCHASING A "SPORTS CAR". I'VE HAD THE CAR FOR 15K MILES BOUGH USED WITH 40K ON IT BUT AFTER WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. I AM WAITING TO SAVE FOR THE CD009 TRANSMISSION SO I CAN REPLACE WITH THE "UPGRADE" AND DO THE CLUTCH ALL AT ONCE. THANKS NISSAN! *TR
2003 NISSAN 350Z ORIGINAL OWNER. WHILE DRIVING AROUND 40 MPH, ENGINE STALLED, TWICE IN 2 HOURS, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. COASTED TO SIDE OF ROAD, WAITED FOR MAYBE 15 MINUTES AND ENGINE RESTARTED BOTH TIMES . I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, LEFT IT WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER WHO DROVE IT HOME THAT NIGHT TO TRY & RECREATE TH…
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2003 NISSAN 350Z ORIGINAL OWNER. WHILE DRIVING AROUND 40 MPH, ENGINE STALLED, TWICE IN 2 HOURS, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. COASTED TO SIDE OF ROAD, WAITED FOR MAYBE 15 MINUTES AND ENGINE RESTARTED BOTH TIMES . I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, LEFT IT WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER WHO DROVE IT HOME THAT NIGHT TO TRY & RECREATE THE PROBLEM. WAS TOLD IF THEY COULD NOT RECREATE THE PROBLEM THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THEY COULD NOT RECREATE THE PROBLEM. ABOUT A YEAR LATER A RECALL WAS PLACED FOR THE ENGINE SENSORS BUT MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT ON THE LIST, SO NO REPLACEMENT. IT HAS NEVER HAPPENED SINCE THEN. THERE WAS LESS THAN 20 THOUSAND MILES ON THE CAR AT THAT TIME. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN 350Z. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN 350Z. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE CAMSHAFT SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 53,000.
SHIFTING FROM 2ND GEAR - 3RD GEAR THERE IS ALWAYS A GRIND AND I'VE SEARCHED ON THE INTERNET AND THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL DUE TO ALL THE COMPLAINTS THAT HAVE BEEN SAID ON VARIOUS WEBSITES. *TR
TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS-GRINDING BETWEEN 3RD AND 4TH GEAR SOMETIMES IN 5TH WHEN CLUTCH FULLY ENGAGED. DEALERSHIP STATED TO CHANGE FLYWHEEL AND CLUTCH. AFTER ABOUT $1300 REPAIRS, GRINDING STILL EXISTS AND NISSAN UNWILLING TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION. *TR
Official recalls
205V555000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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