2003 Nissan 350Z: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 275 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is suspension (34% of complaints); the 2004 and 2005 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jun 2011
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 275 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Brembo aluminum calipers were used with steel bolts causing the breaks to get himot & seize the steel bolt in the calipers. 1 out of 2 brake jobs end up costing thousands & hours of work to get the seized bolts out, I have had a caliper fall off going 65 & got caught in between my tire & rear wheel arc.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Sep 2023
“My car for the last year will drive 5-7 miles and stall in regular traffic. We replaced the fuel pump. I finally have enough $ to take to nissan. They came back with it needs all 2 cam shaft sensors and crank shaft sensor replaced. When I go on line and search my 2003 350z touring edition recall, there was a recall for this problem as it appears the wires can break inside due to temp on solder joints. I would like to know if this is this a problem that was noted on a recall and this is an ongoing problem with this same model, why now am I going to pay nissan $1200 for the repair that should be covered. I need this investigated”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Mar 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan 350z. While driving various speeds, the vehicle lost power and took numerous attempts to restart. In addition, the traction control, flip, and check engine warning indicators illuminated. The failure occurred intermittently. Numerous unknown dealers and independent mechanics were notified, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 64,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan 350z. While the vehicle was idling at a stop light, the clutch was depressed and the contact heard a squeaky noise. The vehicle stalled and took three attempts before it would restart. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the ignition switch did not recognize the clutch; however, the cause of the failure could not be determined. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to call NHTSA. The approximate failure mileage was 45,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2017
“There is a defect in this vehicle that wont let you open the door and window on either, or both sides. Be it with the remote or even with the key from the outside, and leave you with no options to open from the inside as the latch refuse to move, I let you conjure the multitude of scenarios that would put your life in jeopardy, in an emergency situation where you have to exit the vehicle in a hurry, a death trap at any time. A brief search on the internet would show that many people have had this problem with different models of nissan”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Apr 2017
“Car has less than 66000 miles yet it shut off while driving on highway. Appears to be electrical/alternator/recharge issue an alternator is not supposed to fail at such a young & tender mileage. If car shuts off in a high speed hwy situation some one can get killed!!! My wifes honda civic has 240k with original alternator!!”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan 350z. While driving approximately 35 mph, the engine stalled intermittently without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the camshaft position sensors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of a failure. The approximate failure mileage was 121,000. Updated 12/21/16*lj *tr”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2016
“Air bag warning light illuminated on dash yet airbag for nissan recall on airbags not listed for 350z of any year?? Light came on for no reason (no accident or fender bender-except defective??). An airbag was replaced when still under warranty in 2005 or 2006.”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2016
“Car abruptly without warning dropped speed by 15 mph with the engine service light and the slip light and the etc light coming on. Almost killed by the truck behind me; he swerved to the emergency lane to avoid hitting me due to the sudden deacceleration of my vehicle. Recall r2033/r3022 describes situation. There is a campaign 03v455000 but nissan will not honor this for my particular VIN.”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan 350z. The contact stated that the engine light remained illuminated and the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 160,000.”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 6 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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.
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.
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
ZF SERVICE IS RECALL CERTAIN CLUTCH KIT ASSEMBLIES, PART NUMBER SX: K70358-01, SHIPPED TO WHOLESALERS AS SERVICE PARTS BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2010, AND MARCH 8, 2011. THESE SERVICE PARTS ARE INTENDED FOR USE ON MODEL YEAR 2003-2006 NISSAN 350Z AND INFINITI G35 VEHICLES. THE SX: K70358-01 CLUTCH KIT CONTAINS AN OVERSIZED CLUTCH DISC.
Remedy: ZF SERVICE NOTIFY WHOLESALERS TO RETURN ANY AFFECTED CLUTCH KIT ASSEMBLIES STILL IN INVENTORY FOR FREE REPLACEMENT KITS. THIS CONDITION WILL CORRECT ITSELF AFTER THE FIRST START-UP AND USAGE OF THE CLUTCH KIT. HOWEVER, IF AN OWNER IS NOT SATISFIED WITH ITS PERFORMANCE, ZF SERVICES WILL REIMBURSE THE OWNER FOR THE COST OF THE REPLACEMENT CLUTCH KIT AND A REASONABLE AMOUNT FOR ITS INSTALLATION. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 13, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ZF SERVICES AT 1-800-321-0784 EXT. 6748.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FUEL FILLER HOSE MAY CRACK AND RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE HOSE WHILE REFUELING.
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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2003 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact 350Z by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2003 Nissan 350Z reliable?
NHTSA has 275 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2003 Nissan 350Z. The most complained-about area is suspension (34% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2003 Nissan 350Z problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 13,000 miles or less.
Does the 2003 Nissan 350Z have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning engine and engine cooling. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.