VehicleVerdict

2003 Nissan 350Z problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 349 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 4.1 times the median 350Z year — the 2003 model ranks #1 of 7 350Z years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Suspension leads the complaint categories with 111 reports (32% of the total).

349

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

7

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2003 compare to other 350Z years?

350Z NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted349 complaints2003: 349 complaints2004: 177 complaints2005: 102 complaints2006: 67 complaints2007: 86 complaints2008: 28 complaints2009: 6 complaints
350Z NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 350Z years to avoid →

What are the most common 2003 Nissan 350Z problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Suspension11132%
Tires & Wheels7622%
Engine6218%
Transmission3510%
Electrical System144%
Visibility & Wipers93%
Brakes93%
Fuel System82%
Airbags72%
Seats62%
Other62%
Steering21%
Body & Structure21%
Speed Control10%
Latches & Locks10%

Does the 2003 Nissan 350Z have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

11E024000TransmissionJune 24, 2011 · 199 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

AN OVERSIZED CLUTCH DISC COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO MOVE UNINTENTIONALLY ON THE INITIAL START-UP, IF THE DRIVER DOES NOT FOLLOW THE INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS AND FAILS TO USE THE SERVICE BRAKES WHILE THE HAND BRAKE IS NOT APPLIED. UNINTENTIONAL MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE COULD RESULT IN A CRASH OR POSSIBLE INJURY TO PERSONS OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE.

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.

06E049000LightingMay 24, 2006 · 27,176 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

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.

05V555000Fuel SystemDecember 13, 2005 · 192,659 units

Defect

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

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.

03V455000EngineNovember 17, 2003 · 630,000 units

Defect

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

NISSAN 350Z. LOST CONTROL OF CAR JUST CHANGING LANES AT 45 MPH. CAR SPUN SIDEWAY AND WHEN I TRIED TO RECOVER, STEERING WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE AS TIRES SEEMED TO BE JUST GLIDING WHEREVER THEY WANTED TO GO. I AM JUST NOW CONNECTING THIS INCIDENT TO THE JUST BECAME AWARE OF TIRE AND FRONT END PROBLEM…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · February 2, 2004 · crash

DRIVER SIDE WHEEL CHASSIS BROKE WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVE AT 3 MPH. THERE WAS NO STEERING, AND THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO STRIKE A FENCE. VEHICLE IS STILL NOT DRIVABLE, AND THE MANUFACTURER OFFERS NO ASSISTANCE.*AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · November 10, 2004 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN 350Z. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE CAM SHAFT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 16, 2013

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN 350Z. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ONLY FOR LONG DISTANCE DRIVING. AS SOON AS SHE BEGAN DRIVING THE VEHICLE, SHE SMELLED RUBBER INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SMELL WOULD DISSIPATE AND WAS PRESENT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NEW;…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 29, 2008 · fire

VARIOUS GAUGE FAILURES, USUALLY INVOLVING THE FUEL GAUGE AND/OR THE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE AND CORRESPONDING LOW PRESSURE WARNING LAMP. VEHICLE RENDERED NON-DRIVABLE DUE TO INABILITY TO MONITOR ENGINE OIL PRESSURE. 3 GAUGE CLUSTERS HAVE BEEN REPLACED, 1 UNIFIED METER COMPUTER, 1 FUEL PUMP/LEVEL SENSOR…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 1, 2004

2003 Nissan 350Z — common questions

Is the 2003 Nissan 350Z reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 349 complaints put the 2003 model at #1 of 7 350Z years. It is one of the 350Z years to avoid.

What are the most common 2003 350Z problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are suspension (111 complaints), tires & wheels (76 complaints), engine (62 complaints).

Does the 2003 Nissan 350Z have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2003 Nissan 350Z. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Nissan 350Z years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the 350Z years to avoid are 2003, 2004. The cleanest record among 350Z years belongs to 2009.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.