VehicleVerdict

2006 Nissan 350Z problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2006 Nissan 350Z sits mid-pack among 350Z years: 67 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 86, with a single recall and 2 closed investigations. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 8 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Tires & Wheels leads the complaint categories with 19 reports (28% of the total).

67

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

2

Investigations

9

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

8

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other 350Z years?

350Z NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted349 complaints2003: 349 complaints2004: 177 complaints2005: 102 complaints2006: 67 complaints2007: 86 complaints2008: 28 complaints2009: 6 complaints
350Z NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 350Z years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Nissan 350Z problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Tires & Wheels1928%
Engine1827%
Airbags1522%
Transmission69%
Other34%
Electrical System23%
Visibility & Wipers11%
Fuel System11%
Speed Control11%
Suspension11%

Does the 2006 Nissan 350Z have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign 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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“THIS COMPLAINT IS BEING FILED AS PART OF AN OFFICIAL CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL INVESTIGATION INTO A MAJOR INJURY TRAFFIC COLLISION INVOLVING A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER. THE CHP MAIT INVESTIGATION # IS SL-45-06. THE TRAFFIC COLLISION OCCURRED ON OCTOBER 11, 2006, WITHIN LOS ANGELES COUNTY AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · October 11, 2006 · crash

“OIL CONSUMPTION, 350Z ENGINE BLOWN, IN LESS THEN A YEAR. WHILE GOING TO WORK ON A COMPLETE STOP AT A RED LIGHT, ENGINE BLOWS AND CAR GETS ON FIRE UNDERNEATH, LUCKY THERE WAS A GAS-STATION NEXT TO ME TO BORROW AN EXTINGUISHER... POLICE CAME TO HELP A LITTLE LATER, AND SAID I COULDN'T FILE A REPORT.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 15, 2006 · fire

“MY WIFE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE SHE T-BONED ANOTHER DRIVER AFTER HE MADE AN ILLEGAL TURN IN FRONT OF HER. THE AIRBAGS IN HER CAR DID NOT DEPLOY. SHE HIT THIS GUY AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES PER HOUR. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · August 8, 2007 · crash

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN 350Z. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CLUTCH PEDAL STUCK TO THE FLOOR. HE MENTIONED THAT WHEN THE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE ANY POWER AND WHEN IT WAS HALF WAY UP AS A RESULT A BURNING SMELL CAME THROUGH THE VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 1, 2010 · fire

“THE DOOR MECHANISM BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE HAS FAILED, I CANNOT ENTER OR EXIT THE VEHICLE FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE. THIS POSES A GREAT SAFETY HAZARD IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · July 25, 2016

2006 Nissan 350Z — common questions

Is the 2006 Nissan 350Z reliable?

It is close to typical for the 350Z: 67 NHTSA complaints, 1 recall, and 2 investigations on file.

What are the most common 2006 350Z problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are tires & wheels (19 complaints), engine (18 complaints), airbags (15 complaints).

Does the 2006 Nissan 350Z have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2006 Nissan 350Z. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2006 Nissan 350Z under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

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.