Model year record

2003 Nissan 350Z recalls & problems

The 2003 Nissan 350Z has 4 safety recalls and 275 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is suspension (111 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints275filed by owners

Crashes · fires6 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths3 · 0reported in complaints

2003 Nissan 350Z in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Power trainJun 24, 2011

Clutch assembly

Recall 11E024000199 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.

Exterior lightingMay 24, 2006

Exterior lighting

Recall 06E04900027,176 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

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

Fuel system, gasolineDec 13, 2005

Fuel system, gasoline

Recall 05V555000192,659 vehicles

Problem: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FUEL FILLER HOSE MAY CRACK AND RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE HOSE WHILE REFUELING.
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: 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.

Engine and engine coolingNov 17, 2003

Engine and engine cooling

Recall 03V455000630,000 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2003 Nissan 350Z 2-DR.

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

2003 Nissan 350Z NHTSA side crash test — NHTSA side barrier crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

350z

20mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

3.5 L · 6 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,100/year to fuel

350z

19mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S5) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
SuspensionFront; Front › Springs › Coil springs	111	1	0	0	7,239 mi
TiresTread/belt	71	1	0	0	8,348 mi
Power trainManual transmission; Automatic transmission	35	0	1	0	39,000 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline	35	0	0	0	74,000 mi
Engine	27	0	0	0	94,301 mi
Electrical system12v/24v/48v battery; Ignition	12	0	0	0	43,000 mi
VisibilityPower window devices and controls	9	0	0	0	31,000 mi
Air bagsFrontal › Driver side › Inflator module; On-off switch assembly	7	4	0	3	4,000 mi
SeatsFront assembly › Head restraint; Front assembly › Power adjust	6	0	0	0	4,850 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Disc › Pads; Foundation components › Disc › Rotor	6	0	0	0	7,429 mi
Unknown or other	6	0	0	0	61,953 mi
WheelsRim; Multi piece	5	1	0	0	14,616 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Service brakes
Itâs the ABS Module not for sure what exactly is wrong with it but it does not function like it should. Also if you look at other vehicles of the same model just different year why was it changed like a different design entirely. What it does is I donât get full brake power or pressure like half at this point you stop but itâs a slow rolling stop or something. Makes me believe there was an issue when the car came out and the next year it was changed. For example my car is a 02-03 now some 03-04 manufacturer dates the ABS module changed and thatâs the only one you can get new still to this year 2026 from the manufacturer and others. This problem occurred in 2024 and was told by the…
Jan 1, 2024
Engine
Vehicle shut off automatically going down interstate coming home from Mississippi. The car stoped running and would not crank back. Radiator fluid spuing all over the ground running hot but did not show overheating temp on dash never showed no over heating temp on gauges or nothing. Motor cranked up days later and was knocking due to knocking. Did not know it had a recall bought it the same year it broke down ran good until then but took over a year to get it tore apart and someone to rebuild the crankshaft because it casused the motor to knock and it caused it to mess it up and need a rebuild the motor and I bought parts and all and cost a good bit for someone to rebuild it for me CASUE I…
Jun 1, 2023
Service brakes
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.
Sep 22, 2023
Engine
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
Mar 1, 2020 · 139,000 miles
Engine
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.
Mar 13, 2019 · 64,000 miles
Electrical system
MY 2003 NISSAN 350Z WAS EXHIBITING THE EXACT SYMPTOMS OF A NHSTA RECALL NUMBER 03V455000 ( NISSAN NUMBER R2202) RECALL. I CONTACTED NISSAN DEALERS AND NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS WITH MY VIN AND WAS TOLD IT DIDN'T FALL UNDER THE RECALL. I THEN TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE NISSAN DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED AND THE DEALER CONCLUDED THAT BOTH (2) CAM POSITION SENSORS AND THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR, WERE FAILING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST TO ME OF 378.86 WHICH I PAID AND HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE BACK ONLY A FEW DAYS (<100 MILES) BUT SO FAR SEEMS TO HAVE RESOLVED THE ISSUE. I AGAIN CONTACTED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY WOULD DO. I FURTHER EXPLAINED…
Dec 30, 2018 · 111,863 miles
Engine
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE 350Z ON THE HIGHWAY AND SLOWING DOWN WITH TRAFFIC AHEAD. THE ENGINE STALLED ALL OF A SUDDEN. THE CARS BEHIND COULD HAVE SMASHED INTO HER AND KILL HER. LUCKILY THAT DID NOT HAPPEN. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET, IT LOOKED LIKE THERE WERE MANY CASES OF 350ZS STALLING. INTERNET TOLD ME THAT IT WAS CAUSED BY FAULTY CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR, WHICH WAS EXACTLY WHAT NISSAN DEALER IN DUBLIN CALIFORNIA REPLACED. IN FACT THEY REPLACED BOTH CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSORS. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DID NOT COME ON WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED AS INDICATED BY THE DEALER. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START DESPITE MANY TRIES. AFTER 10-15 MINUTES OR SO, THE ENGINE STARTED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON.…
Mar 7, 2018 · 64,651 miles
Power train
WHILE DRIVING I HEARD A LOUD POP AND FELT A SLIGHT TREMOR ON THE CLUTCH PEDAL WHICH BECAME VERY SOFT THEN STOPPED WORKING MAKING MY CAR IMMOBILE AFTER GETTING IT HOME I PULLED OUT THE TRANSMISSION AND NOTICED THAT THE PIVOT BOLT FOR THE CLUTCH HAD BROKEN OFF AT THE THREADS DESTROYING THE CLUTCH AND FLYWHEEL AND AFTER SOME ONLINE RESEARCH I FOUND OUT THAT IT'S HAPPENED TO MANY OTHER PEOPLE AND MAY BE THE REASON I NEED TO GET MY TRANSMISSION REPAIRED
Jul 11, 2014 · 99,943 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.