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1986 Nissan 300ZX

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
59Owner complaints

Model-year median: 9

1Recall campaigns

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2Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
1
198342
198475
198559
198628
198725
19889
1989
Compare all 300ZX years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Fuel System, Gasoline
32Vehicle Speed Control
8Engine And Engine Cooling
7Electrical System
4Seat Belts
3
All reported categories
Power Train
2Steering
2Equipment
1Fuel System, Other
1Tires
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 3 of 59 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

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.

  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports32 fire reports4 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

4 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Nov 3, 2004
Electrical SystemFire

WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED ON THE DASHBOARD AND ALL THE ELECTRICAL LIGHTS FAILED TO COME ON. THE DRIVER SMELL SMOKE COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER . THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. NO INJURIES. THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAD THE…

Read full complaint

WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED ON THE DASHBOARD AND ALL THE ELECTRICAL LIGHTS FAILED TO COME ON. THE DRIVER SMELL SMOKE COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER . THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. NO INJURIES. THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED AND DEEMED IT TOTALED THE INSPECTOR INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE FIRE STARTED FROM THE UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD. *JB *SC

NHTSA ODI #10094233

Mileage unknown · Feb 14, 1996
Electrical SystemFire

FIRE IGNITED TOWARD DRIVERS SIDE FRONT SPARK PLUG AREA BY THE DISTRIBUTOR. TT

NHTSA ODI #979230

Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 1995
Electrical SystemFire

THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. TT

NHTSA ODI #969407

Mileage unknown · Mar 10, 1995
Electrical SystemEquipment

VOICE CONTROLLED WARNING SYSTEM FOR FUEL LEVEL GOES ON/OFF. *SKD

NHTSA ODI #482238

Official recalls

1

87V098000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift

Jul 6, 1987

UNINTENDED ACCELERATION MAY OCCUR, FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN SHIFTING FROM THE PARK POSITION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy: INSTALL A SHIFT INTERLOCK SYSTEM WHICH PREVENTS THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER FROM BEING MOVED FROM THE PARK POSITION UNLESS THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.

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

2

EA94018 · Fuel Injector Assembly Leakage

Opened Jun 23, 1994 · Closed Nov 8, 1995

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System

AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS CLOSING REPORT IS INCLUDED IN THE PUBLIC FILE.SERVICE CAMPAIGN 95I-006.

PE94018 · Engine Compartment Fires

Opened Feb 22, 1994 · Closed Jun 23, 1994

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

There is no summary currently available