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2003 Nissan 350Z

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most 350Z years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Nissan 350Z are substantially higher than the model-year median of 73.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

214 reports with mileage · 61 unknown

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.

  • Suspension. Review the 110 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Tires. Review the 71 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports1 fire reports3 injury reports

What owners actually said

275 reports
150,000 miles · Jul 9, 2013
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN 350Z. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED TO THE SHOULDER WHERE IT WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CAM POSITION SENSOR HAD FAILED. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN 350Z. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED TO THE SHOULDER WHERE IT WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CAM POSITION SENSOR HAD FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) BUT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL AND NO REASON WAS PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 8/12/13 *CN

NHTSA ODI #10523904

53,313 miles · Apr 9, 2013
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN 350Z. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILUR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN 350Z. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,313. *TR UPDATED 7/15/13 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES.

NHTSA ODI #10505655

120,000 miles · Mar 19, 2013
Engine

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 BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE…

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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 BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #10503647

108,000 miles · Feb 25, 2013
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN 350Z. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENGINE AND VDC WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE BEGAN HESITATE WHILE ACCELERATING AND THEN SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE ON THE SHOULDER AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN 350Z. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENGINE AND VDC WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE BEGAN HESITATE WHILE ACCELERATING AND THEN SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE ON THE SHOULDER AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) BUT WAS ADVISED BY T HE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

NHTSA ODI #10499921

111,000 miles · Dec 21, 2012
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN 350Z. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN 350Z. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 111,000.

NHTSA ODI #10489469

93,000 miles · Oct 30, 2012
Engine

I JUST BOUGHT A PRE-OWNED NISSAN 2003 350Z IN AUGUST.. OCT 5 I HAD CAR STALL ON ME TWICE. I DRIVE A TRUCK FOR A LIVING SO AFTER THAT I WENT ON THE ROAD.. WHEN I CAME BACK I DROVE CAR AND IT STALLED AGAIN AT ABOUT 35 AND THEN IT DIDN'T WANT TO START. I GOT IT STARTED AND THE "SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT" CAME ON. IT STALLED 2 MORE T…

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I JUST BOUGHT A PRE-OWNED NISSAN 2003 350Z IN AUGUST.. OCT 5 I HAD CAR STALL ON ME TWICE. I DRIVE A TRUCK FOR A LIVING SO AFTER THAT I WENT ON THE ROAD.. WHEN I CAME BACK I DROVE CAR AND IT STALLED AGAIN AT ABOUT 35 AND THEN IT DIDN'T WANT TO START. I GOT IT STARTED AND THE "SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT" CAME ON. IT STALLED 2 MORE TIMES IN MOTION AFTER THAT AND I BROUGHT IT TO NISSAN.. THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME $689. I THEN TOOK IT TO MY PERSONAL MECHANICS SHOP WHO CHARGED ME $375 FOR THE SAME THING WITH NISSAN PARTS.. I GO HOME AND FIND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL #R2022 ON THE 2003 350Z NISSAN.. IT SHOWS UNDER THE NHTSA THAT THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE AND COULD RESULT IN CRASH.. WHEN I CALLED NISSAN ON THIS THEY TOLD ME MY VIN DOESN'T FALL UNDER THE RECALL. IF THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUED RECALL THEN ALL THE 2003 NISSAN 350Z SHOULD BE UNDER IT. I CHECKED ONLINE AND FOUND LOTS OF OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAD SAME ISSUES SO ITS A HAZARD FOR SURE YET NISSAN IS ONLY BACKING UP SOME OF THE VINS UNDER THIS SAFETY ISSUED RECALL... PLZ HELP AND TELL ME WHAT I CAN DO TO GET MY $375 BACK... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10482614

95,000 miles · Oct 12, 2012
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN 350Z. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD A PROBLEM STARTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT CRANK POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING FOR THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR) BUT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN 350Z. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD A PROBLEM STARTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT CRANK POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING FOR THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR) BUT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

NHTSA ODI #10479883

90,000 miles · Oct 2, 2012
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN 350Z. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE RPM READING INCREASED EXCESSIVELY. ALSO, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A LOUD NOISE AS THE ENGINE STALLED. THE ENGINE WAS RESTARTED HOWEVER, THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC AND AFTER…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN 350Z. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE RPM READING INCREASED EXCESSIVELY. ALSO, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A LOUD NOISE AS THE ENGINE STALLED. THE ENGINE WAS RESTARTED HOWEVER, THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC AND AFTER THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS COMPLETED, THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR OR CAM POSITION SENSOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) BUT THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THEY OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ODI #10478349

83,000 miles · Aug 27, 2012
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN 350Z. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE HAD TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY AFTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN 350Z. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE HAD TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY AFTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

NHTSA ODI #10472593

94,301 miles · Jul 30, 2012
EngineEngine And Engine Cooling

THE INCIDENT FIRST OCCURRED DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING WHERE THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER COMPLETELY. SINCE THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION WAS IN GEAR, THE ENGINE "PUSH STARTED" ITSELF WITH A VIOLENT SURGE MOTION AND REGAINED POWER. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT THREE TIMES ON THIS TRIP. WHEN I GOT OFF THE FREEWAY, THIS HAPPENED AS I SLOWED FOR…

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THE INCIDENT FIRST OCCURRED DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING WHERE THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER COMPLETELY. SINCE THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION WAS IN GEAR, THE ENGINE "PUSH STARTED" ITSELF WITH A VIOLENT SURGE MOTION AND REGAINED POWER. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT THREE TIMES ON THIS TRIP. WHEN I GOT OFF THE FREEWAY, THIS HAPPENED AS I SLOWED FOR A STOPLIGHT AND THE ENGINE STALLED COMPLETELY SINCE I WAS NOT IN GEAR. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE VERY DANGEROUS SINCE ALL ENGINE POWER IS LOST AT HIGH SPEEDS AND THE JOLT THAT RESULTS FROM THE "PUSH STARTING" CAN CAUSE THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE VERY EASILY. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY BUT DID NOT CAUSE A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT UNTIL LAST WEEK. IT IS SHOWING CODE P 0340 AND I HAVE FOUND THAT NISSAN IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE, BUT DOES NOT RECOGNIZE IT AS A BEING ASSOCIATED WITH MY VIN NUMBER- THIS IS HARD TO BELIEVE SINCE MY CAR WAS PRODUCED ABOUT A YEAR BEFORE THE RECALL NOTICE (RECALL ID #03V455000) WAS ISSUED. I WAS INFORMED BY NISSAN REPRESENTATIVES THAT THE ONLY WAY TO APPEAL MY VIN#'S APPLICABILITY TO THIS RECALL IS THROUGH THE NHTSA. MY CASE # WITH NISSAN IS[XXX]. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10468312

Official recalls

2

05V555000 · Fuel System, Gasoline

Dec 13, 2005

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

Consequence & remedy

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.

03V455000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Nov 17, 2003

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 & remedy

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.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.