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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
Mileage unknown · Feb 5, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

2003 NISSAN 350Z HAD A CAM SENSOR REPLACED. CONSUMER WANTS TO KNOW IF THERE IS A POSSIBLE RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE WOULD SHUT OFF SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10257894

35,500 miles · Jan 22, 2009
Wheels

I OWN A 2003 NISSAN 350Z WITH STOCK 7 SPOKE WHEELS AND HAVE FOUND THAT MY RIGHT FRONT WHEEL(RIM) HAS A CRACK IN ONE SPOKE THAT GOES ALL THE WAY THROUGH. THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL HAS 2 SPOKES THAT HAVE CRACKS THAT ARE ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE SPOKES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10256049

35,000 miles · Jan 5, 2009
Power TrainTires

THE 3RD GEAR WAS GRINDING THEN SECOND STARTED TO GRIND TOO THEREFORE I HAD THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT AT MY EXPENSE AND OTHER TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS PERSIST AND ALSO HAVE THE TIRE FEATHERING/TIRE GROWL ISSUE WHICH I'VE TOOK THE CAR VARIES TIMES TO THE ALIGNMENT SHOP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10253910

47,000 miles · Jan 2, 2009
Visibility

I OWN A TRACK MODEL 2003 NISSAN 350Z. IN AUGUST 2008, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW BEGAN TO INTERMITTENTLY FAIL TO GO UP OR DOWN PROPERLY. BY SEPTEMBER 2008, IT COMPLETELY FAILED TO GO UP OR DOWN. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW MOTOR HAD INTERNAL FAILURE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. MOTOR REPLACED WITH A NEW FACTO…

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I OWN A TRACK MODEL 2003 NISSAN 350Z. IN AUGUST 2008, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW BEGAN TO INTERMITTENTLY FAIL TO GO UP OR DOWN PROPERLY. BY SEPTEMBER 2008, IT COMPLETELY FAILED TO GO UP OR DOWN. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW MOTOR HAD INTERNAL FAILURE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. MOTOR REPLACED WITH A NEW FACTORY MOTOR BY A CT NISSAN DEALERSHIP AT MY EXPENSE 9/17/2008 AT THE COST OF $581.35. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10253537

Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 2008
Power Train

MANUAL TRANSMISSION MAKES LOUD GRINDING NOISE WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN 2ND GEAR AND 3RD GEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10251518

17,000 miles · Oct 15, 2008
Power TrainFire

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; HOWEVER, THE ODOR REMAINED. WHI…

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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; HOWEVER, THE ODOR REMAINED. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT FROM SECOND INTO THIRD GEAR. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CLUTCH AND THE FLY WHEEL WERE BURNT. THE CONTACT CALLED NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE TO ASSIST WITH THE COST BECAUSE IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY; HOWEVER, THEY DENIED HER CLAIM. SHE WANTS NISSAN TO ASSIST WITH THE $2,300 REPAIR COST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000. UPDATED 11/7/08 *CN UPDATED 11/13/08. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10245597

Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN 350Z. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT HAD TO PERFORM A HARD START AFTER ATTEMPTING TO RESTART IT SEVERAL TIMES. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED LIT AT THAT TIME. HE PULLED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE DEALER CURRENTLY HAS THE VEHICLE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN 350Z. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT HAD TO PERFORM A HARD START AFTER ATTEMPTING TO RESTART IT SEVERAL TIMES. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED LIT AT THAT TIME. HE PULLED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE DEALER CURRENTLY HAS THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10241424

Mileage unknown · Jun 3, 2008
Unknown Or Other

AFTER BUYING A 2003 350 Z NISSAN, NISSAN REPLACED THE FRONT TIRES TWICE DUE TO BAD ALIGNMENT AND TIRE WEAR AND NOISE. NOW, IT APPEARS, THE SAME UNUSUAL WAR OF THE TIRES ON THE INSIDE IS BACK AS IS THE DEAFENING NOISE WHILE DRIVING. WHY WOULD AN OWNER HAVE TO REPLACE TIRES EVERY 20,000 MILES? THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM. I HAVE…

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AFTER BUYING A 2003 350 Z NISSAN, NISSAN REPLACED THE FRONT TIRES TWICE DUE TO BAD ALIGNMENT AND TIRE WEAR AND NOISE. NOW, IT APPEARS, THE SAME UNUSUAL WAR OF THE TIRES ON THE INSIDE IS BACK AS IS THE DEAFENING NOISE WHILE DRIVING. WHY WOULD AN OWNER HAVE TO REPLACE TIRES EVERY 20,000 MILES? THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM. I HAVE JUST ABOUT STOPPED DRIVING MY CAR, PARKING IT IN THE GARAGE AND TAKING THE BUS TO WORK. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE ON THE INTERSTATE IN FEAR OF A BLOW OUT OR ACCIDENT. THIS CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED. THEY ADMITTED THE ALIGNMENT PROBLEM PUBLICLY ON THE INTERNET, GAVE ME 2 SETS OF FRONT TIRES AND NOW IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN. I CALLED THEM TODAY TO REPEAT MY CONCERNS AND THEY ARE REFERRING MY FILE TO THE REGIONS SPECIALIST WHO "HAS THE POWER TO HELP ME OUT". THEY DID SAY THERE IS NO RECALL ON MY CAR OR TIRES AT THIS TIME WHICH ESSENTIALLY MEANS TOUGH. I WILL LET YOU KNOW THE OUTCOME. THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT FROM THE LAW OFFICES OF HOWARD A. GUTMAN CURRENTLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10229753

80,000 miles · May 27, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN 350Z. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSES SPEED WHENEVER HE SHIFTS GEARS TO ACCELERATE. THE ENGINE REVS, BUT THE VEHICLE DOES NOT ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THEY HAVE CHANGED NUMEROUS S…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN 350Z. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSES SPEED WHENEVER HE SHIFTS GEARS TO ACCELERATE. THE ENGINE REVS, BUT THE VEHICLE DOES NOT ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THEY HAVE CHANGED NUMEROUS SENSORS, THE ENGINE COMPUTER, AND EVEN THE WATER PUMP OF THE VEHICLE. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, HE DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, NISSAN STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. HE HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE LACK OF ACCELERATION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 81,000.

NHTSA ODI #10228981

12,000 miles · Apr 11, 2008
SuspensionTires

ACTION NISSAN IN NASHVILLE, TN HAS REPLACED DAMAGED FRONT TIRES AT LEAST TWICE, AND I HAVE NOW REPLACED DAMAGED FRONT TIRES AT MY OWN EXPENSE. THE EFFECT OF NISSAN'S ALIGNMENT/SUSPENSION PROBLEM IS NOT ISOLATED TO TIRE DAMAGE. ACTION NISSAN ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT MY VEHICLES' ALIGNMENT/SUSPENSION ISSUES, BUT MY CAR CONTINUED TO EX…

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ACTION NISSAN IN NASHVILLE, TN HAS REPLACED DAMAGED FRONT TIRES AT LEAST TWICE, AND I HAVE NOW REPLACED DAMAGED FRONT TIRES AT MY OWN EXPENSE. THE EFFECT OF NISSAN'S ALIGNMENT/SUSPENSION PROBLEM IS NOT ISOLATED TO TIRE DAMAGE. ACTION NISSAN ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT MY VEHICLES' ALIGNMENT/SUSPENSION ISSUES, BUT MY CAR CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE ISSUES RELATED TO ABNORMAL TIRE WEAR AND A PULL TO THE RIGHT. NISSAN DID NOT OFFER A PERMANENT SOLUTION FOR THE ALIGNMENT/SUSPENSION PROBLEMS OF MY AUTOMOBILE, AND I CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE DAMAGE TO MY FRONT TIRES AND MISALIGNMENT/SUSPENSION EFFECTS. TO PROTECT ANY NEW TIRES ON MY VEHICLE, AND TO PERMANENTLY CORRECT NISSAN'S MANUFACTURER DEFECT ON MY VEHICLE, I HAD REPAIRS PERFORMED WITH 3RD PARTY PARTS, AN EIBACH FRONT ALIGNMENT KIT. THE ORIGINAL CONFIGURATION OF THE FRONT FACTORY 350Z DOES NOT ALLOW FOR SUCH ADJUSTMENTS, AND THE EIBACH KIT ALLOWS FOR COMMON FRONT ALIGNMENT ADJUSTMENTS THAT CAN EASILY COMPENSATE FOR THE ALIGNMENT/SUSPENSION PROBLEMS. THE INSTALLED PARTS, ALONG WITH NEW TIRES, BALANCING, AND ALIGNMENT/SUSPENSION HAS TOTAL COST OF $1087.04. I AM INCLUDING DOCUMENTATION OF ALL ITEMIZED COSTS BELOW: TIRES'''''. $288.00 FRONT ALIGN KIT' $394.87 PARTS TOTAL''... $682.87 2X TIRE MOUNT'. $10.00 2X TIRE BALANCE... $30.00 ALIGN KIT INSTALL.. $270.00 FRONT ALIGNMENT.. $59.95 SUBTOTAL'''' $369.95 LABOR TAX@9.25% $34.22 LABOR TOTAL''. $404.17 GRAND TOTAL''. $1,087.04 THE PROPOSED NISSAN CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT COVERS ONLY A FRACTION OF THE COSTS TO PERMANENTLY CORRECT THE ALIGNMENT/SUSPENSION PROBLEM EXPERIENCED BY COUNTLESS NISSAN 350Z OWNERS. MY OBJECTION IS THAT NISSAN SHOULD OFFER A PERMANENT SOLUTION TO CORRECT THE MANUFACTURER DEFECT IN THE ALIGNMENT/SUSPENSION OF 2003/2004 350ZS, WHICH CAUSES TIRE DAMAGE AND OTHER MISALIGNMENT/SUSPENSION SIDE-EFFECTS RESULTING FROM THE INABILITY TO PROPERLY ALIGN SELECT 350Z VEHICLES. I DULY SWEAR TO ALL FACTS PRESENTED IN THIS DOCUMENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10224194

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.