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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
100,000 miles · Feb 29, 2008
Visibility

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN 350Z. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT GO UP OR DOWN PROPERLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WINDOW MOTORS NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SAME WINDOW MOTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED ONE AND A HALF YEARS AGO. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN 350Z. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT GO UP OR DOWN PROPERLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WINDOW MOTORS NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SAME WINDOW MOTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED ONE AND A HALF YEARS AGO. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 04-07-08 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10219704

74,000 miles · Dec 13, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineParking Brake

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN 350Z. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY LOST POWER AND WOULD NOT RESTART UNTIL TEN MINUTES LATER. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. SOON AFTER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AN AUTO ZONE EMPLOYEE STATED THAT THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR AND CRANKSHAFT MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN 350Z. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY LOST POWER AND WOULD NOT RESTART UNTIL TEN MINUTES LATER. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. SOON AFTER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AN AUTO ZONE EMPLOYEE STATED THAT THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR AND CRANKSHAFT MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 74,000. UPDATED 4/2/08 *CN THE DEALER STATED THAT A FUEL HOSE RECALL HAS BEEN PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE AND EMERGENCY BRAKE IS NOT PERFORMING PROPERLY. UPDATED 04/02/08 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10211852

38,000 miles · Sep 10, 2007
Seats

PERFORATED LEATHER SEAT IN MY 2003 350Z POPPED OPEN IN HOT WEATHER. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO FIND THE MATCHING BURNT ORANGE LEATHER ON EBAY AND REPAIRED LOCALLY. ADDITIONALLY THE REGULAR LEATHER ON THE SEAT IS WEARING EXTREMELY FAST. IT WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. BURNT ORANGE LEATHER DOES NOT GROW ON TREES AROUND HERE. THE M…

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PERFORATED LEATHER SEAT IN MY 2003 350Z POPPED OPEN IN HOT WEATHER. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO FIND THE MATCHING BURNT ORANGE LEATHER ON EBAY AND REPAIRED LOCALLY. ADDITIONALLY THE REGULAR LEATHER ON THE SEAT IS WEARING EXTREMELY FAST. IT WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. BURNT ORANGE LEATHER DOES NOT GROW ON TREES AROUND HERE. THE MILEAGE IS LOW BY MANY STANDARDS, BUT OUT OF THE 36K WARRANTY WINDOW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10202435

60,000 miles · Jun 22, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN 350Z. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE FOR FIFTEEN MINUTES, BUT IT FAILED TO START. THE FAILURE OCCURRED 5 TO 6 TIMES ON JUNE 22,23 2007. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT SOON, VDC LIGHT, AND SLIP LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST INDICATED THAT # P0340, THE CAM SHAFT POSITIO…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN 350Z. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE FOR FIFTEEN MINUTES, BUT IT FAILED TO START. THE FAILURE OCCURRED 5 TO 6 TIMES ON JUNE 22,23 2007. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT SOON, VDC LIGHT, AND SLIP LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST INDICATED THAT # P0340, THE CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR CIRCUIT, MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FAIL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS PERFORMING AT 80% AND THE FAILURE IS SIMILAR TO THAT NOTED IN RECALL # 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN IS NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL. HE WAS ISSUED CASE # 5757949. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #10194028

6,000 miles · Jun 6, 2007
Suspension

1> TIRES ON NEW CAR WORE OUT AFTER 6000 MILES 2> ALIGNMENT OF NEW CAR OFF SO BAD AT PURCHASE, THAT TIRES WERE UNSAFE AFTER DRIVEN A FEW THOUSAND MILES. 3> DEALER REPLACED FRONT TIRES AND REALIGNED AT 13,687 MILES

NHTSA ODI #10192581

38,000 miles · Mar 20, 2007
Equipment

THERE WAS A FAULTY AMPLIFIER FOR THE BOSE SYSTEM IN THE 2003 Z FOR A FEW MONTHS. I HAVE READ A FEW ARTICLES ABOUT THE POOR QUALITY AMP THAT WAS INSTALLED ,AND IT SEEMS THAT NISSAN WAS AWARE OF THIS SITUATION, BUT WHEN I TALKING TO THE DEALERSHIP,THERE WAS NO RECALL, AND IT WILL BE OVER $800 TO REPLACE. I BELIEVE THAT NISSA…

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THERE WAS A FAULTY AMPLIFIER FOR THE BOSE SYSTEM IN THE 2003 Z FOR A FEW MONTHS. I HAVE READ A FEW ARTICLES ABOUT THE POOR QUALITY AMP THAT WAS INSTALLED ,AND IT SEEMS THAT NISSAN WAS AWARE OF THIS SITUATION, BUT WHEN I TALKING TO THE DEALERSHIP,THERE WAS NO RECALL, AND IT WILL BE OVER $800 TO REPLACE. I BELIEVE THAT NISSAN SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS MALFUNCTION, AND SHOULD REPLACE THESE AMPS. ONE OF THE CHANNELS WAS FAULTY, WHICH CAUSED THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR TO LOSE AUDIO OUTPUT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10185692

19,626 miles · Jan 12, 2007
Suspension

I HAVE A 2003 NISSAN 350Z WHICH I PURCHASED NEW FROM SELMA NISSAN IN JULY 2003. THE VEHICLE HAS HAD THE FRONT TIRES REPLACED BY THE DEALER THREE (3) TIMES, AVERAGING 17,000 TO 19,000 PER SET OF TIRES. EACH TIME THE DEALER HAS RE-ALIGNED THE FRONT END AND ASSURED ME THAT THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF. EACH TIME THAT THE V…

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I HAVE A 2003 NISSAN 350Z WHICH I PURCHASED NEW FROM SELMA NISSAN IN JULY 2003. THE VEHICLE HAS HAD THE FRONT TIRES REPLACED BY THE DEALER THREE (3) TIMES, AVERAGING 17,000 TO 19,000 PER SET OF TIRES. EACH TIME THE DEALER HAS RE-ALIGNED THE FRONT END AND ASSURED ME THAT THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF. EACH TIME THAT THE VEHICLE HAS GONE IN FOR THIS PROBLEM, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCES SEVERE FRONT TIRE NOISE AND STEERING WHEEL SHAKE, ESPECIALLY DURING LOW SPEED AND BRAKING. BOTH FRONT TIRES DISPLAY EXCESSIVE WEAR TO THE INNER EDGE OF THE TIRES RENDERING THEM UNSERVICEABLE. TO NISSANS CREDIT, THEY HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM AND HAVE RE-ALIGNED THE FRONT END AND REPLACED THE LAST THREE SETS OF TIRES AT NO COST TO ME. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TODAY (01-12-2007) WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALER SAID THEY WILL CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER TO SEE IF REPLACEMENT WILL AGAIN BE AUTHORIZED. WHETHER OR NOT NISSAN COVERS THE REPLACEMENT ISN'T REALLY THE ISSUE. A MODERN VEHICLE THAT WEARS OUT FOUR SETS OF $600 TIRES AT UNDER 20,000 MILES EACH OBVIOUSLY HAS A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD RESULT IN A RECALL. NISSAN IS APPARENTLY UNABLE TO REPAIR THIS DEFECT, AND THE CAR IS NOT ONLY UNSAFE, BUT HAS A VERY LOW RESALE VALUE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10178608

Mileage unknown · Dec 8, 2006
SteeringTires

FEATHERING ON FRONT TIRES AT LOW SPEED AND BREAKING TO STOP. I HAD THE SERVICE DONE AT 8K TO CORRECT THE FEATHER AT A NISSAN DEALER AND AFTER A MONTH THE FEATHER OCCURS AT 75 MPH SPEED DUE TO SHAKING ON STEERING WHEEL BUT AT LOW SPEED WHEN BRAKING STEERING ALSO TENDS TO SHAKE AND PULLS TO THE RIGHT. WENT TO THE DEALER TO INVESTI…

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FEATHERING ON FRONT TIRES AT LOW SPEED AND BREAKING TO STOP. I HAD THE SERVICE DONE AT 8K TO CORRECT THE FEATHER AT A NISSAN DEALER AND AFTER A MONTH THE FEATHER OCCURS AT 75 MPH SPEED DUE TO SHAKING ON STEERING WHEEL BUT AT LOW SPEED WHEN BRAKING STEERING ALSO TENDS TO SHAKE AND PULLS TO THE RIGHT. WENT TO THE DEALER TO INVESTIGATE IF RECALL HAS BEEN UPDATED OR CORRECTING THE RECALL AND NO REPLY, AT 22K NISSAN DEALER RECOMMENDED TO REPLACE THE FRONT TIRES DUE TO UNEVEN WEAR. THIS I BELIEVE CAN LEAD TO DRIVING DAMAGE AND INJURES IF TIRE IS PUNCTURE DUE TO TIRE FLARE ACTION FROM THE RIMS TO THE TIRES, THIS WOULD CAUSE THE TIRE TO FLARE OFF THE RIM AND CAUSE THE CAR TO LOOSE CONTROL AND OTHER INJURY TO CARS AND DRIVERS DUE TO TIRE FLARE OFF AND BECOME A PROJECTILE. *AM *NM

NHTSA ODI #10175614

9,169 miles · Dec 7, 2006
Suspension

FAX FROM (MD) RE THE PROBLEMS HE HAS EXPERIENCED WITH HIS DEFECTIVE 2003 NISSAN TOURING MODEL 350 Z. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED HE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER/TSB REGARDING PREMATURE TIRE WEAR AND A ROARING NOISE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TIRES. THE CONSUMER TRIED TO E…

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FAX FROM (MD) RE THE PROBLEMS HE HAS EXPERIENCED WITH HIS DEFECTIVE 2003 NISSAN TOURING MODEL 350 Z. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED HE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER/TSB REGARDING PREMATURE TIRE WEAR AND A ROARING NOISE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TIRES. THE CONSUMER TRIED TO EXPLAIN THAT HE COULD HEAR THE NOISE. THE CONSUMER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE HIMSELF AND COULD CLEARLY SEE THERE WAS A PROBLEM. THE TIRES WERE WEARING ON THE INSIDE TOE. THE DEALER AGREED TO REPLACED THE TIRES, HOWEVER THEY HAD TO BE SPECIAL ORDERED. THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO HAVE THE TIRES REPLACED. HOWEVER, ONE MONTH LATER WITHIN 3,000 MILES THE CONSUMER HAD TO RETURN TO THE DEALER FOR UNEVEN TIRE WEAR. DURING THE TIRE REPLACEMENT FOR THE SECOND TIME, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT A REAR STRUT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A BUY BACK OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE FAULTY SUSPENSION SYSTEM OF THE VEHICLE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10176419

23,000 miles · Oct 30, 2006
SuspensionTires

I BOUGHT THE CAR USED IN 5/05 WITH 15,000 MILES. TIRES APPEARED NEW WHEN PURCHASED. CAR IS ONLY DRIVEN IN THE WINTER, I HAD THE "ROARING" NOISE AND VEHICLE SHAKING EFFECT ROUGHLY 5 MONTHS LATER. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THE ISSUE. THEIR SOLUTION WAS TO REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS FOR ALMOST…

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I BOUGHT THE CAR USED IN 5/05 WITH 15,000 MILES. TIRES APPEARED NEW WHEN PURCHASED. CAR IS ONLY DRIVEN IN THE WINTER, I HAD THE "ROARING" NOISE AND VEHICLE SHAKING EFFECT ROUGHLY 5 MONTHS LATER. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THE ISSUE. THEIR SOLUTION WAS TO REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS FOR ALMOST $400. I DID NOT NOTICE THE PROBLEM AGAIN UNTIL A RELATIVE DROVE THE CAR IN THE SPRING OF 06 AND THOUGHT I WAS CRAZY BECAUSE I WAS APPARENTLY IGNORING THE ROAR AND SHAKE OF THE VEHICLE WHEN TRAVELING AT SPEED UNDER 40 MPH. I REPLACED THE REAR TIRES AT THE SUGGESTION OF MY LOCAL GARAGE FOR OVER $500 YET THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. I NOW HAVE TO REPLACE THE FRONT TIRES FOR ANOTHER $500 OR SO AND THE CAR ONLY HAS 32000 MILES. I HAVE READ THE NUMEROUS (HUNDREDS) COMPLAINTS WRITTEN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THIS IS JUST RIDICULOUS. WHY SHOULD NISSAN'S SHODDY ENGINEERING BE MY RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX? GO TO WWW.NISSANTIREPROBLEMS.COM AND REGISTER FOR THE CLASS ACTION SUIT......*JB

NHTSA ODI #10172136

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.