KnownCarProblems2003 Nissan 350Z Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 275 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Nissan 350Z, most often about the suspension (40% of complaints, typically around 7,000 miles). It is the most complained-about 350Z model year since 2000 and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2003 Nissan 350Z problems
Suspension
110 complaints · 40%Half of these problems showed up before 7,000 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear.
Noiced growl and rumbling noise around front end of 2003 Nissan 350Z. Dealer performed no diagnostics, nor checked service bulletins. Claimed could not duplicate the problem. Third trip in, dealer admitted to hearing the now loud noise. Millage at 7500 - 10,200. Diagnosed feathering (cupping) front tires.
The suspension problem is reoccurring, and mis-diagnosed a. Roar from front suspension under 40 MPH. First attempted repair @ 7,279 miles. Changed brake pads and turned rotors. Attempt failed, roar remained. B. Roar & pulls to the right at highway speed. Second attempted repair @ 7,720 miles. Changed right side…
Wheels and tires
76 complaints · 28%Half of these problems showed up before 9,000 miles. Parts named most often: tread/belt, rim, multi piece.
Front tires feathering. Return to dealer. Dealer rotated tires and redid alignment. Was told to go to a frame shop. They say it is so far out of alingment they cant fix. Caused by pot hole? Other z owners have the same problem of feathering.
The car has terrible feathering on the inside edges of the front tires. Problem started after 7,500 miles. Contact patches on the inside tire tread are wearing unevenly. I had the car aligned by Nissan on 2-21-03 and the problem has gotten worse. This really scares me and could lead to unsafe driving due to poor…
Engine
60 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 82,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
The contact owns a 2003 Nissan 350Z. The contact was driving 35 MPH when the engine stalled. The check engine warning light illuminated prior to the failure. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 82,000 and the current mileage was 83,000.
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…
Transmission
34 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 38,000 miles. Parts named most often: manual transmission, automatic transmission, clutch assembly.
Shifting from 2nd gear - 3rd gear there is always a grind and I've searched on the internet and this needs to be a recall due to all the complaints that have been said on various websites.
Grinding getting into 2nd and 3rd from 3k RPM to 6k RPM. No problem if under 3k RPM but I was under the impression I was purchasing a "sports car". I've had the car for 15k miles bough used with 40k on it but after warranty had expired. I am waiting to save for the cd009 transmission so I can replace with the…
Electrical
11 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 43,000 miles. Parts named most often: 12v/24v/48v battery, ignition.
The contact owns a 2003 Nissan 350Z. While the vehicle was idling at a stop light, the clutch was depressed and the contact heard a squeaky noise. The vehicle stalled and took three attempts before it would restart. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it…
I own a 350Z bought brand new in 2003. I was one of the 1st in baltimore for I did not see another z for six months. I have had a new transmission put in at 36k due to a failing 3rd gear synco and now at 80k the 5th. I am about to put in my 5th window motor in. Nissan does not care about US so don't even waste your…
Visibility and wipers
9 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 31,000 miles. Parts named most often: power window devices and controls.
The drivers side window on my 2003 Nissan 350Z does not roll up and has stopped working. This is an ongoing problem. It happened to the passenger window before. I live in a place of extreme heat and dust at times and it becomes difficult to drive the vehicle due to this problem. Nissan needs to have a service bulletin…
I was driving the car in a rainy stormy night north bound hwy 101 on january 10th 2004 when my 2003 Nissan 350Z stopped with a huge clunk in the motor compartment and came to a rolling stop to the side of the road where there was not much shoulder space and poor visibilty that night!apparently this vehicle has been…
Fuel system
8 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 45,000 miles. Parts named most often: storage, delivery.
Nissan 350Z recall for replacement of fuel filler hose and fuel vapor hose because of risk of leakage that can cause fire/explosion. Cowles Nissan dealer in woodbridge virginia replaced my fuel vapor hose, ignore the fuel filler hose despite of my argument that those 2 parts needed to be replaced as per the recall…
: the contact stated recall #05v555000, concerning the fuel system was received and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for repair. The dealer would not complete the entire remedy without charge and wanted a fee for removal of an after market exhaust system before completing the recall. There is currently no problem…
Brakes
8 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 7,500 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components.
Tire feathering, on front end seems to be non-correctable resulting in repetitive premature replacement of tires. I was told by service mgn. That caster adjustment is at full, and can not correct for the towin causing the tire wear.
Dt: the front end and tire defects. At 7438 miles, car was rumbling at stop speed. Dealer put new front tires and aligned front end. At approximately 10,000 miles dealer installed new front brakes. At 12, 493 miles the car was rumbling at stop speed. Dealer put new front brakes and aligned front end again. Both times…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 Nissan 350Z recalls
Fuel system: fuel system, gasoline
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.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger and sport utility vehicles, the fuel filler hose may crack and result in fuel leakage from the hose while refueling.
Engine: engine and engine cooling
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2003 Nissan 350Z
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Nissan 350Z?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: suspension (110 complaints, typically around 7,000 miles); wheels and tires (76 complaints, typically around 9,000 miles); engine (60 complaints, typically around 82,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Nissan 350Z have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from December 13, 2005 (fuel system). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Nissan 350Z?
- It is the most complained-about 350Z model year since 2000, with 275 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.