Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Nissan 350Z owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Vehicle shut off automatically going down interstate coming home from Mississippi. The car stoped running and would not crank back. Radiator fluid spuing all over the ground running hot but did not show overheating temp on dash never showed no over heating temp on gauges or nothing. Motor cranked up days later and was knocking due to knocking. Did not know it had a recall bought it the same year it broke down ran good until then but took over a year to get it tore apart and someone to rebuild the crankshaft because it casused the motor to knock and it caused it to mess it up and need a rebuild the motor and I bought parts and all and cost a good bit for someone to rebuild it for me CASUE I know nothing. Of motors. Or cars parts just basics. …
My 2003 Nissan 350z was exhibiting the exact symptoms of a nhsta recall number 03V455000 ( Nissan number r2202) recall. I contacted Nissan dealers and Nissan consumer affairs with my VIN and was told it didn't fall under the recall. I then took my vehicle to the Nissan dealer service department to have it diagnosed and the dealer concluded that both (2) cam position sensors and the crank position sensor, were failing and needed to be replaced at a cost to me of 378.86 which I paid and have had the vehicle back only a few days (<100 miles) but so far seems to have resolved the issue. I again contacted Nissan consumer affairs and was told there was nothing they would do. I further explained my belief that the recall was more widespread than initially thought by nhsta and Nissan to no avail. …
In 2005, I bought a 2003 Nissan 350z. In early November of 2011, I started having these problems. The engine would die suddenly while driving, the check engine and TCS lights would come on, and the car would run very rough once it did decide to start. I took the car into a Nissan service center on 11/08/2011. The mileage according to the service invoice was 83,906. Along with the problems noted above, the service technician added diag p0340 and c1130 stored, loss of engine signal. Replaced camshaft and crankshaft sensors. My cost for the repair: $618.61. My car had not one, but every symptom of a recalled car. The camshaft and crankshaft sensor (very specific repairs) were needed to correct the problem; same as a recalled vehicle. …
My wife was driving the 350z on the highway and slowing down with traffic ahead. The engine stalled all of a sudden. The cars behind could have smashed into her and kill her. Luckily that did not happen. I searched the internet, it looked like there were many cases of 350zs stalling. Internet told me that it was caused by faulty camshaft position sensor, which was exactly what Nissan dealer in dublin california replaced. In fact they replaced both camshaft position sensors. Check engine light did not come on when the vehicle stalled as indicated by the dealer. The engine would not start despite many tries. After 10-15 minutes or so, the engine started and the check engine light came on. Some of the 350z was recalled. However dealer indicated that my VIN number is not on the list. …
My car for the last year will drive 5-7 miles and stall in regular traffic. We replaced the fuel pump. I finally have enough $ to take to Nissan. They came back with it needs all 2 cam shaft sensors and crank shaft sensor replaced. When I go on line and search my 2003 350z touring edition recall, there was a recall for this problem as it appears the wires can break inside due to temp on solder joints. I would like to know if this is this a problem that was noted on a recall and this is an ongoing problem with this same model, why now am I going to pay Nissan $1200 for the repair that should be covered. I need this investigated
Engine stops while driving car. Engine service light comes on. Take car to garage - engine sensors are bad - had replaced. Nissan states that this vehicle VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number 03V455000 - but problem was the same - bad engine sensors. Nissan national complaint # 19620726 - Nissan says they don't have any responsibility and what is worse, don't seem to care that this is a dangerous condition. Went to google and found dozens of other citations about this problem.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Nissan 350z. While driving various speeds, the vehicle lost power and took numerous attempts to restart. In addition, the traction control, flip, and check engine warning indicators illuminated. The failure occurred intermittently. Numerous unknown dealers and independent mechanics were notified, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 64,000.
Car abruptly without warning dropped speed by 15 MPH with the engine service light and the slip light and the etc light coming on. Almost killed by the truck behind me; he swerved to the emergency lane to avoid hitting me due to the sudden deacceleration of my vehicle. Recall r2033/r3022 describes situation. There is a campaign 03V455000 but Nissan will not honor this for my particular VIN.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Nissan 350z. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the engine stalled intermittently without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the camshaft position sensors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of a failure. The approximate failure mileage was 121,000. Updated 12/21/16
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Nissan 350z. The contact stated that the engine light remained illuminated and the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 160,000.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the crank position sensors. Camshaft position sensor(s), and in some cases, the variable timing control sensor(s).
Engine complaints in other 350Z years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2003 Nissan 350Z?
NHTSA has 60 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2003 Nissan 350Z, 22% of the model year's 275 complaints. The component named most often is engine (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Nissan 350Z engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 03V-455 (engine and engine cooling, Nov 17, 2003). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2003 Nissan 350Z engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 83,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.