Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Nissan 350Z owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Hello, I was leaving a stop sign barely moving and all of a sudden it sounded like a gun going off in my car. Before I could grasp my next thought my car flipped completely over on its side no tires touching the ground! I had to crawl out passenger window . Upon inspection of vehicle this is what was found.
I purchased 4 new tires for my 2004 Nissan 350z, they are the falken pro g5 sport a/s tires p225/45r18 on the front. 245/45/r18 on the rear on 2/06/19 the mileage in was 16,292. On 1/15/20 I took the car out and the car was bouncing all over the road, I took it back to discount tires in las vegas nevada on that same day and they said it was the balance of the tires. When the technician tried to balance the tires he said they are off by over 1 ounce. Another tech came and tried to balance the tires and found a bulge on all 4 tires and opted to replace them all,I only had 69 miles on the tires! I have to say in all my years I have never seen tires develop bulges like these and all 4 needing replacement with only 69 miles on them! I am very nervous with these tires being that they are installed on a Nissan 350z with the power the vehicle has.
I was driving on the express way a motorcycle ahead of me applied his brakes I followed suit. The 350z roadster began to swerve and spin uncontrollably and stopped after I hit the sid rail resulting in motorcyclist and myself going to hospital the issues with the tires on the 350z are well known by consumers, Nissan, and their dealerships. I have taken the car on at least three occasions to the dealership for examination and possible repairs but the tire defect and handling remain. This is unfortunate since they have tried to unsuccesfully fix the issue on other model years of this vehicle
I bought 2004 350z roadster in oct 2003. At 12,000 miles a rubbing noise from front tires became extremely loud. Took car into metro Nissan, montclair ca and was told noise could not be duplicated but that my brakes were glazed and roters warped. They replaced brakes and shaved roters. Car still made same rubbing noise took it back to dealer 3 more times and until the 5th time and 18,000 miles on my car was told that it needed new tires because I had failed to have them rotated!! Tires can't be rotated because they are directionals and different sizes!! I was told by dealer it was due to normal wear and tear! My tires are completely bald from the inside they are cupping and car has become less stable when handling curves at highway speeds. The outside of tire thread is perfectly new and shows no wear. …
I purchased a new 350z car from antioch (california) Nissan dealership in 2004 with chromed alloy wheels. In addition, I purchased an extended warranty. On the below date a vacaville Nissan mechanic was test driving my vehicle when the right front wheel cracked around the lug nuts and fell off in their parking lot causing damage to my vehicle and unrepairable damage to the rim. Nissan corporation has issued bulletins to the dealership not to chrome alloy wheels for safety and performance reasons. I was not notified of this status...only after the accident did the vacaville service manager give me a copy of their bulletin dated 9/07. It stated my warranty is void as a result of the dealership chroming the alloy wheels as verified by the corporate warranty office . I have contacted both dealerships and their corporate consumer affairs office to no avail. …
While driving 65 MPH, the consumer noticed a yellow flash indicator light reading slip with cause unknown. The consumer released the throttle pedal and the speed control was not engaged. The vehicle continued to travel at 65 MPH. The consumer applied the brakes, but the vehicle still continued at the same rate of speed, burning the brakes when the pedal was applied. Consumer depressed the clutch, but the RPM idled high. All of a sudden the problem disappeared. The dealership found that during installation of the wheels, the chrome plating of the front and rear wheel were mistakenly switched. The tech also stated that this could have been the reason for the malfunction and that the traction control system went into "fail safe mode" because it detected a size difference in the wheels. (pins where also missing)
I purchased a 2004 Nissan 350z in septmeber of 2003. After about 12000 miles I complained of excessive road noise comming for the tires. I was informed by the dealer that the front tire were cupping and had to be replaced. This seems to be a known problem with this car and Nissan acknowledged it on their 2003 model but continues to ignore it on their 2004 model claining that it has been addressed although they are not clear on how they addressed it. I fear that this problem if not addressed by Nissan will result in an unfortunate accident for someone unaware of the problem. It is suprising to me that auto manufacturers are not obligated to disclose these kind of known issues with their products. It seems that the dealers are notified but not the consumers who have bought their products.
I purchased a 2004 Nissan 350z in August of 2003. After about 24000 miles I complained of excessive road noise comming for the tires. I was informed by the dealer that the front tire were cupping and had to be replaced. This seems to be a known problem with this car and Nissan acknowledged it on their 2003 model but continues to ignore it on their 2004 model claining that it has been addressed although they are not clear on how they addressed it. I fear that this problem if not addressed by Nissan will result in an unfortunate accident for someone unaware of the problem. It is suprising to me that auto manufacturers are not obligated to disclose these kind of known issues with their products. It seems that the dealers are notified but not the consumers who have bought their products.
First noticed by vehicle owner at approximately 10000 miles, dealer confirmed at 12000 miles, my 2004 Nissan 350z touring model has developed abnormal wear of inner edges of front tires--front tires forming a cupping shape. The result of this abnormal wear has created unstable handling and ride, but most importantly a safety concern with regard to tire performance and handling. Nissan has issued a service advisory bulletin acknowledging this very problem for the 2003 350z mode, but not for the 2004 model. Nissan has indicated that the suspension is the primary problem for causing the abnormal tire wear and has authorized a partial fix to the problem. Nissan refuses to acknowledge this problem with the 2004 model--request investigation for safety concerns and consumer protection.
Wheels on Nissan 350z that I purchased are cracking at all the spokes , Nissan has a service bulletin on the chroming process. Dealer sold me car without telling me about the problem. And my warranty wont cover it they said go to the dealer. Power niacin of chandler arizona is where I purchased the vehicle . My question is .... If a dealer has a vehicle that they are selling and it has a service bulletin on it about the wheels , shouldn't they replace the wheels before selling the car to someone ? , when my left rear wheel separated from all the spokes I was traveling west bound on the I-10 around buckeye az, the speed limit is 75 MPH there. If I did not catch this right away I would have lost that rim and the damage could have possibly cost me my life.
Wheel & Tire complaints in other 350Z years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 2004 Nissan 350Z?
NHTSA has 36 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 2004 Nissan 350Z, 25% of the model year's 144 complaints. The component named most often is tread/belt (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Nissan 350Z wheel & tire problems?
No. NHTSA lists no wheels & tires recall for the 2004 Nissan 350Z, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2004 Nissan 350Z wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 12,000 miles, and 96% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 4 injuries to wheels & tires problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.