Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Nissan 350Z owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I was driving my 08 350z (currently has 70K miles) on the highway approx 60 MPH when I attempted to downshift for my exit. The clutch pedal went down and stuck when I shifted out of 6th and the car wouldn't go into any gear. I missed the exit and pulled to the side of the highway and stopped. Turns out the slave cylinder that had been replaced 20K miles ago under recall had gone bad again! Even more impressive is that in 68K miles, I've had to have the slave replaced 2x, clutch replaced 3x, flywheel resurfaced 2x, flywheel replaced 1x, clutch master cylinder replaced 1x, multiple trans services, multiple times bleeding the clutch. All work done at dealer using OEM parts. This is a known 350z defect and Nissan should take responsibility for replacing the clutch system w/ an improved design before more people are injured or killed!
I purchased my 08 350z grand touring October 5, 2015 from hoy fox Toyota in el paso tx. 3 days later it left me stranded. The clutch stayed to the floor and it wouldn't gear. They sold it to me saying it had a new clutch so I decided after test driving it to take it. I had to wait 30 days for my power train warranty to kick in so I can make a claim. Initially it was the master cylinder which was covered. However, that was not the case. Later they said I needed a whole new clutch kit for around 2800. Of course I don't have that amount of money. I purchased and exedy aftermarket clutch , flywheel and pressure plate as they told me to do. Took it home November 15 and it worked fine for several months. It then began to leak clutch fluid and clutch felt soft. I went back and they kept telling me to go to Nissan. …
Driving on freeway approximately 70-75 MPH, when applying pressure to clutch pedal I realize there is little to no clutch pedal pressure and clutch pedal sticks to the floor and has to be pulled back with my foot. Felt slight pedal pressure at the end of pedal travel and disengaged and changed gears into neutral. Pumped clutch while in neutral to see if clutch pedal pressure could return to normal with no success. Clutch engagement remained the same at the very end of travel and would no longer go into gear. Continued pumping clutch pedal and was lucky to get back into sixth gear with a grind into gear to continue driving on freeway at speed. Still pedal continued to stick halfway or more down and had to be returned back to static position manually. …
Hello I have a 2008 Nissan 350z 6 speed manual base model, that I had brought in dec 12 of 2007 brand new. Since then the clutch on the car has gotten stuck three times. All three times are random. Twice was on the highway and once while doing a u turn. The cause of this is burning up my clutch and the Nissan dealerships here in the orlando area are giving me the classic dealership run around. I call Nissan on there 1-800-Nissan-1 number and said they cant do anything until the dealer looks at it, with a possible charge of $600.00 for looking it at. My car is at 22,000 today on dec 3 2008. Nissan power train warranty is until 3 years 36,000 miles, but to check the car is at my cost. Nissan has reported on the slaver cylinder recall, but they say that's what might not be wrong with it.
Tl contact owns a 2008 Nissan 350z. The contact stated that the transmission grinds into second gear when the clutch is fully disengaged. In addition, the transmission stalls and is less likely to grind in second gear in warm weather conditions; however, the failure still persists. When shifting from 3,500 rpms to 4,500 rpms from first to second gear, the transmission would grind more. The dealer advised him to bring in the vehicle for inspection. The contact will take the vehicle to them within the next 24 hours. The failure mileage was 4,500 updated 02/24/09. When the consumer shifted to second gear from first gear, the transmission would grind and would not engage. Updated 02/26/09.
The vehicle is a 2008 350z roadster with 15,000 miles, and the transmission was replaced at around 7500 miles (under warranty) due to bearings that were broken. When the car is brought to mid-high revs in 1st/2nd gear, the clutch will disengage and fall to the floor. This is accompanied by a very strong burning smell (characteristic clutch burning smell) and is extremely damaging to the clutch and transmission. The clutch pedal has to be pulled up manually and is noticeably softer after this happens. This problem has happened 2-3 times in the past year. This problem was noticed in 2007 350z's and has continued into the 2008 350z's. The 350z mentioned in this report was manufactured in 10/07.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Nissan 350z. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the clutch failed to respond when engaged. The brake pedal was applied with force and the vehicle came to a stop. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact inspected the vehicle and stated the slave cylinder would need to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
When rpms are high in first gear, the clutch disengages to the halfway point and you lose all power to the wheels. This is usually followed by a burning clutch smell. It is my understanding that Nissan recalled the 2007 350z for the same issue (clutch slave cylinder), but it's apparent that the problem continues with the 2008 model and I'm asking that the NHTSA instruct Nissan to extend the fix to 2008 models.
I was driving my 2008 Nissan 350z on the freeway at about 65 MPH and when I stepped on the clutch to switch gears it was stuck on the floor and didn't come back up. The clutch was stuck in gear and I had to pull over and get it towed.
While driving at speed pressed clutch pedal and it stayed on the floor accompanied by a very characteristic and strong burning smell, unable to change gears, car rendered inoperable. Safety hazard, stuck in gear at highway speeds.
Transmission complaints in other 350Z years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2008 Nissan 350Z?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2008 Nissan 350Z, 88% of the model year's 24 complaints. The component named most often is manual transmission (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Nissan 350Z transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2008 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 2008 Nissan 350Z transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 28,000 miles, and 50% 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.