Engine complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The car is not safe to drive due to the clutch being faulty. It loses pressure every now and then, and I have to pick up the clutch with my foot manually off the floor. This is very dangerous and should be recalled on all 2007 and 2008 350z's. Nissan changed the clutch slave cylinder and master clutch cylinders from 2007 to 2008, hence only these model years have this problem. People have complained numerous times and they did recall a clutch slave cylinder but even after they did that, it has the same problem. If you replace a part with the same defective part it will break down again and again... I've calculated how much it would cost to get a new clutch and replace all the defective parts with stronger parts that people have used and reviewed over a long period of time. It will cost me about $2000 just to get the clutch parts and installation. …
I financed my vehicle in March 2015 this year and in 4 months I've had so many problems I hate my car now but I'm stuck with the cost. The check engine light never went off, I never had a test drive, car cuts off on me on the highway, had to get a battery change, had to get a oil change, breaks are squeeking, and I just got towed from pa back to ny cause now the dealer says my motor blew out???? I don't drive far cause my job not far and when I decided to go visit family I got stuck on pa highway with my kids!!! I was sold a lemon! Cost me more money out my pocket for a hotel room and bus ticket to get back home now want $1400 to fix the car engine that I can't afford!!!.... This has to be hell I'm in!!!!!
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan 350Z. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH the vehicle became hot, started smoking and it stalled. The contact stated that the vehicle was steered to the side of the road where the hood was lifted. The contact stated that she then observed condensation under the engine compartment. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the head gasket and engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan 350Z. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the accelerator and brake pedals became unresponsive while depressed. The contact was able to pull over and restart the vehicle and the vehicle regained functionality. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and the contact was awaiting a response. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.
This has happened three times now. I have been driving my 350 down the highway at about 65 MPH and it just stops running I can push the pedal down and nothing happens. I had it towed into the dealership the first time and they said it was the cam shaft sensor. No big deal right? Well about 2000 miles later it happened again same exact thing. On my way to work in rush hour traffic the car just stopped again, and I was almost rear ended. After sitting in the fast lane for about 3 minutes the car finally started again and I got out of the way and they towed my car to the dealership again. The call came that for the second time the cam shaft sensor was bad, it was replaced again. The last time this happened I was on my way home and the car started doing the same thing. This time I smelled smoke like something was on fire. …
While driving at around 40mph, my 2005 Nissan 350z (41xxx miles) shut down completely. No power, brakes, steering, anything. I glided to a stop and pulled over as best as I could. Every indicator light came on: check engine, service soon, tire pressure, etc. I was on a flat, busy city street going straight when this happened. Prior to this, I had no indication of a potential problem. No check engine light, etc. I called aaa and after about 20 minutes, decided to see if it would start so I could move to a safer place. It started right up. I've since been able to start and drive but this was extremely dangerous. Had this happened on the freeway, it could have been a catastrophe for me and the drivers around me. It's a very concerning safety issue. I've read it is ongoing with nissans the same age as mine. Some were recalled and repaired but I looked up my VIN and it's not covered. …
350z recall. 2004 350z . Original owner of car. A couple weeks ago, while driving car hesitated, then resumed but check engine light TCS off light and slip lights on, and remained on. This week while driving 40mph without warning the car hesitated but actually stalled. I was able to somewhat safely pull to right side of road. After 15 minutes of making several phonecalls the car just started as if nothing was wrong and I drove it home. Today it started fine. While enroute to Nissan dealership service garage 1 mile to go when at 70mph stalls while in nearing five oclock traffic. Thankfully able to somewhat safely get out of driving lane onto shoulder with steering wheel and brake pedal increasingly becoming harder to operate, put on flashers and waited. I was able to start after 15 minutes without any accidents and shakily took to dealership.
I have had a problem with the neutral safety switch causing the car to periodically not start. A mechanic made a previous diagnosis but said there were no safety concerns. The car eventually would start all, requiring downtime for repair. Sometimes after sitting over night and sometimes after several errands the car won't start but never this sudden stall. Today, the car stalled while I was in the middle of slowing down to make a left hand turn. It was a two lane mountain road. Cars were able to get around me without incident and I was able to coast backwards to a place of safety. I let the car sit for about 10 min. Which is my usually what I do when it won't start. Put it in neutral after releasing the locked gear shift, with foot on the break, started the car. I am thankful that I hadn't yet merged onto the freeway.
Related recalls (1)
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).
Frequently asked questions
Which Nissan 350Z years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2003 (60), 2005 (19), 2006 (18) and 2004 (12) model years. Engine complaints make up 22% of all complaints for the 2003.
Is there a recall for Nissan 350Z engine problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 03V-455 (engine and engine cooling, Nov 17, 2003). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Nissan 350Z engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles; 46% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine (19 mentions), followed by the engine › gasoline (3).
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.