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 2009 Nissan 370Z owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Part has failed 3 times . (1)@65K miles. Clutch slave cylinder failure .while coming to a stop I push clutch pedal in and it didnt release ,and addition the clutch did not disengage creating a stopping issue. Could not get out of gear, causing the car to lunge forward when forcing to a stop.stuck in traffic. (2)@77K miles. Clutch slave cylinder failure . While coming to a 4 way stop during rush hour the clutch pedal when in and didnt come out. Unable to change gears. Car stuck in traffic. (3)@83K miles.clutch slave cylinder failure . Pulling into garage I go to push the clutch in and the car keeps moving, almost running into back walll of garage. Clutch pedal went in and didnt come back out. Clutch slave cylinder failure again. Having that same part fail with increased frequency its certainly isnt the way I drive my car. …
At around the md border, when driving home to nj from tn, the clutch stuck to the floor. I couldn't change out of 6th gear, so I had to drive from that point without slowing enough to have to change gears or stopping. After I got off at my exit and hit a stop light, I forced it out of 6th gear before it stalled, then pumped the clutch (pressing it then lifting it back up with my foot) until I was able to get it into 1st then 3rd gear and I drove it most of the way to cherry hill Nissan in 3rd gear. At the light next to the dealership, pumped the clutch until I got it into first gear and could not change gears anymore. I had to drive the car into a parking spot then stall the engine by holding the brakes. The clutch sticking to the floor has happened to me a few times before, normally on long drives, but I was always able to pump the clutch a few times and it would return to normal. …
At around the md border, when driving home to nj from tn, the clutch stuck to the floor. I couldn't change out of 6th gear, so I had to drive from that point without slowing enough to have to change gears or stopping. After I got off at my exit and hit a stop light, I forced it out of 6th gear before it stalled, then pumped the clutch (pressing it then lifting it back up with my foot) until I was able to get it into 1st then 3rd gear and I drove it most of the way to cherry hill Nissan in 3rd gear. At the light next to the dealership, pumped the clutch until I got it into first gear and could not change gears anymore. I had to drive the car into a parking spot then stall the engine by holding the brakes. The clutch sticking to the floor has happened to me a few times before, normally on long drives, but I was always able to pump the clutch a few times and it would return to normal. …
I was waiting in neutral at a red light when I noticed that the clutch pedal had sunk all the way to the floor and would not return to the engaged position. Because of this, I couldn't get the car into gear and ended up having to push the car out of the intersection onto the sidewalk where I then received a ticket for illegally parking even though the vehicle was completely undriveable. Later that week, I removed the transmission to discover that the concentric slave cylinder (csc) had disintegrated and all that was left was a few bits of rubber and plastic covered in clutch fluid. I've since replaced the part with a metal replacement that has performed flawlessly since. Incidences of csc failure are noted extensively on enthusiast forums, and Nissan has in most cases refused to repair the defect under warranty. …
I was driving to work one morning when my clutch pedal became limp. I was on the freeway getting ready to shift into 6th gear when I had no clutch resistance! I nearly crashed due to the lack of engagement. I took it to the dealership and they said I was out of warranty. This very same issue was fixed under warranty at 30,000 miles. The dealership either never replaced the parts they claimed to have replaced at 30K miles or they have failed again, just 35K miles later. These parts are the master cylinder and slave cylinder in the transmission. The issue has been going on with 2009-2015 models. Actually, it has been going on as far back as 2003 with the 350z, which was never addressed. I'm selling the car and hopefully the buyer doesn't crash and die from it. If he/she does, you should be held responsible for not addressing the issue. …
This is the second major incident I've had with the transmission in my car. The first one was under warranty and the dealership replaced the entire transmission. Just yesterday and today, it feels like the clutch is failing once again. I haven't taken it in to Nissan yet, but the issues sound a lot like the dreaded csc (clutch slave cylinder) failure the Nissan refuses to recall. It's a truly problematic, expensive and life threatening issue. At best, the clutch sticks to the floor and you can't shift it into 1st gear. At worst, it happens while you're driving at highway speeds. Also, before it fails completely, the engagement point of the clutch changes drastically. The car has lunged forward because it just suddenly decides to engage the clutch. This is dangerous Nissan and absolutely abhorrent that it hasn't been resolved, failure after failure after failure. …
Came to a stop at a busy intersection to make a legal right turn on red when the clutch pedal refused to come up more than in inch, causing the car to stall the in middle of the intersection repeatedly until I was able to stick it in to a gear and get it to a parking lot of a nearby hotel where the clutch pedal remained limp on the floor. Mechanic confirmed earlier this week that the clutch slave cylinder had given out. Upon further research I found multiple people with similar incidences in the same kind of car and also affecting 6 speed manual g37's and later 350z's. When my car continued to stall in the intersection I could've been t-boned and I believe to be one of the lucky ones. It could've happened on the highway. Updated 07-16-15 updated 9/21/2015
Constant problems with the clutch, car records shows clutch and csc has been replaced but is having problems yet again. Always feel ticking in the clutch pedal when disengaged, and clutch sticks when taking off from stop (not talking about launches or dropping gears). Also a lot of problems with electrical, like fuel gauge. Last but not least, lots of wind noise when on the freeway, and window gets stuck when closed on freeway. Have gone to dealership and of course they say theres nothing they can do even though forums show theres recalls.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Nissan 370z. The contact stated that the clutch failed to shift gears. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the slave cylinder seal needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 58,620.
I got into my car in the garage and tried to start it by first pushing the clutch and pressing the start button. While pushing the clutch down, it fell to the floor and stayed there and never came back up. I have to lift it with my left foot.
Transmission complaints in other 370Z years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2009 Nissan 370Z?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2009 Nissan 370Z, 17% of the model year's 153 complaints. The component named most often is manual transmission (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Nissan 370Z transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2009 Nissan 370Z. 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 2009 Nissan 370Z transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 39,000 miles, and 23% 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.