Nissan 300ZX problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
199 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
151,296 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1984 to 1996 model years. Data snapshot: . 21 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 38 of 199 complaints (19.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 29 | 14.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 13 | 6.5% |
| Braking behavior | 7 | 3.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 7 | 3.5% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 2.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | 38 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors | 36 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 17 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 15 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 12 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 11 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 11 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 6 |
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System: 38; Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors: 36; Fuel System, Gasoline: 17; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 15; Vehicle Speed Control: 12; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 11; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 11; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 6
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 12 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 12
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (12). 178 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 61 |
| 1996 | 64 |
| 2000 | 19 |
| 2001 | 5 |
| 2002 | 12 |
| 2003 | 7 |
| 2004 | 6 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
1995: 61; 1996: 64; 2000: 19; 2001: 5; 2002: 12; 2003: 7; 2004: 6; 2005: 3; 2007: 4; 2008: 3; 2009: 4; 2011: 2; 2013: 2; 2015: 3; 2017: 2; 2020: 1; 2021: 1
Pattern summary
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 29 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 13 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 500571 · 1995-02-20 (February 20, 1995)
FAULTY FUEL INJECTOR CAUSED VEHICLE FIRE AFTER DRIVING. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 500571 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 979691 · 1996-02-26 (February 26, 1996)
JUST STOPPED THE CAR TURNED OFF THE MOTOR AND THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. THE DEALER TOLD HER THE FIRE CAME FROM THE FUEL INJECTOR. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 979691 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10031256 · 2003-07-28 (July 28, 2003)
TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10031256 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 720347 · 2000-03-19 (March 19, 2000)
FUEL LEAKS NEAR INJECTORS DOES NOT RUN PROPERLY.UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK POSITION. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 720347 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 978654 · 1996-02-05 (February 5, 1996)
WHEN YOU PUT THE CAR IN GEAR IT GOES FULL THROTTLE. WILL NOT STOP UNLESS YOU TURN OFF THE IGNITION. BRAKES WILL NOT STOP THE CAR. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 978654 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8021032 · 2002-10-17 (October 17, 2002)
CONSUMER STATES WHILE GOING 25-30MPH THE BRAKES LOCKED UP WHEN APPLYING FOR A SUDDEN STOP CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SKID. THE SKIDDING OF THE VEHICLE RESULTED TO A REAR END ACCIDENT AND THE FRONT END CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONSUMER NOTICED NO ABS OR BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS INDICATING A MALFUNCTION. THE DEALER WAS INFORMED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8021032 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 724886 · 2000-07-03 (July 3, 2000)
TWO DIFFERENT REPAIR CENTERS STATED IT WOULD BE IN EXCESS OF $2K TO REPAIR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WIRES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 724886 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10292169 · 2009-11-14 (November 14, 2009)
NISSAN 300ZX 1985 ENGINE WIRING AND COMPONENT WIRING INTERIOR. WIRING IS BRITTLE, BECOMES HOT. AND BREAKS VERY EASY.THE ENGINE IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION RUNNING WISE , THE WIRING TO COMPONENTS BRITTLE BREAKS EASILY. I FEEL THAT THIS COULD BE A FIRE HAZARD. AND A SAFETY DEFECT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10292169 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 862114 · 2000-05-18 (May 18, 2000)
THER'S A LITTLE PLAY IN STEERING, CONSUMER SAYS ITS THE STEERING RACK. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 862114 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 984655 · 1996-05-20 (May 20, 1996)
AFTER MAKING A TURN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, CAUSING CONSUMER TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 984655 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1984 | 4 |
| 1985 | 1 |
| 1986 | 1 |
| 1987 | 1 |
| 1988 | 0 |
| 1989 | 0 |
| 1990 | 0 |
| 1991 | 0 |
| 1992 | 0 |
| 1993 | 0 |
| 1994 | 0 |
| 1995 | 0 |
| 1996 | 0 |
1984: 4; 1985: 1; 1986: 1; 1987: 1; 1988: 0; 1989: 0; 1990: 0; 1991: 0; 1992: 0; 1993: 0; 1994: 0; 1995: 0; 1996: 0