Nissan 350Z Reliability and Common Problems

When you’re in the market for a reliable car, you can’t go wrong with a Nissan 350Z. While it may not be the first vehicle that comes to mind when shopping for a used sports car, it remains a great pick, thanks to its superb comfort and outstanding performance. Its resale value is also good, only depreciating by 41% in five years, according to CarEdge.com.

Are Nissan 350Zs Reliable?

The Nissan 350Z enjoys above-average reliability, with some of its model years scoring better than others. Cars.com gave it a rating of 4.8 out of 5.0, with 100% of the drivers on its site recommending it. Meanwhile, US News & World Report scored the 2009 Nissan 350Z a 4.5 out of 5.0 for reliability. With careful handling and regular maintenance, the Nissan 350Z can easily enjoy a long service life.

Top Nissan 350Z Problems

Although the Nissan 350Z is one dependable sports car, it has its fair share of problems. Here are the most commonly reported issues for different model years:

Throttle Body Issues

Problems with the throttle body are common for some units of the 2003 to 2009 Nissan 350Z. Owners have reported that the model’s throttle body is prone to carbon buildup, so it requires regular cleaning to maintain its performance. However, in some cases, issues like high idle, erratic idle, and intermittent power surging started cropping up after the throttle body was cleaned.

These issues happen when the Nissan 350Z’s computer registers too much air and takes a while to adjust. While it is trying to change settings, the idle may bounce from low to high. The vehicle may also surge forward. Some owners were able to resolve this problem by disconnecting the battery for an hour and resetting the computer. Others had to replace the throttle body to fix the issue.

Worn Fuel Damper

Many owners of 2003 to 2009 Nissan 350Zs have complained about having worn fuel dampers that cause ticking noises. Some of them reported hearing odd noises coming from their engine compartment while in idle mode. Others complained that the airbag warning light constantly turns on while the engine emits a ticking noise.

A faulty fuel damper can produce a ticking noise when the engine is idling. Most owners were able to resolve this problem by replacing the worn fuel damper on both sides.

Engine Problems

The 2005 Nissan 350Z has quite a number of engine-related problems, one of which is stalling. Other common issues include excessive oil consumption, crankshaft and camshaft sensor failure, and tapping noises coming from the engine bay.

Some owners have heard their engine knocking at 40,000 miles. Unfortunately, most of them were told this was “normal,” so it doesn’t need fixing. The noises began after their camshaft position failed at around 39,000 miles. Many of them opted to replace their transmissions to resolve the problem. Unfortunately, this was an insufficient fix as the tapping noises either remained or returned after some time.

Failing Navigation Unit

Many 2004 Nissan 350Z drivers have complained about a failing navigation unit, reporting that it would intermittently display a disc error on its screen. In some cases, the navigation screen would turn black intermittently while the navigation door refuses to open or close on command even after the car is run off. The navigation unit may also fail to read the navigation CD.

Reports show that this problem also affected some 2003 to 2005 Nissan 350Zs.

Faulty Camshaft or Crankshaft Position Sensor

Engine stalling caused by a faulty camshaft or crankshaft position sensor is a widely reported issue for 2003 to 2007 Nissan 350Z. Many owners have complained that their vehicles often stalled without any warning. Their car either can’t start or stalls suddenly while it’s still in motion. The service engine light usually turns on when the engine stalls.

Many drivers had to replace their camshaft or crankshaft position sensor to resolve this problem. Nissan has issued recalls for certain model years to replace the faulty sensors.

Low Oil Levels

According to many owners of the 2003 Nissan 350Z, problems with its oil levels are typical for the model year. Although the car neither leaks oil nor emits smoke, it tends to consume a quart of oil every 10,000 miles. In some cases, the engine consumed even more oil when the driver switched to synthetic oil.

Despite the number of complaints about this model year’s frequently low oil levels, no recalls addressed the problem. Instead, the owners of the affected cars had to be extra mindful of their engine’s oil levels so that they aren’t caught unaware when it runs out.

Some owners of 2003 to 2005 Nissan 350Zs also reported low oil level problems.

Tire Wear and Tire Noise

Some owners of 2003 to 2005 and 2007 Nissan 350Z have complained that their car’s tires wore out by 18,000 miles, while others have reported hearing heavy rumbling noises coming from the front tires. Most of them compared the sound to a wheel bearing going out.

Several factory service bulletins have been issued to address these problems. Unfortunately, some owners have reported that the issue tends to recur after camber realignment is complete. Most reports show that tire wear tends to occur as early as 15,000 miles. Some owners were advised to have four-wheel alignment every 10,000 miles.

If you’re in the market for a Nissan 350Z, don’t worry. As long as you know the potential issues that the model you’re planning to get may develop, buying this sports car should come with little risk. So look up the most common problems that affect the model year you’re eyeing. Make sure the seller has cleared everything before taking your Nissan 350Z home.

How Much Is a Nissan 350Z Worth?

A used Nissan 350Z can sell for anywhere between $5,890 and $24,900. This price range will most likely include a vehicle mileage of 12,520 to 201,000.

The average used Nissan 350Z sells for $12,592, which is 53.87% lower than most used cars in the market. Recent model years of the 350Z can cost a thousand dollars more.

A Closer Look Into the 350Z Engine

If there’s one thing sports car enthusiasts love about the 350Z, it’s the monstrous engine under its hood. For many drivers, the 350Z’s stock engine is good enough on its own, but upgrades can take the car’s performance to the next level.

The 350Z came with a 3.5L naturally aspirated quad-cam V6 known as the VQ35, which is the same engine found in some Nissan Skyline R34s and Infiniti vehicles.

The VQ35 was capable of churning out a total of 287 hp at over 6,000 rpm. At 4,800, it could reach a peak torque of 274 lb-ft. With these numbers, the 350Z can go from 0 to 60 mph in under six seconds一not bad for a stock engine, right?

Still, a lot of enthusiasts sought after the 350Z’s maximum potential by using a variety of upgrades and applying some modifications.

In one instance, a VQ35 was modified with custom camshafts to alter the valve timing and improve throttle response, which pushed the 350Z’s max horsepower to 362 without forced induction.

The modification also altered the engine’s sound signature, contributing to the vehicle’s overall race car vibe.

When modified with a twin-turbo setup, the engine can easily go for over 500 horsepower. Of course, this would require forged pistons, con rods, high-performance engine bearings, and uprated cylinder heads, to name a few.

Where to Get Auto Parts and Accessories for Your Nissan 350Z

Make more memories with your Nissan 350Z by keeping it in tip-top shape. That involves staying on top of its maintenance and repairs. At the first sign of issues, take it to an auto repair shop for diagnosis. If you need to replace a part or two, you can count on CarParts.com to have exactly what you need to fix your car.

Enter your ride’s year, make, and model into our vehicle selector to check out compatible parts. Then, view the ones that match your preferred brand, price, and features using the search filters. Don’t worry about getting low-quality parts because we source our catalog exclusively from the top manufacturers in the industry.

Also, we have strategically located warehouses, which means you can expect your new Nissan 350Z part to arrive in as fast as two business days. If you have any questions about your package, don’t hesitate to contact our round-the-clock support team!

Don’t let your Nissan 350Z gather dust in the driveway because of bad parts. Check out our catalog and shop now!