Common Failures Of The Nissan 350Z: Problems, Defects And Breakdowns!
When you’re looking for a reliable car, you can’t go wrong with a Nissan 350Z. This is an incredible car that you will surely want to have, but first read the common failures of the Nissan 350Z , so that you can take your forecasts.
Although it may not be the first vehicle that comes to mind when buying a used sports car, it is still a great choice, thanks to its superb comfort and excellent performance. Its resale value is also good, depreciating only 41% over five years.
How good is the Nissan 350Z?
The Nissan 350Z enjoys above-average reliability, though some of its manufacturing years do better than others. The public has given it a score of 4.8 out of 5.0, and 100% of drivers recommend it.
On the other hand, the 2009 Nissan 350Z was also rated 4.5 out of 5.0 for reliability. With careful handling and regular maintenance, the Nissan 350Z can easily enjoy a long life.
Common Nissan 350Z Failures
Although the Nissan 350Z is a reliable sports car, it does have its share of problems. Here are the common Nissan 350Z failures reported for the different model years:
1- Problems with the throttle body
Throttle body problems are common on some units of the 2008 Nissan 350Z. Owners have reported that the model’s throttle body is prone to carbon buildup, requiring regular cleaning to maintain performance.
However, in some cases, problems such as high idle, rough idle, and intermittent increase in power began to appear after throttle body cleaning.
These problems occur when the Nissan 350Z’s computer registers too much air and is slow to adjust . While trying to change settings the idle can bounce from low to high. The vehicle can also move forward.
Some owners were able to resolve this issue by disconnecting the battery for an hour and restarting the computer. Others had to replace the throttle body to fix the problem.
2- Problems with the fuel damper
Many 2007 Nissan 350Z owners have complained of having worn out fuel shock absorbers that cause ticking noises. Some of them reported that they heard strange noises coming from the engine compartment when it was in idle mode . Others complained that the airbag warning light comes on constantly while the engine is making a ticking noise.
A faulty fuel damper can cause a ticking noise when the engine is idling. Most owners were able to solve this problem by replacing the worn out fuel damper on both sides.
3- Engine problems
The 2005 Nissan 350Z has quite a few engine related issues, one of which is stalling. Other common faults with the Nissan 350Z are excessive oil consumption, crankshaft and camshaft sensor failure, and knocking noises coming from the engine compartment.
Some owners have heard engine knocking at 25,000 miles. Unfortunately most of them were told this was “normal” so no need to fix it. The noises started after his camshaft position failed around 39,000 miles.
Many of them chose to have their transmissions replaced to resolve the issue. Unfortunately, this solution was not enough, as the knocking noises remained or reappeared after some time.
4- Failure of the navigation unit
Many drivers of the 2004 Nissan 350Z have complained about the navigation unit failing, reporting that it intermittently displays a disk error on their screen. In some cases, the navigation screen goes black intermittently while the navigation door refuses to open or close on command even after turning the car off. The navigation unit may also not read the navigation CD.
5- Faults in the camshaft or crankshaft position sensor
Engine stalling caused by a faulty camshaft or crankshaft position sensor is a widely reported problem for the 2003 Nissan 350Z. Many owners have complained that their vehicles often stall without any warning . The car can’t start or shuts down suddenly while in motion. The service engine light usually comes on when the engine is shut off.
Many drivers have had to replace their camshaft or crankshaft position sensor to resolve this issue. Nissan has issued recalls for certain model years to replace faulty sensors.
6- Disadvantages of low oil levels
According to many 2003 Nissan 350Z owners, the problems with their oil levels are typical for the model year . Although the car doesn’t leak oil or emit smoke, it tends to use 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 the frequently low oil levels of this model, no recall has been made to fix the problem. Instead, owners of affected cars had to keep a close eye on their engine oil levels so they weren’t caught off guard when it ran low.
7- Tire wear and noise problems
Some 2003 Nissan 350Z owners have complained that the tires on their car have worn out at 11,000 miles, while others have reported hearing loud noises coming from the front tires. Most of them compared the sound to that of a wheel bearing going bad.
Various factory service bulletins have been issued to address these issues. Unfortunately, some owners have reported that the problem tends to recur after camber realignment. Most reports show that tire wear tends to occur as early as 15,000 miles. Some owners were advised to have all four wheels aligned every 10,000 miles.
In summary
If you’re in the market for a Nissan 350Z, don’t worry. As long as you are aware of the possible problems that the model you are thinking of buying can develop, the purchase of this sports car should have few risks. So look up common Nissan 350Z faults that affect the model year you’re looking at. Make sure everything is cleared up by the seller before you take the Nissan 350Z home.
