Common Failures Of The Nissan 370Z: Problems, Defects And Disadvantages!
The Nissan 370Z is an old-school sports car that’s a blast to drive, however it does have some commonly known issues. Read this post until the end and discover with us everything about the common failures of the Nissan 370Z.
You should know that in today’s used car market, 370Zs are still budget sports cars. But before you buy, you should be aware of some of the problems that 370Zs often face.
Common Failures of the Nissan 370Z
High mileage Nissan 370Zs can develop various engine-related problems, including excessive oil consumption and, on pre-2013 models, oil seal failure.
Over time, the 370Z’s master clutch and concentric cylinders, exhaust and catalytic converter can fail, as can the electronic steering locks on pre-2013 models. Make sure the nut on your 370Z’s rear axle is not Click and if you want to drive on a race track, it’s a good thing you know about potential low fuel issues.
Here are some of the more common failures reported by 370Z owners:
1- Steering lock
Many early 370Z models develop steering lockup issues that not only prevent you from being able to steer the car, but make it impossible to start. This issue is widely reported on model years up to 2013. In 2009 and 2010, Nissan issued a recall regarding the electronic steering column lock causing the issue.
If the steering column locks up, you may be able to apply a quick fix to get it to the dealer by hitting the steering wheel while turning the ignition on in ACC mode. Some owners have reported that this disables the lock, at least temporarily.
However, it is likely to lock up again and a permanent fix cannot be achieved without taking it to a Nissan dealer, which can be expensive.
The best way to avoid a steering lock issue is to simply buy a Nissan 370Z made in 2013 or later. Prior to 2013, Nissan used an electronic steering column lock system that was prone to failure. Sometime in 2012 they removed the electronic steering lock system and replaced it with a completely different part.
Some of the 2012 models have this problem and some don’t, but it doesn’t affect any Nissan 370Z made in 2013.
2- The tailgate may not open correctly
This problem is more annoying than anything else, but the tailgate doesn’t always open correctly or stay open. Some 370Z owners report having to press the button multiple times to get it to open. Others say they have to push the button and manually lift the gate above a certain height before it will lock into place.
This is most likely the result of a hatch that can be broken in a couple of different ways. Although you should know that fixing this problem is quite cheap. Technicians advise replacing your tailgate lift springs with an overhauled part that doesn’t work the same way.
3- Failure of the oil galley joint
The oil galley is what lubricates the timing chain , and on the Nissan 370Z there are two of them and each is sealed with a gasket. On pre-2013 370Zs, the poorly designed oil galley gaskets are virtually guaranteed to eventually fail, causing oil galley problems that could affect your timing chain.
This issue was completely fixed with the 2013 redesign, but can be fixed manually on older vehicles by replacing the faulty parts with revised ones.
Unfortunately, it’s not always the cheapest problem to fix. The oil galley gaskets themselves are fairly inexpensive, but you have to remove the timing cover to get to them.
Even if you’re a competent DIY car owner, it’s probably worth spending the money to have a mechanic carry out this project and replace them. In the process, you might consider some other money-saving repairs, like replacing a water pump.
4- Oil consumption
The Nissan 370Z shares this problem with its predecessor, the 350Z: as the miles start to rack up, the engine is increasingly thirsty for oil. This is one of the common Nissan 370Z failures that will cause you to spend money on engine oil.
It’s normal for older engines to require a bit more oil , but the way some 370Zs consume it is excessive.
This is not a major problem and the engine will continue to run well as long as oil levels are maintained, but an increasing thirst for oil makes it easier to run out, which can be disastrous for the engine and can cause fuel oil problems. distribution chain.
If increased oil consumption is accompanied by other engine problems, such as knocking, rough idling, or smoke, you know there’s more to it than age. Several engine problems also list increased oil consumption as a symptom, so if you notice this, take the time to rule out other major issues before assuming it’s just an old engine.
5- Rear axle click
Many Nissan 370Zs eventually develop a clicking sound in the rear axle that is heard when turning. The rear axle nut stretches out of the retainer over time and begins to wobble, creating the clicking sound heard when driving.
It’s a pretty harmless problem at first and you can keep driving for a while after you start to hear the clicking, but don’t put it off for later. The rear axle could eventually separate from its hub, which could be dangerous .
If you start to hear a clicking noise coming from the rear axle, you can replace the nut, which will temporarily solve the problem, but a better solution is to use a different rear axle nut from another manufacturer.
6- Failure of the catalytic converter
The catalytic converter on the Nissan 370Z VQ37VHR engine is prone to failure . Many of the engine problems that eventually develop can be traced back to the catalytic converter.
If you notice poor performance, knocking, a rough idle, cylinder misfiring, or exhaust rattling, you may have a problem with your catalytic converter. The solution is to replace the part or install a replacement part in advance to avoid problems in the future.
Catalytic converter failure may be due to high engine temperatures pointing to a failure in the cooling system. If you are going to replace the catalytic converter, you may also need to change the radiator and head gasket.
7- Problems with the exhaust pipe
The exhaust system is a known point of failure for the Nissan 370Z, and some owners go so far as to replace their exhaust systems before problems arise.
The problem is rust. The exhaust system is one of the most exposed spots on any vehicle, and in humid coastal areas or cold climates that use a lot of road salt, the Nissan 370Z’s exhaust rust protection isn’t enough.
8- Clutch master and slave cylinders
This is one of the most common failures of the Nissan 370Z, so much so that the owners filed a class action lawsuit against Nissan.
The Clutch Master Cylinder (CMC) and Clutch Slave Cylinder (CSC) use pressurized fluid to help smooth gear shifting. When there is a fault, it can prevent you from changing gear. Any failure of the CSC will imply a rupture and a leak of clutch fluid under your car .
The solution is to change these parts when you run into this problem or install an aftermarket part (or the manufacturer’s overhauled part) so it doesn’t happen. You can also upgrade the external slave cylinder which will never fail like that no matter how cheap it is.
9- Lack of fuel
This won’t be a problem for most Nissan 370Z owners, however this is a sports car. If you’re driving on a track or driving very aggressively you could develop problems with fuel starvation.
The symptoms are almost identical to running out of gas: engine sputtering and stalling, but this can happen even with a full tank . The problem with the Nissan 370Z is that in long turns the fuel slides to the side and the pump takes in air, causing sputtering and stalling.
The cheapest solution is to install a secondary fuel pump for when the first one fails. In general, unless you drive your 370Z very hard, you won’t run into this problem.
Advantages and disadvantages of the Nissan 370Z
The Nissan 370Z is an exciting old-school sports car with a lot going for it. If you want to know the good and the bad of the Nissan 370Z, here are some of the things that Nissan 370Z owners love about this car:
1. Strong acceleration
The Nissan 370Z shows off its sports car engineering with excellent and responsive acceleration. It goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.1 seconds. The 3.7L V6 engine has more than enough power to get you where you want to go and is well suited for defensive drivers who like to have sensible control of the car.
A powerful engine and good acceleration make it a fun car to drive, and could keep you safer. In some situations, you may need to speed up to safety to avoid a car in the next lane making an unsignaled lane change.
2. Great handling
The Nissan 370Z handles corners like a dream while staying perfectly flat. This is a car for the driving enthusiast who appreciates the sense of pleasure that comes with a big turn.
On twisty back roads or curvy highways, you can count on the 370Z to respond and keep going with just the right amount of power.
3. Good fuel consumption
The Nissan 370Z consumes very little fuel for a sedan of its size. Around town, the 370Z can get up to 19 mpg with an automatic transmission and 17 mpg with a manual transmission, according to the EPA. On the highway, fuel economy increases to 26 mpg.
When Car and Driver tested the fuel economy of the Nissan 370Z in real-world conditions, they found that it exceeded expectations, getting 29 mpg on the highway.
4. Comfortable seats
The front seats of the Nissan 370Z are wide and comfortable . The interior hasn’t been substantially redesigned in over 10 years, but the comfortable seats remain a feature owners appreciate.
The design of the seats provides great support and allows a lot of mobility. On some of the upgraded versions, luxury materials such as leather and suede are available.
5. Disadvantages and defects of the Nissan 370Z
The Nissan 370Z also has some disadvantages:
- The engine is noisy at high speeds.
- A low floor-length design with small windows creates dangerous blind spots.
- Little cargo space and an outdated design.
Reviews and opinions on the Nissan 370Z
Among the opinions and comments of the Nissan 370Z, the following stand out:
“With a 332-hp V-6 and nimble handling, the Nissan provides effortless fun. Yet it has lower limits and less refinement than more contemporary alternatives. Plus, the 370Z is even more aged, with tired styling which is especially obvious in its interior.”
“Old school rocks… The 370Z – which has just been updated for 2018 – has no all-wheel drive, no dual-clutch gearbox, and no particularly clever engine. It’s the closest thing Nissan has to front-door engineering.” of barn”.
To end
The Nissan 370Z is a powerful little sports car with an old-school look that makes up for what it lacks in refinement with great acceleration and handling. There have been a few issues like steering lock and oil galley gasket failure that were resolved with a redesign in 2013.
Buying a later year model will save you from these problems. However, all 370Zs include at least some components that could be swapped out for better aftermarket alternatives. The Nissan 370Z is a classic design that is exciting to drive, and reliable over time if properly maintained.
