NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Fuel Injection System
1939.6%
Injectors
1225.0%
Gasoline
48.3%
Engine
48.3%
Pedal/Hand Lever(Motorcycle)
36.3%
Alternator/Generator/Regulator
24.2%
Hoses, Lines/Piping, AND Fittings
24.2%
Front Underhood
24.2%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Apr 1995peak 36Aug 2008
NHTSA investigations into the 1984 Nissan 300ZX
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
EA94018Opened 23 Jun 1994Closed 8 Nov 1995FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
FUEL INJECTOR ASSEMBLY LEAKAGE
AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS CLOSING REPORT IS INCLUDED IN THE PUBLIC FILE.SERVICE CAMPAIGN 95I-006.
EA89031Opened 28 Jul 1989Closed 31 Oct 1990SEATS
SEAT FAILURES
SUMMARY:APPROXIMATELY SIXTY PERCENT OF THE REPORTS ALLEGED A FAILURE ORMALFUNCTION OF THE SEAT BACK ASSEMBLY, TWELVE OF WHICH INVOLVED ANACCIDENT.THE REMAINING FORTY PERCENT OF THE REPORTS ALLEGED A FAILUREOR MALFUNCTION OF THE SEAT TRACK ASSEMBLY, SIX OF WHICH INVOLVED ANACCIDENT.===
PE88092Opened 9 Aug 1988Closed 28 Jul 1989SEATS
SEAT FAILURES
===
EA85029Opened 9 May 1985Closed 11 Jul 1989VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
SUDDEN ACCELERATION
SUMMARY: ODI HAS SENT FOUR IRS TO NISSAN (11/29/84, 10/10/85, 4/9/86, &11/14/86).ETF HAS TESTED 6 NISSAN VEHICLES AND WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATESUDDEN ACCEL.ODI INSPECTED 9 VEHICLES AND ALL OPERATED NORMALLY.ALL15 VEHICLES WERE REPORTED TO HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN SUDDEN ACCELERATIONINCIDENTS.ANALYSIS: THERE ARE THREE POSSIBLE CAUSES OF SA. (1) THE DRIVER PUSHED ONTHE ACCELERATOR INSTEAD OF THE BRAKE PEDAL, (2) THE VEHICLE WAS UNRESPON-SIVE TO THE DRIVERS INITIAL APPLICATION OF ACCELERATOR PEDAL PRESSURESO THE DRIVER PRESSES HARDER AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLYACCELERATES AT A FASTER RAT...
Recalls on the 1984 Nissan 300ZX
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
95I006000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATION 573. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. THE CAMPAIGN WILL REPLACE THE FUEL INJECTORS AND RELATED HOSES OF AFFECTED VEHICLES WHICH COULD LEAK.
Risk: FUEL LEAKS IN THE ENGINE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
87V098000
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT
UNINTENDED ACCELERATION MAY OCCUR, FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN SHIFTING FROM THE PARK POSITION.
Risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
85V021000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
IMPURE LUBRICATING GREASE USED IN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCHES COULD CONTAMINATE ONE OR MORE CONTACT POINTS. OPERATION OF THE HEADLIGHTS COULD BE DELAYED OR NOT LIGHT WHEN THE SWITCH IS TURNED ON OR WHEN THE DIMMER SWITCH IS OPERATED. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: LOSS OF HEAD LIGHTS WHILE DRIVING COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
84V057000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
BRAKES MAY FAIL SUDDENLY WHEN APPLIED. COMPONENTS WITHIN THE MASTER CYLINDER MAY BE EXPELLED BECAUSE A CLIP WHICH RETAINS THEM MAY NOT BE PROPERLY INSTALLED.
83V125000
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
THE HOOD LATCH MAY FAIL TO HOLD THE HOOD IN POSITION DUE TO A MISALIGNMENT OF THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH. THIS CONDITION IS DUE TO A DEFORMATION OF THE HOOD DURING MANUFACTURE.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 19870706,057 units in Canada
Engine
WHEN SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION FROM `PARK' TO EITHER `REVERSE' OR `DRIVE', UNINTENDED ACCELERATION MAY OCCUR WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF A VEHICLE CRASH. CORRECTION: A SHIFT INTERLOCK WILL BE INSTALLED TO PREVENT SHIFTING FROM `PARK' TO EITHER `REVERSE' OR `DRIVE' UNLESS THE BRAKE PEDAL IS APPLIED.
Recall 19850254,885 units in Canada
THE GREASE USED TO LUBRICATE THE HEADLAMP SWITCH WAS FORMULATED INCORRECTLY TO CONTAIN SILICONE. ELECTRICAL ARCING DURING SWITCH OPERATION COULD PRODUCE SILICONE OXIDE DEPOSITS WHICH COULD PREVENT THE SWITCH CONTACT POINTS FROM COMPLETELY CLOSING. THIS COULD RESULT IN EITHER DELAYED OR NON-ILLUMINATION OF ONE OF THE HEAD- LIGHTS WHEN THE SWITCH IS TURNED ON OR DURING DIMMER SWITCH OPERATION.
Recall 1984068889 units in Canada
THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER HAS A BUILT IN PROPORTIONING VALVE WITH A "C" CLIP, LOCATED AT THE END OF THE VALVE SPOOL, ACTING AS A STOPPER. IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE CLIP MAY CAUSE THE CLIP TO DISENGAGE ALLOWING THE VALVE SPOOLS AND COMPONENTS TO BE PUSHED OUT AFTER REPEATED STRONG BRAKE APPLICATION RESULTING IN POSSIBLE LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND BRAKE FUNCTION.
Recall 1983101851 units in Canada
VEHICLES MAY HAVE A DEFORMED INNER HOOD PANEL WHICH COULD CAUSE MISALIGNMENT OF THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH. A MISALIGNED SECONDARY LATCH MAY HAVE INSUFFICIENT ENGAGEMENT, AND IN THE EVENT THAT THE PRIMARY HOOD LATCH WAS NOT ENGAGED, COULD NOT PREVENT THE HOOD FROM OPENING DURING HIGH SPEED DRIVING.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 169,501 milesMooresville, NCFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10240296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kealakekua, HIFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
TWO DIFFERENT REPAIR CENTERS STATED IT WOULD BE IN EXCESS OF $2K TO REPAIR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WIRES.
NHTSA complaint #724886 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orlando, FLFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
NISSAN INITIATED A "WORD OF MOUTH CAMPAIGN" FOR A KNOW SAFETY PROBLEM THAT COULD HAVE BURNT MY ENTIRE HOUSE TO THE GROUND AND WILL NOT TAKE RESPOSIBILITY FOR DAMAGE AND REPAIR OF MY CAR.
NHTSA complaint #723391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Midlothian, VAFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
THIS 300ZX WAS IN MINT CONDITION AND VERY WELL CARED FOR. WE BOUGHT IT FOR THE FAMILY AND ENJOYED IT FOR 18 MONTHS. WE WERE NOT AWARE OF A VOLUNTARY RECALL FOR THIS VIHICLE WHICH NHTSA IS PRESENTLY LISTING AS A TYPE OF REPORT "TIRE". WHAT DOES TIRE HAVE TO DO WITH FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM FAILURES AND POTENTIAL FIRES! WELL WE HAVE NOW LOST A DEAR MEMBER OF THE FAMILY (300ZX) AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY WILL NOT PAY US ENOUGH TO PURCHASE ANOTHER 300ZX OF COMPARABLE VALUE. I SUBMITTED 16 PAGES OF COMAPARABLES FROM ACROSS THE NATION AND HIGHLIGHTED THE VEHICLES THAT HAD EQUIVALENT MILEAGE, CONDITION AND OPTIONS. THOSE CARS RANGED FROM $3800 TO $6500 AND ALL NATIONWIDE WANTS TO GIVE US IS $3314 AFTER MULTIPLE TELEPHONE CONVERSIONS. SO NOW I WANT IT OUT OF NISSAN! WE ARE EXTRTEMELY DISTRESSED THAT THIS RECALLWAS LEFT TO NON MANDATORY AND NOT CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE. MY SON CAME HOME FORM WORK AT 1030PM THAT SATURDAY NIGHT AND HE WAS TALKING WITH HIS MOTHER AND I WHEN THE CAR ALARM STARTED. WQE OPEN THE GARAGE.
NHTSA complaint #705264 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marco Island, FLFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM FAILED, RECALL (95I006000) COMPONENT, HOWEVER OWNER NOT NOTIFIED PRIOR TO FAILURE RESULTING IN FIRE. (MJS)
NHTSA complaint #531355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL INJECTORS LEAK INTO THE ENGINE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO HAVE LOW FUEL PRESSURE WHICH CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10038366 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Washington, MO
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
NHTSA RECALL 85-V-021-000:IMPURE LUBRICATING GREASE USED IN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCHES COULD CONTAMINATE ONE OR MORE CONTACT POINTS. OPERATION OF THE HEADLIGHTS COULD BE DELAYED OR NO LIGHT WHEN THE SWITCH IS TURNED ON OR WHEN THE DIMMER SWITCH IS OPERATED. *AK CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: LOSS OF HEAD LIGHTS WHILE DRIVING COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT. CONSUMER HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. HOWEVER THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT RECALL DUE TO THE VIN#
NHTSA complaint #10026824 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Carson City, NV
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A STUCK THROTTLE. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #567307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Carson City, NV
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
STUCK THROTTLE.
NHTSA complaint #766323 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Berkeley, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
MY NISSAN CONTINUALLY SURGES AND THE DEALERSHIPS ARE UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. PLUS THE FUEL GAUGE READS EMPTY WHEN IT IS NOT.
NHTSA complaint #747489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Berkeley, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
MY NISSAN CONTINUALLY SURGES AND THE DEALERSHIPS ARE UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. PLUS THE FUEL GAUGE READS EMPTY WHEN IT IS NOT.
NHTSA complaint #747489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yuma, AZ
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I'VE CONTACTED 1-800-NISSAN1 ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS SINCE MAY OF THIS YEAR, I ALSO FAXED THE INFORMATION AND WHEN THE PHONE CALL WAS RETURNED THEY ONLY ADVISED ME THAT THEY WILL GO OVER THE INFORMATION AND THAT A CASE WAS GOING TO BE OPEN FOR FURTHER INFORMATION. TILL THIS MOMENT NOTHING SAID. THANK YOU SO MUCH. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONE DIN SUMMARY.
NHTSA complaint #726901 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yuma, AZ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
I'VE CONTACTED 1-800-NISSAN1 ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS SINCE MAY OF THIS YEAR, I ALSO FAXED THE INFORMATION AND WHEN THE PHONE CALL WAS RETURNED THEY ONLY ADVISED ME THAT THEY WILL GO OVER THE INFORMATION AND THAT A CASE WAS GOING TO BE OPEN FOR FURTHER INFORMATION. TILL THIS MOMENT NOTHING SAID. THANK YOU SO MUCH. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONE DIN SUMMARY.
NHTSA complaint #726901 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yuma, AZ
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
I'VE CONTACTED 1-800-NISSAN1 ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS SINCE MAY OF THIS YEAR, I ALSO FAXED THE INFORMATION AND WHEN THE PHONE CALL WAS RETURNED THEY ONLY ADVISED ME THAT THEY WILL GO OVER THE INFORMATION AND THAT A CASE WAS GOING TO BE OPEN FOR FURTHER INFORMATION. TILL THIS MOMENT NOTHING SAID. THANK YOU SO MUCH. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONE DIN SUMMARY.
NHTSA complaint #726901 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kealakekua, HIFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
TWO DIFFERENT REPAIR CENTERS STATED IT WOULD BE IN EXCESS OF $2K TO REPAIR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WIRES.
NHTSA complaint #724886 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orlando, FLFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
NISSAN INITIATED A "WORD OF MOUTH CAMPAIGN" FOR A KNOW SAFETY PROBLEM THAT COULD HAVE BURNT MY ENTIRE HOUSE TO THE GROUND AND WILL NOT TAKE RESPOSIBILITY FOR DAMAGE AND REPAIR OF MY CAR.
NHTSA complaint #723391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ogden, UT
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
HOOD LATCH ISN'T ENGAGING CORRECTLY, AND CONSUMER DOESN'T WANT HOOD POPPING OPEN WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #851281 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Midlothian, VAFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
THIS 300ZX WAS IN MINT CONDITION AND VERY WELL CARED FOR. WE BOUGHT IT FOR THE FAMILY AND ENJOYED IT FOR 18 MONTHS. WE WERE NOT AWARE OF A VOLUNTARY RECALL FOR THIS VIHICLE WHICH NHTSA IS PRESENTLY LISTING AS A TYPE OF REPORT "TIRE". WHAT DOES TIRE HAVE TO DO WITH FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM FAILURES AND POTENTIAL FIRES! WELL WE HAVE NOW LOST A DEAR MEMBER OF THE FAMILY (300ZX) AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY WILL NOT PAY US ENOUGH TO PURCHASE ANOTHER 300ZX OF COMPARABLE VALUE. I SUBMITTED 16 PAGES OF COMAPARABLES FROM ACROSS THE NATION AND HIGHLIGHTED THE VEHICLES THAT HAD EQUIVALENT MILEAGE, CONDITION AND OPTIONS. THOSE CARS RANGED FROM $3800 TO $6500 AND ALL NATIONWIDE WANTS TO GIVE US IS $3314 AFTER MULTIPLE TELEPHONE CONVERSIONS. SO NOW I WANT IT OUT OF NISSAN! WE ARE EXTRTEMELY DISTRESSED THAT THIS RECALLWAS LEFT TO NON MANDATORY AND NOT CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE. MY SON CAME HOME FORM WORK AT 1030PM THAT SATURDAY NIGHT AND HE WAS TALKING WITH HIS MOTHER AND I WHEN THE CAR ALARM STARTED. WQE OPEN THE GARAGE.
NHTSA complaint #705264 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marco Island, FLFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM FAILED, RECALL (95I006000) COMPONENT, HOWEVER OWNER NOT NOTIFIED PRIOR TO FAILURE RESULTING IN FIRE. (MJS)
NHTSA complaint #531355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Littleton, CO
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
DUE TO LACK OF RECALL INFORMATION OF THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM, FAILURE OCCURED (LEAK) RESULTING IN VEHICLE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #513033 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rohnert Park, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
STRONG GAS ODOR, POWER SURGE AT STEADY SPEED.
NHTSA complaint #702670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rohnert Park, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
STRONG GAS ODOR, VISIBLE GAS LEAK FROM HOSE NEAR FUEL INJECTION, LOSS OF GAS
NHTSA complaint #702057 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NHTSA complaint #781124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Monroe, LA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED UNDER RECALL 951006, FUEL INJECTION. THE DEALER HAS NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE . THERE IS FUEL LEAKING AROUND THE INJECTORS. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #823299 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Colorado S, CO
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SUDDEN ACCELERATION.
NHTSA complaint #528459 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Colorado S, CO
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
FUEL INJECTION FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #528459 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Unknown, UN
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE FROM A FAULTY FUEL INJECTOR.
NHTSA complaint #511725 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Framingham, MA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON VEHICLE . HE WENT TO THE DEALER TO MAKE THE APPOINTMENT TO HAVE VEHICLE REPAIRED. OWNER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER ON APPOINTMENT DATE AND WAS INFORMED THAT DEALERSHIP NO LONGER SERVICED NISSAN VEHICLES.
NHTSA complaint #815068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.