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
523.8%
Injectors
523.8%
Front Underhood
314.3%
Fuel Pump
29.5%
Retractor
29.5%
Ignition
29.5%
Exhaust System
14.8%
12V/24V/48V Battery
14.8%
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.
Mar 1995peak 3Dec 2004
NHTSA investigations into the 1987 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.
PE94018Opened 22 Feb 1994Closed 23 Jun 1994ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
EA92018Opened 2 Jun 1992Closed 2 Apr 1993VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
HEATER CORE FAILURE
Recalls on the 1987 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.
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.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 150,000 milesMemphis, TNFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD.
NHTSA complaint #10061700 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stockton, CACrashFire
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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
NHTSA complaint #8021032 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stafford, VAFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
AFTER FILLING GAS TANK, VEHICLE EXPERIENCED NOISE WHEN SHIFTING FROM 1RST TO 2ND GEAR WHICH CAUSED A LOUD EXPLOSION IN ENGINE RESULTING IN FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #848317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Garden Grove, CAFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
MY NAME IS ANNETTE, I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM JAMES SIPPLE ON A PAYMENT PLAN. WHEN PAYMENT WAS RECEIVED IN FULL, JAMES SIPPLE WOULD THEN SIGN OVER PINK SLIP. 2 MONTHS LATER IT CAUGHT FIRE. THEN I HEARD THAT THE CAR HAD BEEN RECALLED DUE TO BAD INJECTORS. I HAVE SPOKE WITH 4 DIFFERENT PEOPLE AT NISSAN AND GOT DIFFERENT STORIES BY ALL 4. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT A CAR FOR ALMOST 3 MONTHS. ESTIMATE I RECEIVED FROM NISSAN OF GARDEN GROVE IS $7,800 PLUS I OWE THEM $150 FOR THE TOW AND ESTIMATE CHARGES. NISSAN LOST ALL MY PAPER WORK I SENT IN. I ORIGINALLY SPOKE WITH A WOMAN AND TOLD HER I DIDNT HAVE "COPIES" OF THE REPAIR ORDERS, BUT HAD ALL THE ORIGINALS FROM 1987 WHEN THE CAR WAS BUILT. SHE SAID SEND THEM IN AND WE WILL GET THEM BACK TO YOU. TODAY IS MARCH 25, 1999, AND TODAY NISSAN IS SAYING THEY HAVE NOTHING OF MINE.
NHTSA complaint #704917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ocean Isle Beach, NCFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE ENGINE WHICH CAUSED A ENGINE FIRE AFTER DRIVING FOR 10 TO 15MINUTES. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #807110 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MADE APPOINTMENT WITH DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIRS ON FUEL INJECTION , BEFORE APPOINTMENT THE CAR WAS PARKED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE 95I006000. PLEASE DESCRIBE .
NHTSA complaint #804331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Arlington, VA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED CONSUMER NOTICED FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. SMELLED GASOLINE COMING FROM THE REAR. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE CAUSE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED.
NHTSA complaint #10105002 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Arlington, VA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
I HAVE A STRONG FUEL ODOR COMING FROM MY ENGINE THROUGH MY VENTS, AND INTO THE INTERIOR OF MY CAR. I WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM OF MY CAR (1987 NISSAN 300ZX). I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF NISSAN IS STILL ABLE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10102894 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesMemphis, TNFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD.
NHTSA complaint #10061700 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Middleboro, MA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
MAKE: NISSAN MODEL: 300ZX TURBO YEAR: 1987 RECALL NUMBER: 95I006000 AFTER RECENTLY PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE, I LEARNED ABOUT A MAJOR SAFETY RECALL BY NISSAN IN WHICH ALL 84-89 NISSAN 300ZX'S HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM, WHICH RESULTS IN THE CARS CATCHING FIRE. I IMMEDIATELY BROUGHT IT TO SHOWCASE NISSAN, IN BOURNE MASSACHUSETTS (508-759-4400) TO HAVE THE RECALL WORK PERFORMED. THEY CHECKED MY VIN NUMBER, AND AFTER CONFIRMING THAT MY CAR WAS COVERED UNDER THAT RECALL WE SET AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE WORK PERFORMED. A FEW DAYS AFTER DROPPING THE CAR OFF I CALLED THEM TO FIND OUT THE STATUS. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE WRITER THAT MY CAR HAS HAD THE MOTOR REPLACED AND THE MOTOR THAT IS IN IT HAS TOP-FEED INJECTORS WHICH ARE NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. I FOUND THIS ODD SINCE ALL THE YEARS OF THE MOTOR THAT ARE IN MY CAR (VG30ET) HAVE THIS PROBLEM, AND ARE COVERED UNDER MY WARRANTY. SO I CALLED THE NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER TO ASK THEM WHY MY CAR WOULDN'T BE COVERED. THE PERSON I SPOKE WITH TOLD ME HE WOULD HAVE TO LOOK INTO IT AND GIVE ME A CALL BACK AFTER HE SPOKE WITH SHOWCASE NISSAN. LATER THAT DAY HE CALLED ME, CONFIRMING WHAT THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME ABOUT MY TYPE OF INJECTORS NOT HAVING THAT PROBLEM. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I WAS ABLE TO CONFIRM FROM A FEW DIFFERENT RELIABLE SOURCES THAT WHAT I WAS TOLD BY THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP WAS A LOAD OF CRAP. I AM TROUBLED BY THIS AS MY CAR CAN BURST INTO FLAMES AT ANY MOMENT, AND NISSAN IS TAKING THIS AS A GAME, IT IS NOT. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10019229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stockton, CACrashFire
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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
NHTSA complaint #8021032 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Upper Marlboro, MD
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON THE BELTWAY COMING HOME FROM WORK. I WAS ABOUT A MILE FROM MY HOME WHEN MY CAR WOULDN'T PULL UP THE HILL. NO MATTER HOW HARD I TRIED IT JUST DIDN'T HAVE ANY PULL. I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER ON THE TRANSMISSION SO I JUST WENT AND HAD ANOTHER TRANSMISSION PUT IN WHICH IS NOT WORKING EITHER. IT HAS NO POWER AND THIS IS A TURBO ENGINE CAN YOU LET ME KNOW WHAT CAN BE DONE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE I CAN NOT DRIVE MY CAR BECAUSE IT WON'T EVEN GET OUT OF ITS OWN WAY.
NHTSA complaint #765722 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stafford, VAFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
AFTER FILLING GAS TANK, VEHICLE EXPERIENCED NOISE WHEN SHIFTING FROM 1RST TO 2ND GEAR WHICH CAUSED A LOUD EXPLOSION IN ENGINE RESULTING IN FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #848317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Garden Grove, CAFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
MY NAME IS ANNETTE, I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM JAMES SIPPLE ON A PAYMENT PLAN. WHEN PAYMENT WAS RECEIVED IN FULL, JAMES SIPPLE WOULD THEN SIGN OVER PINK SLIP. 2 MONTHS LATER IT CAUGHT FIRE. THEN I HEARD THAT THE CAR HAD BEEN RECALLED DUE TO BAD INJECTORS. I HAVE SPOKE WITH 4 DIFFERENT PEOPLE AT NISSAN AND GOT DIFFERENT STORIES BY ALL 4. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT A CAR FOR ALMOST 3 MONTHS. ESTIMATE I RECEIVED FROM NISSAN OF GARDEN GROVE IS $7,800 PLUS I OWE THEM $150 FOR THE TOW AND ESTIMATE CHARGES. NISSAN LOST ALL MY PAPER WORK I SENT IN. I ORIGINALLY SPOKE WITH A WOMAN AND TOLD HER I DIDNT HAVE "COPIES" OF THE REPAIR ORDERS, BUT HAD ALL THE ORIGINALS FROM 1987 WHEN THE CAR WAS BUILT. SHE SAID SEND THEM IN AND WE WILL GET THEM BACK TO YOU. TODAY IS MARCH 25, 1999, AND TODAY NISSAN IS SAYING THEY HAVE NOTHING OF MINE.
NHTSA complaint #704917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ocean Isle Beach, NCFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE ENGINE WHICH CAUSED A ENGINE FIRE AFTER DRIVING FOR 10 TO 15MINUTES. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #807110 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MADE APPOINTMENT WITH DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIRS ON FUEL INJECTION , BEFORE APPOINTMENT THE CAR WAS PARKED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE 95I006000. PLEASE DESCRIBE .
NHTSA complaint #804331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE FIRE DUE TO FUEL INJECTION FAILURE PRIOR TO/AFTER SERVICE RECALL (95I-006).
NHTSA complaint #509052 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pound Ridge, NYFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
VEHICLE BEGAN MISFIRING AND AREA DEALERSHIP SERVICED FOR A WEEK, WHILE SERVICED MT. KISCO NISSAN FIXED RECALL, A MONTH LATER VEHICLE HESITATED NOT GETTING FUEL WHICH THEN RESULTED IN A FIRE THAT STARTED IN GARAGE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #802750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.