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
1150.0%
Injectors
522.7%
Gasoline
313.6%
Interior/Under Dash
14.5%
Front Underhood
14.5%
Delivery
14.5%
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.
May 1995peak 3Dec 2017
NHTSA investigations into the 1988 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
Recalls on the 1988 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.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 224,000 milesCharlestown, WVFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 NISSAN 300ZX. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED GAS FUMES AND NOTICED SMOKE RISING UNDER THE HOOD. HE PULLED OVER, OPENED THE HOOD, AND FLAMES ERUPTED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT GAS LEAKED FROM THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM, WHICH CAUSED THE FAILURE. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 95I006000). AS OF NOVEMBER 15, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 224,000.
NHTSA complaint #10208983 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Florence, SCFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE STARTING VEHICLE AND WITHOUT WARNING THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE UNDER THE HOOD FOLLOWED BY FIRE, THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED, THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING ADEQUATE REIMBURSEMENT. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.*AK *NLM
NHTSA complaint #8014639 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oklahoma City, OKFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
I WAS GETTING IN THE CAR TO MOVE FROM DRIVEWAY TO THE STREET AN SMELLED GAS, TURNED THE CAR OFF AND CAR STARTED SMOKING AND THEN WENT INTO FLAMES UNDER THE HOOD. *AKI
NHTSA complaint #762067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Jose, CAFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO FUEL LEAK FROM FUEL INJECTION.
NHTSA complaint #540792 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FT. Worth, TXFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE BACK FIRED TWICE, THAN VEHICLE INSIDE FILLED UP WITH SMOKE.
NHTSA complaint #511391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lithonia, GAFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
WHILE SITTING AT A STOP SIGN ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE, BURNING TOTAL FRONT END.
NHTSA complaint #812670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 151,296 milesCadiz, OK
POWER TRAIN
THE CAR WOULD LOSE POWER WHEN YOU HIT THE GAS. WOULDN'T DIE BUT WOULD SPUTTER AND THEN THE BATTERY WOULD DIE
NHTSA complaint #11057631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 151,296 milesCadiz, OK
ENGINE
THE CAR WOULD LOSE POWER WHEN YOU HIT THE GAS. WOULDN'T DIE BUT WOULD SPUTTER AND THEN THE BATTERY WOULD DIE
NHTSA complaint #11057631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 151,296 milesCadiz, OK
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THE CAR WOULD LOSE POWER WHEN YOU HIT THE GAS. WOULDN'T DIE BUT WOULD SPUTTER AND THEN THE BATTERY WOULD DIE
NHTSA complaint #11057631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Charles Town, WV
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FUEL INJECTOR LEAKED AND CAR CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING I ALMOST BLEW UP IN THE CAR REPORTED IT TO NISSAN AND TOLD THEM THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS AND THEY REFUSED TO FIX IT.
NHTSA complaint #10779415 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 224,000 milesCharlestown, WVFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 NISSAN 300ZX. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED GAS FUMES AND NOTICED SMOKE RISING UNDER THE HOOD. HE PULLED OVER, OPENED THE HOOD, AND FLAMES ERUPTED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT GAS LEAKED FROM THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM, WHICH CAUSED THE FAILURE. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 95I006000). AS OF NOVEMBER 15, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 224,000.
NHTSA complaint #10208983 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED DRIVER NOTICED FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. ALSO, DRIVER SMELLED FUEL COMING FROM THE REAR. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL INJECTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10115188 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 107,000 milesLewisburg, OH
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL FOR THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM, UNTIL THEY RECEIVED PERMISSION FROM NISSAN. RECALL # 95I006000.
NHTSA complaint #10019605 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Florence, SCFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE STARTING VEHICLE AND WITHOUT WARNING THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE UNDER THE HOOD FOLLOWED BY FIRE, THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED, THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING ADEQUATE REIMBURSEMENT. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.*AK *NLM
NHTSA complaint #8014639 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oklahoma City, OKFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
I WAS GETTING IN THE CAR TO MOVE FROM DRIVEWAY TO THE STREET AN SMELLED GAS, TURNED THE CAR OFF AND CAR STARTED SMOKING AND THEN WENT INTO FLAMES UNDER THE HOOD. *AKI
NHTSA complaint #762067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sacramento, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THERE IS A LEAKAGE WITHIN FUEL INJECTORS, AND ENGINE CHECK LIGHT KEEPS STAYING ON DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #841170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sacramento, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
THERE IS A LEAKAGE WITHIN FUEL INJECTORS, AND ENGINE CHECK LIGHT KEEPS STAYING ON DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #841170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Jose, CAFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO FUEL LEAK FROM FUEL INJECTION.
NHTSA complaint #540792 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marco Island, FL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
STOPPING TO MAKE RIGHT TURN, FUEL/GAS ODORER SMOKE BEGAN TO RUSH INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT THROUGH THE A/C DUCTS, IMMEDIATELY RELEASED SEAT BELT, NOTICE FLAME INSIDE THE CAR, RECALL #951006000 FOR REFERENCE.
NHTSA complaint #531355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FT. Worth, TXFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE BACK FIRED TWICE, THAN VEHICLE INSIDE FILLED UP WITH SMOKE.
NHTSA complaint #511391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Doraville, GA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #520614 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Orlean, LA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
NO FAILURE PROVIDED.
NHTSA complaint #522594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lithonia, GAFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
WHILE SITTING AT A STOP SIGN ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE, BURNING TOTAL FRONT END.
NHTSA complaint #812670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pasadena, CAFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
CAR AND CAUGHT ON FIRE, TOOK TO MECHANIC, HE INFORMED HER THAT THE CAR WAS PART OF RECALL 95I006000, CALLED NISSAN AND THEY INFORMED HER THAT CAR WAS UNDER SERVICE RECALL AND MADE A SETTLEMENT OF $3500.000 .
NHTSA complaint #807849 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.