Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1989 Nissan 300ZX
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Fuel & Propulsion
763.6%
0 crashes, 2 fires · median 181,000 mi
Equipment & Accessories
19.1%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
19.1%
Transmission & Drivetrain
19.1%
Median failure at 160,000 miles
Engine & Cooling
19.1%
Median failure at 160,000 miles
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.
Aug 1996peak 3Dec 2021
NHTSA investigations into the 1989 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.
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Bossier CI, LAFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
VEHICLE FIRE DUE TO FAULTY FUEL INJECTOR, CONSUMER DID NOT RECEIVED NOTICE OF RECALL ON FAULTY UNIT, HOWEVER VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #552634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bossier City, LAFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
I EXPERIENCED A FIRE CAUSED BY THE LEAKAGE OF A FUEL INJECTOR ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE IN MY CAR. I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN AND HAVE RECEIVED VERY POOR TO PUT IT MILDLY RESPONSE FROM THEM. THEY HAVE USED A CLAUSE IN THE WARRANTY BOOK REQUIRING ME TO MAINTAIN MAINTENANCE RECORDS FOR THE LIFE OF MY CAR. I HAVE NO REASON TO MAINTAIN 11 YEARS OF RECORDS OF OIL CHANGES, AND THIS FIRE WAS NOT CAUSED BY A WARRANTED PART BUT DUE TO A "SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN" BY NISSAN. THEY HAVE ADVISED THAT UNLESS THE CAR IS DRIVEABLE INTO THEIR DEALERSHIP THEY ARE NOT REQUIRED TO REPLACE, REPAIR OR CORRECT THEIR FAULTY PARTS. I CANNOT GET REPLACEMENT PARTS FROM THEIR DISTRIBUTORSHIPS TO EFFECT THIS REPAIR AS ALL OF THESE PARTS ARE HELD BY DEALERSHIPS FOR THIS "CAMPAIGN." I BELIEVE IT IS TIME FOR THE NHTSA TO REVIEW THIS MATTER. THERE ARE DOCUMENTED IN YOUR FILES FIRES AND EXPLOSIONS GENERATED THE SAME AS MINE. WHO HAS TO DIE BEFORE YOU BECOME INTERESTED? CHECK YOUR ODI NUMBERS 953919,947955, AND 908679 FOR VERIF.
NHTSA complaint #724720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Naperville, IL
EQUIPMENT
The contact owns a Pittsburgh automotive jack stand set, Model Number: 91760, Model Type: 3 Ton aluminum racing, Serial Number: 352351424. The contact stated that his 1989 Nissan 300ZX was lifted onto the jack stands and after sliding from under the vehicle grabbing the frame of the vehicle to lift up both the jack stands positioned on the front driver’s side and front passenger’s side suddenly failed to cause the vehicle to crash to the ground nearly landing on top to the contact. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet notified of the failure. The contact indicated that the car jack stands were purchased at Harbor Freight but were not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 20E046000 (Equipment).
NHTSA complaint #11445075 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,000 milesColumbia, SC
POWER TRAIN
I AM THE OWNER OF A 1989 300ZX THAT I PURCHASED USED IN 2013. THE CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 160,000 MILES ON IT. APPROXIMATELY 6 WEEKS AGO, I NOTICED A FUEL ODOR AND AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH DETERMINED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE IN 1996 FOR DEFECTIVE FUEL INJECTORS. THAT RECALL IS ATTACHED, I ALSO HAVE COPIES OF THE TSBS (10 DOCUMENTS TOTAL). A FEW DAYS AFTER NOTICING THE FUEL SMELL (WHICH I COULD NOT LOCATE THE SOURCE) THE CAR SUDDENLY DEVELOPED A FUEL RICH CONDITION AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO IDLE POORLY. FOR BACKGROUND, THE CAR WAS RUNNING FINE AND AFTER LEAVING A RESTAURANT, THE ISSUE APPEARED SUDDENLY. I CONTACTED NISSAN AND THEY TELL ME THEY HAVE NO RECORD OF THE RECALL OR ANY REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL DEALER (DICK SMITH IN COLUMBIA SC) AND THEY TELL ME THE SAME. THEIR DIAGNOSIS IS THAT MY RACK AND PINION ARE LEAKING. I DO NOT DISAGREE WITH THEIR DIAGNOSIS, BUT I DOUBT IT IS LEAKING FUEL. BASED ON THEIR TSB, IT APPEARS THAT THE REPAIR WORK WAS NEVER PERFORMED ON THIS VEHICLE AND SINCE THE RECALL WAS ISSUED MORE THAN SEVEN YEARS AFTER THE BUILD DATE, THAT OWNER AND SUBSEQUENT OWNERS WERE LIKELY NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. I HAVE ASKED THEM TO PERFORM THE RECALL WORK PER THE TSB INSTRUCTIONS BUT SO FAR THEY HAVE REFUSED.
NHTSA complaint #10972185 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,000 milesColumbia, SC
ENGINE
I AM THE OWNER OF A 1989 300ZX THAT I PURCHASED USED IN 2013. THE CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 160,000 MILES ON IT. APPROXIMATELY 6 WEEKS AGO, I NOTICED A FUEL ODOR AND AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH DETERMINED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE IN 1996 FOR DEFECTIVE FUEL INJECTORS. THAT RECALL IS ATTACHED, I ALSO HAVE COPIES OF THE TSBS (10 DOCUMENTS TOTAL). A FEW DAYS AFTER NOTICING THE FUEL SMELL (WHICH I COULD NOT LOCATE THE SOURCE) THE CAR SUDDENLY DEVELOPED A FUEL RICH CONDITION AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO IDLE POORLY. FOR BACKGROUND, THE CAR WAS RUNNING FINE AND AFTER LEAVING A RESTAURANT, THE ISSUE APPEARED SUDDENLY. I CONTACTED NISSAN AND THEY TELL ME THEY HAVE NO RECORD OF THE RECALL OR ANY REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL DEALER (DICK SMITH IN COLUMBIA SC) AND THEY TELL ME THE SAME. THEIR DIAGNOSIS IS THAT MY RACK AND PINION ARE LEAKING. I DO NOT DISAGREE WITH THEIR DIAGNOSIS, BUT I DOUBT IT IS LEAKING FUEL. BASED ON THEIR TSB, IT APPEARS THAT THE REPAIR WORK WAS NEVER PERFORMED ON THIS VEHICLE AND SINCE THE RECALL WAS ISSUED MORE THAN SEVEN YEARS AFTER THE BUILD DATE, THAT OWNER AND SUBSEQUENT OWNERS WERE LIKELY NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. I HAVE ASKED THEM TO PERFORM THE RECALL WORK PER THE TSB INSTRUCTIONS BUT SO FAR THEY HAVE REFUSED.
NHTSA complaint #10972185 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,000 milesColumbia, SC
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I AM THE OWNER OF A 1989 300ZX THAT I PURCHASED USED IN 2013. THE CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 160,000 MILES ON IT. APPROXIMATELY 6 WEEKS AGO, I NOTICED A FUEL ODOR AND AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH DETERMINED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE IN 1996 FOR DEFECTIVE FUEL INJECTORS. THAT RECALL IS ATTACHED, I ALSO HAVE COPIES OF THE TSBS (10 DOCUMENTS TOTAL). A FEW DAYS AFTER NOTICING THE FUEL SMELL (WHICH I COULD NOT LOCATE THE SOURCE) THE CAR SUDDENLY DEVELOPED A FUEL RICH CONDITION AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO IDLE POORLY. FOR BACKGROUND, THE CAR WAS RUNNING FINE AND AFTER LEAVING A RESTAURANT, THE ISSUE APPEARED SUDDENLY. I CONTACTED NISSAN AND THEY TELL ME THEY HAVE NO RECORD OF THE RECALL OR ANY REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL DEALER (DICK SMITH IN COLUMBIA SC) AND THEY TELL ME THE SAME. THEIR DIAGNOSIS IS THAT MY RACK AND PINION ARE LEAKING. I DO NOT DISAGREE WITH THEIR DIAGNOSIS, BUT I DOUBT IT IS LEAKING FUEL. BASED ON THEIR TSB, IT APPEARS THAT THE REPAIR WORK WAS NEVER PERFORMED ON THIS VEHICLE AND SINCE THE RECALL WAS ISSUED MORE THAN SEVEN YEARS AFTER THE BUILD DATE, THAT OWNER AND SUBSEQUENT OWNERS WERE LIKELY NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. I HAVE ASKED THEM TO PERFORM THE RECALL WORK PER THE TSB INSTRUCTIONS BUT SO FAR THEY HAVE REFUSED.
NHTSA complaint #10972185 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 202,000 milesPoughkeetsie, NY
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 NISSAN 300ZX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL HOSES WERE LEAKING ALONG WITH OTHER FUEL COMPONENTS. THE CONTACT SMELLED GASOLINE BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 95I006000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM). THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 202,262 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 202,000.
NHTSA complaint #10220901 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bossier City, LA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
VEHICLE WAS ON RECALL FOR PARTS OF THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. THIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED, BUT DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR FREE OF CHARGE. CONSUMER WAS CHARGED A THOUSAND DOLLARS TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #874395 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CONSUMER WAS SMELLING GASOLINE. FUEL INJECTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER HAS BEEN SMELLING THIS ORDOR FOR TWO YEARS.
NHTSA complaint #865538 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bossier CI, LAFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
VEHICLE FIRE DUE TO FAULTY FUEL INJECTOR, CONSUMER DID NOT RECEIVED NOTICE OF RECALL ON FAULTY UNIT, HOWEVER VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #552634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bossier City, LAFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
I EXPERIENCED A FIRE CAUSED BY THE LEAKAGE OF A FUEL INJECTOR ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE IN MY CAR. I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN AND HAVE RECEIVED VERY POOR TO PUT IT MILDLY RESPONSE FROM THEM. THEY HAVE USED A CLAUSE IN THE WARRANTY BOOK REQUIRING ME TO MAINTAIN MAINTENANCE RECORDS FOR THE LIFE OF MY CAR. I HAVE NO REASON TO MAINTAIN 11 YEARS OF RECORDS OF OIL CHANGES, AND THIS FIRE WAS NOT CAUSED BY A WARRANTED PART BUT DUE TO A "SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN" BY NISSAN. THEY HAVE ADVISED THAT UNLESS THE CAR IS DRIVEABLE INTO THEIR DEALERSHIP THEY ARE NOT REQUIRED TO REPLACE, REPAIR OR CORRECT THEIR FAULTY PARTS. I CANNOT GET REPLACEMENT PARTS FROM THEIR DISTRIBUTORSHIPS TO EFFECT THIS REPAIR AS ALL OF THESE PARTS ARE HELD BY DEALERSHIPS FOR THIS "CAMPAIGN." I BELIEVE IT IS TIME FOR THE NHTSA TO REVIEW THIS MATTER. THERE ARE DOCUMENTED IN YOUR FILES FIRES AND EXPLOSIONS GENERATED THE SAME AS MINE. WHO HAS TO DIE BEFORE YOU BECOME INTERESTED? CHECK YOUR ODI NUMBERS 953919,947955, AND 908679 FOR VERIF.
NHTSA complaint #724720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vallejo, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE CHANGING GEARS THE ENGINE TOOK OFF AT 40 TO 45MPH WITHOUT APPLICATION OF ACCELERATOR. DLR HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE
NHTSA complaint #847394 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.