FaultScore

FaultScore report

2008 Nissan 350Z problems

Owners have filed 28 complaints about the 2008 Nissan 350Z with NHTSA between 2008 and 2019. The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain. Across this model's run it ranks 6 of 6 worst.

A

FaultScore 23/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Nissan 350Z.

How this is worked out

The numbers

28

Complaints

0

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries reported

27,863 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

52%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 10 vs 50 Severity 0 vs 50 Early failure 89 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 10
Against the median year of the Nissan 350Z. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 89
52% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2008 compares with every other Nissan 350Z

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2008 Nissan 350Z

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Median failure at 24,597 miles

Airbags 3 10.7%

Median failure at 53,500 miles

Engine & Cooling 1 3.6%

Median failure at 57,000 miles

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

Under 1,000 miles 3 14.3%
1,000 – 9,999 miles 3 14.3%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 4 19.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 2 9.5%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 8 38.1%
150,000+ miles 1 4.8%

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.

Jan 2008 peak 3 May 2019

Recalls on the 2008 Nissan 350Z

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.

Canada — Transport Canada

Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.

Recall 2008363 12,880 units in Canada

Other

On certain vehicles, a varistor in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) control unit located in the passenger seat cushion may have been manufactured incorrectly. Under certain conditions, this could cause an interruption of signal between the OCS and the Airbag control unit (ACU). This could result in the passenger airbag being suppressed. The (red) supplemental airbag warning light would flash & the (amber) front passenger airbag status light would illuminate to alert the vehicle operator, however in case of a crash a suppressed airbag could result in personal injury or death. Correction: Dealers will test the signal between the OCS & ACU and if necessary will replace the seat cushion containing OCS hardware.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 50,000 miles Merrillville, IN

AIR BAGS

SENSOR ON DASHBOARD LITE WON'T GO OUT, SHOWING AIRBAG DISABLED DUE CHILD IN SEAT.

NHTSA complaint #11206318 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,000 miles Lexington, KY

POWER TRAIN

I WAS DRIVING MY 08 350Z (CURRENTLY HAS 70K MILES) ON THE HIGHWAY APPROX 60 MPH WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO DOWNSHIFT FOR MY EXIT. THE CLUTCH PEDAL WENT DOWN AND STUCK WHEN I SHIFTED OUT OF 6TH AND THE CAR WOULDN'T GO INTO ANY GEAR. I MISSED THE EXIT AND PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND STOPPED. TURNS OUT THE SLAVE CYLINDER THAT HAD BEEN REPLACED 20K MILES AGO UNDER RECALL HAD GONE BAD AGAIN! EVEN MORE IMPRESSIVE IS THAT IN 68K MILES, I'VE HAD TO HAVE THE SLAVE REPLACED 2X, CLUTCH REPLACED 3X, FLYWHEEL RESURFACED 2X, FLYWHEEL REPLACED 1X, CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER REPLACED 1X, MULTIPLE TRANS SERVICES, MULTIPLE TIMES BLEEDING THE CLUTCH. ALL WORK DONE AT DEALER USING OEM PARTS. THIS IS A KNOWN 350Z DEFECT AND NISSAN SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR REPLACING THE CLUTCH SYSTEM W/ AN IMPROVED DESIGN BEFORE MORE PEOPLE ARE INJURED OR KILLED!

NHTSA complaint #11096703 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 191,250 miles Ellenville, NY

POWER TRAIN

CSC FAILURE 6 TIMES. FAILURE OCCURED IN MULTIPLE PLACES, ON THE HIGHWAY, SIDE STREETS, COUNTRY ROAD.

NHTSA complaint #10897496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,000 miles EL Paso, TX

POWER TRAIN

I PURCHASED MY 08 350Z GRAND TOURING OCTOBER 5, 2015 FROM HOY FOX TOYOTA IN EL PASO TX. 3 DAYS LATER IT LEFT ME STRANDED. THE CLUTCH STAYED TO THE FLOOR AND IT WOULDN'T GEAR. THEY SOLD IT TO ME SAYING IT HAD A NEW CLUTCH SO I DECIDED AFTER TEST DRIVING IT TO TAKE IT. I HAD TO WAIT 30 DAYS FOR MY POWER TRAIN WARRANTY TO KICK IN SO I CAN MAKE A CLAIM. INITIALLY IT WAS THE MASTER CYLINDER WHICH WAS COVERED. HOWEVER, THAT WAS NOT THE CASE. LATER THEY SAID I NEEDED A WHOLE NEW CLUTCH KIT FOR AROUND 2800. OF COURSE I DON'T HAVE THAT AMOUNT OF MONEY. I PURCHASED AND EXEDY AFTERMARKET CLUTCH , FLYWHEEL AND PRESSURE PLATE AS THEY TOLD ME TO DO. TOOK IT HOME NOVEMBER 15 AND IT WORKED FINE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. IT THEN BEGAN TO LEAK CLUTCH FLUID AND CLUTCH FELT SOFT. I WENT BACK AND THEY KEPT TELLING ME TO GO TO NISSAN. I PAID FOR A DIAGNOSIS AT VIVA NISSAN IN EL PASO TX AND THE CONCENTRIC SLAVE CYLINDER WAS THE ISSUE. I HAD TO GO BACK AND FORTH AND TRY TO GET THE HELP TO FIX THIS ISSUE. I BOUGHT A SLAVE CYLINDER ONLINE BECAUSE I DIDN'T KNOW I HAD THAT PART UNDER WARRANTY. I TRIED TALKING TO THEM AT DEALERSHIP BUT NO HELP UNTIL I MADE A BAD REVIEW. THEY TOOK THE CAR IN AND THEY SAID NO WORRIES WE WILL FIX IT. THEY REPLACED THE SLAVE CYLINDER AND IN 3 DAYS ONCE AGAIN IT FAILED. PLASTIC NISSAN PARTS ARE NO GOOD. THEY GET DAMAGED EASILY AND EVEN NEW CARS WITH LESS THAN 5000 MILES NEED IT ALL REPLACED. THE ONLY SOLUTION WE ALL MIGHT HAVE IS A HEAVY DUTY SLAVE CYLINDER FROM ZSPEEDSPORTS AND ITS EXPENSIVE. I'VE BEEN READING SO MANY CASES AND WE ALL HAVE THE SAME ISSUES. IT'S RIDICULOUS WHAT WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH AND FOR NISSAN NOT TO SOLVE THIS ISSUE IMMEDIATELY . I HAVE NO CAR AND ITS AT DEALERSHIP ONCE AGAIN FOR THE THIRD TIME. I HAVE A CASE NUMBER 23013379. THESE VEHICLES NEED TO BE REPLACED AND FIXED. TOO MANY CASES AND NO HELP FROM DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA complaint #10888479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LAS Vegas, NV

AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL

NHTSA complaint #10864828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 57,000 miles Austin, TX

POWER TRAIN

CLUTCH STUCK TO FLOOR FROM SLAVE CYLINDER GOING OUT.

NHTSA complaint #10508810 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 57,000 miles Austin, TX

ENGINE

CLUTCH STUCK TO FLOOR FROM SLAVE CYLINDER GOING OUT.

NHTSA complaint #10508810 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 36,000 miles Memphis, TN

POWER TRAIN

WHILE DRIVING AT SPEED PRESSED CLUTCH PEDAL AND IT STAYED ON THE FLOOR ACCOMPANIED BY A VERY CHARACTERISTIC AND STRONG BURNING SMELL, UNABLE TO CHANGE GEARS, CAR RENDERED INOPERABLE. SAFETY HAZARD, STUCK IN GEAR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.

NHTSA complaint #10508418 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 27,863 miles LAS Vegas, NV

POWER TRAIN

DRIVING, PUSH CLUTCH IN IT STAY ON THE FLOOR, CANNOT SHIFT, DANGEROUS ON THE FREEWAY, SAFETY HAZZARD, THERE ARE NUMEROUS SAME PROBLEM WITH THE 2008 350Z NISSAN NEED TO DO A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE GET KILL OF THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10498391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50,000 miles SAN Diego, CA

POWER TRAIN

I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 NISSAN 350Z ON THE FREEWAY AT ABOUT 65 MPH AND WHEN I STEPPED ON THE CLUTCH TO SWITCH GEARS IT WAS STUCK ON THE FLOOR AND DIDN'T COME BACK UP. THE CLUTCH WAS STUCK IN GEAR AND I HAD TO PULL OVER AND GET IT TOWED.

NHTSA complaint #10474582 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 57,000 miles LAS Vegas, NV

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN 350Z. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS WAITING ON THE RESULTS. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED OF A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V521000 (AIR BAGS) AND CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, WHO STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 57,000.

NHTSA complaint #10465448 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles Fayetteville, NC

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN 350Z. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CLUTCH FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN ENGAGED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED WITH FORCE AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THE SLAVE CYLINDER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA complaint #10463424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fayetteville, NC

POWER TRAIN

THE CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER HAS GONE OUT ON THE VEHICLE 3 TIMES SINCE I HAVE OWNED IT. IT HAS COST ME OVER $500 EACH REPAIR. OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS. THE SECOND TIME IT WENT OUT WAS IN A PARKING LOT WHEN I WAS GOING SLOW AND THE THIRD TIME HAPPENED THIS MORNING WHEN I LEFT FOR WORK. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND ALL NISSAN WANTS TO DO IS CHARGE OFF THE WALL PRICES. I'M A MASTER MECHANIC AND THE DESIGN OF THIS WHOLE SYSTEM IS RIDICULOUS.

NHTSA complaint #10463412 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 14,500 miles Dallas, TX

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

THE VEHICLE IS A 2008 350Z ROADSTER WITH 15,000 MILES, AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AT AROUND 7500 MILES (UNDER WARRANTY) DUE TO BEARINGS THAT WERE BROKEN. WHEN THE CAR IS BROUGHT TO MID-HIGH REVS IN 1ST/2ND GEAR, THE CLUTCH WILL DISENGAGE AND FALL TO THE FLOOR. THIS IS ACCOMPANIED BY A VERY STRONG BURNING SMELL (CHARACTERISTIC CLUTCH BURNING SMELL) AND IS EXTREMELY DAMAGING TO THE CLUTCH AND TRANSMISSION. THE CLUTCH PEDAL HAS TO BE PULLED UP MANUALLY AND IS NOTICEABLY SOFTER AFTER THIS HAPPENS. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED 2-3 TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR. THIS PROBLEM WAS NOTICED IN 2007 350Z'S AND HAS CONTINUED INTO THE 2008 350Z'S. THE 350Z MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT WAS MANUFACTURED IN 10/07.

NHTSA complaint #10332579 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 24,597 miles Murrieta, CA

POWER TRAIN

DRIVING ON FREEWAY APPROXIMATELY 70-75 MPH, WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO CLUTCH PEDAL I REALIZE THERE IS LITTLE TO NO CLUTCH PEDAL PRESSURE AND CLUTCH PEDAL STICKS TO THE FLOOR AND HAS TO BE PULLED BACK WITH MY FOOT. FELT SLIGHT PEDAL PRESSURE AT THE END OF PEDAL TRAVEL AND DISENGAGED AND CHANGED GEARS INTO NEUTRAL. PUMPED CLUTCH WHILE IN NEUTRAL TO SEE IF CLUTCH PEDAL PRESSURE COULD RETURN TO NORMAL WITH NO SUCCESS. CLUTCH ENGAGEMENT REMAINED THE SAME AT THE VERY END OF TRAVEL AND WOULD NO LONGER GO INTO GEAR. CONTINUED PUMPING CLUTCH PEDAL AND WAS LUCKY TO GET BACK INTO SIXTH GEAR WITH A GRIND INTO GEAR TO CONTINUE DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT SPEED. STILL PEDAL CONTINUED TO STICK HALFWAY OR MORE DOWN AND HAD TO BE RETURNED BACK TO STATIC POSITION MANUALLY. DROVE TO LOCAL DEALER SINCE WAS ON THE WAY TO INTENDED DESTINATION WHERE PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED AND EACH GEAR ENGAGEMENT BEING IRREGULAR TO NORMAL. LEFT CAR AT DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR OVERNIGHT DELIVERY SINCE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT IS CLOSED ON SUNDAYS. CLUTCH PEDAL IS STILL HALFWAY DEPRESSED AS LEFT.

NHTSA complaint #10303461 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 24,597 miles Murrieta, CA

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

DRIVING ON FREEWAY APPROXIMATELY 70-75 MPH, WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO CLUTCH PEDAL I REALIZE THERE IS LITTLE TO NO CLUTCH PEDAL PRESSURE AND CLUTCH PEDAL STICKS TO THE FLOOR AND HAS TO BE PULLED BACK WITH MY FOOT. FELT SLIGHT PEDAL PRESSURE AT THE END OF PEDAL TRAVEL AND DISENGAGED AND CHANGED GEARS INTO NEUTRAL. PUMPED CLUTCH WHILE IN NEUTRAL TO SEE IF CLUTCH PEDAL PRESSURE COULD RETURN TO NORMAL WITH NO SUCCESS. CLUTCH ENGAGEMENT REMAINED THE SAME AT THE VERY END OF TRAVEL AND WOULD NO LONGER GO INTO GEAR. CONTINUED PUMPING CLUTCH PEDAL AND WAS LUCKY TO GET BACK INTO SIXTH GEAR WITH A GRIND INTO GEAR TO CONTINUE DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT SPEED. STILL PEDAL CONTINUED TO STICK HALFWAY OR MORE DOWN AND HAD TO BE RETURNED BACK TO STATIC POSITION MANUALLY. DROVE TO LOCAL DEALER SINCE WAS ON THE WAY TO INTENDED DESTINATION WHERE PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED AND EACH GEAR ENGAGEMENT BEING IRREGULAR TO NORMAL. LEFT CAR AT DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR OVERNIGHT DELIVERY SINCE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT IS CLOSED ON SUNDAYS. CLUTCH PEDAL IS STILL HALFWAY DEPRESSED AS LEFT.

NHTSA complaint #10303461 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 13,000 miles Union, NJ

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

2008 NISSAN 350Z NISMO / CLUTCH PEDAL STICKS,WHEN THE GEAR ENGAGES IT`S VERY BOUNCY?.

NHTSA complaint #10293739 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 5,500 miles Seattle, WA

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

WHEN RPMS ARE HIGH IN FIRST GEAR, THE CLUTCH DISENGAGES TO THE HALFWAY POINT AND YOU LOSE ALL POWER TO THE WHEELS. THIS IS USUALLY FOLLOWED BY A BURNING CLUTCH SMELL. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT NISSAN RECALLED THE 2007 350Z FOR THE SAME ISSUE (CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER), BUT IT'S APPARENT THAT THE PROBLEM CONTINUES WITH THE 2008 MODEL AND I'M ASKING THAT THE NHTSA INSTRUCT NISSAN TO EXTEND THE FIX TO 2008 MODELS.

NHTSA complaint #10292825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 1,500 miles Cupertino, CA

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

CLUTCH THROWOUT BEARING NOISE & HARD SHIFTING FROM FACTORY.

NHTSA complaint #10266379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 4,500 miles Palm Beach Gardens, FL

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN 350Z. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION GRINDS INTO SECOND GEAR WHEN THE CLUTCH IS FULLY DISENGAGED. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSMISSION STALLS AND IS LESS LIKELY TO GRIND IN SECOND GEAR IN WARM WEATHER CONDITIONS; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. WHEN SHIFTING FROM 3,500 RPMS TO 4,500 RPMS FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD GRIND MORE. THE DEALER ADVISED HIM TO BRING IN THE VEHICLE FOR INSPECTION. THE CONTACT WILL TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THEM WITHIN THE NEXT 24 HOURS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,500 UPDATED 02/24/09. *LJ WHEN THE CONSUMER SHIFTED TO SECOND GEAR FROM FIRST GEAR, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD GRIND AND WOULD NOT ENGAGE. UPDATED 02/26/09.

NHTSA complaint #10256026 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 19 miles Orlando, FL

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

HELLO I HAVE A 2008 NISSAN 350Z 6 SPEED MANUAL BASE MODEL, THAT I HAD BROUGHT IN DEC 12 OF 2007 BRAND NEW. SINCE THEN THE CLUTCH ON THE CAR HAS GOTTEN STUCK THREE TIMES. ALL THREE TIMES ARE RANDOM. TWICE WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND ONCE WHILE DOING A U TURN. THE CAUSE OF THIS IS BURNING UP MY CLUTCH AND THE NISSAN DEALERSHIPS HERE IN THE ORLANDO AREA ARE GIVING ME THE CLASSIC DEALERSHIP RUN AROUND. I CALL NISSAN ON THERE 1-800-NISSAN-1 NUMBER AND SAID THEY CANT DO ANYTHING UNTIL THE DEALER LOOKS AT IT, WITH A POSSIBLE CHARGE OF $600.00 FOR LOOKING IT AT. MY CAR IS AT 22,000 TODAY ON DEC 3 2008. NISSAN POWER TRAIN WARRANTY IS UNTIL 3 YEARS 36,000 MILES, BUT TO CHECK THE CAR IS AT MY COST. NISSAN HAS REPORTED ON THE SLAVER CYLINDER RECALL, BUT THEY SAY THAT'S WHAT MIGHT NOT BE WRONG WITH IT.

NHTSA complaint #10250642 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 400 miles Lake Jackson, TX

POWER TRAIN

CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT SMOOTHLY. DEALER SAYS THE FLYWHEEL IS BROKEN AND CAR NEEDS A NEW CLUTCH. THE CAR HAS 3700 MILES ON IT AND NISSAN WILL NOT COVER THIS UNDER WARRANTY. PROBLEM HAS EXISTED SINCE THE CAR HAD 400 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA complaint #10248526 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 400 miles Lake Jackson, TX

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT SMOOTHLY. DEALER SAYS THE FLYWHEEL IS BROKEN AND CAR NEEDS A NEW CLUTCH. THE CAR HAS 3700 MILES ON IT AND NISSAN WILL NOT COVER THIS UNDER WARRANTY. PROBLEM HAS EXISTED SINCE THE CAR HAD 400 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA complaint #10248526 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Whittier, CA

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

CLUTCH GETS VERY LOOSE AFTER DRIVING A LITTLE BIT.

NHTSA complaint #10240940 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Granada Hills, CA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SLAM FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR.

NHTSA complaint #10230472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.