2003 Nissan 350Z: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2003 Nissan 350Z: 2 recalls, 275 owner complaints and up to 20 mpg combined.
Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 2 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #03V455000 · 2003 · 630,000 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain passenger vehicles, the circuit board for the crank position sensor or cam position sensor May have an improper solder joint due to solder deformation caused by heat stress accelerated by the existence of flux residue during the soldering process.
Why it matters: This could cause the "service engine soon" warning light to come on, create a no start condition, cause reduced engine power, or cause the engine to stop running without warning during vehicle operation, which could result in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the crank position sensors. Camshaft position sensor(s), and in some cases, the variable timing control sensor(s). Vehicles involved in a previous recall campaign, 01v357, are also included in this new campaign. The replacement sensors used in that campaign are also affected.…
Fuel system Vehicle recall #05V555000 · 2005 · 192,659 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain passenger and sport utility vehicles, the fuel filler hose May crack and result in fuel leakage from the hose while refueling.
Why it matters: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel filler hose. Recall began on February 27, 2006, for Nissan owners, and on March 13, 2006, for Infiniti owners.
2 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E049000 · 2006 · 27,176 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Why it matters: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
The fix: Ck motorsport will notify owners and replace the noncompliant lamps free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2006.
Transmission & drivetrain Equipment recall #11E024000 · 2011 · 199 vehicles
What's wrong: Zf service is recall certain clutch kit assemblies, part number sx: k70358-01, shipped to wholesalers as service parts between September 1, 2010, and March 8, 2011. These service parts are intended for use on model year 2003-2006 Nissan 350z and Infiniti g35 vehicles. The sx: k70358-01 clutch kit contains an oversized clutch disc.
Why it matters: An oversized clutch disc could cause the vehicle to move unintentionally on the initial start-up, if the driver does not follow the installation instructions and fails to use the service brakes while the hand brake is not applied. Unintentional movement of the vehicle could result in a crash or…
The fix: Zf service notify wholesalers to return any affected clutch kit assemblies still in inventory for free replacement kits. This condition will correct itself after the first start-up and usage of the clutch kit. However, if an owner is not satisfied with its performance, zf services will reimburse…
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 3 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Suspension (110): the most common themes are noise or vibration (39).
- Tires (71): the most common themes are tire tread / blowout (70).
- Transmission & drivetrain (34): the most common themes are noise or vibration (16), hard / delayed shifting (12).
- Engine & cooling (34): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (22), warning light on (15).
The 2003 Nissan 350Z has 275 owner complaints, ranking #1 of 7 350Z model years for complaints (2.9× the average 350Z year). Complaints peaked in 2003 (106 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 1 year old, at a median of 12,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2004 (144 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 24 | 20 | Premium |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S5) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 19 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2003 Nissan 350Z.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 2003 Nissan 350Z have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2003 Nissan 350Z, plus 2 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2003 Nissan 350Z problems?
Owners have filed 275 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are suspension (110), tires (71), transmission & drivetrain (34).
What gas mileage does the 2003 Nissan 350Z get?
EPA ratings run up to 20 mpg combined (3.5 L, Manual 6-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2003 Nissan 350Z repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.