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2003 Nissan 350Z engine problems

60 complaints (22% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 83,000.

owner complaints
60
of this car's complaints
22%
typical mileage
83,000
crashes
0
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Engine
    5
  • Exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)
    1
  • Exhaust system
    1
  • Engine: gasoline
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Nissan 350Z engine problems in other years

2003200420052006200720082009

Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Nissan 350Z engine

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Stalling 29Check engine light 27Loss of power 10

Related recalls

Engine and engine coolingReported November 17, 2003 · 630,000 vehicles affected
What is 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.
Risk
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.
Remedy
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. Owner notification began on december 22, 2003. Owners should contact nissan at 1‑800‑647‑7261 or infiniti at 1‑800‑662‑6200.

Recall number 03V455000 · Recall details

What 2003 Nissan 350Z owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Nov 2, 2025 · Engine · AL

Vehicle shut off automatically going down interstate coming home from Mississippi. The car stoped running and would not crank back. Radiator fluid spuing all over the ground running hot but did not show overheating temp on dash never showed no over heating temp on gauges or nothing. Motor cranked up days later and was knocking due to knocking. Did not know it had a recall bought it the same year it broke down ran good until then but took over a year to get it tore apart and someone to rebuild the crankshaft because it casused the motor to knock and it caused it to mess it up and need a rebuild the motor and I bought parts and all and cost a good bit for someone to rebuild it for me CASUE I know nothing. Of motors. Or cars parts just basics. So sense that was the case what can be done since it CASUE it to litteraly break me down on interstate and caused senificent suffering and pain and costed alot to get hauled home al together about 7k including getting it hauled home from miss to Alabama paid for a ride to come get me from home hotel room hotel room bus ride and pay someone to rebuild the engine and paid for parts $7500.00 and still isn't done completely didn't trust the guy I got to rebuild it so got it back asap and motor is back together but several several parts not back on or together and they can't be trusted no more after the first month of having the car and working on it and I got it and put in in my garage and no one seems to tell you if they comeing to give estimate or not CASUE all people have contacted said they would come and never heard nor seen them again unreliable people so it still sets no one wanna work no more when asked to check it out for an estimate besides a very very expensive shop that I can't afford up front pay on payment CASUE I draw a disability check SSI 996.00 a month so impossible to have what a shop wants to charge anything that I can do for a dealership or someone to fix from due to being a. Courthouse wants a feeforretunlicplt

Filed Mar 6, 2021 · Engine, Fuel system · 139,000 miles · FL

My car for the last year will drive 5-7 miles and stall in regular traffic. We replaced the fuel pump. I finally have enough $ to take to nissan. They came back with it needs all 2 cam shaft sensors and crank shaft sensor replaced. When I go on line and search my 2003 350z touring edition recall, there was a recall for this problem as it appears the wires can break inside due to temp on solder joints. I would like to know if this is this a problem that was noted on a recall and this is an ongoing problem with this same model, why now am I going to pay nissan $1200 for the repair that should be covered. I need this investigated

Filed Mar 20, 2019 · Engine, Transmission · 64,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan 350z. While driving various speeds, the vehicle lost power and took numerous attempts to restart. In addition, the traction control, flip, and check engine warning indicators illuminated. The failure occurred intermittently. Numerous unknown dealers and independent mechanics were notified, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 64,000.

Filed Jan 21, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 111,863 miles · CO

My 2003 nissan 350z was exhibiting the exact symptoms of a nhsta recall number 03v455000 ( nissan number r2202) recall. I contacted nissan dealers and nissan consumer affairs with my VIN and was told it didn't fall under the recall. I then took my vehicle to the nissan dealer service department to have it diagnosed and the dealer concluded that both (2) cam position sensors and the crank position sensor, were failing and needed to be replaced at a cost to me of 378.86 which I paid and have had the vehicle back only a few days (<100 miles) but so far seems to have resolved the issue. I again contacted nissan consumer affairs and was told there was nothing they would do. I further explained my belief that the recall was more widespread than initially thought by nhsta and nissan to no avail. I have spent 20-30 hours doing online research as to what would cause the issue and it all seems to lead back to the recall symptoms. I further realized that many other people experienced the same issue but can't speak as to their specific solution and therefore thought it prudent to try and bring it to the federal safety agency for further study and database information. I would very much appreciate the federal safety agency assistance in this matter to have the money I spent reimbursed to me by nissan consumer affairs as I believe this repair should have been under the recall. Thank you for your consideration in this matter.

Filed Mar 18, 2018 · Acceleration, Engine · 64,651 miles · CA

My wife was driving the 350z on the highway and slowing down with traffic ahead. The engine stalled all of a sudden. The cars behind could have smashed into her and kill her. Luckily that did not happen. I searched the internet, it looked like there were many cases of 350zs stalling. Internet told me that it was caused by faulty camshaft position sensor, which was exactly what nissan dealer in dublin california replaced. In fact they replaced both camshaft position sensors. Check engine light did not come on when the vehicle stalled as indicated by the dealer. The engine would not start despite many tries. After 10-15 minutes or so, the engine started and the check engine light came on. Some of the 350z was recalled. However dealer indicated that my VIN number is not on the list. I feel the nissan should pay for my $674.44 repair bill as it is very dangerous for a vehicle stalling while driving.

Filed Apr 7, 2017 · Electrical, Engine · 665,873 miles · NY

Car has less than 66000 miles yet it shut off while driving on highway. Appears to be electrical/alternator/recharge issue an alternator is not supposed to fail at such a young & tender mileage. If car shuts off in a high speed hwy situation some one can get killed!!! My wifes honda civic has 240k with original alternator!!

Filed Feb 3, 2017 · Engine · 10 miles · NC

I have a random misfire of po300 and no one can find the problem. I have reached and found this is a nissan recall

Filed Oct 6, 2016 · Engine · 121,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan 350z. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the engine stalled intermittently without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the camshaft position sensors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of a failure. The approximate failure mileage was 121,000. Updated 12/21/16*lj

Filed Feb 8, 2016 · Engine · 48,500 miles · GA

Car abruptly without warning dropped speed by 15 MPH with the engine service light and the slip light and the etc light coming on. Almost killed by the truck behind me; he swerved to the emergency lane to avoid hitting me due to the sudden deacceleration of my vehicle. Recall r2033/r3022 describes situation. There is a campaign 03v455000 but nissan will not honor this for my particular VIN.

Filed Jan 15, 2016 · Engine · 160,000 miles · AL

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan 350z. The contact stated that the engine light remained illuminated and the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 160,000.

Questions about the 2003 Nissan 350Z engine

Does the 2003 Nissan 350Z have engine problems?

Owners have filed 60 complaints about the engine of the 2003 Nissan 350Z, 22% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2003 Nissan 350Z engine problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 83,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2003 Nissan 350Z engine?

Yes, 1 recall: 03V455000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Nissan 350Z have bad engine?

The Nissan 350Z model years with the most engine complaints are 2003 (60 complaints), 2005 (19 complaints) and 2006 (18 complaints).

Other 2003 Nissan 350Z problems

Suspension 110Tires 71Transmission 34Electrical 11Visibility 9Brakes 8Fuel system 8Airbags 7Seats 6Wheels 5Body 2Steering 2Acceleration 1Driver assistance 1Locks 1

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