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2008 Nissan 350Z problems

The most common problem on the 2008 Nissan 350Z is transmission and drivetrain, typically around 24,597 miles. It has fewer complaints than a typical 350Z model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
90/100
Owner complaints
24
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
73
Worst area
Transmission
Fuel economy
19-20mpg

The worst 2008 Nissan 350Z problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Recalls 1

Electrical system: softwareReported October 7, 2008 · 204,361 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Nissan is recalling 204,361 my 2007-2008 altima, altima hybrid, 350z, 350z roadster, my 2008 altima coupe, rogue, my 2009 murano, and infiniti my 2007-2008 g35 sedan, my 2008 g37 coupe and ex35 passenger vehicles equipped with continental automotive systems' occupant classification system (ocs) control units. A varistor in the ocs control unit located in the passenger seat cushion may have been manufactured out of specification. Under certain conditions, this could cause an interruption of signal between the ocs and the air bag control unit (acu).
Risk
This could result in the passenger air bag being suppressed which could fail to provide adequate protection in the event of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will test the signal between the ocs and acu systems using a special tool to check that it is functioning as designed. If necessary, the seat cushion (containing ocs hardware) will be replaced with a new one manufactured to specification. The recall began on november 4, 2008. Owners may contact nissan at 1‑800‑647‑7261 or infiniti at 1‑800‑662‑6200.

Recall number 08V521000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 2008 Nissan 350Z

Technical service bulletins for the 2008 Nissan 350Z 73

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 73 bulletins for the 2008 Nissan 350Z

2008 Nissan 350Z fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.5L 6‑cylRWD17-1823-2519-20

What 2008 Nissan 350Z owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed May 8, 2019 · Airbags · 50,000 miles · IN

Sensor on dashboard lite won't go out, showing airbag disabled due child in seat.

Filed May 18, 2018 · Transmission · 70,000 miles · KY

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!

Filed Aug 21, 2016 · Transmission · 191,250 miles · NY

Csc failure 6 times. Failure occured in multiple places, on the highway, side streets, country road.

Filed Jul 25, 2016 · Transmission · 70,000 miles · TX

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.

Filed May 13, 2016 · Airbags · NV

Takata recall

Filed Apr 19, 2013 · Engine, Transmission · 57,000 miles · TX

Clutch stuck to floor from slave cylinder going out.

Filed Apr 16, 2013 · Transmission · 36,000 miles · TN

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.

Filed Feb 17, 2013 · Transmission · 27,863 miles · NV

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.

Filed Sep 10, 2012 · Transmission · 50,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Jul 12, 2012 · Airbags · 57,000 miles · NV

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 the federal safety agency 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.

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Questions about the 2008 Nissan 350Z

Is the 2008 Nissan 350Z reliable?

Owners have filed 24 complaints about the 2008 Nissan 350Z, fewer than a typical 350Z model year.

What is the 2008 Nissan 350Z year score?

The 2008 Nissan 350Z scores 90 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Nissan 350Z: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2008 Nissan 350Z?

Transmission and drivetrain, with 21 complaints, typically around 24,597 miles. Next is airbags (3).

How many recalls does the 2008 Nissan 350Z have?

1 recall, covering electrical system.

What year does the Nissan 350Z have bad transmission?

The Nissan 350Z model years with the most transmission complaints are 2007 (47 complaints), 2003 (34 complaints) and 2008 (21 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2008 Nissan 350Z get?

Official estimates for the 2008 Nissan 350Z range from 19 to 20 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.5L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 17-18 city and 23-25 highway.

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