2.2

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
69,450 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Nissan 350Z engine problems

engine problem

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2003 Nissan 350Z Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #27

May 162014

350Z

  • 137,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2003 Nissan 350Z. While driving at an unknown speed, the check engine indicator illuminated and the vehicle stalled suddenly. The vehicle was unable to be restarted. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number 03V455000 (engine and engine cooling), even though it experienced the same defect listed in the recall. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 137,000.

- Abilene, TX, USA

problem #26

May 152013

350Z 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Nissan 350Z. The contact stated that while traveling approximately 55 mph, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was moved to the shoulder where it was able to be restarted after several attempts. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was determined that the cam position sensor had failed. The contact was also informed that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number 03V455000 (engine and engine cooling) but was not covered under the recall and no reason was provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000. Updated 8/12/13

- New Haven, CT, USA

problem #25

Mar 212013

350Z 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 53,313 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Nissan 350Z. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph, the vehicle stalled and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the camshaft position sensor needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 03V455000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 53,313. Updated 7/15/13 the consumer stated the vehicle stalled several times.

- Juno Beach , FL, USA

problem #24

Jun 182012

350Z 6-cyl

  • 94,301 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The incident first occurred during highway driving where the engine suddenly lost power completely. Since the manual transmission was in gear, the engine "push started" itself with a violent surge motion and regained power. This happened about three times on this trip. When I got off the freeway, this happened as I slowed for a stoplight and the engine stalled completely since I was not in gear. This problem seems to be very dangerous since all engine power is lost at high speeds and the jolt that results from the "push starting" can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle very easily. This problem happened intermittently but did not cause a check engine light until last week. It is showing code P 0340 and I have found that Nissan is aware of this issue, but does not recognize it as a being associated with my VIN number- this is hard to believe since my car was produced about a year before the recall notice (recall id #03V455000) was issued. I was informed by Nissan representatives that the only way to appeal my VIN#'s applicability to this recall is through the NHTSA. My case # with Nissan is[xxx]. thanks for your help! information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #23

May 052012

350Z 6-cyl

  • 132,000 miles
Camshaft position sensor failure causing the engine to stall during operation. Vehicle is hard to restart after failure. This may cause a potentially serious accident because of sudden engine failure.

- New York, NY, USA

problem #22

Apr 222012

350Z

  • 90,600 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Nissan 350Z. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 mph, the engine stalled without prior warning. The vehicle restarted moments later and resumed as normal. The same failure occurred on three different occasions. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, who stated that the camshaft position sensor and the crank position sensor would need to be replaced. There was a recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 03V455000 (engine and engine cooling). The VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle had not been repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 90,600. The VIN was unavailable.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #21

Dec 272011

350Z

  • 29,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2003 Nissan 350 Z. the contact stated that the check engine warning lamp illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The contact stated that he self-diagnosed that the cam shaft sensors were defective. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number: 03V455000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 29,000.

- Taylorsville, KY, USA

problem #20

Dec 012010

350Z

  • 82,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Nissan 350Z. The contact was driving 35 mph when the engine stalled. The check engine warning light illuminated prior to the failure. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 82,000 and the current mileage was 83,000.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #19

Sep 212011

350Z

  • 68,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Nissan 350Z. While driving approximately 30 mph the vehicle suddenly stalled. The service engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact stopped the vehicle on the shoulder of the road and within a few minutes he was able to restart it. The failure occurred twice. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The mechanic stated the cam shaft and the crank position sensor had to be replaced. NHTSA campaign id number: 03V455000 (engine and engine cooling) may be related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000.

- Sylmar, CA, USA

problem #18

May 142011

350Z

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Nissan 350Z. The contact was driving 35 mph when the vehicle began to lose power and stalled without warning. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer and the dealer noticed a faulty cam shaft positioning sensor, which he recommended replacing. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign I.D. number: 03V455000 (engine and engine cooling) but the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 80,000.

- Canton, MI, USA

problem #17

Mar 252011

350Z 6-cyl

  • 119,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2003 Nissan 350Z shuts down in traffic without warning. NHTSA has this car listed on their recall list but the manufacturer says there is no recall on my particular vehicle. I contacted Nissan, they told me there was nothing they could do until I had it diagnosed by a dealership. I went to my local Nissan dealership and had my car diagnosed and they said it was the cam position sensor which would cause the car to shut down without warning, the service engine light goes on, the tcs light, and slip light, light up after restarting and it takes a few cranks to restart. So after spending $88 to have this diagnosis done they still say sorry we can't help you. This is the vehicle that my son drives back and forth to college and as of right now he is walking because we are afraid to let him drive it until it is repaired. Do I feel this is a safety issue most definitely! driving 70 mph on the interstate and then all of a sudden shut down with cars behind you I feel is an accident waiting to happen! the car can not be driven like this, every time the car is used it happens more then once. These are the same exact symptoms that the recall lists. This has been happening since 3/25/11 till the present.

- Floral City, FL, USA

problem #16

Oct 172010

350Z 6-cyl

  • 105,000 miles
I own a 2003 Nissan 350Z, while driving at approximately 30mph, there was a sudden loss of power, and the check engine, vdc, and slip lights all came on. Engine now runs sluggishly. The error code is P0340, which is crank sensor failure. I feel this is related to the ntsa recall campaign 03V455000, but that campaign only allows for a very small VIN range of 2003 350zs. I have read many instances of this failure and situation online. The recall should be expanded to all 2003 350zs.

- Brisbane, CA, USA

problem #15

Oct 172010

350Z 6-cyl

  • 105,000 miles
I own a 2003 Nissan 350Z, while driving at approximately 30mph, there was a sudden loss of power, and the check engine, vdc, and slip lights all came on. Engine now runs sluggishly. I fell this is related to the NHTSA recall campaign 03V455000, but that campaign only allows for a very small VIN range of 2003 350zs. I have read many instances of this failure and situation online.

- Brisbane, CA, USA

problem #14

Aug 232010

350Z

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Nissan 350Z. The contact was traveling 30 mph when the vehicle stalled without warning. As the contact attempted to restart the vehicle, the check engine, traction control and the tire slip warning lights were illuminated. The dealer inspected the vehicle and advised that the crank shaft sensor failed and would need replacing. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 03V455000 (engine and engine cooling) but was advised by the dealer that his VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 80,000.

- San Bruno, CA, USA

problem #13

Feb 012010

350Z

  • 113,000 miles
Service engine light came on and vehicle suddenly turned off without warning resulting in near crash. Took vehicle to service station and was informed it was the crank position sensor.

- Van Buren, AR, USA

problem #12

Oct 232009

350Z 6-cyl

  • 54,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Nissan 350Z. While driving 5 mph in a parking lot, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle restarted after several attempts. His vehicle identification number was excluded from recall campaign id number 03V455000 (engine and engine cooling). No repairs were made. The failure mileage was 54,000. The current mileage was 54,022. Updated 12/10/09.

- Kahului , HI, USA

problem #11

Apr 242009

350Z

  • 101,327 miles
Hello. My name is [xxx]. I own a 2003 Nissan 350Z touring edition automotive vehicle. On April 20th 2009, my car started stalling. I was stuck in the middle of cactus and scottsdale rd due to the following defect on the 2003 Nissan 350Z I own and drive. Also, as I was driving the car, lights in the dash such "service engine soon" and other various lights warned me. I took the car to autozone the next day and they reported code P0340 which means the cam shaft positional sensors were bad. I took the car to the dealer on Friday, April 24th 2009, and the dealer would not repair the auto under the 2003 Nissan 350Z recall bulletin-reference # ntb03-124. I spoke with [xxx] at the service dept. At pinnacle Nissan of scottsdale and he said "this car is not in the recall campaign". I was unclear why he reported this especially when I have solid proof that the car's VIN number was in the range of Nissan cars that are recalled for this defect. I gave up after tim(the service advisor) could not repair the vehicle under the recall. I had the car towed to my mechanic that day to kelly clark automotive. Kelly clark was also unclear as to why Nissan would not repair the car under the recall as well. Frustration continued further when Nissan sales were calling me on the 26th and the following days, bribing me to come to the dealer and reimburse me the cost of the repair that I paid to get the problem fixed, given that I buy a new 350Z from them. I felt violated and harassed and could not believe a dealer would have the audacity to ask me to buy a vehicle in order for them to pay for my repair on my current vehicle. ([xxx] in the sales department at pinnacle Nissan stated this). The charges for repairs out of pocket that I paid were $454.65 to kelly clark to fix the problem related to the recall. I feel I should be reimbursed for these charges. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #10

Feb 052009

(reported on)

350Z

  • miles
2003 Nissan 350Z had a cam sensor replaced. Consumer wants to know if there is a possible recall for this problem. The consumer stated the engine would shut off suddenly while driving.

- Marietta, GA, USA

problem #9

Sep 062008

350Z

  • miles
The contact owns a 2003 Nissan 350Z. While driving 60 mph, the vehicle shut off. The contact had to perform a hard start after attempting to restart it several times. Also, the check engine light illuminated and remained lit at that time. He pulled the vehicle to the side of the road. The dealer currently has the vehicle. The contact was informed that his VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 03V455000 (engine and engine cooling). The failure mileage was unknown.

- Deerfield Beach, FL, USA

problem #8

Mar 012008

350Z

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Nissan 350Z. While driving 40 mph, the vehicle loses speed whenever he shifts gears to accelerate. The engine revs, but the vehicle does not accelerate. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer numerous times, but they were unable to diagnose the cause of the failure. They have changed numerous sensors, the engine computer, and even the water pump of the vehicle. Through online research, he discovered NHTSA campaign id number 03V455000 (engine and engine cooling); however, Nissan stated that his VIN was not included in the recall. He has been unable to drive the vehicle due to the lack of acceleration. The failure mileage was 80,000 and current mileage was approximately 81,000.

- Chino, CA, USA

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