What years of the Nissan 350Z should I avoid?

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2005 and 2006 model years are rated Avoid, with complaint indexes of 100 and 75, the two highest in the lineup.

Which Nissan 350Z model years are best?

The 2008 and 2009 model years rate Good, with 24 and 5 complaints and complaint indexes of 25 and 0, the lowest of the five years covered. No year earns a Best verdict.

Are airbags a common problem on the Nissan 350Z?

Yes. Airbags are the top problem area for the 2005 model year, making up 39% of that year's complaints, and they rank second across all years combined at 26% of total complaints.

Does the Nissan 350Z have any recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign across the 2005-2009 350Z, tied to the 2007 and 2008 model years; none are do-not-drive recalls.

Is the 2009 Nissan 350Z reliable?

The 2009 350Z has only 5 complaints and a complaint index of 0, but its Good verdict is capped because complaint records for 2005-2009 model years are considered less complete.

Nissan 350Z Best and Worst Years (2005–2009)

Avoid the 2005 and 2006 Nissan 350Z, which have complaint indexes of 100 and 75 and lead in airbag and engine complaints. The 2008 and 2009 model years rate Good, with far fewer complaints (24 and 5) and lower complaint indexes (25 and 0).

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2005 Avoid 2006

Model years: 5; 2005–2009
NHTSA complaints: 238
Recall campaigns: 1
Crashes reported: 16
Fires reported: 5
Top problem area: Transmission & Powertrain

350Z Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Nissan 350Z problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2005	Avoid	100	83	9	1	0	Airbags	20	—
2006	Avoid	75	53	6	2	0	Engine	19	—
2007	Caution	50	73	1	2	1	Transmission & Powertrain	20	—
2008	Good	25	24	0	0	1	Transmission & Powertrain	20	—
2009	Good	0	5	0	0	0	Engine	19.5	—

350Z years to avoid: what went wrong

2005 Nissan 350Z Index 100 · 83 complaints · 0 recalls

The 2005 350Z has the highest complaint index (100) of any year in the lineup, with 83 total complaints. Airbags are the top issue, making up 39% of that year's complaints, with a median failure mileage of 49,000 miles; owners describe airbags failing to deploy in frontal or side-impact crashes. Engine problems account for 25% of complaints, with a much lower median mileage of 16,600 miles, including reports of the engine suddenly stalling at highway speed. Suspension and electrical issues round out the rest. NHTSA recorded 9 crashes, 1 fire, and 4 injuries tied to this model year, though no recalls were issued.

2005 airbags problems →2005 engine problems →

2006 Nissan 350Z Index 75 · 53 complaints · 0 recalls

The 2006 350Z carries a complaint index of 75, the second-highest in the lineup, from 53 total complaints. Engine problems lead at 34% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 23,750 miles, including reports of engine failure and underhood fires. Suspension, wheels, and tires follow at 32%, with owners reporting wheel separation incidents; median mileage for these was 24,000 miles. Airbags account for another 26% of complaints, with non-deployment reported in crashes at a median mileage of 41,000 miles. NHTSA recorded 6 crashes, 2 fires, 5 injuries, and 1 death for this model year, with no recalls issued.

2006 engine problems →2006 suspension, wheels & tires problems →

Most common Nissan 350Z problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Transmission & Powertrain83 (35%)
Airbags62 (26%)
Engine45 (19%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires37 (16%)
Electrical System13 (5%)
Fuel System7 (3%)
Structure & Body7 (3%)
Brakes5 (2%)
Other5 (2%)
Visibility & Wipers5 (2%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Nissan 350Z should I avoid?: Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2005 and 2006 model years are rated Avoid, with complaint indexes of 100 and 75, the two highest in the lineup.
Which Nissan 350Z model years are best?: The 2008 and 2009 model years rate Good, with 24 and 5 complaints and complaint indexes of 25 and 0, the lowest of the five years covered. No year earns a Best verdict.
Are airbags a common problem on the Nissan 350Z?: Yes. Airbags are the top problem area for the 2005 model year, making up 39% of that year's complaints, and they rank second across all years combined at 26% of total complaints.
Does the Nissan 350Z have any recalls?: NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign across the 2005-2009 350Z, tied to the 2007 and 2008 model years; none are do-not-drive recalls.
Is the 2009 Nissan 350Z reliable?: The 2009 350Z has only 5 complaints and a complaint index of 0, but its Good verdict is capped because complaint records for 2005-2009 model years are considered less complete.