2008 Nissan 350Z Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2008 Nissan 350Z ranks 4th of 5 model years with a complaint index of 25 and a Good verdict. NHTSA lists 24 complaints, one recall, and no crashes, fires, or deaths reported for this year.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 25/100
- #4 of 5 350Z years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 24
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 17 city / 24 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2008 Nissan 350Z problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain21 (88%)
- Airbags3 (13%)
- Engine1 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the clutch slave cylinder failing shortly after purchase, leaving the clutch pedal feeling weak and triggering the service engine soon light.
- Some describe the clutch slipping and burning because the slave cylinder does not build enough pressure.
- One owner reported a broken flywheel requiring a new clutch at low mileage, with the dealer declining warranty coverage.
- Several drivers said the clutch got stuck at random times, including on the highway and during a U-turn, which burned out the clutch.
- Airbag warning lights have illuminated, with one owner referred to the airbag recall campaign and another seeing an airbag-disabled message tied to the seat sensor.
2008 Nissan 350Z recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 08V521000Oct 7, 2008Electrical System204,361 vehicles
Electrical system:software
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.
2008 Nissan 350Z fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17 MPG
- Highway
- 24 MPG
- Combined
- 20 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,000
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2008 compared with other 350Z years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 Nissan 350Z reliable?
- Among 350Z model years, 2008 ranks 4th of 5 with a complaint index of 25, which NHTSA data classifies as a Good verdict relative to other years of this model.
- What problems does the 2008 Nissan 350Z have?
- NHTSA complaints show Transmission & Powertrain issues make up 88% of complaints for this year, mainly clutch slave cylinder and clutch-related concerns, with a median mileage at failure of 31,931.5 miles.
- Does the 2008 Nissan 350Z have any recalls?
- Yes, one recall (campaign 08V521000) covers an electrical system issue tied to occupant classification and airbag control systems; it is not a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2008 350Z compare to other years?
- The 2008 model has a lower complaint index (25) than 2005 (100), 2006 (75), and 2007 (50), making it one of the better years, though 2009 scores even lower at 0.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2008 Nissan 350Z?
- EPA rates the 2008 350Z at 20 mpg combined (17 city/24 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,000.