What years of the Nissan 370Z should I avoid?

Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, avoid the 2009, 2010, and 2011 model years, which have complaint indexes of 100, 90, and 80 respectively, the highest in the 370Z lineup.

What is the best year for the Nissan 370Z?

The 2014 Nissan 370Z is rated Best, with a complaint index of just 20 and only 10 total complaints, the lowest problem rate among model years with meaningful data. The 2017 model is also rated Good.

Does the Nissan 370Z have a steering lock recall?

NHTSA lists one recall (11V538000) for 2011 370Z models covering a power window switch programming error, but the widely reported steering lock mechanism failures in 2009-2011 models were not covered by a formal recall based on this data.

How many total complaints does the Nissan 370Z have?

NHTSA has logged 360 total complaints across 2009-2019 Nissan 370Z models, with steering issues accounting for 48% of all complaints and electrical system issues accounting for 32%.

Is the 2012 or 2013 Nissan 370Z reliable?

Both 2012 and 2013 are rated Caution, with complaint indexes of 60 and 50, mainly tied to transmission and powertrain issues, making them a middle-ground choice compared to the earlier Avoid years.

Nissan 370Z Best and Worst Years (2009–2019)

Avoid the 2009, 2010, and 2011 Nissan 370Z, which carry the highest complaint indexes (100, 90, and 80) and are dominated by steering lock failures. The 2014 model is the best year with a complaint index of just 20, and 2017 is also a solid, low-complaint choice.

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

Avoid 2009 Avoid 2010 Avoid 2011 Best 2014

Model years: 11; 2009–2019
NHTSA complaints: 360
Recall campaigns: 2
Crashes reported: 6
Fires reported: 0
Top problem area: Steering

370Z 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 370Z problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2009	Avoid	100	153	2	0	Steering	21	—
2010	Avoid	90	110	1	0	Steering	21	—
2011	Avoid	80	40	0	1	Steering	20.5	—
2012	Caution	60	16	0	0	Transmission & Powertrain	20.5	—
2013	Caution	50	17	0	0	Transmission & Powertrain	20.5	—
2014	Best	20	10	0	0	Transmission & Powertrain	21	—
2015	No verdict	70	3	1	0	Airbags	21	—
2016	No verdict	10	3	0	0	Airbags	21	—
2017	Good	40	5	1	0	Airbags	21	—
2018	No verdict	30	2	1	1	Brakes	21	—
2019	No verdict	0	1	0	0	Engine	21	—

370Z years to avoid: what went wrong

2009 Nissan 370Z Index 100 · 153 complaints · 0 recalls

The 2009 370Z has the highest complaint index of any year at 100, with 153 total complaints. Steering problems make up 58% of its complaints, mostly tied to the steering lock mechanism failing and leaving the car unable to start, with a median failure mileage around 38,560 miles. Electrical system issues affect 44% of complaints. Owners also reported engine stalling and knocking tied to oil consumption, and transmission grinding noises when releasing the clutch. No recalls were issued for this year.

2009 steering problems →2009 electrical system problems →2009 transmission & powertrain problems →

2010 Nissan 370Z Index 90 · 110 complaints · 0 recalls

The 2010 370Z carries a complaint index of 90, the second highest in the lineup. Steering complaints account for 56% of reports, with the same steering lock mechanism failure seen in 2009, stranding drivers when the car won't start, at a median mileage near 47,000. Electrical system issues make up 29% of complaints. Owners also reported rear differential failures from overheating and airbag deployment issues during crashes. No recalls apply to this model year.

2010 steering problems →2010 electrical system problems →2010 transmission & powertrain problems →

2011 Nissan 370Z Index 80 · 40 complaints · 1 recalls

The 2011 370Z has a complaint index of 80. Steering complaints represent 55% of reports, continuing the steering lock failure pattern from 2009 and 2010, with a median failure mileage of about 39,000. Transmission and powertrain issues make up 35% of complaints. Owners also reported brake master cylinder leaks and fuel gauge malfunctions. NHTSA recall 11V538000 covers a power window switch programming error that could pose a fire risk.

2011 steering problems →

Most common Nissan 370Z problems (all years)

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

Steering172 (48%)
Electrical System114 (32%)
Transmission & Powertrain100 (28%)
Engine32 (9%)
Airbags21 (6%)
Other19 (5%)
Brakes13 (4%)
Fuel System12 (3%)
Structure & Body10 (3%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (1%)

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 370Z should I avoid?: Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, avoid the 2009, 2010, and 2011 model years, which have complaint indexes of 100, 90, and 80 respectively, the highest in the 370Z lineup.
What is the best year for the Nissan 370Z?: The 2014 Nissan 370Z is rated Best, with a complaint index of just 20 and only 10 total complaints, the lowest problem rate among model years with meaningful data. The 2017 model is also rated Good.
Does the Nissan 370Z have a steering lock recall?: NHTSA lists one recall (11V538000) for 2011 370Z models covering a power window switch programming error, but the widely reported steering lock mechanism failures in 2009-2011 models were not covered by a formal recall based on this data.
How many total complaints does the Nissan 370Z have?: NHTSA has logged 360 total complaints across 2009-2019 Nissan 370Z models, with steering issues accounting for 48% of all complaints and electrical system issues accounting for 32%.
Is the 2012 or 2013 Nissan 370Z reliable?: Both 2012 and 2013 are rated Caution, with complaint indexes of 60 and 50, mainly tied to transmission and powertrain issues, making them a middle-ground choice compared to the earlier Avoid years.