2012 Nissan 370Z Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2012 Nissan 370Z has a complaint index of 60 and ranks 5th worst out of 11 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Most complaints (75%) involve the transmission and clutch system, with no recalls filed for this year.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 60/100
- #5 of 11 370Z years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 16
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 0
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 20.5
- 18 city / 25.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2012 Nissan 370Z problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain12 (75%)
- Airbags3 (19%)
- Engine2 (13%)
- Other1 (6%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Clutch concentric slave cylinder fails, causing the clutch pedal to drop to the floor and leaving the car stuck out of gear.
- Drivers report intermittent juddering or shuddering when starting off in first gear before losing clutch pressure entirely.
- A rattling noise from the drive shaft appears when shifting into first gear, sometimes requiring drive shaft replacement.
- The SRS airbag warning light stays on continuously, traced to a failed occupant sensor or airbag control unit.
- Some owners had the airbag control unit replaced without the warning light issue being resolved.
2012 Nissan 370Z recalls
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
2012 Nissan 370Z fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 MPG
- Highway
- 25.5 MPG
- Combined
- 20.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,900
- 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.
2012 compared with other 370Z years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Nissan 370Z reliable?
- NHTSA data shows the 2012 370Z has a complaint index of 60 and ranks 5th worst among 11 model years, putting it in the Caution category. Transmission and clutch problems make up 75% of its complaints.
- What is the main problem with the 2012 Nissan 370Z?
- Transmission and powertrain issues dominate, accounting for 12 of 16 complaints (75%), mostly involving clutch concentric slave cylinder failures and shuddering when starting in first gear.
- Does the 2012 Nissan 370Z have any recalls?
- No, NHTSA lists zero recalls for the 2012 model year.
- How does the 2012 370Z compare to other 370Z years?
- The 2012 model (complaint index 60) is worse than 2013 (50), 2014 (20, Best verdict), and 2017 (40, Good verdict), but better than 2009, 2010, and 2011, all rated Avoid with complaint indexes of 100, 90, and 80.
- At what mileage do 2012 370Z problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure across all complaints is 36,262.5 miles, with transmission problems appearing at a median of 36,392 miles.