NISSAN 350Z · model year

2005 NISSAN 350Z

102 NHTSA complaints, 12 crash reports, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2005NISSAN350Z carries 102 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 12 crashes, 1 fire, 6 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2005 350Z is air bags with 29 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling (12) and power train:manual transmission (5). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 54 investigation files overlapping the 2005 350Z, and 5 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

102
Complaints
12
Crashes
1
Fires
6
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

102 filings

Crashes Reported

12 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS29
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING12
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION5
STRUCTURE:BODY4
WHEELS4
SUSPENSION3
ENGINE3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
EXTERIOR LIGHTING3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE2
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH2
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC2
POWER TRAIN2
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM2

Recalls (2)

11E02400024/06/2011

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

ZF SERVICE IS RECALL CERTAIN CLUTCH KIT ASSEMBLIES, PART NUMBER SX: K70358-01, SHIPPED TO WHOLESALERS AS SERVICE PARTS BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2010, AND MARCH 8, 2011. THESE SERVICE PARTS ARE INTENDED FOR USE ON MODEL YEAR 2003-2006 NISSAN 350Z AND INFINITI G35 VEHICLES. THE SX: K70358-01 CLUTCH KIT

06E04900024/05/2006

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO.

Recent Complaints

20201109AIR BAGS

2005 NISSAN 350Z PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT FLASHING,DEALER PREFORMED DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND RESET.WARNING LIGHT RETURNS AFTER 25 MILES.RETURNED TO DEALERSHIP ESTIMATED COST OF $350.00 TO REPAIR WITH NO GUARANTEE OF COST TO REPAIR,PURCHASED A ACTRON CODE READER AND PREFORMED DIAGNOSTICS TEST AND RESET .WARNING LIGHT REAPPEARS PREFORMED CODE READER TEST AND RESET NUMEROUS TIMES WITH SAME RESULTS.CONTACTED NISSAN WITH THE PROBLEM WITH NO RESULTS.VIEWED YOUTUBE VIDEOS TO FIND THE PROBLEM PART CANNOT BE PURCHASED PART#98850CF80A MADE IN MEXICO. CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW,AS OF 11-9-2020 THE PROBLEM IS STILL EXISTS.

Mileage: 800

20200209ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING AT AROUND 40MPH, MY 2005 NISSAN 350Z (41XXX MILES) SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY. NO POWER, BRAKES, STEERING, ANYTHING. I GLIDED TO A STOP AND PULLED OVER AS BEST AS I COULD. EVERY INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON: CHECK ENGINE, SERVICE SOON, TIRE PRESSURE, ETC. I WAS ON A FLAT, BUSY CITY STREET GOING STRAIGHT WHEN THIS HAPPENED. PRIOR TO THIS, I HAD NO INDICATION OF A POTENTIAL PROBLEM. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, ETC. I CALLED AAA AND AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES, DECIDED TO SEE IF IT WOULD START SO I COULD MOVE TO A SAFER PLACE. IT STARTED RIGHT UP. I'VE SINCE BEEN ABLE TO START AND DRIVE BUT THIS WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. HAD THIS HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY, IT COULD HAVE BEEN A CATASTROPHE FOR ME AND THE DRIVERS AROUND ME. IT'S A VERY CONCERNING SAFETY ISSUE. I'VE READ IT IS ONGOING WITH NISSANS THE SAME AGE AS MINE. SOME WERE RECALLED AND REPAIRED BUT I LOOKED UP MY VIN AND IT'S NOT COVERED. TAKING IT TO A DEALER TOMORROW BUT APPRECIATE ANY HELP REPORTING AND RESOLVING THIS ISSUE. THANKS.

Mileage: 41,000

20200209ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING AT AROUND 40MPH, MY 2005 NISSAN 350Z (41XXX MILES) SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY. NO POWER, BRAKES, STEERING, ANYTHING. I GLIDED TO A STOP AND PULLED OVER AS BEST AS I COULD. EVERY INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON: CHECK ENGINE, SERVICE SOON, TIRE PRESSURE, ETC. I WAS ON A FLAT, BUSY CITY STREET GOING STRAIGHT WHEN THIS HAPPENED. PRIOR TO THIS, I HAD NO INDICATION OF A POTENTIAL PROBLEM. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, ETC. I CALLED AAA AND AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES, DECIDED TO SEE IF IT WOULD START SO I COULD MOVE TO A SAFER PLACE. IT STARTED RIGHT UP. I'VE SINCE BEEN ABLE TO START AND DRIVE BUT THIS WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. HAD THIS HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY, IT COULD HAVE BEEN A CATASTROPHE FOR ME AND THE DRIVERS AROUND ME. IT'S A VERY CONCERNING SAFETY ISSUE. I'VE READ IT IS ONGOING WITH NISSANS THE SAME AGE AS MINE. SOME WERE RECALLED AND REPAIRED BUT I LOOKED UP MY VIN AND IT'S NOT COVERED. TAKING IT TO A DEALER TOMORROW BUT APPRECIATE ANY HELP REPORTING AND RESOLVING THIS ISSUE. THANKS.

Mileage: 41,000

20190422AIR BAGS

AT 45,000 MILES THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. DEALERS WANTS AN ARM, A LEG, AND HALF OF THE OTHER LEG TO FIX. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THERE IS NOT A RECALL YET. DEALER SAYS THEY CAN START REPLACING PARTS BUT THAT MAY NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. VERBAL ESTIMATE COULD BE AROUND $3,200 TO START! CARE IS PRISTINE, GARAGE KEPT, NEVER SEEN RAIN OR SNOW. HELP! PLEASE MAKE NISSAN FIX THIS KNOW ISSUE.

20190422EXTERIOR LIGHTING

AT 45,000 MILES THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. DEALERS WANTS AN ARM, A LEG, AND HALF OF THE OTHER LEG TO FIX. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THERE IS NOT A RECALL YET. DEALER SAYS THEY CAN START REPLACING PARTS BUT THAT MAY NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. VERBAL ESTIMATE COULD BE AROUND $3,200 TO START! CARE IS PRISTINE, GARAGE KEPT, NEVER SEEN RAIN OR SNOW. HELP! PLEASE MAKE NISSAN FIX THIS KNOW ISSUE.

20181111AIR BAGS

AIR BAG LIGHTS HAVE BEEN FLASHING FOR 3 YEARS WHETHER PARKED OR IN MOTION, DEALERSHIP SAYS $1500 TO DIAGNOSE BUT BELIEVES BAGS ARE NOT FUNCTIONING AND ADVISES TO "DRIVE SAFELY" IF I DECIDE NOT TO REPAIR. NOT ON RECALL LIST WHICH IS UNREAL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUES AS BAGS WILL NOT GO OFF IF IN A COLLISION ACCORDING TO DEALERSHIP.

Mileage: 40,000

20181008POWER TRAIN

CLUTCH STICKING TO FLOOR HAVE TO PLACE FOOT UNDER CLUTCH TO POP BACK IN PLACE SO I CAN CONTINUE TO USE CLUTCH. ALSO, SLIP LIGHT COMES ON SINCE NISSAN OF BOWIE, MD ROTATED MY TIRES, IN THE 13 YRS I HAVE OWNED NO MECHANIC HAS EVER DONE AND I QUESTION IT AT NISSAN OF BOWIE, MD.

Mileage: 52,000

20180716UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE REPLACEMENT HEADLIGHTS BOUGHT FROM AMAZON (AUTOLIGHTSBULBS) ARE NOT ADJUSTABLE LIKE THE ONES FROM THE DEALER. I CONTACTED THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM AND THEY STATE THAT THESE ARE DOT AND SAE CERTIFIED. PLEASE FIND SUPPLIED

20180716EXTERIOR LIGHTING

THE REPLACEMENT HEADLIGHTS BOUGHT FROM AMAZON (AUTOLIGHTSBULBS) ARE NOT ADJUSTABLE LIKE THE ONES FROM THE DEALER. I CONTACTED THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM AND THEY STATE THAT THESE ARE DOT AND SAE CERTIFIED. PLEASE FIND SUPPLIED

20180502ENGINE

ALL THE CRANKSHAFT SENORS AND CAM SENSORS FAILED WITH A TOTAL LOSE OF POWER CREATING AND VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION SINCE I COULD NOT STEER THE CAR TO A SAFE LOCATION. IN OTHER WORDS I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT AN ACCIDENT WAS NOT CREATED AS A RESULT OF THIS FAILURE. THERE WAS NO WARNING AND NO BACKUP TO POWER THE VEHICLE SAFELY ON THE CITY STREET.

Mileage: 49,000

20180502FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

ALL THE CRANKSHAFT SENORS AND CAM SENSORS FAILED WITH A TOTAL LOSE OF POWER CREATING AND VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION SINCE I COULD NOT STEER THE CAR TO A SAFE LOCATION. IN OTHER WORDS I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT AN ACCIDENT WAS NOT CREATED AS A RESULT OF THIS FAILURE. THERE WAS NO WARNING AND NO BACKUP TO POWER THE VEHICLE SAFELY ON THE CITY STREET.

Mileage: 49,000

20171128AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN 350Z. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO WARNER NISSAN (1070 BRIGHT RD, FINDLAY, OH 45840 (419) 423-7162) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO COST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED HIM THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE SEAT BELT. NO OTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,270. *BF *TR

Mileage: 45,270

20171012CrashAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN 350Z. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS UNOCCUPIED AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY HOWEVER, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AFTER THE CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NISSAN GETTEL, LOCATED ON 3530 BEE RIDGE RD, SARASOTA, FL 34239, WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE INSPECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,451. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 62,451

20170831AIR BAGS

I WAN'T TOLD IT WAS A TAKATA RECALL. MY AIR BAG LIGHT WENT ON 9 TIMES AND I ONLY HAVE 41K ON THE CAR. EVERY TIME THE DEALER TOLD ME IT CAME FROM THE SEATS.

Mileage: 2,000

20170804STRUCTURE:BODY

DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK WON'T UNLOCK. IF YOU LOCK IT THEN TRY TO UNLOCK IT, THE LOCK WON'T ENGAGE.

Mileage: 100,027

20170209WHEELS

TAKATA RECALL I AM HIGHLY CONCERNED ABOUT NISSAN 350Z WHEEL MODELS. WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE COLLAPSED DUE TO THE FACT THE RIM BROKE OFF. WHEELS ARE NISSAN STOCK. NO AFTERMARKET! NO INJURIES WERE PRESENT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, MY LIFE AND POSSIBLY THE LIFE OF OTHERS COULDVE BEEN TAKEN FROM THIS MATTER. SO FAR NISSAN REFUSES TO BE AT FAULT. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN INCIDENT TOOK PLACE. HEARD GRINDING AT 55MPH AND VEHICLE COLLAPSED AT 10MPH.

Mileage: 118,400

20161212AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL I OWN A 2005 NISSAN 350 Z. THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR A FEW YEARS NOW. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT IT WOULD COST 1000 TO FIX IT. I'VE IN FLORIDA (VERY HUMID). WHY HAS MY CAR'S AIRBAGS NOT BEEN RECALLED?

20160515FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I'VE EXPERIENCED RECENTLY THAT I CAN'T SEEM TO FILL UP MY GAS TANK FULL. THE GAS PUMP JUST STOPS PUMPING FUEL AFTER 5 OR 6 GALLONS, AND THERE'S GAS SPILLAGE ALL OVER THE GAS INLET PIPE. IT'S ANNOYING AND IT'S HAPPENING EVERY TIME I FILL UP. VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF WHILE FILLING UP. I'VE DONE SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND THERE ARE MORE PEOPLE HAVING THIS ISSUE AND NISSAN HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL.

Mileage: 95,000

20160301AIR BAGS

I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE USED ABOUT 5 YEARS AGO. ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO I STARTED TO HAVE A FLASHING AIR BAG LIGHT ON FOR NO REASON. THIS HAPPENS RANDOMLY USUALLY WHEN I JUST START THE CAR UP. AS WITH MOST OWNERS IN THE NORTH I DON'T DRIVE IT IN THE WINTER SO I PUT ON AROUND 35K SINCE I BOUGHT IT. I SEARCHED THE WEB TO SEE IF ANYONE WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND THEY SURE WERE. I TRIED THE RESET PROCEDURE FOUND ONLINE AND IT WORKED FOR AWHILE. NOW IT COMES ON MORE OFTEN AND I JUST TRY TO RESET IT AGAIN. IT DIDN'T TAKE MUCH SEARCHING TO FIND OUT THAT NISSAN IS CHARGING OWNERS (MY YEAR) $600-3,000 TO REPAIR AND THE PROBLEM CAME BACK FOR SOME AGAIN. SOME EVEN REPORTED HAVING AN ACCIDENT AND THE BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I HAVE NOT HAD IT TO A DEALER SIMPLY BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD TO REPLACE THE SEATS SOME HAVE HAD TO.

Mileage: 68,000

20160114AIR BAGS

LIKE SO MANY OTHERS THAT I HAVE READ, MY AIRBAG LIGHT FLASHES FOR THE PASSENGERS SIDE AIRBAG. I AM A SECOND OWNER OF THIS CAR THAT HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN A WRECK OF ANY KIND. THIS CAR HAS BEEN BABIED BY ME AS WELL AS THE PREVIOUS OWNER. IT IS GARAGE KEPT AND HARDLY EVER DRIVEN. MILAGE IS ONLY 52000 AFTER 11 YEARS!! LIGHT HAS BEEN RESET BUT STILL COMES BACK ON. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURED DEFECT AND IF SOMEONE IS HURT BECAUSE OF NO ACTION I WILL SUE NISSAN AS WELL AS NHTSA FOR NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT!!!

Mileage: 49,000

Compare 2005NISSAN350Z to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 5 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2005 NISSAN 350Z have?
The 2005 NISSAN 350Z has 102 NHTSA complaints, 12 crashes, 1 fires, 6 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2005 NISSAN 350Z?
Yes, the 2005 NISSAN 350Z has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 NISSAN 350Z?
The most-complained component for the 2005 NISSAN 350Z is AIR BAGS with 29 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING and POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION.
Is the 2005 NISSAN 350Z safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.