Nissan 300zx Reliability
386 NHTSA complaints (1983–1996). Complaint rate: 1128.7 per 1,000 vehicles.
Which Years to Buy & Avoid
Years auto-clustered by complaint volume relative to this model's median.
Bottom line: Avoid the 1984–1988 Nissan 300zx. The 1994–1996 models had significantly fewer reported issues. Most common issue across all years: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM.
Avoid These Years
Average
Better Years
A model's reputation is just the start.
Even within the “good” years, individual cars can have hidden accidents, title issues, or odometer rollbacks. Check the actual VIN before you buy — full history report for $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
Complaints by Model Year
NHTSA complaint count per model year
Common Nissan 300zx Problems
Most reported component complaints to NHTSA
| Component | Complaints | Crash % |
|---|---|---|
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM | 80 | 0.0% |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS | 54 | 1.9% |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 23 | 0.0% |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 19 | 0.0% |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 17 | 29.4% |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 16 | 0.0% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD | 11 | 0.0% |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 10 | 0.0% |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY | 7 | 0.0% |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM | 7 | 0.0% |
Year-by-Year Breakdown
NHTSA complaint count per model year — click any year for full problems & recalls breakdown.
| Year | Generation | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984AVOID | — | 86 | 0 | 24 | View 1984View→ |
| 1985AVOID | — | 89 | 2 | 63 | View 1985View→ |
| 1986AVOID | — | 66 | 5 | 35 | View 1986View→ |
| 1987AVOID | — | 30 | 1 | 20 | View 1987View→ |
| 1988AVOID | — | 29 | 0 | 17 | View 1988View→ |
| 1989 | — | 11 | 0 | 2 | View 1989View→ |
| 1990 | — | 24 | 3 | 1 | View 1990View→ |
| 1991 | — | 17 | 1 | — | View 1991View→ |
| 1992GOOD | — | 6 | 1 | — | View 1992View→ |
| 1993 | — | 16 | 2 | — | View 1993View→ |
| 1994GOOD | — | 4 | 1 | 1 | View 1994View→ |
| 1995GOOD | — | 5 | 0 | 2 | View 1995View→ |
| 1996GOOD | — | 2 | 1 | — | View 1996View→ |
See also: Nissan 300zxaccident & safety statistics from our vehicle history database.
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