Everyone experiences an issue with their car at some point in time. If you do develop a problem with your Nissan 350Z, it’s not a good idea to ignore it. Regular car maintenance and checkups are the best way of avoiding a huge repair bill further down the line.

Safety is also an important factor, too. Keeping your car maintained and in good condition is the best way to keep you and your loved ones safe when out on the roads.

This list covers the eight most common problems found with the Nissan 350z and what you can do to repair them.

The 7 Most Common Problems With The Nissan 350Z

The most common problems with the Nissan 350z include:

• Problems with the throttle body
• Ticking noises
• Camshaft issues
• Poor paint jobs
• Burning too much oil
• A defective clutch
• Synchro wear
• Erratic or high idling 

Below we will discuss these issues and the solutions in more detail.

Problems With The Throttle Body

Problem: What is the first thing you look for in a car? A powerful engine, of course! An engine works as the heart of the car, powering the metallic body to do its work. Hence, when it malfunctions, you’ll see an ultimate drop in the car’s performance.

This sports car by Nissan is embedded with a third-generation version of the VQ V-6 engine, common to all the brand’s models.

Although the 3.5-liter V6 engine doesn’t disappoint by delivering a whopping 287 horsepower, problems can strike even the best unannounced.

The throttle body is the part of the engine that manages the flow of the liquid that fuels the car.

But with Nissan 350Z 2005 model, the biggest problem you may face is the usual build of carbon that blocks the passageway and adversely affects the engine’s performance.

Solution: If you have been experiencing engine stalling, a problematic throttle body is what is causing it. Hence, you can either clean the carbon every time you experience stalling or get the faulty throttle body replaced for good. It is suggested to replace the body entirely to save yourself the hassle later on.

Ticking Noises

Problem: Have you noticed ticking noises from your 350z when you go for the ignition? Are you unable to point out the exact source of it?

Well, little do you know that those odd noises can be a result of worn-out fuel dampers.

When the car is idling, a faulty fuel damper can cause the car to make weird noises or act up funny. From flickering dashboard lights to ticking noises, things can go crazy within seconds.

Solution: Get your fuel damper replaced to get rid of the problems and enjoy speeding up with your friends in this sporty beauty on the highways.

Camshaft Issues

Problem: Amongst the many engine problems with Nissan 350Z, most owners have complained about the faulty camshaft which was the hardest to deal with.

Apart from a defective throttle body, a faulty camshaft can also cause engine stalling, which can be quite problematic when driving in a high-traffic zone.

The malfunction of the latter can cause the car to stop midway abruptly or not to start at all.

Solution: If you’ve been tired of dealing with the problem, getting the crankshaft position sensor changed for a difference is suggested.

Poor Paint Job

Problem: Your car’s paint job should be the least of your problems, but sadly with the Nissan 350Z 2005 model, this problem has been on every owner’s mind.

Unfortunately, they did poorly on the 350Z sports car for a popular name like Nissan. The paint inside the car fades quickly, while at the exteriors, you’d see it chipping off from places giving the sports car an ugly look.

Solution: You can always get it re-touched by professionals, or if you are feeling adventurous, car stickers/custom vinyl job look amazing too — or maybe Nissan manufacturers wanted you to paint it like you wanted to, adding a touch of your personality to the lovely car! But seriously, Nissan should have worked on this in a better way.

Burning excessive oil

Problem: The disruption in the oil level can burn out your pistons quicker than anticipated. This problem was common in MY’06 (2006) variant.

Some users didn’t pay any heed to this issue and found their engines busted later on. No engine can survive without oil.

Solution: If you have any doubts about the changing oil levels of your Nissan 350Z, make sure you always check it before taking it off for a drive. Make sure you keep checking the dipstick weekly and maintain the oil pressure sensors.

Defective Clutch

Problem: A standard clutch runs smoothly up to 40,000 miles in most cars, but so might not be the case with this sports car. If you have reached 39,000 miles and experiencing grinding noises when changing between clutches, you might have to take a closer look at it.

Solution: Although defective clutches do not pose a high risk to the performance of the car, ideally, you can either get it repaired or replaced to enjoy a smoother performance because grinding noises can be very annoying!

Synchro Wear

Problem: The synchro starts wearing out if a clutch starts to drag and the driver slams gears repeatedly.

In simple words, a worn-out synchro has a difficult time synchronizing the gear. The clutch disk hub could be broken, the clutch pressure plate might be bad, or the clutch throw-out bearing could be damaged.

Although it does depend on the driver’s gear shifting style, some former models of 350Z reported the synchro to wear out faster than anticipated.

The MY07 variant and onwards have not reported this issue, though.

Solution: Contacting a professional should be your first preference as dealing with clutch pressure plates, disk hubs, etc., is not everyone’s cup of tea. Moreover, the problem needs to be identified first, and that is strictly an expert’s job.

Erratic or high idle

Problem: If you’ve just cleaned the throttle body, you may be experiencing erratic or high RPMs at idle. Throttle bodies get dirty over time from oil residue, carbon buildup, and other muck that can accumulate. Therefore, most mechanics recommend cleaning the throttle body every 20,000 to 30,000 miles.

The computer calibrates according to the carbon buildup, so after you’ve cleaned it off, the computer may still be detecting a carbon buildup. This can cause the computer to try to adjust to compensate for the carbon buildup. When cleaning the throttle body, do not open the flap, and just wipe it while trying not to move it at all.

Solution: Disconnect the battery and leave it disconnected for a few minutes. Reconnect the battery and drive the vehicle around for a while. The computer will need to relearn the positions of the throttle body and other electronics in the car.

Signs and Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore

Although car problems are easy to detect, sometimes you tend to ignore them, which extends their seriousness. When talking about Nissan 350Z’s common problems, here are some signs and symptoms that should never be ignored:

1. Engine stalling: How do you detect engine stalling? If you are having a hard time igniting the car, or it stops abruptly during driving, or the engine hiccups or drags under idle or load, visit a professional immediately for a closer look.
2. Faulty camshaft: If the car’s engine light is flickering or you are experiencing ticking noises, there might be a problem with the crankshaft position sensor that requires prompt action to resolve.
3. Defective clutch: If you have not reached the 40,000 miles mark and experiencing grinding changing between gears, never ignore the sign and get the clutch checked, repaired, or replaced by a professional.

These are only a few of the symptoms amongst many that you shouldn’t ignore while driving your Nissan 350Z. Faults that are identified early can avoid leading to serious issues and hefty repair bills.

Nissan 350Z – Reported Issues By Variants

MY’03 (2002 – 2005)

• Incorrect wheel alignment
• Tire Feathering
• Premature clutch wear
• The airbag warning light stays on
• Crunching gearbox
• Boot not staying up when opened
• Service engine soon on for no reason
• Cracked fuel filler hose (lead to recalls)

MY’06 (2006)

• Excessive oil consumption
• Faulty clutch assembly kit – 2003-2006 350z (recall in 2011)

MY’07 (2007)

• Problems with the alarm
• Electrical system error (recall in 2008)

Is a Nissan 350Z expensive to maintain?

The Nissan 350Z is a very affordable car to maintain. A full service should typically set you back between £200 to £300. Like every other car, if you are consistent in visiting the experts for maintenance work, it shouldn’t cost you too much to own. 

Does the Nissan 350Z have more problems than any other car?

You may encounter a few issues with your 350Z, but no more than any other car. The Nissan 350Z does have some problems related to its engine, camshaft, and paint job, to name a few. But none of these are unrepairable. You can easily get the problems solved by an experienced care professional, which shouldn’t cost you must either.

Can a car with major faults be reliable to drive?

If taken good care of, the problems in Nissan 350Z can be overcome easily. Hence, apart from the engine stalling, which can be dangerous when driving through heavy traffic, the car can be completely relied on.

Is the Nissan 350Z worth buying after all the problems being exposed?

Yes, why not? Cars consist of mechanical parts that, when functioning regularly can wear out over the years, so it doesn’t make the vehicle unworthy of purchase.

With little maintenance, you can easily manage or overcome these issues, and hence, when you are looking for a good sports car at a reasonable price, Nissan 350Z is too hard to miss out on.

How long does a Nissan 350Z last?

If your Nissan 350Z is taken care of, it can last anywhere around 190,000 to 250,000 miles. At an average annual mileage of 15,000 miles, you can expect your car to last for 13-17 years.

Is The Nissan 350Z Reliable?

Nissan is one of the top manufacturers of cars, never failing to impress avid car owners with their latest designs. Generation Z models by Nissan have been popular amongst the lot, especially the Nissan 350Z was loved by many.

Although, in terms of reliability and performance, yes, the Nissan 350Z can be trusted too if you know how to overcome the flaws the design possesses.

Final Thoughts

The Gen Z cars by Nissan have been known for their powerful performance, high mileage, and smooth drive. But that doesn’t mean a good design cannot be flawed. Luckily, most of the Nissan 350Z’s problems are easy to deal with and shouldn’t cost you too much to fix.

Make sure you keep a close eye on the signs and don’t ignore the symptoms that indicate a potential problem with the car. Additionally, if you spend a little time and a few resources on the maintenance of your car, this can prevent bigger issues from arising in the future.