The Lemon Index
20041st generation
Avoid · most complaints: suspension
188 owner complaints, first 3 years 19–20 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2003 Chrysler Concorde2003 Chrysler 300M2003 Hyundai Tiburon 537
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 4,500 and 12,000 miles (7,200–20,000 km) (the middle half of the 138 complaints, of all 188 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 11E024000 (transmission & drivetrain), 06E049000 (lights) and 05V555000 (fuel system, gasoline) done? It has 4 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any clunks over bumps or uneven tire wear? Were struts, shocks or control arms replaced?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Nissan sent dealers 108 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Clunk noise from front suspension”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Nissan's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 188 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 4K to 12K miles (7K to 20K km) on the car (138 of all 188 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
The inside tread grooves were higher than the other three tires. The owner described the location of failure as the front and back portion of the tire.
2003 Nissan 350Z owner · NHTSA complaint 10017521
More owner reports
2003 Nissan 350 z - front tires are feathering on the inside tread with 4000 miles on the vehicle.
NHTSA complaint 10049405
Tires are feathering after about 4000 miles, road noise is extremely loud, Nissan has done nothing to correct the problem, tires should not be ruined after only 4000 miles.
NHTSA complaint 10049474
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 8.5M views · 2003–2009 Nissan 350Z
Most-watched topics
- Infotainment, battery & electrical111K views
2003 Nissan 350z Starter Motor Replacement - Full WalkthroughKhan XO · 68K views · 2 videos - Transmission & shifter84K views
How to fix U1000 U1001 on Infiniti G35 Nissan 350Z 2003-2007 DYI ECM communication to transmissionLess Expensive fix · 84K views - Gauges, lights & wiring50K views
2005 Nissan 350z Roadster Slip Light Issuezackis · 50K views - Windows, doors & mirrors23K views
Tips for Window Regulator Replacement - Nissan 350Z 1st GenLenny Ilyashov (Lenny) · 23K views
Before you buy, watch
2004 nissan 350z idle problemsAlex Susma · 3K views
Nissan 350Z 2002 to 2008 common problems, issues, defects and complaintsHOWSTUFFINMYCARWORKS · 1K views
Nissan 350Z (2003-2009) Buyer's Guide/Specs/Options/Prices | Watch This Before Buying!Statomotive · 234 viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2003 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Nissan told dealers about
Nissan sent dealers 108 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Clunk noise from front suspension
- Clicking noise from rear axles
- SERVICE INFORMATION This bulletin provides information to identify: - A leaking strut or a…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 4
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2011
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.
- Lights · recall issued 2006
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2005
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FUEL FILLER HOSE MAY CRACK AND RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE HOSE WHILE REFUELING.
Show all 4 recalls
- Engine · recall issued 2003
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR OR CAM POSITION SENSOR MAY HAVE AN IMPROPER SOLDER JOINT DUE TO SOLDER DEFORMATION CAUSED BY HEAT STRESS ACCELERATED BY THE EXISTENCE OF FLUX…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,750–$3,950 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl.
Every Nissan 350Z year. 2003 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 6 Nissan 350Z years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2003 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/nissan-350z/?y=2003" title="Nissan 350Z reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="307" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/nissan-350z/2003/">Lemon Index</a> (2003 Nissan 350Z reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2003 Nissan 350Z reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew about 5 times the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 462; 100 is average, lower is better). The Nissan 350Z year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2006.
What are the most common 2003 Nissan 350Z problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are suspension (57%), tires (37%) and transmission & drivetrain (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2003 Nissan 350Z have?
4 safety recalls (latest: transmission & drivetrain). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Nissan 350Z get?
19 to 20 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2003 Nissan 350Z problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 4,500 and 12,000 miles (7,200–20,000 km) (the middle half of the 138 complaints, of all 188 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2003 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2003 Nissan 350Z have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 10% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2003 Nissan 350Z cost in fuel a year?
About $3,750 to $3,950 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2003 Nissan 350Z have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
What Nissan 350Z year is better than the 2003?
Nearby, the 2006 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about one and a half times the average car's complaints).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works