The Lemon Index
200420061st generation
Worse than average · most complaints: engine
Better years to buy
34 owner complaints, first 3 years 19–20 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2005 Mitsubishi Lancer2005 Hyundai Tiburon 1402005 Honda Insight
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 5,000 and 21,000 miles (8,000–34,000 km) (the middle half of the 25 complaints, of all 34 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) and 06E049000 (lights) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Nissan sent dealers 69 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Clicking noise from rear axles”?
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 34 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 5K to 21K miles (8K to 34K km) on the car (25 of all 34 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
Clutch pedal sticking (holding down) causing a burn out/acceleration and wearing of clutch.
2005 Nissan 350Z owner · NHTSA complaint 10186311
More owner reports
The 2nd time the crank sensor went out I was traveling down the freeway at about 75-mph when the car just died - I mean no power and no warning. I had to make my way across all lanes to the right shoulder with only a prayer!
NHTSA complaint 10134335
Manufacturer's defective crank position sensor caused the vehicle to stall unexpectedly in the middle of freeway, causing a potentially dangerous situation.
NHTSA complaint 10187678
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 2005 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 69 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Clicking noise from rear axles
- SERVICE INFORMATION This bulletin provides information to identify: - A leaking strut or a…
- Engine will not crank with outside temperature below 10 f
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 2
- 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.
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
Government investigations
- ClosedWheel separation due to spoke fracture2007–2008
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
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. 2005 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 2005 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/nissan-350z/?y=2005" 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/2005/">Lemon Index</a> (2005 Nissan 350Z reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2005 Nissan 350Z reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew about twice the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 180; 100 is average, lower is better). The Nissan 350Z year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2006.
What are the most common 2005 Nissan 350Z problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (47%), transmission & drivetrain (18%) and brakes (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 Nissan 350Z have?
2 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 2005 Nissan 350Z get?
19 to 20 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2005 Nissan 350Z problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 5,000 and 21,000 miles (8,000–34,000 km) (the middle half of the 25 complaints, of all 34 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2005 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 2005 Nissan 350Z have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 18% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2005 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 2005 Nissan 350Z have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
What Nissan 350Z year is better than the 2005?
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