The Lemon Index
20071st generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 10,337 in the U.S. in 2008 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 12 complaints in its first 3 years.
12 owner complaints, first 3 years 19–20 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2008 Mitsubishi Lancer 852008 Toyota Yaris 562008 Hyundai Tiburon
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 8 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recall 08V521000 (airbags) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Nissan sent dealers 72 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Nissan; special automatic transmission fluid requirement”?
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 12 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 1K to 14K miles (2K to 23K km) on the car (8 of all 12 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
2008 Nissan 350z nismo / clutch pedal sticks,when the gear engages it`s very bouncy?.
2008 Nissan 350Z owner · NHTSA complaint 10293739
More owner reports
Clutch throwout bearing noise & hard shifting from factory.
NHTSA complaint 10266379
Car would not shift smoothly. Dealer says the flywheel is broken and car needs a new clutch. The car has 3700 miles on it and Nissan will not cover this under warranty. Problem has existed since the car had 400 miles on it.
NHTSA complaint 10248526
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 2008 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 72 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Nissan; special automatic transmission fluid requirement
- SERVICE INFORMATION Replacement 5-speed rear wheel drive Automatic Transmission (A/T) assemblies
- Srs precautions during service;improper maintenance, including incorrect removal and installation
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 1
- Airbags · recall issued 2008
NISSAN IS RECALLING 204,361 MY 2007-2008 ALTIMA, ALTIMA HYBRID, 350Z, 350Z ROADSTER, MY 2008 ALTIMA COUPE, ROGUE, MY 2009 MURANO, AND INFINITI MY 2007-2008 G35 SEDAN, MY 2008 G37 COUPE AND EX35 PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPE…
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. 2008 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 2008 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/nissan-350z/?y=2008" 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/2008/">Lemon Index</a> (2008 Nissan 350Z reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2008 Nissan 350Z reliable?
We can't score it: only 10,337 were sold in the U.S. in 2008 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 12 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2008 Nissan 350Z problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (125%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Nissan 350Z have?
1 safety recall (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Nissan 350Z get?
19 to 20 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2008 Nissan 350Z have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 125% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2008 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 2008 Nissan 350Z have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
What Nissan 350Z year is better than the 2008?
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