RoadVitals

1984 Nissan 300ZX

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
42
Latest Aug 30, 2008
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
5
Latest Nov 1, 1995
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
4
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
22
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 42 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1984 Nissan 300ZX, most frequently naming the fuel system, driver assistance and engine categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 4 NHTSA investigations name it; and 3 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Driver assistance58.6%
  • Engine46.9%
  • Electrical35.2%
  • Brakes23.4%
  • Interior & seats23.4%
  • Exterior lighting23.4%
  • Transmission23.4%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

5 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

Nov 1, 1995
686,649 units potentially affected
The defect: THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATION 573. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. THE CAMPAIGN WILL REPLACE THE FUEL INJECTORS AND RELATED HOSES OF AFFECTED VEHICLES WHICH COULD LEAK.
The risk: FUEL LEAKS IN THE ENGINE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: NISSAN DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL INJECTORS AND RELATED HOSES ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.
NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT

Jul 6, 1987
183,519 units potentially affected
The defect: UNINTENDED ACCELERATION MAY OCCUR, FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN SHIFTING FROM THE PARK POSITION.
The risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
The remedy: INSTALL A SHIFT INTERLOCK SYSTEM WHICH PREVENTS THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER FROM BEING MOVED FROM THE PARK POSITION UNLESS THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.
NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH

Mar 1, 1985
11,900 units potentially affected
The defect: IMPURE LUBRICATING GREASE USED IN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCHES COULD CONTAMINATE ONE OR MORE CONTACT POINTS. OPERATION OF THE HEADLIGHTS COULD BE DELAYED OR NOT LIGHT WHEN THE SWITCH IS TURNED ON OR WHEN THE DIMMER SWITCH IS OPERATED. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: LOSS OF HEAD LIGHTS WHILE DRIVING COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
The remedy: REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AS NECESSARY.
NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA94018ClosedEngineering Analysis

FUEL INJECTOR ASSEMBLY LEAKAGE

Opened Jun 23, 1994
Closed Nov 8, 1995

AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS CLOSING REPORT IS INCLUDED IN THE PUBLIC FILE.SERVICE CAMPAIGN 95I-006.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEMLed to recall 95I006000
EA89031ClosedEngineering Analysis

SEAT FAILURES

Opened Jul 28, 1989
Closed Oct 31, 1990

SUMMARY:APPROXIMATELY SIXTY PERCENT OF THE REPORTS ALLEGED A FAILURE ORMALFUNCTION OF THE SEAT BACK ASSEMBLY, TWELVE OF WHICH INVOLVED ANACCIDENT.THE REMAINING FORTY PERCENT OF THE REPORTS ALLEGED A FAILUREOR MALFUNCTION OF THE SEAT TRACK ASSEMBLY, SIX OF WHICH INVOLVED ANACCIDENT.===

SEATS
PE88092ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

SEAT FAILURES

Opened Aug 9, 1988
Closed Jul 28, 1989

===

SEATS
EA85029ClosedEngineering Analysis

SUDDEN ACCELERATION

Opened May 9, 1985
Closed Jul 11, 1989

SUMMARY: ODI HAS SENT FOUR IRS TO NISSAN (11/29/84, 10/10/85, 4/9/86, &11/14/86).ETF HAS TESTED 6 NISSAN VEHICLES AND WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATESUDDEN ACCEL.ODI INSPECTED 9 VEHICLES AND ALL OPERATED NORMALLY.ALL15 VEHICLES WERE REPORTED TO HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN SUDDEN ACCELERATIONINCIDENTS.ANALYSIS: THERE ARE THREE POSSIBLE CAUSES OF SA. (1) THE DRIVER PUSHED ONTHE ACCELERATOR INSTEAD OF THE BRAKE PEDAL, (2) THE VEHICLE WAS UNRESPON-SIVE TO THE DRIVERS INITIAL APPLICATION OF ACCELERATOR PEDAL PRESSURESO THE DRIVER PRESSES HARDER AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLYACCELERATES AT A FASTER RATE THAN ANTICIPATED AND WITH THE CLOSE PROXIMITYOF OTHER CARS OR BUILDINGS THE DRIVER IS UNABLE TO RECOVER IN TIME TOAVOID AN ACCIDENT, (3) FLOOR MAT BUNCHES UP AND INTERFERESWITH ACCELERATOR PEDAL.STATUS:BY LETTER DATED 6/29/87, NISSAN ANNOUNCED THE RECALL OF183,519 VEHICLES (87V-098) TO INSTALL A SHIFT INTERLOCK KIT.AN AUDITSURVEY OF THE RECALL WILL BE INITIATED BY NHTSA IN THE FALL OF 1988.NHTSA WROTE TO NISSAN ON MAY 24, 1988 CONCERNING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THESHIFT-LOCK DEVICE INSTALLED DURING RECALL CAMPAIGN 87V-098.A RESPONSEIS DUE ON AUGUST 16, 1988.===

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGESLed to recall 87V098000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Fuel system
Filed Aug 30, 2008
Fire reported

CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10240296
Incident
Jun 13, 2003
Mileage
169,501 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 8, 2003

FUEL INJECTORS LEAK INTO THE ENGINE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO HAVE LOW FUEL PRESSURE WHICH CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.*AK

NHTSA ID
10038366
Incident
Sep 7, 2003
Exterior lighting
Filed Jul 9, 2003

NHTSA RECALL 85-V-021-000:IMPURE LUBRICATING GREASE USED IN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCHES COULD CONTAMINATE ONE OR MORE CONTACT POINTS. OPERATION OF THE HEADLIGHTS COULD BE DELAYED OR NO LIGHT WHEN THE SWITCH IS TURNED ON OR WHEN THE DIMMER SWITCH IS OPERATED. *AK CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: LOSS OF HEAD LIGHTS WHILE DRIVING COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT. CONSUMER HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. HOWEVER THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT RECALL DUE TO THE VIN#

NHTSA ID
10026824
Incident
Jul 9, 2003
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 30, 2002

CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A STUCK THROTTLE. *SLC

NHTSA ID
567307
Incident
Mar 1, 2002
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 27, 2002

STUCK THROTTLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
766323
Incident
Mar 1, 2002
Driver assistanceFuel system
Filed Jun 27, 2001

MY NISSAN CONTINUALLY SURGES AND THE DEALERSHIPS ARE UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. PLUS THE FUEL GAUGE READS EMPTY WHEN IT IS NOT. *AK

NHTSA ID
747489
Incident
Jul 1, 1998
BrakesFuel systemTransmission
Filed Aug 7, 2000

I'VE CONTACTED 1-800-NISSAN1 ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS SINCE MAY OF THIS YEAR, I ALSO FAXED THE INFORMATION AND WHEN THE PHONE CALL WAS RETURNED THEY ONLY ADVISED ME THAT THEY WILL GO OVER THE INFORMATION AND THAT A CASE WAS GOING TO BE OPEN FOR FURTHER INFORMATION. TILL THIS MOMENT NOTHING SAID. THANK YOU SO MUCH. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONE DIN SUMMARY. *AK

NHTSA ID
726901
Electrical
Filed Jul 3, 2000
Fire reported

TWO DIFFERENT REPAIR CENTERS STATED IT WOULD BE IN EXCESS OF $2K TO REPAIR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WIRES. *AK

NHTSA ID
724886
Incident
Jun 30, 2000

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

NTB-09-101

TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS

NISSAN: TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) WARNING LIGHT ON/FLASHING. NO MODELS OR MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE UPDATED ON 08-11-2011. *KB

NTB-09-129

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

NISSAN: VENT CONTROL VALVE REPLACEMENT. WHEN REPLACING THE EVAP CANISTER VENT CONTROL VALVE FOR REASON: USE THE ONE LISTED ON PAGE 2; FOR VENT CONTROL VALVE REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE, REFER TO THE APPROPRIATE SECTION OF THE ELECTRONIC SERVICE MANUALS (ESM; WHEN INSTALLING THE NEW VALVE, DO NOT ADD ANY LUBE TO ITS O RING; FOR FRONTIER (D40 SERIES) ONLY, INSTALL THE PROTECTOR LISTED IN PARTS INFORMATION. *PE INCLUDES 2005-09 FRONTIER. UPDATED 12/8/10. *PE

NTB-09-030

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

NISSAN: THE 12 VOLT BATTERY IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND IS REQUIRED TO STAY CONNECTED WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING. TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO VEHICLE ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS/CAUTIONS. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Nissan 300ZX by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1996200
1995400
1994400
1993120037.9
1992300
1991120033.8
1990190039.3
1989911
1988251265.2
1987282372.0
1986592270.8
1985752271.7
1984Viewing425476.2
1983103
1982003
1981001
1980001
1979000

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.