RoadVitals

1985 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.
75
Latest Jul 13, 2015
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.
2
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.
2
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.
56
4 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 75 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1985 Nissan 300ZX, most frequently naming the fuel system, engine and driver assistance categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 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

  • Fuel system4957.6%
  • Engine1618.8%
  • Driver assistance78.2%
  • Electrical55.9%
  • Transmission44.7%
  • Steering22.4%
  • Exterior lighting11.2%
  • Brakes11.2%

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

2 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
95I006000

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
87V098000

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

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
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

View all 75
Filed Jul 13, 2015

I WAS TOLD THERE HAD BEEN A SAFETY RECALL FOR THE 1985 NISSAN 300ZX, SO I TRIED TO LOOK IT UP ONLINE WITHOUT SUCCESS, AND THEN CALLED NISSAN TO FIND OUT IF THE REPAIRS HAD EVER BEEN DONE, SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED AND HAVE NO REPAIR RECORDS. THEY SAID IF THE VEHICLE WAS MORE THAN 11 YEARS OLD, THEY "DE-ARCHIVE" THE DATA FROM THEIR DATABASE, AND THEREFORE MY VIN WILL NOT COME UP IN THEIR RECORDS. THEY SAID IT HAS NO "ACTIVE RECALLS" ON IT, BUT COULDN'T TELL ME IF THE REPAIRS FROM THE 2 RECALLS ON THAT MODEL HAD EVER BEEN DONE. IS THERE ANY WAY FOR ME TO FIND OUT IF THOSE REPAIRS WERE EVER DONE? I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR NOW, NOT KNOWING IF IT IS SAFE OR NOT, AND NISSAN WON'T HELP. THIS SEEMS LIKE A VERY POOR WAY OF OPERATING. I CAN'T BELIEVE IT IS LEGAL FOR THEM TO LOSE RECORDS ON CARS THEY HAVE RECALLED. THANKS FOR ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE.

NHTSA ID
10733764
Incident
Jul 13, 2015
Engine
Filed Nov 14, 2009

NISSAN 300ZX 1985 ENGINE WIRING AND COMPONENT WIRING INTERIOR. WIRING IS BRITTLE, BECOMES HOT. AND BREAKS VERY EASY.THE ENGINE IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION RUNNING WISE , THE WIRING TO COMPONENTS BRITTLE BREAKS EASILY. I FEEL THAT THIS COULD BE A FIRE HAZARD. AND A SAFETY DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10292169
Incident
Feb 20, 2007
Fuel system
Filed Jul 25, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1985 NISSAN 300ZX. THE CONTACT SMELLS A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE FOLLOWED BY A HESITATION IN THE VEHICLE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FUEL INJECTORS AND RELATED HOSES WERE LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 95I006000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM). THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO ASSUME FINANCIAL LIABILITY FOR THE REPAIR COST, WHICH EXCEEDED $2,000. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 145,000. UPDATED 11/14/08. *LJ UPDATED 11/18/08*JB

NHTSA ID
10235776
Incident
Jul 25, 2000
Mileage
120,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 31, 2007
Fire reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1985 NISSAN 300ZX. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. HE OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM THE FUEL INJECTORS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED RECALL NUMBER 95I006000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM), HOWEVER, THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THERE WERE NO SERVICE RECORDS AVAILABLE. AS OF JULY 31, 2007, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 199,849. UPDATED 09/05/07.*JB

NHTSA ID
10197929
Incident
May 11, 2007
Mileage
199,849 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 24, 2007
Fire reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1985 NISSAN 300ZX. APPROXIMATELY TEN MINUTES AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE DESTROYED THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED IN JANUARY OF 2007 UNDER RECALL NUMBER 95I006000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 168,000.

NHTSA ID
10197383
Incident
Jul 23, 2007
Mileage
168,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Jul 28, 2003

TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. *AK

NHTSA ID
10031256
Incident
Jul 28, 2003
Fuel system
Filed Apr 14, 2003

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT AS STATED IN RECALL 95 I 006 000. REGARDING THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. *JB

NHTSA ID
10015781
Incident
Mar 31, 2003
Mileage
100,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed May 18, 2002

THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN BROUGHT INTO TWO NISSAN DEALERSHIPS FOUR OR MORE TIMES FOR THE SAME SAFETY DEFECT. IT HAS ALSO BEEN TO A "Z-DOCTOR" WHO WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR IT.THE CAR HESITATES AND THEN SURGES WHEN WARMING UP. NOW WHEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE ACCELERATOR WILL OCCASIONALLY STICK AT THE WIDE OPEN POSITION, WHICH IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. I HAVE TO IMMEDIATELY DISENGAGE THE ENGINE FROM THE POWER TRAIN OR A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WILL RESULT. THE DEFROSTER/HEATER/A/C NOWS DOESN'T WORK (AFTER PICKING IT UP FROM THE DEALER). THE DEALER AND NISSAN OF NORTH AMERICA IS UNWILLING TO MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS, DESPITE IT BEING SUCH A SAFETY HAZARD.*AK

NHTSA ID
762039
Incident
Aug 26, 1997

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
1985Viewing752271.7
1984425476.2
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.