RoadVitals

1988 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.
25
Latest Dec 30, 2017
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.
1
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.
17

Overview

Our database contains 25 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1988 Nissan 300ZX, most frequently naming the fuel system, engine and electrical categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 18 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 system1973.1%
  • Engine415.4%
  • Electrical13.8%
  • Interior & seats13.8%
  • Powertrain (other)13.8%

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

1 campaign 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

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
PE94018ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

Opened Feb 22, 1994
Closed Jun 23, 1994

There is no summary currently available

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 25
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 30, 2017

THE CAR WOULD LOSE POWER WHEN YOU HIT THE GAS. WOULDN'T DIE BUT WOULD SPUTTER AND THEN THE BATTERY WOULD DIE

NHTSA ID
11057631
Incident
Dec 8, 2017
Mileage
151,296 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 2, 2015

FUEL INJECTOR LEAKED AND CAR CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING I ALMOST BLEW UP IN THE CAR REPORTED IT TO NISSAN AND TOLD THEM THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS AND THEY REFUSED TO FIX IT.

NHTSA ID
10779415
Incident
Sep 2, 2015
Fuel system
Filed Nov 15, 2007
Fire reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 NISSAN 300ZX. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED GAS FUMES AND NOTICED SMOKE RISING UNDER THE HOOD. HE PULLED OVER, OPENED THE HOOD, AND FLAMES ERUPTED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT GAS LEAKED FROM THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM, WHICH CAUSED THE FAILURE. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 95I006000). AS OF NOVEMBER 15, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 224,000.

NHTSA ID
10208983
Incident
Oct 1, 2007
Mileage
224,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Mar 15, 2005

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED DRIVER NOTICED FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. ALSO, DRIVER SMELLED FUEL COMING FROM THE REAR. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL INJECTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10115188
Incident
Jun 20, 2004
Fuel system
Filed May 12, 2003

THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL FOR THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM, UNTIL THEY RECEIVED PERMISSION FROM NISSAN. RECALL # 95I006000. *JB

NHTSA ID
10019605
Mileage
107,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 24, 2002
Fire reported

WHILE STARTING VEHICLE AND WITHOUT WARNING THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE UNDER THE HOOD FOLLOWED BY FIRE, THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED, THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING ADEQUATE REIMBURSEMENT. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.*AK *NLM

NHTSA ID
8014639
Incident
Jul 19, 2002
Electrical
Filed May 19, 2002
Fire reported

I WAS GETTING IN THE CAR TO MOVE FROM DRIVEWAY TO THE STREET AN SMELLED GAS, TURNED THE CAR OFF AND CAR STARTED SMOKING AND THEN WENT INTO FLAMES UNDER THE HOOD. *AKI

NHTSA ID
762067
Incident
Apr 29, 2002
Fuel system
Filed Jun 25, 1999

THERE IS A LEAKAGE WITHIN FUEL INJECTORS, AND ENGINE CHECK LIGHT KEEPS STAYING ON DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
841170
Incident
Apr 12, 1999

Manufacturer communications

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

NTB08-097L

STEERING

DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

NTB23-053

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SILICONE-BASED LUBRICANT OR GREASE CAN DAMAGE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SERVICE INFORMATION Do not apply Silicone-based lubricants or grease to, or around, any interior electrical components. To avoid the risk of death or severe personal injury, do not directly spray Silicone-based lubricant or grease, or inadvertently overspray Silicone-based lubricant or grease onto any interior electrical components. These types of lubricants can be detrimental to the proper operation of electrical components.

NTB23-049

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

12 VOLT BATTERY TESTING FOR IN-SERVICE VEHICLES SERVICE INFORMATION The following Service Information lists NNA procedural recommendations for establishing good connections while performing 12V battery testing. These recommendations are expected to promote uniformity during the connection process, therefore reducing the number of incorrect “Test with DCA” and “Replace” results. HINT: If 12 volt batteries are allowed to discharge for a prolonged period of time, battery life may be drastically reduced. This condition may lead to premature battery replacement and customer dissatisfaction. IMPORTANT:  CPX-900 is now an accepted testing tool to use along with or in place of the DSS-5000  CPX-900 operating instructions are found at: https://nissancpx900.midtronics.com/  DSS-5000 operating instructions are found at: https://nissandss5000.midtronics.com/  DCA-8000 is now a required testing tool to be used for all warranty replacement decisions. The DCA-8000 is also a more efficient charger than previously available, and will charge any available 12 volt lead acid battery safely and accurately as long as all precautions and inputs are made correctly. The DCA-8000 operating instructions are found at: https://nissandca8000.midtronics.com/

NTB13-107F

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

NTB16-003C

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

INTELLIGENT KEY REPLACEMENT OR SWAPPING BETWEEN VEHICLES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Discard all previous versions of this bulletin.

NTB09-081J

STRUCTURE; VISIBILITY

WINDSHIELD CRACKING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

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—
1988Viewing251265.2
1987282372.0
1986592270.8
1985752271.7
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.