RoadVitals

1989 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.
9
Latest Dec 27, 2021
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.
1
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.
2

Overview

Our database contains 9 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1989 Nissan 300ZX, most frequently naming the fuel system, driver assistance and engine categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names 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 system763.6%
  • Driver assistance19.1%
  • Engine19.1%
  • Other / unspecified19.1%
  • Powertrain (other)19.1%

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

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

Recent owner complaints

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

Other / unspecified
Filed Dec 27, 2021

The contact owns a Pittsburgh automotive jack stand set, Model Number: 91760, Model Type: 3 Ton aluminum racing, Serial Number: 352351424. The contact stated that his 1989 Nissan 300ZX was lifted onto the jack stands and after sliding from under the vehicle grabbing the frame of the vehicle to lift up both the jack stands positioned on the front driver’s side and front passenger’s side suddenly failed to cause the vehicle to crash to the ground nearly landing on top to the contact. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet notified of the failure. The contact indicated that the car jack stands were purchased at Harbor Freight but were not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 20E046000 (Equipment).

NHTSA ID
11445075
Incident
Dec 25, 2021
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 13, 2017

I AM THE OWNER OF A 1989 300ZX THAT I PURCHASED USED IN 2013. THE CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 160,000 MILES ON IT. APPROXIMATELY 6 WEEKS AGO, I NOTICED A FUEL ODOR AND AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH DETERMINED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE IN 1996 FOR DEFECTIVE FUEL INJECTORS. THAT RECALL IS ATTACHED, I ALSO HAVE COPIES OF THE TSBS (10 DOCUMENTS TOTAL). A FEW DAYS AFTER NOTICING THE FUEL SMELL (WHICH I COULD NOT LOCATE THE SOURCE) THE CAR SUDDENLY DEVELOPED A FUEL RICH CONDITION AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO IDLE POORLY. FOR BACKGROUND, THE CAR WAS RUNNING FINE AND AFTER LEAVING A RESTAURANT, THE ISSUE APPEARED SUDDENLY. I CONTACTED NISSAN AND THEY TELL ME THEY HAVE NO RECORD OF THE RECALL OR ANY REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL DEALER (DICK SMITH IN COLUMBIA SC) AND THEY TELL ME THE SAME. THEIR DIAGNOSIS IS THAT MY RACK AND PINION ARE LEAKING. I DO NOT DISAGREE WITH THEIR DIAGNOSIS, BUT I DOUBT IT IS LEAKING FUEL. BASED ON THEIR TSB, IT APPEARS THAT THE REPAIR WORK WAS NEVER PERFORMED ON THIS VEHICLE AND SINCE THE RECALL WAS ISSUED MORE THAN SEVEN YEARS AFTER THE BUILD DATE, THAT OWNER AND SUBSEQUENT OWNERS WERE LIKELY NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. I HAVE ASKED THEM TO PERFORM THE RECALL WORK PER THE TSB INSTRUCTIONS BUT SO FAR THEY HAVE REFUSED.

NHTSA ID
10972185
Incident
Mar 8, 2017
Mileage
160,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Mar 12, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 NISSAN 300ZX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL HOSES WERE LEAKING ALONG WITH OTHER FUEL COMPONENTS. THE CONTACT SMELLED GASOLINE BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 95I006000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM). THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 202,262 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 202,000.

NHTSA ID
10220901
Incident
Feb 19, 2008
Mileage
202,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Nov 3, 2000

VEHICLE WAS ON RECALL FOR PARTS OF THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. THIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED, BUT DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR FREE OF CHARGE. CONSUMER WAS CHARGED A THOUSAND DOLLARS TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID
874395
Fuel system
Filed Jul 17, 2000

CONSUMER WAS SMELLING GASOLINE. FUEL INJECTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER HAS BEEN SMELLING THIS ORDOR FOR TWO YEARS.*AK

NHTSA ID
865538
Incident
Jan 1, 2000
Fuel system
Filed Jun 28, 2000
Fire reported

I EXPERIENCED A FIRE CAUSED BY THE LEAKAGE OF A FUEL INJECTOR ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE IN MY CAR. I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN AND HAVE RECEIVED VERY POOR TO PUT IT MILDLY RESPONSE FROM THEM. THEY HAVE USED A CLAUSE IN THE WARRANTY BOOK REQUIRING ME TO MAINTAIN MAINTENANCE RECORDS FOR THE LIFE OF MY CAR. I HAVE NO REASON TO MAINTAIN 11 YEARS OF RECORDS OF OIL CHANGES, AND THIS FIRE WAS NOT CAUSED BY A WARRANTED PART BUT DUE TO A "SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN" BY NISSAN. THEY HAVE ADVISED THAT UNLESS THE CAR IS DRIVEABLE INTO THEIR DEALERSHIP THEY ARE NOT REQUIRED TO REPLACE, REPAIR OR CORRECT THEIR FAULTY PARTS. I CANNOT GET REPLACEMENT PARTS FROM THEIR DISTRIBUTORSHIPS TO EFFECT THIS REPAIR AS ALL OF THESE PARTS ARE HELD BY DEALERSHIPS FOR THIS "CAMPAIGN." I BELIEVE IT IS TIME FOR THE NHTSA TO REVIEW THIS MATTER. THERE ARE DOCUMENTED IN YOUR FILES FIRES AND EXPLOSIONS GENERATED THE SAME AS MINE. WHO HAS TO DIE BEFORE YOU BECOME INTERESTED? CHECK YOUR ODI NUMBERS 953919,947955, AND 908679 FOR VERIF. *AK

NHTSA ID
724720
Incident
May 23, 2000
Fuel system
Filed Jun 13, 2000
Fire reported

VEHICLE FIRE DUE TO FAULTY FUEL INJECTOR, CONSUMER DID NOT RECEIVED NOTICE OF RECALL ON FAULTY UNIT, HOWEVER VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *MJS

NHTSA ID
552634
Incident
May 20, 2000
Driver assistance
Filed Sep 9, 1999

WHILE CHANGING GEARS THE ENGINE TOOK OFF AT 40 TO 45MPH WITHOUT APPLICATION OF ACCELERATOR. DLR HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE *AK

NHTSA ID
847394

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
1989Viewing911
1988251265.2
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.