1986 Nissan 300ZX Problems
- Complaints
- 59filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 163,000miles, 3 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 19 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl RWD · 16 city / 23 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1986 Nissan 300ZX (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
What owners report
Owners of this model year most often report fuel smells and fuel leaks around the injectors and injector hoses, in many cases followed by engine-compartment fires. A second recurring theme is unexpected acceleration or a throttle that stays open, along with intermittent overheating. Complaints in the sample are spread across many years of filing and often come from vehicles with high accumulated mileage.
- Fuel system
Fuel leaks at injectors and injector hoses
- 27 complaints (46%)
- median 153,000 mi at 18.5 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
- 23 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1995–2011
Complaints describe a gasoline smell inside or around the car, visible fuel escaping from the hose between the injector supply tubes, and leaks traced to the fuel injection system. Several owners say the vehicle caught fire while parked or shortly after being driven, and some mention the fire occurred before or despite recall service. Owners also report difficulty getting the recall work completed, citing missing parts or a dealer declining the job. Reported across a wide mileage span, often on older, high-mileage cars; many describe the leak appearing while parked or immediately after a drive.
What to check: Ask whether the fuel injector recall campaign was performed and whether injectors and the hoses between the supply tubes have been replaced since. Check for a gasoline smell under the hood and around the injectors after the engine has run.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Call Nissan number listed on the recall and was informed that there was no recall for leaking fuel injector replacement for my VIN. The recall listed on your web site refers to all z cars 84-89. Is the recall not longer valid. It appears they are no longer concerned about the fire risk to my car. …”
NHTSA complaint #10067560, filed 2004-04, 153,000 miles“The engine compartment burst into flames after I pulled into a store recall campaign #95i006000 was complied with though I have not touched anything.(any repairs made) I can clearly see fuel shoot out of the hose between the injector supply tubes. This fire did not this split as can be seen by the burn pattern..any information for my course of action would be appreciated. Dt”
NHTSA complaint #769043, filed 2002-10 - Vehicle speed control
Unexpected acceleration / throttle sticking open
- 5 complaints (8%)
- typically at 7.0 yrs old
- 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1996–2002
Owners describe the car going to full throttle when shifted into gear, the accelerator staying open after the pedal is released, and the throttle sticking while driving so that braking does not slow the vehicle. Some complaints attribute it to the throttle cable or a boot lodging in the linkage, and others describe cruise control accelerating on its own a few miles after being set. Reported at unspecified mileage, typically while driving or just after shifting into gear.
What to check: With the engine off, have someone press the accelerator while you watch the throttle linkage and cable for binding, fraying or a torn boot; also test that the pedal returns freely. Ask whether the cruise control has been serviced.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“While driving, throttle stuck, causing an accident and consumer to be injured, a shop manager stated the cause was due to the throttle body boot breaking away and becoming lodged in the acceleration system, Nissan redesigned the throttle cable in 1995, attorney donald g. Wilhelm for client and wants to warn others about the defect.”
NHTSA complaint #562135, filed 2000-10“When the brakes were applied the vehicle accelerated up to 70mph because the throttle cable was not properly secured and this caused the accelerator to stick in the open position. Plea *akse describe details.”
NHTSA complaint #810284, filed 1997-03
Buying note. These are old, high-mileage cars, so condition and service history matter more than any single fault. Prior to purchase, confirm which recall campaigns were actually performed on the specific car and have a mechanic inspect the fuel system, throttle linkage and cooling system.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 29 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 59 consumer complaints for the 1986 Nissan 300ZX. 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 163,000 miles. Of all complaints, 5 involved a crash, 32 a fire, 4 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 3 technical service bulletins for this model year.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Fuel system33 56%
- Engine cooling7 12%
- Electrical system4 6.8%
- Seat belts3 5.1%
- Steering2 3.4%
- Equipment1 1.7%
- Tires1 1.7%
Example complaints
Fuel system: “I received a recall notification on april 9,2010. Nhtsa campaign # 95i006000. This was and is the only recall that I have received since owning the vehicle that was bought from gies Nissan of cortlandt manor, ny back in 1989. The vehicle was originally sold from newburgh Nissan of newburg ny. The vehicle is doing exactly what the campaign describes. The vehicle is leaking gas from the injectors. The vehicle is getting progressively worst. I contacted the local Nissan dealer and was told they can not perform the recall due to parts availability. …”
NHTSA complaint #10378251, filed 2011-01Vehicle speed control: “When setting the cruise control and driving about 2 or 3 miles after setting, the cruise control will automatically accelerate. The dealer is aware of the problem. The problem has not been corrected.”
NHTSA complaint #822160, filed 1998-03Engine cooling: “Car runs hot even though I have replaced fan clutch, water pump,thermostat, changed hoses, gaskets. Still car get hot after running only for 20 min. Radiator empties but overflow is full. No leaks from under car. It needs to be fixed by Nissan. Also slips out of 2nd gear without warning.”
NHTSA complaint #10267414, filed 2009-05Electrical system: “While driving, the check engine light flashed on the dashboard and all the electrical lights failed to come on. The driver smell smoke coming from the dashboard. The consumer was able to pull over . The vehicle caught fire. The fire department was called to extinguished the fire. No injuries. The insurance company had the vehicle towed and deemed it totaled the inspector informed the driver that the fire started from the underneath the dashboard.”
NHTSA complaint #10094233, filed 2004-11Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 153,000 and 186,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1986 Nissan 300ZX version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300ZX RWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 23 | 19 | $3,550 |
| 300ZX RWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 16 | 23 | 19 | $3,550 |
| 300ZX RWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 16 | 24 | 19 | $3,550 |
| 300ZX RWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 23 | 18 | $3,700 |
| 300ZX 2x2 RWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 16 | 24 | 19 | $3,550 |
| 300ZX 2x2 RWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 23 | 18 | $3,700 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 87V098000Jul 6, 1987Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shiftCovers: Nissan 300ZX 1984–1987, 280Z 1979–1983
Unintended acceleration may occur, for example, when shifting from the park position.
Recall details for the 1986 Nissan 300ZX → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- EA94018Fuel injector assembly leakageClosed · Jun 23, 1994
- PE94018Engine compartment firesClosed · Feb 22, 1994
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 3 on record; the latest 3 are shown.
- 10031305Sep 30, 2010Tires. Nissan: tire pressure monitoring system (tpms) warning light on/flashing. No models or model years listed. *pe updated on 08-11-2011.
- 10032506Sep 13, 2010Equipment. 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…
- 10030165Apr 6, 2009Electrical system. 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…
Other model years of the Nissan 300ZX
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 12 | 112,128 | 0 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1991 | 12 | 124,000 | 0 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1990 | 19 | 80,500 | 0 | — | 18 | — | Stable |
| 1989 | 9 | 181,000 | 0 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1988 | 25 | 151,296 | 0 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1987 | 28 | 150,000 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1986 | 59 | 163,000 | 1 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1985 | 75 | 144,000 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1984 | 42 | 169,501 | 4 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Nissan 300ZX model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1986 Nissan 300ZX?
Owners of this model year most often report fuel smells and fuel leaks around the injectors and injector hoses, in many cases followed by engine-compartment fires. The issues reported most often: Fuel leaks at injectors and injector hoses; Unexpected acceleration / throttle sticking open.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1986 Nissan 300ZX have?
NHTSA recorded 59 consumer complaints for the 1986 Nissan 300ZX as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1986 Nissan 300ZX is reported most often?
Fuel system is named most often, in 33 complaints (56% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control with 8.
Has the 1986 Nissan 300ZX been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1986 Nissan 300ZX get?
The EPA rates the 1986 Nissan 300ZX (300ZX, 3.0L 6-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 16 city and 23 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1986 Nissan 300ZX reported?
Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 163,000 miles and the middle half falls between 153,000 and 186,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.