1986 Nissan 300ZX Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 12%of 59 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1986 Nissan 300ZX, 12% of the 59 complaints for this model year. 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 2009-05“Cylinder head bolt broke. Head of bolt got caught between camshaft and cylinder head which caused the camshaft to stop rotating. This caused the camshaft sprocket to shear the end of the camshaft off. Major engine damage resulted.”
NHTSA complaint #764430, filed 2002-07“While driving temperature gauge goes to the red side which means that car is too hot. Took car to dealer, and dlr fixed problem . Currently, car is overheating again.”
NHTSA complaint #850350, filed 1999-10Engine cooling: other model years
Other parts of the 1986 Nissan 300ZX
33 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsTires
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1986 Nissan 300ZX
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology