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Nissan 300ZXModel year report

1988 Nissan 300ZX Problems

Complaints
25filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
151,296miles, 3 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns 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
18 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl RWD · 15 city / 22 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1988 Nissan 300ZX (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 25 consumer complaints for the 1988 Nissan 300ZX. The part named most often is fuel system, with 19 complaints (76% of the total), followed by engine cooling (3) and electrical system (2). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 151,296 miles. Of all complaints, 16 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 17 technical service bulletins for this model year. Fuel system complaints overlap with 1 NHTSA investigation and 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 NHTSA investigation filed under the same part.

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.

Example complaints

Fuel system: “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 complaint #10208983, filed 2007-11, 224,000 miles

Engine cooling: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #8014639, filed 2002-07

Electrical system: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #762067, filed 2002-05

Mileage 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 107,000 and 224,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–250%25–500%50–750%75–10033%100–15067%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (3 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 151,296 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

1995619971999200320072017
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1988 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).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
300ZX RWD3.0L 6-cyl4-speed automatic162419$3,550
300ZX RWD3.0L 6-cyl4-speed automatic152218$3,700
300ZX RWD3.0L 6-cyl5-speed manual152318$3,700
300ZX 2x2 RWD3.0L 6-cyl4-speed automatic162419$3,550
300ZX 2x2 RWD3.0L 6-cyl5-speed manual152318$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

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1988 Nissan 300ZX in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

NHTSA investigations

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. 17 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 17 bulletins →

Other model years of the Nissan 300ZX

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
199312112,1280—18—Not enough data
199112124,0000—18—Not enough data
19901980,5000—18—Stable
19899181,0000—18—Not enough data
198825151,2960—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
198728150,0001—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
198659163,0001—19Not compared (before 2008)Stable
198575144,0001—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
198442169,5014—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Nissan 300ZX model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1988 Nissan 300ZX have?

NHTSA recorded 25 consumer complaints for the 1988 Nissan 300ZX as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1988 Nissan 300ZX is reported most often?

Fuel system is named most often, in 19 complaints (76% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 3.

Has the 1988 Nissan 300ZX been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1988 Nissan 300ZX get?

The EPA rates the 1988 Nissan 300ZX (300ZX, 3.0L 6-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 15 city and 22 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1988 Nissan 300ZX reported?

Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 151,296 miles and the middle half falls between 107,000 and 224,000 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.