1990 Nissan 300ZX Problems
- Complaints
- 19filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 80,500miles, 2 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 · 16 city / 22 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1990 Nissan 300ZX (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 1990 Nissan 300ZX. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 6 complaints (32% of the total), followed by fuel system (5) and transmission and drivetrain (4). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 80,500 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 3 technical service bulletins for this model year.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
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.
- Engine cooling6 32%
- Fuel system5 26%
- Brakes3 16%
- Electrical system1 5.3%
- Steering1 5.3%
- Body and structure1 5.3%
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “At 63000 miles veh developed unexplained oil leaks resulting in replacement of engine. Less than 15000 miles later while driving on a straight road, transmission failed to change from second to third gear on automatic transmission.”
NHTSA complaint #10118767, filed 2005-05, 63,000 milesFuel system: “Vehicle ran rough and wouldn't accelerate faster than 10 MPH. This was due to a failure in the fuel injection system. There wa fuel injection recall 95i006000, but it only included earlier model year vehicles.”
NHTSA complaint #10066727, filed 2004-04, 98,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “Transmission--shifts fron 1st to 2nd slowly, leaks. Timing belt replaced twice (3,894 miles in between). Battery caused electrical problems in car. Air conditioning and stereo problems. Owner wants to know if these problems are covered in a secret warranty or recall.”
NHTSA complaint #541401, filed 1998-08Brakes: “Excessive shake and steering wheel vibration while brakes were applied. Have turned rotors twice and replaced brake pads. Problem will disappear for about 1 month then will start again.”
NHTSA complaint #703286, filed 1999-02Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 63,000 and 98,000 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 1990 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 | 17 | 22 | 19 | $4,350 |
| 300ZX RWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 22 | 18 | $4,550 |
| 300ZX RWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 16 | 22 | 18 | $4,550 |
| 300ZX 2x2 RWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 17 | 22 | 19 | $4,350 |
| 300ZX 2x2 RWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 16 | 22 | 18 | $4,550 |
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 1990 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.
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
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1990 Nissan 300ZX have?
NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 1990 Nissan 300ZX as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1990 Nissan 300ZX is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 6 complaints (32% of the total), followed by fuel system with 5.
Has the 1990 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 1990 Nissan 300ZX get?
The EPA rates the 1990 Nissan 300ZX (300ZX, 3.0L 6-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 16 city and 22 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1990 Nissan 300ZX reported?
Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 80,500 miles and the middle half falls between 63,000 and 98,000 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 30, 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.