2003 Nissan 350Z Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 34about this part
- Share
- 12%of 275 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 38,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 34 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Nissan 350Z, 12% of the 275 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 38,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While driving I heard a loud pop and felt a slight tremor on the clutch pedal which became very soft then stopped working making my car immobile after getting it home I pulled out the transmission and noticed that the pivot bolt for the clutch had broken off at the threads destroying the clutch and flywheel and after some online research I found out that it's happened to many other people and may be the reason I need to get my transmission repaired”
NHTSA complaint #11065421, filed 2018-01, 99,943 miles“Grinding getting into 2nd and 3rd from 3k RPM to 6k RPM. No problem if under 3k RPM but I was under the impression I was purchasing a sports car . I've had the car for 15k miles bough used with 40k on it but after warranty had expired. I am waiting to save for the cd009 transmission so I can replace with the upgrade and do the clutch all at once. Thanks Nissan!”
NHTSA complaint #10262084, filed 2009-03, 40,000 miles“The 3rd gear was grinding then second started to grind too therefore I had the transmission rebuilt at my expense and other transmission problems persist and also have the tire feathering/tire growl issue which I've took the car varies times to the alignment shop.”
NHTSA complaint #10253910, filed 2009-01, 35,000 miles“I purchase this vehicle as second owner with 24,000 miles. After a 2 years of using this vehicle on the weekends, I start hearing the 5th gear grind. I did not paid to much mind because it did it now and them, not every time. 4 years down the road, it did it more often and I knew it was in for transmission problems.. About a week ago my 3rd gear made a vibration and a horrible sound and that was when I knew something really wrong was going on.. Today my car lost 3rd gear, it won't take, after I put the vehicle on 3rd I accelerated and nothing happens. 5th gear still grinds and but still work. …”
NHTSA complaint #10690866, filed 2015-02, 49,500 miles“Nissan 350Z clutch failure, 2nd time in first year of ownership. After much haggling, Nissan replaced the clutch at 6000 miles and it has just failed again at 13,000 miles. This is my third Nissan, loyal customer. I have driven a manual transmission for 14 years and never replaced a clutch or transmission. This is a product defect that Nissan is reluctant to acknowledge. There are hundreds of similar complaints on the internet.”
NHTSA complaint #10058164, filed 2004-02, 6,500 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10192821May 10, 2016SERVICE INFORMATION Replacement 5-speed rear wheel drive Automatic Transmission (A/T) assemblies and replacement control valves (valve bodies) now come with blank Transmission…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2003 Nissan 350Z
110 complaintsTires
71 complaintsEngine cooling
34 complaintsEngine
27 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
9 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsAir bags
7 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsSeats
6 complaintsWheels
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Nissan 350Z
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology