2005 Nissan 350Z Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2005 350Z most often report an air bag warning light that flashes or stays lit, usually with no crash involved, and dealers frequently quote an air bag module or seat replacement. The other recurring themes are sudden engine shutdown traced to crank or cam position sensors and, on some cars, higher-than-expected oil consumption.

1. 1
   Air bags

   Air bag warning light flashing or staying on

   • 30 complaints (36%)
   • median 52,300 mi at 8.0 yrs old (25 state mileage)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $750 (median of 9 quotes)
   • filed 2009–2020

   Owners describe the air bag or SRS light blinking or staying lit, often shortly after startup and sometimes intermittently, on cars that have not been in a collision. Complaints say dealers typically diagnosed a failed side air bag module, seat-mounted air bag or the whole seat assembly, and quoted repairs ranging from a few hundred to a couple thousand dollars; in several reports a reset cleared the light only for it to return after some miles. Some owners mention seat belt or horn problems alongside the light, and a few describe the bags not deploying in a crash that occurred while the light was on. Reported across a wide mileage range, from very low miles to over 100,000, on cars that often sat undriven for long periods.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Turn the key to on and watch whether the air bag light comes on steady and then goes out; a light that keeps flashing or stays lit points to a module or seat sensor fault. Ask for any diagnostic codes (B1129, B1134 come up in complaints) and get a written quote before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Prior to the accident the airbag light stayed on took it to the dealership and they said it was a error code. On june 4th I had a car accident and the airbag didn't deploy just the airbag light indicator just stayed on. Even until today it is still on cause I can not afford 3 grand to replace the driver side seat which I was told the problem was.”

   NHTSA complaint #10427064, filed 2011-09, 61,000 miles

   “My car hasn't been in an accident or anything and yet my airbag light is flashing and my airbags are disconnected. I don't understand why my airbags won't be fixed by Nissan I'm not sure when this happened. And I'm not sure about the miles. Nissan will have this.”

   NHTSA complaint #10725194, filed 2015-06, 97,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine cooling

   Engine shuts off while driving (crank/cam sensor)

   • 12 complaints (14%)
   • median 16,000 mi at 2.5 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2005–2020

   Complaints describe the engine quitting without warning at highway or city speeds, with the check engine light coming on afterward and restart sometimes possible only after several attempts. Owners report repeated sensor replacements; dealers and shops diagnosed faulty crank position or camshaft position sensors. Several describe losing power steering and power assist along with the shutdown, and one report mentions a throttle-related stall. Mostly reported at lower mileage, several under 20,000 miles, and often at highway speeds.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the crank and cam position sensors have been replaced and whether there are stored codes; a test drive should include a stretch at highway speed. A service bulletin describes diagnostic steps for a key-not-detected, no-start condition, which is a different symptom from a stall while running.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “All the crankshaft senors and cam sensors failed with a total lose of power creating and very dangerous situation since I could not steer the car to a safe location. In other words I was very lucky that an accident was not created as a result of this failure. There was no warning and no backup to power the vehicle safely on the city street.”

   NHTSA complaint #11091443, filed 2018-05, 49,000 miles

   “This has happened three times now. I have been driving my 350 down the highway at about 65 MPH and it just stops running I can push the pedal down and nothing happens. I had it towed into the dealership the first time and they said it was the cam shaft sensor. No big deal right? Well about 2000 miles later it happened again same exact thing. On my way to work in rush hour traffic the car just stopped again, and I was almost rear ended. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10141956, filed 2005-11, 16,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine cooling

   Oil consumption and engine noise

   • 6 complaints (7%)
   • median 23,150 mi at 2.5 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2005–2012

   Owners report the engine using oil at a high rate between changes, in some cases finding the level very low with no warning in the cabin, followed by loud knocking or a seized-sounding engine. Complaints mention dealers running an oil consumption test, and at least one engine replacement followed by the same problem returning. Reported from around 10,000 miles up to about 55,000, generally within a few thousand miles of an oil change.

   What to check: Check the dipstick level and look for a fuel or burnt smell, and ask for oil change records showing how much oil was added between services. Listen for knock at idle and on revving.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 2005 350Z has been having oil consumption issues. This all started after several thousand miles after I had the original engine replaced for the same issue. While driving, after only 3000 miles after a oil change the engine began to knock very loudly. The noise so bad I had to pull over and stop the car and have it towed to my mechanic. Not a Nissan dealer. Es technical sports looked into it and notified me that there was no oil in the engine. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10470626, filed 2012-08, 54,963 miles

   “I bought my car new. At 13k miles, the crankshaft position went out and there was a rattle in the rearend. The dealer fixed both problems. But now at 26k miles, the engine is knocking hard and it turned out my engine is burning oil. Btw, the rattle in the rearend is back again. I bought my car for a total of $32,000 and I don't deserve to make a few trips to the dealership for repairs already when I've only had my car for 3 years with under 30k miles only!”

   NHTSA complaint #10218006, filed 2008-02, 26,300 miles
4. 4
   Wheels

   Cracked alloy wheels

   • 5 complaints (6%)
   • median 48,300 mi at 6.0 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2007–2017

   Complaints describe cracks in the spokes or the outer rim of the factory alloy wheels, sometimes with a clicking noise beforehand, and in one case the outer portion separating from the wheel while driving. Owners say dealers treated it as wear or damage not covered by warranty, and the wheels were replaced at the owner's expense. Mostly reported between about 17,000 and 80,000 miles, on the original factory wheels.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Inspect each wheel closely for hairline cracks at the spokes and rim edge, and check for a clicking or grinding noise when rolling slowly. A service bulletin covers wheel bearing collision damage, which is a separate matter from cracked rims.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Takata recall I am highly concerned about Nissan 350Z wheel models. While driving my vehicle collapsed due to the fact the rim broke off. Wheels are Nissan stock. No aftermarket! No injuries were present. This is a safety issue, my life and possibly the life of others couldve been taken from this matter. So far Nissan refuses to be at fault. Vehicle was in motion when incident took place. Heard grinding at 55mph and vehicle collapsed at 10mph.”

   NHTSA complaint #10953778, filed 2017-02, 118,400 miles

   “2005 Nissan 350Z right rear wheel has a crack in one of the spokes which I noticed on september 19 2010. Consulted miller Nissan in van nuys california on september 20 2010. Service advisor claimed its normal wear and tear and warranty does not cover a replacement. I explained how it is a safety issue and a wheel should not crack with only 48,000 miles on the vehicle. I have owned 8 cars and have never had any safety issues such as this. He simply walked away and did not consult me as to the safety of driving the vehicle off the lot. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10356654, filed 2010-09, 48,300 miles
5. 5
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Clutch pedal sticking and transmission noise

   • 8 complaints (10%)
   • median 22,091 mi at 2.4 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2005–2018

   Owners describe the clutch pedal dropping to the floor and needing to be lifted by foot to release, and others report the clutch and pressure plate failing or noisy shifting and grinding on downshifts. Complaints mention repair quotes from independent shops and dealers, with the manufacturer declining warranty coverage in some cases. Reported from roughly 20,000 to 78,000 miles, often on manual-transmission cars.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: On a manual car, work the clutch pedal through its travel and check it returns fully, and listen for noise or grinding when shifting up and down. A service bulletin addresses blank transmission control modules on replacement automatic transmissions, which applies only to A/T cars.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Clutch sticking to floor have to place foot under clutch to pop back in place so I can continue to use clutch. Also, slip light comes on since Nissan of bowie, md rotated my tires, in the 13 yrs I have owned no mechanic has ever done and I question it at Nissan of bowie, md.”

   NHTSA complaint #11139086, filed 2018-10, 52,000 miles

   “I purchased a 2005 350Z in nov 2004 - where do I start. To date I've had the car in for service on 7 occasions ranging from minor annoyances of the gauges coming on saying I had low tire pressure when I didn't, the utility plugs not working where I was told even though my phone charger works on every other car known to man it must be bad there couldn't be a problem with the car's plugs, having the transmission replaced, the front caliper replaced and the crank sensor replaced twice. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10134332, filed 2005-08, 2,500 miles

Buying note. Have a pre-purchase inspection look specifically at the air bag system codes, wheel condition and oil level, and ask for records of sensor and clutch work. These are older cars now, so service history matters more than the mileage alone.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 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.