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Nissan 350Z Problems and Solutions
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Comments
If you bought used from a private party, you may not get the notice, and I am assuming it will be covered 3 years from when the original owner purchased it.
All dealers should know about this by now. So just call them up and schedule. I think they will even cover previous alignments and tires if done through a Nissan Dealership.
knock on wood of course hehe. The only weak link in these cars is supposedly the diff and axles, and they only go if you REALLY abuse the car. But withing 5000 miles on my Z, I was already starting to feather, and my first transmission was grinding in 5th and 6th, and my seat shifted like no-ones business.
The S2000 now has 31k miles on it. Best move I could have made IMO. Well, with gas prices the way they are, a better move might have been to get a diesel hehe.
I might have an S2K (since I found a used one cheap enough), but, no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't fit in it. But that's for an S2K board.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S
IM DOOMED
I had an in dependant Nissan gearhead look at the car, drove it for 30min, and give suggestions. He stated that the synchro gears are faulty and this is a big issue. He too smelled the burning odor and feels that it is a leak of tranny fluid somewhere. Hmmmmmmmm!!!
Well I scheduled time with a different Nissan dealer service dept to investigate. They took the car out for a 10 min run and I went with. The guy who drove the car drove at a break neck speed of 45mph max. Grand ma Moses was driving my HIGH PERFORMANCE SPORTS VEHICLE like it was a senior citizens transportation van. Of course he could find nothing wrong. I switched places with him and took control. He then smelled the burning odor. Right away he stated that I clutch between 1st and 2nd too fast and stated that this is causing the smell (Yeah right) and that the Nissan Z should never be downshifted to slow the speed of the car ( Another yeah right). Unfourtunatly I could not duplicate the grinding (synchrogear) noise. We made it back to the service dept and had a conversation with his boss and it was determined that:
1: I need to slow down my clutching between 1st and 2nd especially starting, and around corners to stop the burning smell and drive at a top speed of 5-10 miles MPH in those gears
2: That the Z was not meant to be downshifted to reduce speed and that only the brakes are viable for this
3: If I am to drive the car hard and fast I should consider getting a 3rd party heavy duty clutch kit (They even recomended Stillen) since the 350Z was not meant to be driven like a sports car should drive ???)
Well I laughed at 1 & 2 above but I took them up on #3 and contacted Stillen. I think the guy I spoke too is still laughing at 1 & 2 but told me for $1100.00 he would put in a heavy duty clutch kit (much like the other 4 Z's on his lot who have the same issues are doing). He did state that he has been getting alot of Nissans w/ similar issues.
On a good note though the Nissan head service guy does side with me and feels there is a bigger problem inside the car other than the driver. They are working though their internal forums, and tech reports and trying to find out why the Z should not be downshifted to slow the car bla bla bla... Wait and see... When I get more updates I will post
CloneDNA
:confuse:
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S
CloneDNA
The point is that all caps is difficult to read and it would be much appreciated by everyone if you "lowered the volume".
Thanks for your cooperation!
The absolute worlds worst Factory and Dealer service and support in the world.
Do not buy a 350 Z
Wait and get the BMW 2 seater or save your bucks and buy a Cayman.
Nissan will neither fix nor repair any problem and you will end up with a beautiful totally unserviceable car.
However, there is NO WAY I can suggest it as a daily driver. Its not all that great in the rain with the stock tires and completely undriveable in the snow. IF you swap out the tires for ones that will handle the rain better, then you could drive it every day that there isn't snow. That's about as good as it gets.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S
I finally called Nissan directly and they instructed dealer number three on how to aim them.
The headlights are now properly aimed and work well
Speaking in the past tense?
You no longer have your Z?
I just spent $525 today to have the passenger window motor replaced, out of warranty, the drivers window motor was replaced a few months ago under warranty.
The front suspension problems are also probably applicable to all models.
Transmission complaints seem to be limited to the manual transmission.
I still own my 350Z track after 28 months and 41,000 miles because I love the way it drives - BUT - I have never owned any car with as many problems or as poor service from the factory and dealers.
This is the fifth new car I have owned in four years and would not be a heartache if the factory and dealers were interested in giving decent service. Nissan will go to any lengths to keep from replacing/repairing under warranty.
I am planning on getting rid of my albatross as soon as the BMW Z4 coupe is available, I will certainly never reccomend any Nissan product to anyone- except possibly to my worst enemy!!!
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S
The Baby is certainly well worth the sacrifice!!!
You can always get another Z , with all the problems corrected, later.
But I can't help that i get a little verklempt (spelling??) when i see a Z on the road.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S
When you get ready to get another Z they will probably have worked them out and it will be as reliable as it is good looking.
I just dropped $525 yesterday to get the passenger window motor replaced, no longer in warranty.
The drivers window was previously replaced under warranty.
So in fact your sacrifice is probably a very fortunate occurance!!!
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S
Steve
Front tires force balanced due to cupping/feathering at 2000 miles.
Front tires replaced because force balance failed to correct problem- Nissan states problem due to incorrect alignment at factory.
Unable to get headlights aimed by three dealers in two states-they all said the headlights are not adjustable. Headlights aimed after I called Nissan and they instructed last dealer.
Drivers window motor failed- replaced under warranty -
Gas gauge/fuel pump defective-replaced under warranty -
Auto dimming rear view mirror defective- replaced after arbitration with national BBB because Nissan refused to send Factory rep to check after two dealers said it was ok even though it would not dim and they would not take it to try driving at night- Now works properly.
Dealer charged me for alignment-even though still within 24 month alignment period which has now been extended to 36 months- Nissan to refund- still waiting for refund eight weeks later-after faxing bill to Nissan twice.
Passenger window motor defective -replacement cost $525 - Car two years old with 40,000 miles.
Worst transmission of all cars listed - extremely difficult to shift-notchy- Latest Nissan dealer states that it is "Race type" transmission and that is why it is so difficult to shift.
Over 100 individuals have filed formal owner complaints with the NHTSA -No other vehicle has anywhere near this number of complaints.
National class action lawsuit pending.
It is a terrible shame that such a beautifully is so poorly built and so terribly supported.
My assertion still stands ... not EVERYONE has those problems. And, believe it or not, MANY folks have NO problems. As always, those with problems are much louder than those without ... stands to reason, of course.
I'm really not trying to belittle your bad experience. I truly feel bad for you. But, at the same time, its certainly not fair for you to say they are all junk and nobody should buy one because they absolutely will have problems. Its just not true.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S
However the manner in which these problems are corrected is the determining factor.
There is a action suit in progress against Nissan because of the manner in which they addressed the suspension problems.
How many other automakers have had class action lawsuits filed against them.
Take a look at the NHTSA web site- No other car has even close th the number and variety of user complaints.
However my complaint is NOT the Car it is Nissan and their dealers.
Nissan has consistantly failed to correct the suspension problems.
Nissan has consistantly denied the existence of clutch and transmission problems.
My complaint is not that my car has problems - It is the fact that No attempt has ever been made by Nissan to actually correct their suspension or transmission or variety of other problems- they just ignore or stone wall the problems until most people give up.
Enough owners have reported problems that Consumer Reports removed their check mark of approval from the 2003 Z - Keep an eye on their ratings and you will probably see the same happen to the 2004/2005 as their problems are reported.
If the problems with my car had been corrected without multiple complaints to Nissan and the BBB I would have no complaint - They were not.
I certainly do not say all 350 Z's are junk!!
I do certainly say Nissan factory service and dealers are substandard.
It is a terrible shame that such a potentially terrific car has such deplorable service and factory support.
I too will never buy any Nissan product of any kind whenever possible,and will do everything within my power to keep others from purchasing Nissan,
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S
Nissan absolutely REFUSED to arrange to have a factory service rep look at my car.
Any company which acts in that manner is not reputable and deserves to suffer.
We have not lost any companies in this country that did not deserve to go out of business.
Companies who do not provide quality products and good service do not deserve our support.
In point of fact, since this is a French owned and run Japanese company, and the product was designed and built in Japan, your concern is ill placed.
I would also point out that my 2004 Mazda 3 5 door assembled in Japan, which is 15 months old with 35,000 miles,my 2002 Acura RSX type S, and our 2002 Subaru Outback, have not experienced a single problem or failure of any kind and have received superb dealer and factory service.
So obviously there are still Quality Japanese auto manufacturers and dealers, unfortunately that just does not include Nissan or it's dealers.
I went to the dealer about this at 10K and they said they were cheap tires and I needed new tires. They did check the alignment and said it was at factory specs and it helped somewhat.
At 38K, I replaced the tires with Michelin Pilot Sports All Season, though pricey, the car handled like a new car, I could not believe tires could make that much difference in the handling of a vehicle. To this day, I do not understand why Nissan, would put those RE040s on the car.
My next problem occured this summer when the passenger window motor started acting up, the dealer said the motor is bad, and a new one would cost around $400. The window will go up and down; however, if it goes all the way down, it will not come back up, you have to bang on the lower inside of the door, and then the window will go up. But it will go up and then come back down and stop halfway. So for now I just keep it up and do'nt use it.
Just this past week, I noticed that one of my driver side front speakers appears to have a short in it. That doesn't bother me too much, cause I had planned on replacing the speakers.
From where I sit, it appears that the Z was a new design from top to bottom, and most experts will say you do not buy a new design in the first year because they will have bugs in them, you wait until the second year after most of the bugs have been worked out.
So after 65K, it may cost me around a $800, for the window and new speakers, and the tires werre 850 for a set of 4 at 38K miles, so I'm not complaining. However if I had an '04 or later, I probably would be, since I feel that Nissan would have had enough time to work out the bugs.
This is my second Z, I have an '80 280 on blocks in the garage. I've also owned 2 Accords, and both were excellent in terms of build quality reliability,
I am currently deciding whether to purchase an '06 Roadster, or an '06 G 35. Coupe.
I can understand the feelings of someone who has gotten a lemon and the shaft from his local dealer, and if that had happened to me, I wouldn't purchase a Nissan product and would advise my friends also. That being said, I believe that overall Nissan makes extremly good cars. If I had to rank the top cars, and using quality, reliablity. I would have Honda and Toyota tied, with Nissan following closely behind. If I ranked based on performance, I would have Nissan followed closely by Isuzu.
We owned an older Nissan Sentra which was extremely reliable, went 175,000 miles before we replaced it.
I really like the 350 Z, my only complaint is the Extremely poor dealer and factory service.
That's certainly a matter of opinion. I'd LOVE to have Alfa back, for one. My '86 Spider is quite reliable at almost 20 years old and approaching 100k miles. I wasn't even aware such a company existed when they were selling new cars here in the states, but it is my understanding that the poor dealer network contributed greatly to their demise ... Nissan certainly has a stronger presence than Alfa ever did, however.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S
Poor dealer networks, as you state, can certainly result in withdrawal from the market, as can a poorly designed or executed product.
Unfortunately the manufacturer is still responsible for their dealer network' and deserves to succeed or fail based on their performance.
Twenty years and 100,000 miles certainly speaks well of your Alpha and is a far more valid judgment of a product than that of one who owned a car for a few months and a few thousand miles.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S
Alfa executives plan to recruit established U.S. dealers. They believe Maserati's U.S. network is too small and too upscale" Per Autoweek Magazine
I'm afraid their current FWD setups are going to hurt them here, however, at their (most likely) high pricepoint. Their hatchback (is it still the 147?) could be a good alternative to a Volvo V50 or Audi A3 ... BUT, a FWD spider for, say $45k, is going to pale in comparison to a 350z, for instance (like how i brought us back to the topic? ).
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S
I'm sure it depends on where you live, I live in Denver and still get to go top down year round. The aerodynamics make driving topless at 50 degrees and sunny not a problem at all.
That's my opinion, but I think the Roadster is worth every extra cent and then some!
I live outside of Virgina Beach and the weather is great with mild winters, my only concern with the roadster, is that I am 6'4" and I wonder if the wind will be blowing all in my face and around my head. Anyway, I do plan on test driving a roadster, and if all goes right, I will purchase one in January, where I expect they will just be sitting on the lot until springtime when they will become a hot commodity.