Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 83 complaints with NHTSA about the 1984 Nissan 300ZX, and it carries 5 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system | 37 | 45% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 13 | 16% |
| Electrical system | 8 | 10% |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 6% |
| Power train | 5 | 6% |
| Suspension | 4 | 5% |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 2% |
| Service brakes | 2 | 2% |
| Steering | 2 | 2% |
| Fuel system | 1 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
FUEL INJECTORS LEAK INTO THE ENGINE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO HAVE LOW FUEL PRESSURE WHICH CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
NHTSA RECALL 85-V-021-000:IMPURE LUBRICATING GREASE USED IN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCHES COULD CONTAMINATE ONE OR MORE CONTACT POINTS. OPERATION OF THE HEADLIGHTS COULD BE DELAYED OR NO LIGHT WHEN THE SWITCH IS TURNED ON OR
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A STUCK THROTTLE. *SLC
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
MY NISSAN CONTINUALLY SURGES AND THE DEALERSHIPS ARE UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. PLUS THE FUEL GAUGE READS EMPTY WHEN IT IS NOT. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
I'VE CONTACTED 1-800-NISSAN1 ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS SINCE MAY OF THIS YEAR, I ALSO FAXED THE INFORMATION AND WHEN THE PHONE CALL WAS RETURNED THEY ONLY ADVISED ME THAT THEY WILL GO OVER THE INFORMATION AND THAT A CASE WAS
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
TWO DIFFERENT REPAIR CENTERS STATED IT WOULD BE IN EXCESS OF $2K TO REPAIR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WIRES. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NISSAN INITIATED A "WORD OF MOUTH CAMPAIGN" FOR A KNOW SAFETY PROBLEM THAT COULD HAVE BURNT MY ENTIRE HOUSE TO THE GROUND AND WILL NOT TAKE RESPOSIBILITY FOR DAMAGE AND REPAIR OF MY CAR. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
HOOD LATCH ISN'T ENGAGING CORRECTLY, AND CONSUMER DOESN'T WANT HOOD POPPING OPEN WHILE DRIVING. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Latches/locks/linkages
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 1984 Nissan 300ZX. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
THE HOOD LATCH MAY FAIL TO HOLD THE HOOD IN POSITION DUE TO A MISALIGNMENT OF THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH. THIS CONDITION IS DUE TO A DEFORMATION OF THE HOOD DURING MANUFACTURE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW SECONDARY LATCH AT NO CHARGE.
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATION 573. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. THE CAMPAIGN WILL REPLACE THE FUEL INJECTORS AND RELATED HOSES OF AFFECTED VEHICLES WHICH COULD LEAK.
Risk: FUEL LEAKS IN THE ENGINE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: NISSAN DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL INJECTORS AND RELATED HOSES ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.
UNINTENDED ACCELERATION MAY OCCUR, FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN SHIFTING FROM THE PARK POSITION.
Risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Fix: INSTALL A SHIFT INTERLOCK SYSTEM WHICH PREVENTS THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER FROM BEING MOVED FROM THE PARK POSITION UNLESS THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.
BRAKES MAY FAIL SUDDENLY WHEN APPLIED. COMPONENTS WITHIN THE MASTER CYLINDER MAY BE EXPELLED BECAUSE A CLIP WHICH RETAINS THEM MAY NOT BE PROPERLY INSTALLED.
Fix: A NEW "C" CLIP WILL BE INSTALLED AT NO CHARGE.
| Reliability raw | 86 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 80 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 78 | good |
| Depreciation | 55 | average |
| Performance | 53 | average |
| Efficiency | 38 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other sports & two-seaters in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 83 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and fuel system is the most reported area with 37 of them (45%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 86/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 80/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1984 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 70/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.