Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 85 complaints with NHTSA about the 1985 Nissan 300ZX, and it carries 2 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 | 47 | 55% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 14 | 16% |
| Vehicle speed control | 6 | 7% |
| Power train | 4 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 4 | 5% |
| Steering | 2 | 2% |
| Unknown or other | 1 | 1% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | 1% |
| Fuel system | 1 | 1% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
I WAS TOLD THERE HAD BEEN A SAFETY RECALL FOR THE 1985 NISSAN 300ZX, SO I TRIED TO LOOK IT UP ONLINE WITHOUT SUCCESS, AND THEN CALLED NISSAN TO FIND OUT IF THE REPAIRS HAD EVER BEEN DONE, SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
NISSAN 300ZX 1985 ENGINE WIRING AND COMPONENT WIRING INTERIOR. WIRING IS BRITTLE, BECOMES HOT. AND BREAKS VERY EASY.THE ENGINE IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION RUNNING WISE , THE WIRING TO COMPONENTS BRITTLE BREAKS EASILY. I FE
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1985 NISSAN 300ZX. THE CONTACT SMELLS A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE FOLLOWED BY A HESITATION IN THE VEHICLE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FUEL INJECTORS AND RELATED HOSES W
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1985 NISSAN 300ZX. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. HE OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM THE FUEL INJECTORS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1985 NISSAN 300ZX. APPROXIMATELY TEN MINUTES AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE DESTROYED THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT AS STATED IN RECALL 95 I 006 000. REGARDING THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. *JB
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN BROUGHT INTO TWO NISSAN DEALERSHIPS FOUR OR MORE TIMES FOR THE SAME SAFETY DEFECT. IT HAS ALSO BEEN TO A "Z-DOCTOR" WHO WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR IT.THE CAR HESITATES AND THEN SURGES WHEN WARMING UP.
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
RECALL 95 I 006 000/FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM: CONSUMER CONTACTED MANUFACTURER, WHO INFORMED CONSUMER THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN THIS RECALL. AFTER TAKING VEHICLE INTO DEALER SHOP FOR SECOND TIME, DEALER REFUSED
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1985 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.
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.
| Reliability raw | 89 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 81 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 75 | good |
| Depreciation | 55 | average |
| Performance | 59 | average |
| Efficiency | 35 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other sports & two-seaters in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 85 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and fuel system is the most reported area with 47 of them (55%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 89/100 (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 81/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1985 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 71/100. 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.