Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 64 complaints with NHTSA about the 1986 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 | 34 | 53% |
| Vehicle speed control | 9 | 14% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 7 | 11% |
| Electrical system | 4 | 6% |
| Seat belts | 3 | 5% |
| Steering | 2 | 3% |
| Power train | 2 | 3% |
| Tires | 1 | 2% |
| Fuel system | 1 | 2% |
| Equipment | 1 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
NISSAN IS DECLINING TO HONOR A RECALL FOR FUEL INJECTORS THAT WAS ISSUED ON ALL 1986 NISSANS. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1986 NISSAN 300ZX (NA) EQUIPPED WITH LANDSAIL TIRES (NA), SIZE 205/65/R15. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER AND DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, HE WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND IT SP
NHTSA complaint: Tires
I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION ON APRIL 9,2010. NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 95I006000. THIS WAS AND IS THE ONLY RECALL THAT I HAVE RECEIVED SINCE OWNING THE VEHICLE THAT WAS BOUGHT FROM GIES NISSAN OF CORTLANDT MANOR, NY BACK IN
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
CAR RUNS HOT EVEN THOUGH I HAVE REPLACED FAN CLUTCH, WATER PUMP,THERMOSTAT, CHANGED HOSES, GASKETS. STILL CAR GET HOT AFTER RUNNING ONLY FOR 20 MIN. RADIATOR EMPTIES BUT OVERFLOW IS FULL. NO LEAKS FROM UNDER CAR. IT NEE
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
TALKED TO NISSAN USA ABOUT 1986 NISSAN 300ZX, FUEL INJECTOR AND RELATED HOSES LEAKING. THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE NEAREST NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND THEY WOULD REPLACE THE FUEL INFECTOR AND HOSES AS PART OF THE RECA
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED ON THE DASHBOARD AND ALL THE ELECTRICAL LIGHTS FAILED TO COME ON. THE DRIVER SMELL SMOKE COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER . THE VEHICLE CAUGHT
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
CALL NISSAN NUMBER LISTED ON THE RECALL AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR LEAKING FUEL INJECTOR REPLACEMENT FOR MY VIN. THE RECALL LISTED ON YOUR WEB SITE REFERS TO ALL Z CARS 84-89. IS THE RECALL NOT LONG
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BURST INTO FLAMES AFTER I PULLED INTO A STORE RECALL CAMPAIGN #95I006000 WAS COMPLIED WITH THOUGH I HAVE NOT TOUCHED ANYTHING.(ANY REPAIRS MADE) I CAN CLEARLY SEE FUEL SHOOT OUT OF THE HOSE BETWEEN
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1986 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 | 86 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 80 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 75 | good |
| Depreciation | 55 | average |
| Performance | 59 | average |
| Efficiency | 36 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other sports & two-seaters in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 64 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and fuel system is the most reported area with 34 of them (53%). There are 2 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 1986 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.