Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 30 complaints with NHTSA about the 1987 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 | 19 | 63% |
| Electrical system | 6 | 20% |
| Seat belts | 2 | 7% |
| Service brakes | 1 | 3% |
| Power train | 1 | 3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED CONSUMER NOTICED FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. SMELLED GASOLINE COMING FROM THE REAR. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE CAUSE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
I HAVE A STRONG FUEL ODOR COMING FROM MY ENGINE THROUGH MY VENTS, AND INTO THE INTERIOR OF MY CAR. I WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM OF MY CAR (1987 NISSAN 300ZX). I WOULD LIKE
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
MAKE: NISSAN MODEL: 300ZX TURBO YEAR: 1987 RECALL NUMBER: 95I006000 AFTER RECENTLY PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE, I LEARNED ABOUT A MAJOR SAFETY RECALL BY NISSAN IN WHICH ALL 84-89 NISSAN 300ZX'S HAD A PROBLEM
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
CONSUMER STATES WHILE GOING 25-30MPH THE BRAKES LOCKED UP WHEN APPLYING FOR A SUDDEN STOP CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SKID. THE SKIDDING OF THE VEHICLE RESULTED TO A REAR END ACCIDENT AND THE FRONT END CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONSUM
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON THE BELTWAY COMING HOME FROM WORK. I WAS ABOUT A MILE FROM MY HOME WHEN MY CAR WOULDN'T PULL UP THE HILL. NO MATTER HOW HARD I TRIED IT JUST DIDN'T HAVE ANY PULL. I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL L
NHTSA complaint: Power train
AFTER FILLING GAS TANK, VEHICLE EXPERIENCED NOISE WHEN SHIFTING FROM 1RST TO 2ND GEAR WHICH CAUSED A LOUD EXPLOSION IN ENGINE RESULTING IN FIRE. *YC
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
MY NAME IS ANNETTE, I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM JAMES SIPPLE ON A PAYMENT PLAN. WHEN PAYMENT WAS RECEIVED IN FULL, JAMES SIPPLE WOULD THEN SIGN OVER PINK SLIP. 2 MONTHS LATER IT CAUGHT FIRE. THEN I HEARD THAT THE CAR HAD BE
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1987 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 | 65 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 70 | good |
| 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 30 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and fuel system is the most reported area with 19 of them (63%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 65/100 (good) 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 70/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1987 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 63/100. 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.