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 144 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Nissan 350z, and it carries 3 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tires | 26 | 18% |
| Suspension | 18 | 13% |
| Fuel system | 14 | 10% |
| Air bags | 13 | 9% |
| Power train | 13 | 9% |
| Suspension | 9 | 6% |
| Structure | 5 | 3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 4 | 3% |
| Engine | 3 | 2% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
My 350Z was overheating so I took it to Sun Devil Auto in Sun City West. Sam Malone inspected it. He said I needed a new radiator, hoses, gaskets for a price of $1400.00+ .I went to the Firestone dealer in Surprise on Me
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
The contact owns a 2004 Nissan 350Z. The contact stated while refueling the vehicle, after stepping away from the vehicle, the contact was alerted by his passenger that there was a fuel leak underneath the vehicle. The c
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
The airbag light came on for no reason, has never come on before. No accidents, fender bender, no bumps. Shop read an error code of B1129. Checked right passenger SRS seat connections as code suggests and reset the li
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
The contact's girlfriend owns a 2004 Nissan 350Z. The contact stated that upon refueling the gas tank, a large amount of gasoline began to leak out from the gas tank and underneath the vehicle. The contact also stated th
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
I PURCHASED 4 NEW TIRES FOR MY 2004 NISSAN 350Z, THEY ARE THE FALKEN PRO G5 SPORT A/S TIRES P225/45R18 ON THE FRONT. 245/45/R18 ON THE REAR ON 2/06/19 THE MILEAGE IN WAS 16,292. ON 1/15/20 I TOOK THE CAR OUT AND THE CAR
NHTSA complaint: Tires
HELLO, I WAS LEAVING A STOP SIGN BARELY MOVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUN GOING OFF IN MY CAR. BEFORE I COULD GRASP MY NEXT THOUGHT MY CAR FLIPPED COMPLETELY OVER ON ITS SIDE NO TIRES TOUCHING THE GROUND
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
I BOUGHT A 2004 Z350 AND I BOUGHT IT ON MOTHER'S DAY LAST MONTH AND I GOT THE CAR IN THE ABARAT WAS ALREADY ON THE CAR THE LIGHT WAS ALREADY ON WHEN I PURCHASED A CAR FROM A DEALERSHIP AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS AGAINST
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
MY CAR LIGHT JUST CAME ON. I NEVER HAD AN ACCIDENT WITH MY CAR SINCE I PURCHASED IT FROM PALM SPRINGS NISSAN. IN 2004
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2004 Nissan 350z. 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.
ZF SERVICE IS RECALL CERTAIN CLUTCH KIT ASSEMBLIES, PART NUMBER SX: K70358-01, SHIPPED TO WHOLESALERS AS SERVICE PARTS BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2010, AND MARCH 8, 2011. THESE SERVICE PARTS ARE INTENDED FOR USE ON MODEL YEAR 2003-2006 NISSAN 350Z AND INFINITI G35 VEHICLES. THE SX: K70358-01 CLUTCH KIT
Risk: AN OVERSIZED CLUTCH DISC COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO MOVE UNINTENTIONALLY ON THE INITIAL START-UP, IF THE DRIVER DOES NOT FOLLOW THE INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS AND FAILS TO USE THE SERVICE BRAKES WHILE
Fix: ZF SERVICE NOTIFY WHOLESALERS TO RETURN ANY AFFECTED CLUTCH KIT ASSEMBLIES STILL IN INVENTORY FOR FREE REPLACEMENT KITS. THIS CONDITION WILL CORRECT ITSELF AFTER THE FIRST START-UP AND USAGE OF THE C
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FUEL FILLER HOSE MAY CRACK AND RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE HOSE WHILE REFUELING.
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILLER HOSE. RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 27, 2006, FOR NISSAN OWNERS, AND ON MARCH 13, 2006, FOR INFINITI OWNERS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI
| Reliability raw | 74 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 74 | good |
| Maintenance | 73 | good |
| Depreciation | 55 | average |
| Performance | 62 | 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 144 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and tires is the most reported area with 26 of them (18%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 74/100 (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 74/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2004 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 66/100. 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.