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 83 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Nissan 350z, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 26 | 31% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 13 | 16% |
| Power train | 7 | 8% |
| Wheels | 5 | 6% |
| Structure | 3 | 4% |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 2% |
| Service brakes | 2 | 2% |
| Tires | 2 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
2005 NISSAN 350Z PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT FLASHING,DEALER PREFORMED DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND RESET.WARNING LIGHT RETURNS AFTER 25 MILES.RETURNED TO DEALERSHIP ESTIMATED COST OF $350.00 TO REPAIR WITH NO GUARANTEE OF CO
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
WHILE DRIVING AT AROUND 40MPH, MY 2005 NISSAN 350Z (41XXX MILES) SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY. NO POWER, BRAKES, STEERING, ANYTHING. I GLIDED TO A STOP AND PULLED OVER AS BEST AS I COULD. EVERY INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON: CHECK ENG
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
AT 45,000 MILES THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. DEALERS WANTS AN ARM, A LEG, AND HALF OF THE OTHER LEG TO FIX. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THERE IS NOT A RECALL YET. DEALER SAYS THEY CAN START REPLACING PARTS BUT THAT MAY
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
AIR BAG LIGHTS HAVE BEEN FLASHING FOR 3 YEARS WHETHER PARKED OR IN MOTION, DEALERSHIP SAYS $1500 TO DIAGNOSE BUT BELIEVES BAGS ARE NOT FUNCTIONING AND ADVISES TO "DRIVE SAFELY" IF I DECIDE NOT TO REPAIR. NOT ON RECALL LI
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
CLUTCH STICKING TO FLOOR HAVE TO PLACE FOOT UNDER CLUTCH TO POP BACK IN PLACE SO I CAN CONTINUE TO USE CLUTCH. ALSO, SLIP LIGHT COMES ON SINCE NISSAN OF BOWIE, MD ROTATED MY TIRES, IN THE 13 YRS I HAVE OWNED NO MECHANI
NHTSA complaint: Power train
THE REPLACEMENT HEADLIGHTS BOUGHT FROM AMAZON (AUTOLIGHTSBULBS) ARE NOT ADJUSTABLE LIKE THE ONES FROM THE DEALER. I CONTACTED THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM AND THEY STATE THAT THESE ARE DOT AND SAE CERTIFIED. PLEASE FIND
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
ALL THE CRANKSHAFT SENORS AND CAM SENSORS FAILED WITH A TOTAL LOSE OF POWER CREATING AND VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION SINCE I COULD NOT STEER THE CAR TO A SAFE LOCATION. IN OTHER WORDS I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT AN ACCIDENT WAS N
NHTSA complaint: Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN 350Z. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO WARNER NISSAN (1070 BRIGHT RD, FINDLAY, OH 45840 (419) 423-7162) WHERE IT WA
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2005 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.
| Reliability raw | 77 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 76 | 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 83 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 26 of them (31%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 77/100 (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 76/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2005 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 67/100. 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.