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 53 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Nissan 350z, and it carries 1 recall. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Wheels | 12 | 23% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 12 | 23% |
| Air bags | 11 | 21% |
| Tires | 3 | 6% |
| Engine | 2 | 4% |
| Power train | 2 | 4% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 2 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 2% |
| Unknown or other | 1 | 2% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan 350Z. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH the vehicle became hot, started smoking and it stalled. The contact stated that the vehicle was steered to the side of th
NHTSA complaint: Engine
Tire size 265/35ZR19 driving down highway at 55 mph when tire blew out. I was able to lucklily get the shoulder and it looked like my tire was cut open with a can opener on the sidewall. The tpms sensor was working fine
NHTSA complaint: Tires
MY 2006 350Z IS DOING EXACTLY WHAT IS STATED BELOW FROM YOUR WEBSITE. I PURCHASE MY CAR IN 2012 AND WAS NOT AWARE THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM AS I HAD BEEN DRIVING AUTOMATICS. June 24, 2011 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11E0240
NHTSA complaint: Power train
The airbag sensor failed and the light is flashing. The tire pressure sensor failed and the light is on.
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan 350Z. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the accelerator and brake pedals became unresponsive while depressed. The contact was able to pull over and restart the vehicle
NHTSA complaint: Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN 350Z. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE PEARSON NISSAN DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE AIR BA
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
ISSUE WITH CAM SHAFT SENSOR FAILURE. REPLACED BANK 2 AND NOW BANK 1. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE ACCORDING TO ALL OF THE PEOPLE COMPLAINING. THIS WAS PART OF A RECALL FOR 2003 MODELS, BUT NOT FOR 2006 MODELS. CAR HAS 121,0
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
THE DOOR MECHANISM BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE HAS FAILED, I CANNOT ENTER OR EXIT THE VEHICLE FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE. THIS POSES A GREAT SAFETY HAZARD IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2006 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
| Reliability raw | 82 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 78 | good |
| Maintenance | 73 | good |
| Depreciation | 55 | average |
| Performance | 62 | average |
| Efficiency | 34 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other sports & two-seaters in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 53 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and wheels is the most reported area with 12 of them (23%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 82/100 (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 78/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2006 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 69/100. 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.