Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 153 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Nissan 370z, and it carries no 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 42 | 27% |
| Steering | 37 | 24% |
| Power train | 18 | 12% |
| Electrical system | 13 | 8% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 5 | 3% |
| Air bags | 4 | 3% |
| Steering | 3 | 2% |
| Structure | 2 | 1% |
| Steering | 2 | 1% |
| Unknown or other | 2 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan 370Z. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the steering wheel locked up, and the contact was unable to start the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the residence, w
NHTSA complaint: Steering
Seatbelts won’t retract easily from both driver and passenger side.
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
My vehicle has only 12,400 miles, and the passenger air bag light will not go off and the airbag light in the dash keeps blinking. Millions of Nissan vehicles have had the same problem. I want my Nissan dealership, where
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
VEHICLE FUEL GAUGE SAID 1/4 OF A TANK AS I WAS DRIVING THE CAR SUDDENLY SHUT OFF ON A BUSY ROAD MAKING IT VERY DANGEROUS. I HAD THE CAR TOWED HOME AND AS I WAS TRYING TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM I ADDED GAS TO THE TANK AND T
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
THE DASHBOARD IN THE CAR IS GREYING AND STICKY (SAME AS 2008-09 ALTIMAS, 2011 MAXIMAS, TOYOTAS, ETX) AND CAN CREATE A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD FROM THE SUN REFLECTING OFF OF THE GLUE. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Structure
I PURCHASED MY FIRST NISSAN, A 2009 370Z, IN 2018. I WENT TO START MY CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START, AFTER READING VARIOUS FORUMS ON THE INTERNET I FOUND THE ISSUE WITH THE 370Z IS WELL DOCUMENTED TO THE ESCL (ELECTRONIC S
NHTSA complaint: Steering
MY VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH AN ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK (ESCL) THAT LOCKS THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED AND TURNED OFF TO HELP PREVENT THEFT. ON SOME VEHICLES, DUE TO A MANUFACTURING IRREGULARITY,T
NHTSA complaint: Steering
THE GAS READING IS ALWAYS MESSED UP SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR, IT'S LEFT ME STRANDED MY LAST 350Z ALSO DID THIS I WON'T SHOP NISSAN WITH THESE ISSUES IF I'M FORCED TO PAY FOR THIS ISSUE TWICE
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
| Reliability raw | 75 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 75 | good |
| Maintenance | 81 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 87 | excellent |
| Performance | 64 | average |
| Efficiency | 37 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other sports & two-seaters in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 153 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and steering is the most reported area with 42 of them (27%). No recalls are on record for it.
AVOIR scores its reliability 75/100 (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 75/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2009 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 73/100. 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.