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full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2005 Nissan 350Z engine problems
severe 15 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 15 engine complaints filed for the 2005 Nissan 350Z, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Engine accounts for 18% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 9 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 19 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
OBD II EVAP Tube Warranty Enhancement The update below was sent out to Regions and Dealers in August of this year. We are re-circulating this update to make regional and dealer personnel aware that we are re-notifying customers at this time.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SERVICE INFORMATION After ECM reprogramming, the Calibration Verification Number (CVN) needs to be automatically calculated prior to State emissions testing (also known as Inspection Maintainence, I/M, or SMOG testing depending upon location). Allowing the vehicle to idle for 22 minutes will allow for faster CVN calculation. It is recommended that customers utilize this method if the vehicle needs to be tested for emissions soon after ECM reprogramming. See this bulletin for further detail.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2005-2006 350Z; ENGINE OIL LEVEL IS LOW. UPDATED 4/8/08. UPDATED 5/6/08. UPDATED 9/22/10.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗AIRFLOWMETER SERVICE.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2005 Nissan 350Z shows two major engine failure patterns in these complaints.
Crank and camshaft position sensor failures have caused sudden loss of power at highway speeds (65–80 mph) and parking lots in multiple reports. Owners describe the engine dying without warning, forcing them to coast off roads or stopping them mid-traffic. Some owners report the same sensor replaced multiple times—up to four failures in one vehicle—yet the problem recurs. One complaint documents a cascade failure: repeated cam sensor failures led to catalytic converter damage and eventual engine fire. Nissan's recalls covered 2003–2004 models; some 2005 owners report being denied coverage despite identical symptoms.
Excessive oil consumption dominates the other half of complaints. Owners describe losing a quart per thousand miles or worse, with some vehicles burning 19–29 mm of oil over 1,000 miles. One owner had the engine replaced for this issue, only for the replacement engine to exhibit the same behavior. Dealerships have conducted oil consumption tests, but owners allege inconsistent results and insufficient documentation. One owner reported a dealership draining oil outside protocol, then marking the car as operating within standards despite acknowledged internal engine failure. The pattern crosses multiple dealerships (Gardena Nissan, Classic Nissan Orlando, Torrance CA locations) and extends years past purchase, making extended highway driving unsafe.
Same Nissan 350Z engine reports on nearby years: 2006
Failure modes owners describe
Crank Position Sensor Failure
Sensor failure causes complete engine shutdown without warning, resulting in total loss of power steering and power brakes during highway driving. Multiple owners report repeated failures of the same component.
When: Highway speeds 65–80 mph; one instance at 15 mph in parking lot. Failures occurring from 8,500 to 39,800 miles; some within months of purchase, some after warranty expiration.
Symptoms owners cite: Complete engine stall without warning; Loss of power steering and power brakes; Check Engine light (sometimes; not always); Unable to restart immediately or at all; Smoke in some cases
Codes mentioned: PO420, PO430
Repairs/costs cited: Sensor replaced multiple times (up to four replacements in one vehicle); repairs performed at dealerships and independent shops.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall issued for 2003 and 2004 350Z models (VIN range JN1AZ*4**3T 000001-100167); 2005 models outside recall criteria per Nissan. Some owners report Nissan claiming master technician could not reproduce issue at 80 mph test drive.
Camshaft Position Sensor Failure
Sensor failure causes engine stall without warning during highway driving. One failure escalated to catalytic converter damage and engine fire after multiple repeated failures.
When: Highway driving at 65 mph; first failure occurred at 10,400 miles, subsequent failures at 16,600 miles and beyond.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stall without warning; Inability to restart after first incident; successful restart after minutes in later instances; Smoke from engine and exhaust; Engine fire (one case after multiple repeated failures)
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle sensor/chamber and air flow sensor also replaced under warranty in related cases. Catalytic converter replaced after damage from repeated sensor failures; engine fire occurred after third cam sensor failure.
Excessive Oil Consumption
Engine burns excessive oil without external leaks. Owners report consuming 1 quart per 1,000 miles or more, with some vehicles burning 19–29 mm over 1,000 miles. One 2005 had engine replaced for this issue; the replacement engine exhibited the same behavior.
When: Began early in ownership (612 miles, 3,000 miles, 10,400 miles noted). Persists across 35,000+ miles and into extended ownership (issue began 2010, ongoing testing through multiple years).
Symptoms owners cite: Engine knock/pinging noise from low oil; Oil pressure gauge dropping to zero or near-zero; Dipstick showing little to no oil between service intervals; Engine nearly seizing from oil depletion; Oil level dropping to dangerous levels within 1,000–3,500 miles of oil change
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report spending thousands on oil consumption testing via dealership protocol; one owner documented consumption tests showing variation from 19 mm to 29 mm per 1,000 miles. Dealerships tried switching between synthetic and conventional oil; neither resolved issue. One owner's replacement engine consumed oil at same rate, requiring waiting periods (3+ weeks) for manufacturer direction on next repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan internally aware of the problem per owner complaint but has not issued TSB. Owners report Nissan declining to fix vehicles even after acknowledging excessive consumption. One owner reported dealership verbally acknowledging engine is bad, but receipt stated 'operating within accepted standards.' Related issues noted on Altima and Sentra; Altimas reportedly recalled for similar problem. No official Nissan response or recall for 350Z.
Throttle/Mass Airflow Sensor Failures
Throttle position sensor and mass airflow sensor failures cause stalling without warning during driving. One vehicle required replacement of both components early in ownership.
When: At 612 miles (mass airflow meter) and at 10,400 miles and 16,600 miles (throttle sensor and airflow sensor, respectively).
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalling without warning; Difficulty restarting or inability to restart; Bad idle
Repairs/costs cited: Mass airflow meter and throttle sensor/chamber replaced under warranty.
Synthesized from 15 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Engine quite on highway, causing loss of power steering and power brakes, nearly causing a crash on a dangerous mountain road (highway 17 in california). The check engine light came on and stayed on. The dealer, santa cruz Nissan Dodge (state reg. # aj-35673-n) traced the problem to a faulty crank position sensor which was replaced on 4/3/06 (repair order no. 157547). A problem with failed…
This has happened three times now. I have been driving my 350 down the highway at about 65 MPH and it just stops running I can push the pedal down and nothing happens. I had it towed into the dealership the first time and they said it was the cam shaft sensor. No big deal right? Well about 2000 miles later it happened again same exact thing. On my way to work in rush hour traffic the car just…
Consumer states that the vehicle is stalling while driving without any warning. First time it happened when the car had 10400 miles on it. When pulled to the side of the road was able to restart after few attempts and resume driving. The dealership has found bad throatle sensor and replaced throatle chamber/reset system under warranty. Second time it happened when the car had 16600 miles on…
Had engine trouble with your 2005 Nissan 350Z?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2005 Nissan 350Z?
It's a meaningful issue. 15 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 13 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 8,421 and 36,000 miles, with the median around 16,600. A quarter of owners report trouble before 8,421; a quarter make it past 36,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Nissan/350Z.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.