NISSAN: EXTERIOR LAMP FOGGING. OCCASIONALLY WATER IS NOTICED IN THE EXTERIOR LAMPS. THIS IS GENERALLY NOT DUE TO A DEFECT. ALL CURRENT EXTERIOR LAMP ASSEMBLIES ARE VENTED TO THE ATMOSPHERE (NOT SEALED). THIS IS NECESSARY TO ALLOW FOR EXPANSION AND CONTRACTION OF AIR FROM TEMPERATURE VARIATIONS (WARMER OR COLDER) WITHOUT DAMAGE TO THE LAMP. MOISTURE IN THE AIR SOMETIMES TRAVELS INTO AND OUT OF THE LAMP ASSEMBLY THROUGH THESE VENTS. CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS MAY CAUSE MOISTURE TO CONDENSE. THE FOGGING/CLOUDINESS SHOULD DISAPPEAR OVER TIME WHEN THE LAMP IS IN A DRY ENVIRONMENT. NO MODELS LISTED. UPDATED 5/7/10. UPDATED 12/9/13.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2005 Nissan 350Z lighting problems
moderate 4 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $250 · see lighting across all vehicles →
Complaints
4
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$250
What stands out
No new NHTSA lighting complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 10 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 lighting 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.
NISSAN: XENON HEAD LAMP SERVICE. A XENON HEADLAMP IS NOT FUNCTIONING BECAUSE OF AN ISSUE INSIDE THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY (AN INTERNAL ISSUE). IN MOST CASES, REPLACEMENT OF A BULB OR HID CONTROL UNIT WILL SOLVE THE INCIDENT. THIS INCLUDES ALL MODELS WITH XENON HEAD LAMPS. NO MODELS LISTED.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
OEM lights hazed from the inside so I bought replacement lights from spyder auto... Part number 5064745. From the beginning the lights had a shadow in front of the car but I felt this was just a setup problem. This model light has the low beam sitting behind the high beam. It was later discovered that the design makes the low beam shine on the high beam chrome housing to send the light off…
Had lighting 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 lighting problem on the 2005 Nissan 350Z?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 4 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $250 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the lighting typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $250 for lighting 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 lighting?
No active recalls currently cover lighting 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.