2012 Nissan 370Z problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 16 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
The 2012 Nissan 370Z has 16 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 12 complaints, typically surfacing around 29,334 miles (~$2,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 370Z | 153 | 0 |
| 2010 370Z | 110 | 0 |
| 2011 370Z | 40 | 1 |
| 2012 370Z (this page) | 16 | 0 |
| 2013 370Z | 17 | 0 |
| 2014 370Z | 10 | 0 |
| 2015 370Z | 3 | 0 |
Above-average reliability for the segment. Few systemic issues on file.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.6/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2012 Nissan 370Z? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- powertrain — 12 owner reports · tends to show around 29,334 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- airbags — 3 owner reports · tends to show around 37,842 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 8.6/10 model. The priciest documented failure is powertrain (~$2,500) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2012 Nissan 370Z
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 2 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
At only 10,000 mi. The clutch pedal suddenly would not return to rest. It caused a dangerous loss of control in freeway traffic while in motion. I was able to toe the pedal up, pump wildly to get some degree of actuation back, and then exit the freeway. Nissan usa would only…
As soon as I picked this car up with only 56,000 miles on it and I was driving it back home on the highway my clutch pedal went straight to the floor, not once, not twice. Three times as I was down shifting on exit ramps! Then the same thing happened to me last week! I was…
I was driving home from work and my clutch peddle slowly kept getting going down and not coming up. Then I was a couple of blocks away from my house and it was completely stuck and I could not drive my car.
Driving the vehicle from louisville, ky to hazelwood, mo the last few miles of the trip the clutch pedal went to the floor. Trying to pump the pedal in order to get the car in gear and was able to limp the car to the house. This problem has happened 4-5 times in the last 2…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Under investigation 1 open at NHTSA
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA21002 on NHTSA →
How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →
Common questions
Is the 2012 Nissan 370Z reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.6 out of 10 based on 16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Nissan 370Z is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2012 Nissan 370Z?
On the NHTSA data, the 2012 Nissan 370Z does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.6/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2012 Nissan 370Z?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 12 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 29,334 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2012 Nissan 370Z a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 16 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 29,334 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2012 Nissan 370Z?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 12 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 29,334 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 29,334 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Nissan 370Z has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2012 Nissan 370Z?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 16 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.