NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 144 owner complaints for the 2004 Nissan 3 Series. Most complaints involve tires (37) and suspension (32).
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 CONTAINS AN OVERSIZED CLUTCH DISC.
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FUEL FILLER HOSE MAY CRACK AND RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE HOSE WHILE REFUELING.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each 3 Series model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 2 |
| 2003 | 275 |
| 2004 | 144 |
| 2005 | 83 |
| 2006 | 53 |
| 2007 | 73 |
| 2008 | 24 |
| 2009 | 153 |
| 2010 | 110 |
| 2011 | 40 |
| 2012 | 16 |
| 2013 | 17 |
| 2014 | 10 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
“I PURCHASED 4 NEW TIRES FOR MY 2004 NISSAN 350Z, THEY ARE THE FALKEN PRO G5 SPORT A/S TIRES P225/45R18 ON THE FRONT. 245/45/R18 ON THE REAR ON 2/06/19 THE MILEAGE IN WAS 16,292. ON 1/15/20 I TOOK THE CAR OUT AND THE CAR WAS BOUNCING ALL OVER THE ROAD, I TOOK IT BACK TO DISCOUNT TIRES IN LAS VEGAS NEVADA ON THAT SAME DAY AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE BALANCE OF THE TIRES. WHEN THE TECHNICIAN TRIED TO BALANCE THE TIRES HE SAID THEY ARE OFF BY OVER 1 OUNCE. ANOTHER TECH CAME AND TRIED TO BALANCE THE TIRES AND FOUND A BULGE ON ALL 4 TIRES AND OPTED TO REPLACE THEM ALL,I ONLY HAD 69 MILES ON THE TIRES! I HAVE TO SAY IN ALL MY YEARS I HAVE NEVER SEEN TIRES DEVELOP BULGES LIKE THESE AND ALL 4 NEEDING REPLACEMENT WITH ONLY 69 MILES ON THEM! I AM VERY NERVOUS WITH THESE TIRES BEING THAT THEY ARE INSTALLED ON A NISSAN 350Z WITH THE POWER THE VEHICLE HAS.”
“WHILE MAKING A NORMAL LEFT TURN THROUGH AN INTERSECTION MY CAR BEGAN TO SPIN. AFTER A COMPLETE 360 DEGREE SPIN AND SMACK INTO A CURB, THERE WAS SLIGHT DAMAGE TO LEFT REAR EXTERIOR WHEEL WELL. THIS ALIGNMENT ISSUE AND PREMATURE TIRE WEAR PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE RECTIFIED. SOMEONE HAS TO DO SOMETHING. UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS TO DO A COMPLETE 360 SPIN OUT IS RIDICULOUS. I AM LUCKY NO ONE SMACKED INTO ME AFTER I STOPPED. I HAVE HAD MY TIRES REPLACED TWICE ON THE RIGHT REAR AND ONCE ON THE LEFT REAR BECAUSE OF THE INNER TIRE WEAR. I HAVE HAD AN ALIGNMENT DONE ALSO. ALL THIS WAS PRIOR TO MY SPIN OUT. SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT WITH THIS CAR. ANY ANSWERS, SOLUTIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS? I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM I AM HAVING. ARE YOU EVEN DOING ANYTHING WITH THESE COMPLAINTS? FROM WHAT EVERYONE ELSE HAS WRITTEN, NO ONE HAS DONE A THING. THERE ARE NO RECALLS OR ANYTHING FOR THIS ISSUE. PLEASE ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY BEFORE SOMEONE WINDS UP GETTING HURT FROM THIS. OBVIOUSLY THE DEALERSHIP WONT DO A THING IT WILL BE WAY TOO COSTLY FOR THEM. BUT FOR MINE AND THE REST OF THE DRIVERS ON THE ROADS SAFETY, MAKE SOMETHING HAPPEN.…”
“The contact owns a 2004 Nissan 350Z. The contact stated while refueling the vehicle, after stepping away from the vehicle, the contact was alerted by his passenger that there was a fuel leak underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that the passenger was alerted by the odor of gasoline. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump filler neck needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 131,000.”
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
3 safety recalls as of Nov 13, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 144 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are tires (37), suspension (32), fuel system, gasoline (18). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.