NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 83 owner complaints for the 2005 Nissan 3 Series. Most complaints involve air bags (32) and engine and engine cooling (16).
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.
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 |
“2005 NISSAN 350Z PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT FLASHING,DEALER PREFORMED DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND RESET.WARNING LIGHT RETURNS AFTER 25 MILES.RETURNED TO DEALERSHIP ESTIMATED COST OF $350.00 TO REPAIR WITH NO GUARANTEE OF COST TO REPAIR,PURCHASED A ACTRON CODE READER AND PREFORMED DIAGNOSTICS TEST AND RESET .WARNING LIGHT REAPPEARS PREFORMED CODE READER TEST AND RESET NUMEROUS TIMES WITH SAME RESULTS.CONTACTED NISSAN WITH THE PROBLEM WITH NO RESULTS.VIEWED YOUTUBE VIDEOS TO FIND THE PROBLEM PART CANNOT BE PURCHASED PART#98850CF80A MADE IN MEXICO. CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW,AS OF 11-9-2020 THE PROBLEM IS STILL EXISTS.”
“I HAVE HAD 3 RECENT NISSAN VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD SERIOUS MECHANICAL ISSUES, 1ST 2006 NISSAN MURANO (ONLY OWNER) 2ND 2004 NISSAN 350Z 3RD 2005 NISSAN 350Z WHICH EACH OF THESE VEHICLES ARE OVER $30,000 AND TOP MODELS OF MANUFACTURER. THE MURANO WHICH I HAD TO SELL JULY 2011 DUE TO BUYING A HOME AND COULD NOT DEAL WITH THE PROBLEMS THAT IT WAS HAVING ON A REGULAR BASIS....THE 2004 350Z I BOUGHT OFF A PRIVATE SELLER, IT LOOKED GOOD AND BOY WAS I WRONG THE STEREO, ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS, SEATS, OVERHEATING, HORRIBLE ROAR FROM THE REAR END, TIRES, WINDOWS FAILING, NEED I SAY MORE!!!!! NOW TO THE CAR I AM CURRENTLY NOT USING DUE TO IT BEING IN THE SHOP FOR THE PAST 3+WEEKS, AND FINALLY HAVING TO DRIVE WITH THE TECH TO LET HIM WITNESS THE DEFECT AS I DROVE.....THIS HAS BEEN A HUGE HEADACHE TO GO THROUGH THIS WITH 3 NEW VEHICLES FROM 1 MANUFACTURER, AND THEM NOT ACCEPTING ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR. THEY ADVISED THAT MY CLUTCH HAD TO BE REPLACED AND IT WAS DUE TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I DON'T THINK SO THE CAR HAS APPROX 74000 MILES I BOUGHT WITH 47198. IN MARCH 2011 AFTER NUMEROUS VISITS AND CALLS TO DEALERSHIP THEY FINALLY REPLACED THE MASTER AND SLAVE CYLINDER AT MY…”
“CLUTCH STICKING TO FLOOR HAVE TO PLACE FOOT UNDER CLUTCH TO POP BACK IN PLACE SO I CAN CONTINUE TO USE CLUTCH. ALSO, SLIP LIGHT COMES ON SINCE NISSAN OF BOWIE, MD ROTATED MY TIRES, IN THE 13 YRS I HAVE OWNED NO MECHANIC HAS EVER DONE AND I QUESTION IT AT NISSAN OF BOWIE, MD.”
| 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 |
2 safety recalls as of Oct 30, 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 83 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (32), engine and engine cooling (16), power train (9). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.