What is the 1990-1996 Nissan 300ZX CAS (Crank Angle Sensor) Failure?

The Crank Angle Sensor (CAS) on the VG30DE and VG30DETT engines is located inside the distributor and is a common failure point on both naturally aspirated and twin turbo Z32 models. The CAS provides timing information to the ECU, and when it fails, the engine will not start or w… Repairs typically run $150-$600. Severity: high.

What is the 1990-1996 Nissan 300ZX Power Transistor Unit (PTU) Failure Causing Stalling and No-Start?

The Z32's external ignition power transistor unit (igniter), mounted in the hot engine bay, degrades internally with age and heat — early 'Series 1' units have failing solder joints and internals that act up as the unit heat-soaks. A failing PTU causes intermittent rough idle, su… Repairs typically run $250-$700. Severity: high.

What is the 1990-1996 Nissan 300ZX Timing belt neglect on an interference engine (catastrophic if it snaps)?

Every VG30DE/VG30DETT is an interference engine: if the timing belt breaks or jumps, the pistons strike the valves and bend them, often damaging valve guides and piston crowns. Nissan's original service interval is roughly 60,000 miles / 60 months (commonly cited as 105k for NA a… Repairs typically run $600-$6,000. Severity: high.

What is the 1990-1996 Nissan 300ZX Optical crank angle sensor (CAS / distributor) failure?

The Z32 uses an optical crank angle sensor built into the distributor at the front of the driver's-side (rear-of-engine) cylinder head. It reads engine speed and crank position via a slotted disc and photodiodes (360 slits plus six 120-degree reference slits). With age the intern… Repairs typically run $200-$700. Severity: high.

What is the 1990-1996 Nissan 300ZX Power Steering System Leaks?

The Z32 300ZX HICAS (High Capacity Actively Controlled Steering) and standard power steering systems develop leaks from aged hoses, the power steering rack, and the HICAS actuator. The HICAS system adds rear-wheel steering capability but also adds complexity and more potential le… Repairs typically run $200-$1,500. Severity: medium.

What is the 1990-1993 Nissan 300ZX Hydraulic Super HICAS Rear-Steering Leaks and Failures (Twin Turbo)?

1990-1993 Twin Turbo models use a hydraulic Super HICAS four-wheel-steering system fed by a dedicated circuit on the power steering pump, with hard lines running the length of the car to a rear steering rack. With age the rear rack, solenoids, and front-to-rear lines leak — and l… Repairs typically run $300-$1,200. Severity: medium.

What is the 1990-1996 Nissan 300ZX Exhaust Manifold Stud Failure and Manifold Warping?

Repeated heat cycles — especially severe on the Twin Turbo, where the manifolds also carry the turbochargers — cause the Z32's exhaust manifold studs to stretch and snap, and the manifolds themselves to warp. Broken studs let the gasket blow out, producing the classic exhaust tic… Repairs typically run $400-$1,500. Severity: medium.

What is the 1990-1996 Nissan 300ZX Vacuum Hose Deterioration Causing Boost and Idle Problems (Twin Turbo)?

The Z32 Twin Turbo has over 100 vacuum hoses that deteriorate with age, causing a cascade of problems including boost leaks, erratic idle, failed boost transitions, and check engine lights. The rubber hoses become hard and brittle after 25+ years, cracking and splitting. The comp… Repairs typically run $80-$500. Severity: medium.

What is the 1990-1996 Nissan 300ZX High-pressure power steering hose leak (drips onto alternator)?

The OEM high-pressure power steering hose that feeds the steering rack is a notorious Z32 failure point. The crimped/formed hose deteriorates with age and pressure cycling and begins to weep or spray fluid. A key secondary hazard: the leaking hose sits above the alternator, so es… Repairs typically run $150-$700. Severity: medium.

What is the 1990-1996 Nissan 300ZX Fuel injector sub-harness / connector melting and corrosion (EV1 plugs)?

The Z32's six factory fuel-injector connectors (early EV1-style plugs) and the injector sub-harness sit directly atop a hot intake and are subjected to decades of underhood heat cycling. The connector plastic becomes brittle, the terminals corrode/oxidize, and the wiring insulati… Repairs typically run $100-$800. Severity: medium.

What is the 1990-1996 Nissan 300ZX HICAS four-wheel-steering / power-steering control module failures (cold solder joints)?

Turbo (and many 2+2) Z32s came with Super HICAS rear-wheel steering. On these cars the power-steering and HICAS electronics share a control module whose aged solder joints crack, causing intermittent faults, a HICAS warning light, and sometimes erratic power-steering behavior. Th… Repairs typically run $100-$600. Severity: medium.

What is the 1990-1996 Nissan 300ZX Automatic Climate Control Failures (Auto Amplifier, Blower Amplifier, Blend Door)?

The Z32's digital automatic climate control system suffers age-related failures in three well-documented spots: the auto amplifier control module under the dash, the blower fan amplifier, and the air-mix (blend) door actuators. Failures show up as a blower that cuts out intermitt… Repairs typically run $150-$800. Severity: low.

What is the 1990-1996 Nissan 300ZX T-top water leaks from aged weatherstrip seals?

The Z32's iconic removable T-tops rely on rubber weatherstrips and door glass seals that shrink, harden, and crack over decades. The two most common leak paths are the main upper door seal and the body-side seal; deteriorated T-top gaskets let water into the cabin, wetting carpet… Repairs typically run $100-$800. Severity: low.

Nissan · Known Issues

1990 Nissan 300ZX Problems: 16 Issues Every Owner Should Know

1990 model year · NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports · Updated July 2026

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According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 1990 Nissan 300ZX has 16 documented known issues, with 7 rated critical. The most serious are Twin Turbo Fuel System Degradation ($500-$2,500 repair), Fuel Injector Connector and Harness Embrittlement Causing Misfires ($150-$1,800 repair), CAS (Crank Angle Sensor) Failure ($150-$600 repair), Power Transistor Unit (PTU) Failure Causing Stalling and No-Start ($250-$700 repair), Timing Belt and Water Pump Service Neglect Destroys the Interference VG30 Engine ($900-$2,500 repair), Timing belt neglect on an interference engine (catastrophic if it snaps) ($600-$6,000 repair) and Optical crank angle sensor (CAS / distributor) failure ($200-$700 repair). Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $80 to $6,000. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Nissan 300ZX problems?

According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 1990 Nissan 300ZX has 16 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Twin Turbo Fuel System Degradation, Fuel Injector Connector and Harness Embrittlement Causing Misfires, CAS (Crank Angle Sensor) Failure. Of these, 7 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.

Is the Nissan 300ZX reliable?

The 1990 Nissan 300ZX has 16 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 7 issues are rated critical: Twin Turbo Fuel System Degradation and Fuel Injector Connector and Harness Embrittlement Causing Misfires and CAS (Crank Angle Sensor) Failure and Power Transistor Unit (PTU) Failure Causing Stalling and No-Start and Timing Belt and Water Pump Service Neglect Destroys the Interference VG30 Engine and Timing belt neglect on an interference engine (catastrophic if it snaps) and Optical crank angle sensor (CAS / distributor) failure. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.

How much does it cost to fix common Nissan 300ZX problems?

Repair costs for known Nissan 300ZX issues range from $80 to $6,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Twin Turbo Fuel System Degradation, typically costs $500-$2,500 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.

What is the 1990-1996 Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo Fuel System Degradation?

The Z32 300ZX Twin Turbo fuel system components degrade with age, causing significant reliability issues. The fuel injectors become clogged or develop poor spray patterns, fuel dampers can leak, and the rubber fuel lines become brittle and crack. The extremely tight engine bay ma… Repairs typically run $500-$2,500. Severity: high.

All 16 Known Issues

Other Nissan Models

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Nissan 300ZX problems?

Is the Nissan 300ZX reliable?

How much does it cost to fix common Nissan 300ZX problems?

What is the 1990-1996 Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo Fuel System Degradation?

What is the 1990-1996 Nissan 300ZX Fuel Injector Connector and Harness Embrittlement Causing Misfires?

1990-1996 Nissan 300ZX: Fuel Injector Connector and Harness Embrittlement Causing Misfires#

1990-1996 Nissan 300ZX: CAS (Crank Angle Sensor) Failure#

1990-1996 Nissan 300ZX: Power Transistor Unit (PTU) Failure Causing Stalling and No-Start#

1990-1996 Nissan 300ZX: Optical crank angle sensor (CAS / distributor) failure#

1990-1996 Nissan 300ZX: Twin Turbo Fuel System Degradation#

1990-1996 Nissan 300ZX: Timing Belt and Water Pump Service Neglect Destroys the Interference VG30 Engine#

1990-1996 Nissan 300ZX: Timing belt neglect on an interference engine (catastrophic if it snaps)#

1990-1996 Nissan 300ZX: Vacuum Hose Deterioration Causing Boost and Idle Problems (Twin Turbo)#

1990-1993 Nissan 300ZX: Hydraulic Super HICAS Rear-Steering Leaks and Failures (Twin Turbo)#

1990-1996 Nissan 300ZX: High-pressure power steering hose leak (drips onto alternator)#

1990-1996 Nissan 300ZX: HICAS four-wheel-steering / power-steering control module failures (cold solder joints)#

1990-1996 Nissan 300ZX: Power Steering System Leaks#

1990-1996 Nissan 300ZX: Exhaust Manifold Stud Failure and Manifold Warping#

1990-1996 Nissan 300ZX: Fuel injector sub-harness / connector melting and corrosion (EV1 plugs)#

1990-1996 Nissan 300ZX: Automatic Climate Control Failures (Auto Amplifier, Blower Amplifier, Blend Door)#

1990-1996 Nissan 300ZX: T-top water leaks from aged weatherstrip seals#