What is the 2003-2004 Nissan 350Z Fuel Filler Hose Cracking and Leaking During Refueling (Recall 05V555000)?

The rubber fuel filler hose between the filler neck and the tank can crack, letting fuel leak while the car is being refueled. With an ignition source nearby this is a fire risk. Nissan recalled 2003-2004 350Z under NHTSA campaign 05V555000 as part of a large multi-model action c… Repairs typically run $0-$350. Severity: high.

What is the 2003-2006 Nissan 350Z Fuel Pressure Damper Diaphragm Failure — Engine-Bay Ticking and Fuel Seepage?

The fuel pressure dampers sit on the fuel rails to smooth injector pulsations. The internal diaphragm fails, first producing a distinct ticking or light knocking noise from the top of the engine at idle that owners routinely mistake for injector or valvetrain noise, and then allo… Repairs typically run $100-$400. Severity: high.

What is the 2003-2009 Nissan 350Z NATS key-authentication no-start: lock mode or a key-read fault?

The immobilizer checks the registered ignition key before permitting a start. A NATS lock-mode code and a key-read code describe different stages of that check, not a confirmed failed part. Interference, key identification and antenna-circuit faults need to be distinguished. A me… Severity: high.

What is the 2003-2004 Nissan 350Z Front Tire Feathering and Rapid Irregular Tire Wear from Suspension Geometry (2003-2004)?

Early Z33s chew through front tires with a sawtooth 'feathered' wear pattern that produces a loud tire roar, often destroying a set of tires in well under 15,000 miles. The car is extremely sensitive to alignment settings, and under braking and cornering the multi-link geometry m… Repairs typically run $150-$900. Severity: medium.

What is the 2003-2004 Nissan 350Z Early 6-Speed Synchro Wear — Grinding Into 3rd and 5th Gear (2003 to early 2004)?

The 2003 and early 2004 six-speed manual is known among owners for weak 3rd and 5th gear synchros. The box grinds or crunches on the shift into those gears, worst when the transmission is cold and easing somewhat as the fluid warms — the opposite of a simple fluid problem, and it… Repairs typically run $150-$2,000. Severity: medium.

What is the 2003-2009 Nissan 350Z Differential Mount Bushing Tearing — Driveline Clunk and Shudder?

The Z33 rear differential is located by fluid-filled (silicone) rubber mount bushings. Those bushings tear — quickly on cars driven hard, tracked or making more than stock power, and eventually on all of them with age — letting the differential move fore and aft under torque. The… Repairs typically run $250-$900. Severity: medium.

What is the 2003-2009 Nissan 350Z Front Compression (Tension) Rod Bushing Tearing — Front-End Clunk and Caster Drift?

The front compression rod, which controls fore-aft location of the front hub, is located by a soft rubber bushing designed around stock ride height. It tears — universally on lowered cars, because the rod no longer sits level and the bushing is stretched at rest, and eventually o… Repairs typically run $200-$800. Severity: medium.

What is the 2003-2009 Nissan 350Z Rear Quarter Panel and Wheel Arch Corrosion — Paint Bubbling From the Inside Out?

Z33 rear quarter panels and wheel arch lips corrode from behind, so the first sign is paint blistering or bubbling along the arch lip, at the seam where the quarter meets the rear bumper, and around the antenna base. Owners report it on low-mileage cars — including a 2003 with ar… Repairs typically run $400-$3,000. Severity: medium.

What is the 2003-2009 Nissan 350Z Power Window Regulator and Motor Failure?

The 350Z's power window regulators fail frequently, with the window falling into the door or moving slowly/erratically. The window motor wears out and the regulator cable frays or the gear mechanism strips. The frameless door design means a failed window cannot seal properly, all… Repairs typically run $100-$400. Severity: medium.

What is the 2003-2006 Nissan 350Z Excessive Oil Consumption (Pre-Revision VQ35DE)?

Early 350Z models (2003-2006) with the pre-revision VQ35DE engine consume oil excessively, often 1 quart every 1,000-2,000 miles. The issue is caused by thin piston rings and a catalytic converter design that pulls oil through the PCV system. Nissan revised the engine in 2005 (Re… Repairs typically run $50-$3,000. Severity: medium.

What is the 2003-2009 Nissan 350Z Xenon HID Headlight Ballast and Igniter Failure?

The factory xenon headlamps on HID-equipped Z33s fail at the ballast or the igniter rather than the bulb. The ballast steps 12V up to the striking voltage and the igniter supplies the initial arc; as either degrades the lamp flickers, buzzes, dims, shifts colour toward pink or pu… Repairs typically run $150-$600. Severity: low.

Nissan · Known Issues

2003 Nissan 350Z Problems: 13 Known Issues

2003 model year · NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports · Updated September 2026

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According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2003 Nissan 350Z has 13 documented known issues, with 5 rated critical. The most serious are Pre-Catalytic Converter Breakdown Sending Ceramic Debris Back Into the Cylinders (VQ35DE) ($800-$6,000 repair), Crankshaft and Camshaft Position Sensor Solder Joint Failure — Stalling Without Warning (Recall 03V455000) ($0-$450 repair), Fuel Filler Hose Cracking and Leaking During Refueling (Recall 05V555000) ($0-$350 repair), Fuel Pressure Damper Diaphragm Failure — Engine-Bay Ticking and Fuel Seepage ($100-$400 repair) and NATS key-authentication no-start: lock mode or a key-read fault. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $50 to $6,000. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Nissan 350Z problems?

According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2003 Nissan 350Z has 13 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Pre-Catalytic Converter Breakdown Sending Ceramic Debris Back Into the Cylinders (VQ35DE), Crankshaft and Camshaft Position Sensor Solder Joint Failure — Stalling Without Warning (Recall 03V455000), Fuel Filler Hose Cracking and Leaking During Refueling (Recall 05V555000). Of these, 5 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.

Is the Nissan 350Z reliable?

The 2003 Nissan 350Z has 13 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 5 issues are rated critical: Pre-Catalytic Converter Breakdown Sending Ceramic Debris Back Into the Cylinders (VQ35DE) and Crankshaft and Camshaft Position Sensor Solder Joint Failure — Stalling Without Warning (Recall 03V455000) and Fuel Filler Hose Cracking and Leaking During Refueling (Recall 05V555000) and Fuel Pressure Damper Diaphragm Failure — Engine-Bay Ticking and Fuel Seepage and NATS key-authentication no-start: lock mode or a key-read fault. 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 350Z problems?

Repair costs for known Nissan 350Z issues range from $0 to $6,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Pre-Catalytic Converter Breakdown Sending Ceramic Debris Back Into the Cylinders (VQ35DE), typically costs $800-$6,000 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.

What is the 2003-2006 Nissan 350Z Pre-Catalytic Converter Breakdown Sending Ceramic Debris Back Into the Cylinders (VQ35DE)?

The VQ35DE runs close-coupled pre-catalysts in the exhaust manifolds. When the ceramic substrate breaks down — accelerated by an engine already consuming oil, by misfires, or by heat — the fine abrasive debris can be drawn back into a cylinder during valve overlap and at high rpm… Repairs typically run $800-$6,000. Severity: high.

All 13 Known Issues

Other Nissan Models

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Nissan 350Z problems?

Is the Nissan 350Z reliable?

How much does it cost to fix common Nissan 350Z problems?

What is the 2003-2006 Nissan 350Z Pre-Catalytic Converter Breakdown Sending Ceramic Debris Back Into the Cylinders (VQ35DE)?

2003-2004 Nissan 350Z: Fuel Filler Hose Cracking and Leaking During Refueling (Recall 05V555000)#

2003-2006 Nissan 350Z: Fuel Pressure Damper Diaphragm Failure — Engine-Bay Ticking and Fuel Seepage#

2003-2009 Nissan 350Z: NATS key-authentication no-start: lock mode or a key-read fault#

2003-2009 Nissan 350Z: Power Window Regulator and Motor Failure#

2003-2009 Nissan 350Z: Xenon HID Headlight Ballast and Igniter Failure#

2003-2006 Nissan 350Z: Crankshaft and Camshaft Position Sensor Solder Joint Failure — Stalling Without Warning (Recall 03V455000)#

2003-2006 Nissan 350Z: Excessive Oil Consumption (Pre-Revision VQ35DE)#

2003-2006 Nissan 350Z: Pre-Catalytic Converter Breakdown Sending Ceramic Debris Back Into the Cylinders (VQ35DE)#

2003-2004 Nissan 350Z: Front Tire Feathering and Rapid Irregular Tire Wear from Suspension Geometry (2003-2004)#

2003-2009 Nissan 350Z: Front Compression (Tension) Rod Bushing Tearing — Front-End Clunk and Caster Drift#

2003-2004 Nissan 350Z: Early 6-Speed Synchro Wear — Grinding Into 3rd and 5th Gear (2003 to early 2004)#

2003-2009 Nissan 350Z: Differential Mount Bushing Tearing — Driveline Clunk and Shudder#

2003-2009 Nissan 350Z: Rear Quarter Panel and Wheel Arch Corrosion — Paint Bubbling From the Inside Out#

What is the 2003-2006 Nissan 350Z Crankshaft and Camshaft Position Sensor Solder Joint Failure — Stalling Without Warning (Recall 03V455000)?