Nissan

300ZX

Two Seaters · model years 1984 to 1996

See all 60 300ZX trims All Nissan cars

The verdict

Best year: 1996. complaints: 2, below this model's typical 4; recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file.

Worst year: 1990. complaints: 19, about 4.8x this model's typical 4; recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file.

Year by year

Year by year summary for the Nissan 300ZX
Year	Trims	MPG	Fuel cost	Recalls	Complaints	Top complaints
1984	8Gas	18	$3,700	no data	no data	no data
no complaint or recall data on file for 1984
1985	8Gas	17	$3,950	no data	no data	no data
no complaint or recall data on file for 1985
1986	4Gas	19	$3,550	no data	no data	no data
no complaint or recall data on file for 1986
1987	4Gas	18	$3,700	no data	no data	no data
no complaint or recall data on file for 1987
1988	4Gas	18	$3,700	no data	no data	no data
no complaint or recall data on file for 1988
1989	4Gas	18	$3,700	no data	no data	no data
no complaint or recall data on file for 1989
1990	4Gas	18	$4,300	0	19	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 27%, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 23%, POWER TRAIN 18%
complaints: 19, about 4.8x this model's typical 4 recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 3 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 32 of 100, where higher is better.
1991	4Gas	18	$4,300	0	12	POWER TRAIN 40%, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 20%, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 13%
complaints: 12, about 3x this model's typical 4 recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 Score: 39 of 100, where higher is better.
1992	4Gas	18	$4,300	0	3	AIR BAGS 17%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 17%, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 17%
complaints: 3, below this model's typical 4 recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 Score: 83 of 100, where higher is better.
1993	4Gas	18	$4,300	0	12	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 25%, POWER TRAIN 19%, EQUIPMENT 13%
complaints: 12, about 3x this model's typical 4 recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 Score: 39 of 100, where higher is better.
1994	4Gas	18	$4,300	0	4	AIR BAGS 25%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 25%, POWER TRAIN 25%
complaints: 4, in line with this model's typical 4 recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 74 of 100, where higher is better.
1995	4Gas	18	$4,300	0	4	POWER TRAIN 50%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 25%, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 25%
complaints: 4, in line with this model's typical 4 recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 75 of 100, where higher is better.
1996	4Gas	18	$4,300	0	2	STEERING 50%, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 50%
complaints: 2, below this model's typical 4 recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file Score: 88 of 100, where higher is better.

How the numbers moved

Combined MPG, median1984: 18 to 1996: 18

Owner complaints1990: 19 to 1996: 2

How we score each year

We compare each year of the Nissan 300ZX to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.

A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.

Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.