The 2009 draws 8.33 complaints per run and the 2012 1.27, a 6.6-fold gap within the same model. Half of all complaints arrive by 4 years of age, so 89.5% land after the 3-year basic warranty ends. The system owners report most is Steering, with 156 complaints, typically at 4.7 years.
Nissan 370Z years to avoid — and the best ones
| Model year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Enough history? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 5 | 5 | yes | |
| 2015 | 3 | 3 | yes | |
| 2014 | 10 | 6 | yes | |
| 2013 | 14 | 8 | yes | |
| 2012 | 14 | 11 | yes | |
| 2011 | 36 | 12 | yes | |
| 2010 | 103 | 24 | yes | |
| 2009 | 125 | 15 | yes |
Among the 4 Nissan 370Z years with enough history, the three to walk away from are 2009, 2010, 2011; the three worth hunting are 2012, 2011, 2010.
When it starts to break
| Age at failure | Complaints | Running total | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 years | 2.2% | covered | |
| 1 year | 6% | covered | |
| 2 years | 10.5% | covered | |
| 3 years | 33.7% | you pay | |
| 4 years | 55.9% | you pay | |
| 5 years | 70.8% | you pay | |
| 6 years | 80.3% | you pay | |
| 7 years | 86% | you pay | |
| 8 years | 90.8% | you pay | |
| 9 years | 94.3% | you pay | |
| 10 years | 95.9% | you pay | |
| 11 years | 98.7% | you pay | |
| 12 years | 99% | you pay | |
| 14 years | 99.7% | you pay | |
| 15 years | 100% | you pay |
Basic warranty on this car is 3 years / 36,000 miles. Only 10.5% of reported failures happen inside it — the remaining 89.5% come out of the owner's pocket. Powertrain cover (5 years / 60,000 miles) reaches further, but it only covers the engine and transmission, which account for about 33% of the complaints here.
What actually fails — and at what age
On the Nissan 370Z, the early trouble is Service Brakes — reported at around 3.8 years, so a car still under warranty is the one to check for it. What waits further out is Steering at 4.7 years — past every basic warranty, and the bill lands on whoever owns the car then.
| System | Complaints | Typical age | Crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 4.7 yrs | — | — | |
| Electrical System | 4.7 yrs | — | — | |
| Power Train | 4.4 yrs | — | — | |
| Air Bags | 6.2 yrs | 3 | — | |
| Engine | 4.3 yrs | — | — | |
| Unknown Or Other | 6.5 yrs | — | — | |
| Service Brakes | 3.8 yrs | 1 | — | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 5.5 yrs | — | — |
What else in this class
6 models share the 370Z's vehicle class. Per production run, the Chevrolet Corvette draws 3.41 and the Dodge Viper 1.2, against 3.55 for the 370Z. That is the most complaints of the group.
| Same class as the 370Z | Complaints on record | Recall campaigns | Years built |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audi R8 | 8 | 2008–2023 | |
| Chevrolet Corvette | 155 | 1981–2026 | |
| Dodge Viper | 45 | 1992–2017 | |
| Mazda MX-5 | 34 | 1990–2026 | |
| Lamborghini Huracan | 25 | 2015–2026 | |
| Ford GT | 12 | 2004–2022 |
The table shows totals on record; the rates per production run are in the sentence above.
Good year or bad year — the VIN settles it.
- Check any VIN against complaints for its exact build year and plant
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- Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
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Frequently asked questions
Is the Nissan 370Z reliable?
By complaints per production run it is better than typical: 3.55 against 3.73 for the average car, and more than each of the 2 class rivals we compared.
Which 370Z years should you avoid?
By complaints per production run, 2009, 2010, 2011. The cleanest years old enough to judge are 2012, 2011, 2010. Years newer than 6 are left out: complaints keep arriving for years after a car is sold.
When do 370Z problems usually start?
Half of all complaints arrive by 4 years of age. The most reported system is Steering, typically at 4.7 years, followed by Electrical System.
Will the warranty cover 370Z problems?
Mostly not: basic cover is 3 years / 36,000 miles, and only 10.5% of reported failures fall inside it. Powertrain cover lasts longer, but engine and transmission make up about 33% of the complaints here.
Is the 370Z more reliable than the Chevrolet Corvette?
No: 3.55 complaints per production run for the 370Z against 3.41 for the Chevrolet Corvette.
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