The most-reported 300ZX run is JN1HZ14SXJX (1988 builds) with 4 complaints, 3.1× the typical run. Fuel system problems make up 36% of reports; 1986 is the worst model year at 1.5 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for 300ZX model years 1984–1989.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Nissan 300ZX has 162 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 8% of every 300ZX complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JN1HZ14SXJX•••••• | 1988 | — | 2 | |
| JN1CZ14S7FX•••••• | 1985 | — | 3 | |
| JN1HZ16S1FX•••••• | 1985 | — | 3 | |
| JN1CZ14S9FX•••••• | 1985 | — | 2 | |
| JN1HZ16S5EX•••••• | 1984 | — | 1 | |
| JN1HZ14S7GX•••••• | 1986 | — | 2 | |
| JN1HZ14S0GX•••••• | 1986 | — | 2 | |
| JN1HZ14S1GX•••••• | 1986 | 3 | — | |
| JN1HZ14S7JX•••••• | 1988 | — | 2 | |
| JN1HZ14S5GX•••••• | 1986 | — | 1 | |
| JN1HZ16SXEX•••••• | 1984 | — | — | |
| JN1HZ14S3EX•••••• | 1984 | — | 1 |
Each of the other 150 300ZX runs has 2 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 20 300ZX VINs so far, most often 1990, 1985, 1984 builds; 2 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Nissan 300ZX the gap between build years is 1.5×: a 1986 car draws 1.5 complaints per run, a 1989 one 1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 3 | 3 | 1 | |
| 1993 | 11 | 11 | 1 | |
| 1992 | 3 | 3 | 1 | |
| 1991 | 10 | 10 | 1 | |
| 1990 | 11 | 11 | 2 | |
| 1989 | 4 | 4 | — | |
| 1988 | 19 | 14 | — | |
| 1987 | 20 | 17 | 1 | |
| 1986 | 41 | 27 | 4 | |
| 1985 | 54 | 38 | 2 | |
| 1984 | 30 | 24 | — |
Heaviest year here is 1986 at 1.5 complaints per run; lightest is 1989 at 1.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 36% of everything Nissan 300ZX owners report: Fuel System, 116 of 209 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel System | 1 | 78 | |
| Gasoline | 1 | 78 | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | — | 14 | |
| Power Train | — | 1 | |
| Electrical System | — | 10 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 | 2 | |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 1 | |
| Hydraulic | 1 | 1 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 5 recall campaigns on the Nissan 300ZX; the 5 below cover build years 1984 to 1989. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 95I006000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System | 1984–1989 |
| 87V098000 | Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift | 1984–1987 |
| 83V125000 | Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch | 1984 |
| 84V057000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder | 1984 |
| 85V021000 | Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch | 1984 |
How serious were they
Of the 209 reports on the Nissan 300ZX, 6.2% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Nissan 300ZX | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 209 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 13 (6.2%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 106 (50.7%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 12 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 2,728 |
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Nissan 300ZX share of that is 209 complaints over 162 runs, 0.02% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Nissan 300ZX VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 209 NHTSA complaints from 162 300ZX runs and 5 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which 300ZX production run has the most complaints?
JN1HZ14SXJX, a 1988 build, with 4 complaints. The typical 300ZX run has 1.3.
Which 300ZX years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 1986 is heaviest at 1.5 complaints per run and 1989 lightest at 1.
How many 300ZX complaints involve a crash?
6.2% of 209 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 106 involved a fire.
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