Nissan Z problems and known issues

By CarWhere Research · Updated November 5, 2026

The Z cars have few documented recalls. The current Z (2023 onward) has two pop-up hood recalls and a parking pawl software recall on 2023 automatics. The 370Z's recalls are a small 2018 curtain air bag batch and a 2011 window auto-reverse fix, and 2007–2008 350Zs share a passenger occupant sensor recall.

CarWhere lists 6 documented Z issues, including 6 NHTSA safety recalls, each with affected years, powertrains, symptoms, pre-purchase checks and a source. Recall entries come from NHTSA's recall dataset on the DOT open-data portal, which may not list every campaign, so run the specific VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup.

Z generations at a glance

Nissan Z generations and the known issues listed for each
Generation	Model years	Issues on this page
350Z	2003–2009	Passenger air bag sensor may cut out (recall 08V521)
370Z	2009–2020	Driver curtain air bag may be installed incorrectly (recall 18V153) · Power window auto-reverse may react too late (recall 11V538)
Z	2023 onward	Pedestrian sensor connectors may be swapped, disabling the pop-up hood (recall 24V798) · Bumper reinforcement fasteners may loosen, disabling the pop-up hood (recall 23V725) · Transmission parking pawl may not engage (recall 22V671)

350Z problems (2003–2009)

Passenger air bag sensor may cut out (recall 08V521) (2007–2008)

Safety recall

Generation:: 350Z (2003–2009)
Years:: 2007–2008
Powertrain:: All

A part in the passenger seat occupant sensor on 2007–2008 350Z coupes and roadsters, and other Nissan and Infiniti models, may be out of specification and interrupt its signal, suppressing the passenger air bag. Dealers test the system and replace the seat cushion sensor as needed, free of charge. The 204,361 figure covers every vehicle in the campaign, not just the Z.

Symptoms

Passenger air bag OFF light with an adult in the seat

Check before buying

Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask a Nissan dealer for the repair order showing the occupant classification system test

NHTSA recall: 08V521 (2008-10-07) · 204,361 vehicles in the campaign

Sources: [6]

370Z problems (2009–2020)

Driver curtain air bag may be installed incorrectly (recall 18V153) (2018)

Safety recall

Generation:: 370Z (2009–2020)
Years:: 2018
Powertrain:: All

A small number of 2018 370Zs may have the driver-side curtain air bag installed incorrectly, which could affect deployment in a side impact. Dealers inspect and correct the installation free of charge. NHTSA lists 22 vehicles in the campaign.

Symptoms

No warning signs before a crash

Check before buying

Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask a Nissan dealer for the repair order showing the curtain air bag inspection

NHTSA recall: 18V153 (2018-03-06) · 22 vehicles in the campaign

Sources: [4]

Power window auto-reverse may react too late (recall 11V538) (2011)

Safety recall

Generation:: 370Z (2009–2020)
Years:: 2011
Powertrain:: All

Due to a programming error, the power window switch on certain 2011 370Zs and 2011–2012 Infiniti G37 Coupes needs too much force before the window auto-reverses, so it could pinch. Dealers replace the window switches free of charge. The 1,788 figure covers every vehicle in the campaign, not just the Z.

Symptoms

Window does not reverse easily when obstructed

Check before buying

Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask a Nissan dealer for the repair order showing the power window switch replacement

NHTSA recall: 11V538 (2011-11-04) · 1,788 vehicles in the campaign

Sources: [5]

Z problems (2023 onward)

Pedestrian sensor connectors may be swapped, disabling the pop-up hood (recall 24V798) (2023–2024)

Safety recall

Generation:: Z (2023 onward)
Years:: 2023–2024
Powertrain:: All

On certain 2023–2024 Z cars the connectors for the right-side pedestrian detection sensors may be reversed in the bumper harness, so the pop-up hood may not deploy in a pedestrian impact. Dealers replace the front bumper harness free of charge. NHTSA lists 4,036 vehicles in the campaign.

Symptoms

Pop-up hood warning light

Check before buying

Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask a Nissan dealer for the repair order showing the front bumper harness replacement

NHTSA recall: 24V798 (2024-10-24) · 4,036 vehicles in the campaign

Sources: [1]

Bumper reinforcement fasteners may loosen, disabling the pop-up hood (recall 23V725) (2023–2024)

Safety recall

Generation:: Z (2023 onward)
Years:: 2023–2024
Powertrain:: All

Fasteners in the left front bumper reinforcement clip of certain 2023–2024 Z cars can loosen and keep the pop-up hood from raising in a pedestrian impact. Dealers tighten the fasteners free of charge. NHTSA lists 988 vehicles in the campaign.

Symptoms

Pop-up hood warning light

Check before buying

Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask a Nissan dealer for the repair order showing the bumper reinforcement fastener check

NHTSA recall: 23V725 (2023-10-26) · 988 vehicles in the campaign

Sources: [2]

Transmission parking pawl may not engage (recall 22V671) (2023)

Safety recall

Generation:: Z (2023 onward)
Years:: 2023
Powertrain:: All

2023 Z cars were included with 2020–2023 Titans and 2020–2022 Frontiers in a recall for a parking pawl that may not engage in Park, so the car could roll away. For the Z, dealers reprogram the transmission control module free of charge. The 197,230 figure covers every vehicle in the campaign, not just the Z.

Symptoms

Car moves while in Park

Check before buying

Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
Ask a Nissan dealer for the repair order showing the TCM reprogramming

NHTSA recall: 22V671 (2022-09-07) · 197,230 vehicles in the campaign

Sources: [3]

Related Z research

This page explains specific mechanical issues and recalls. Which model years drew the most owner complaints relative to the rest of the model’s history is answered in the years-to-avoid research where CarWhere publishes it.

Confirm how a Z was built before you buy.

Engine, transmission and packages decide which of these issues apply. The CarWhere Nissan build sheet reconstructs factory colors, options and packages from licensed VIN-level build data — availability is checked free, and it is $9.99 only when detailed build data is found for that VIN.

Nissan build sheet by VIN

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common Nissan Z problems?

Documented issues for the 2023-onward Z are recalls: two campaigns for a pop-up hood that may not deploy in a pedestrian impact (23V725 and 24V798), and a parking pawl recall on 2023 cars (22V671).

Does the 370Z have any recalls?

Two appear in the recall data reviewed: 11V538 for power windows on certain 2011 370Zs that were slow to auto-reverse, and 18V153 for a driver curtain air bag that may have been installed incorrectly on a small number of 2018 cars.

Does the 350Z have any recalls?

2007–2008 350Z coupes and roadsters are in recall 08V521, which tests and if needed replaces the passenger seat occupant sensor so the passenger air bag is not wrongly suppressed.

Is the 2023 Z in the parking pawl recall?

Yes. Recall 22V671 includes 2023 Z cars; dealers reprogram the transmission control module free of charge.

How do I check a used Z, 370Z or 350Z for open recalls?

Enter the 17-digit VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup and ask for dealer repair orders showing the recall work was completed.

Sources

Issue descriptions are CarWhere’s own summaries of the sources below. Repair costs are shown only where a source states them and vary by shop and region.

Recall 24V798: Pop-Up Engine Hood May Not Activate in Crash — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
Recall 23V725: Pop-Up Hood May Not Activate in Pedestrian Crash — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
Recall 22V671: Unsecured Transmission May Cause Rollaway — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
Recall 18V153: Incorrectly Installed Air Bag/FMVSS 214/226 — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
Recall 11V538: POWER WINDOW SWITCH CONTROLLER — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
Recall 08V521: OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM CONTROL UNIT — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)

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Independent reference compiled by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by Nissan North America, Inc. or Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.. Nissan and the model names are trademarks of their owners.