AI Damage1991 Nissan 300ZX: common problems
Owners of the 1991 Nissan 300ZX filed 12 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and fuel system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 12
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 50% of all complaints
- 2 Fuel system 25% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 25% of all complaints
- 4 Air bags 8% of all complaints
- 5 Electrical system 8% of all complaints
- 6 Engine and cooling 8% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 6 complaints (50% of all).
- Fuel system: 3 complaints (25% of all).
- Service brakes: 3 complaints (25% of all).
- Air bags: 1 complaints (8% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (8% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- 3 L · petrol · turbo · 6 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 12 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
During a frontal impact at speeds of 35 to 45mph, the driver's side air bag did not deploy.
Tl* the contact owns a 1988 (na) nissan 300zx. While driving approximately 35 mph, the brakes seized without warning. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the vehicle was working up to specification. The manufacturer was not notified.
There was a constant fuel smell inside vehicle, dealer said fuel injectors had to be replaced.
Automatic transmission completely failed, u-joints on driveshaft worn out.
Fuel injectors leak fuel into the engine compartment. It's an on going problem. Dealer fixed vehicle at 40 thousand miles under warranty. But at 80 thousand miles it is happened again.
Automatic transmissions on this cars are frequently breaking which may create sudden lock of rear wheels which may cause spin or slide of car and create accsiddent. Same transmission on nissan trucks, 240sx, mazda mpv, infiniy j30, i30. This probles happens in about 10th to 15th car.
The fuel injector's leak and spray gas over the engine. Could result in a vehicle fire. Dealer has been contacted.
Clutch master cylinder failed twice, emitting burning odor.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 10,160 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 28% most complained about).
On average one model year of the 300ZX has 20 complaints (15 years in the data). This year has 12, below average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1991 Nissan 300ZX?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, fuel system, service brakes. Total complaints: 12. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: airbags did not deploy (8%), brake failure (8%), fuel system, fuel smell (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1991 Nissan 300ZX?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1991 Nissan 300ZX from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1991 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.