this might not be directly related to the Z's, however I found it funny how some of the problems they cited were common with Z's. the faulty fuel systems (Z's having problems filling up the tank),
defective electric windows, rattles, leaks, vibrations and paint problems. it kinda made me wonder if my Z was made at that plant, but given thats not possible since all Z's were supposedly made in japan, then perhaps its a problem not just specific to that plant.

http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/busin...list=autonews2

 

What reliability problems? my 03 Brick runs as strong & is as tight as the day I bought it.

 

I don't think there is a vehicle manufactured today that doesn't have its particular set of maladies.

My '99 Corvette was an electronic nightmare.

My '03 Mustang Mach 1 was complete with balky transmission, whining rear end, rattles, etc, etc, ad nauseum.

My '00 Maxima must have had at least 3 factory recalls for various items.

My wife's '99 GMC truck ate 2 transmissions and was starting on its 3rd when we traded it.

Fortunately. everything was covered by each of the vehicle's warranty.

Unless you're willing to plunk down the coin and move up to the Mercedes Benz/Lexus/Infinity category, then you're gonna have to put up with electrical. mechanical. and fit & finish issues.

 

"...move up to the Mercedes Benz/Lexus/Infinity category..."

Lexus-definately, Infiniti-some, Mercedes-Not so much. M-B has some of the worst reliability ratings around. In CR reports they are about at the bottom of the list in every category of car.

 

every car regardless of expense has problems, Lambo has a tinfoil clutch, every new bmw the right tailight goes out within 3 months etc...

 

i didnt know about the fuel thing...iv sprayed fuel alllll over my hands and pants one day, is that what it does?

 

Here is a 2004 reliabilty report:
http://money.cnn.com/2004/11/08/pf/a...o_reliability/

Scroll down to the bottom where it list the Sedans. Notice which companies are in the most reliable list, and which companies are in the least reliable list? Almost every least reliable cars are from so-called luxery companies. Food for thought. Mercedez Benz was listed 3 times on the least reliable chart. That must be a record.

 

I don't doubt it, but you should consider yourself lucky. your one of the few early year owners that I've seen on this forum that can say that.

 

i drove a rental yesterday while nissan was replacing my power window regulator on my 03Z. The rental was a five month old Pontiac Vibe(Toyota Matrix clone) with 18k miles on it.... man... ..was i impressed ....this Pontiac ran and drove like brand new despite being driven as a rental by 300 people within a short period. This Vibe had no noticeable rattle and everything held up so tight and tracked like an arrow on the highway. The Toy 4 banger ran like a champ.....i was quite impressed.

 

i never had a furl problem but i have had service engine light problems...i have an 06 enth and the throttle assembly relay has been f'ed up twice. now they are replacing the ECU.

 

Don't forget that the majority of Z owners will never belong to a Z forum. Those with the problems ***** loudest. I actually don't think that the early Z's had that many problems. Its more likely that the majority of early Z owners who had acces to the internet were a bunch of pissy little *****es.

 

that's normal for a car, z's reliability is above the average, we should be happy.

 

ya, im happy with the car even tho it requires a bit of attention i get alot of it in return =)

 

had my fuel repaired with tsb and also replaced the rear hatch stays... all warranty work...

not to mention the free alignment

so yes, there are some problems and that's why you have warranty....

 

I have an '04 350 Roadster that has been very good to me. The worst car I have ever owned as far as warranty issues was an M-B. I went through 4 air conditioners, had valve seals replaced at 30K miles and at 33K the gear shifter literally fell off it's mounting.

 

lol, Hence why Hondas are the most reliable cars and toyotas IMO!
Flame suit on!
Peace!

 

The article refers to the Canton plant in US. The Z is built in Japan. My neighbor bought a brand new 04 Quest mini van. He had over 60 documented defects, some were major. The dealer did their best, tried to fix them for a year, but eventually gave up. Nissan gave him credit to get a new vehicle. He now is a happy man, drives a Murano, with no problems.

 

I do pay attention to Consumer Reports long term reliability ratings and find them to be reasonably accurate.

My 02 Nissan Maxima was a little disappointing (had 3 recalls, had to take it in for a few rattle repairs, and had a TSB done to that involved replacing the MAF sensor and reflashing the ECU [reduced pinging I was having). My Z has been more/less ok except for a few rattles and both power window motors and regulators failing. My mom's 96 Toyota Camry has had virtually no probs and my dad's 02 Toyota RAV4 has been problem free AFAIK.

My opinion is that Toyota and Honda along w/their luxury nameplates have better reliability than Nissan.

 

it is all the luck of the draw. Had an accord where the tranny went out at 60k, had an altima that went 150k when i sold it. Ford explorer dropped the tranny at 75k. My dad had a POS toyota truck 1985 or something, sold it with 250k on and worst thing broken on it was a water pump. I trust the Japan car makers more than the US ones.

 

What's funny about it is my old 1992 prelude had a million problems and I even replaced the motor as well but my brother's 1992 toyota corola never had one problem. We both treated our cars with respect and changed the oil when needed be, but somehow some cars are lucky, some are not.