Just hit 60,000 tonight. Recap of problems to date
Originally Posted by iceagetlc
Thought I'd share the list of problems I've had had with my 03 up to now.
- Replaced transmission at 45,000. Grind into third
- Rear axle click at 20,000
- Window motor needed reset at 42,000 _ NEVER DONE
- Window grease on occasion. Seems to be random
- Only changed tires once. Rears at 51,000 and fronts at 58,000. TIRES LAST 20k
- Interior pieces such as radio controls and turn signal/wiper stems started to fade and discolor at around 55,000 CD PLAYER INOPERATIVE AT 40k
- Only changed clutch once, was done with transmission at 39,000 but didn't even need it then. HAD DONE AT 45k
-Oil changed every 3,000 or less with no signs of loss.
-Gas gauge is totally inaccurate, I've never put more than $50 in even when it's flashing "---" at me on the dte. MINE WORKS
- Hatch hinges fail under cold temperatures - DITTO
- Electric gas door has lost it's oomph to open at about 55,000. I now have to get a fingernail under it to open it. ABOUT THE SAME
- A/C is starting lose it's cool at about 55,000 ABOUT THE SAME
Other than that, it's running pretty damn strong, and is ready to go F/I.
- Replaced transmission at 45,000. Grind into third
- Rear axle click at 20,000
- Window motor needed reset at 42,000 _ NEVER DONE
- Window grease on occasion. Seems to be random
- Only changed tires once. Rears at 51,000 and fronts at 58,000. TIRES LAST 20k
- Interior pieces such as radio controls and turn signal/wiper stems started to fade and discolor at around 55,000 CD PLAYER INOPERATIVE AT 40k
- Only changed clutch once, was done with transmission at 39,000 but didn't even need it then. HAD DONE AT 45k
-Oil changed every 3,000 or less with no signs of loss.
-Gas gauge is totally inaccurate, I've never put more than $50 in even when it's flashing "---" at me on the dte. MINE WORKS
- Hatch hinges fail under cold temperatures - DITTO
- Electric gas door has lost it's oomph to open at about 55,000. I now have to get a fingernail under it to open it. ABOUT THE SAME
- A/C is starting lose it's cool at about 55,000 ABOUT THE SAME
Other than that, it's running pretty damn strong, and is ready to go F/I.
THANKS FOR THE WRITE-UP. THE CAR STILL FEELS STRONG BUT NOT WITH THE AC ON....
Last edited by SSZVirginia; Jul 27, 2007 at 04:52 PM.
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Olathe, KS, USA
I am amazed that you all have had so many transmisison problems. I drive my 2003 touring Z hard on occasion but I don't power-shift, I always rev-match when I downshift, and I have never taken it on a track. The car has a little over 21,000 miles on it now [I got it in February on a lease trade-in]. Is it likely that I will experience the same problems? I'd expect that kind of performance from a Ford, but not from a $30,000+ Japanese vehicle!
Originally Posted by Alex3000GT
Holy expensive! $$$ Why was the entire transmission replaced as opposed to rebuild/new synchros? Is there something I don't know?
Registered User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
From: Hawaii
lol...my cup holder is starting to act up at 50k. oh yeah, the stuff that holds your windsheild in place, it has started to crack and looks like shi*t...that and the window motors suck.. i love my Z!! no other complaints 
New Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,337
Likes: 204
From: Edina, Minnesota
Originally Posted by iknowitsfast
Im totally ignorant of this, but what type of warranty does the 03 Z have on the transmission? im at 55,000 miles now, is it still under warranty?
--Spike
New Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,209
Likes: 0
From: Modesto California
My 03 is at 71K. Lets check your list and see how I compare.
Originally Posted by iceagetlc
Thought I'd share the list of problems I've had had with my 03 up to now.
- Replaced transmission at 39,000. Grind into third
< Replaced mine around 50K. 5th gear grind on downshift
- Rear axle click at 45,000
< No problem.
- Window motor needed reset at 42,000
< Reset or replaced both sides 3 times.
- Window grease on occasion. Seems to be random
< Agreed
- Only changed tires once. Rears at 51,000 and fronts at 58,000.
< Wow! On my 3rd set.
- Interior pieces such as radio controls and turn signal/wiper stems started to fade and discolor at around 55,000
< No problem
- Only changed clutch once, was done with transmission at 39,000 but didn't even need it then.
< No problem
-Oil changed every 3,000 or less with no signs of loss.
< Same
-Gas gauge is totally inaccurate, I've never put more than $50 in even when it's flashing "---" at me on the dte.
< I find mine to be as acurate as any car i've owned.
- Hatch hinges fail under cold temperatures
< Yep. Creek & moan. Springs work just fine after replacing srings and adding pennies.
- Electric gas door has lost it's oomph to open at about 55,000. I now have to get a fingernail under it to open it.
< Mine has had that problem sence day one. Going to try the WD40 thing.
- A/C is starting lose it's cool at about 55,000
< No problem.
Other than that, it's running pretty damn strong, and is ready to go F/I.
- Replaced transmission at 39,000. Grind into third
< Replaced mine around 50K. 5th gear grind on downshift
- Rear axle click at 45,000
< No problem.
- Window motor needed reset at 42,000
< Reset or replaced both sides 3 times.
- Window grease on occasion. Seems to be random
< Agreed
- Only changed tires once. Rears at 51,000 and fronts at 58,000.
< Wow! On my 3rd set.
- Interior pieces such as radio controls and turn signal/wiper stems started to fade and discolor at around 55,000
< No problem
- Only changed clutch once, was done with transmission at 39,000 but didn't even need it then.
< No problem
-Oil changed every 3,000 or less with no signs of loss.
< Same
-Gas gauge is totally inaccurate, I've never put more than $50 in even when it's flashing "---" at me on the dte.
< I find mine to be as acurate as any car i've owned.
- Hatch hinges fail under cold temperatures
< Yep. Creek & moan. Springs work just fine after replacing srings and adding pennies.
- Electric gas door has lost it's oomph to open at about 55,000. I now have to get a fingernail under it to open it.
< Mine has had that problem sence day one. Going to try the WD40 thing.
- A/C is starting lose it's cool at about 55,000
< No problem.
Other than that, it's running pretty damn strong, and is ready to go F/I.
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 841
Likes: 9
From: indiana
Originally Posted by stalarman@yahoo
wait! question, so when youre nearing say, 14 miles till empty (dte) and the flat line shows.. you still have 3 GALLONS left? are you sure about this? i always get paranoid and drift neutral down the hill... are you positive?
If people arent' paying attention do you really think that the car would wait and warn you that you are just about to run out of gas? What if you were on the highway and the next exit was 10 miles away?! You get plenty of warning if you did not plan ahead. I can have the gas light and "---" come on leaving work and drive 30 miles to home and buy gas where it is much cheaper and the actual needle on the E to F gauge just moves about the width of the needle. Usually the DTE display automatically switches over and reads around 43 or 45 miles to empty and within a minute or so goes to "---". This is normal and would bet it is this way in almost any car. How long have you been driving anyway?
Originally Posted by iceagetlc
Thought I'd share the list of problems I've had had with my 03 up to now.
- Replaced transmission at 39,000. Grind into third
- Rear axle click at 45,000
- Window motor needed reset at 42,000
- Window grease on occasion. Seems to be random
- Only changed tires once. Rears at 51,000 and fronts at 58,000.
- Interior pieces such as radio controls and turn signal/wiper stems started to fade and discolor at around 55,000
- Only changed clutch once, was done with transmission at 39,000 but didn't even need it then.
-Oil changed every 3,000 or less with no signs of loss.
-Gas gauge is totally inaccurate, I've never put more than $50 in even when it's flashing "---" at me on the dte.
- Hatch hinges fail under cold temperatures
- Electric gas door has lost it's oomph to open at about 55,000. I now have to get a fingernail under it to open it.
- A/C is starting lose it's cool at about 55,000
Other than that, it's running pretty damn strong, and is ready to go F/I.
- Replaced transmission at 39,000. Grind into third
- Rear axle click at 45,000
- Window motor needed reset at 42,000
- Window grease on occasion. Seems to be random
- Only changed tires once. Rears at 51,000 and fronts at 58,000.
- Interior pieces such as radio controls and turn signal/wiper stems started to fade and discolor at around 55,000
- Only changed clutch once, was done with transmission at 39,000 but didn't even need it then.
-Oil changed every 3,000 or less with no signs of loss.
-Gas gauge is totally inaccurate, I've never put more than $50 in even when it's flashing "---" at me on the dte.
- Hatch hinges fail under cold temperatures
- Electric gas door has lost it's oomph to open at about 55,000. I now have to get a fingernail under it to open it.
- A/C is starting lose it's cool at about 55,000
Other than that, it's running pretty damn strong, and is ready to go F/I.
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: California
I bought mine used in back in September with ~61200 Miles on it. Currently at 64500. Almost all highway miles.
I have two potential issues with the Z at this point:
1) At exactly 79 MPH, continuing on until the mid 80's, there is a steady whine that goes away at 86 & above. Usually it stops once I'm past 82. Sound seems like it's coming from behind the dash, in the middle of the car.
2) If I am accelerating somewhat hard in 1-3 gears, there is a whine/screech that sounds remarkably like dragging across metal. This I can also reproduce this sound at a stand still in neutral with a quick rev of the engine (blip from idle to 2k).
Is my tranners screwed? I have a pretty good warranty I bought with the car used, so I might be able to get it replaced still.
Makes me sad that the other day I found the original owner had 75k mi warranty, but that wasn't transfered to the dealership that the guy traded the car into. Coulda had that sucker....
I have two potential issues with the Z at this point:
1) At exactly 79 MPH, continuing on until the mid 80's, there is a steady whine that goes away at 86 & above. Usually it stops once I'm past 82. Sound seems like it's coming from behind the dash, in the middle of the car.
2) If I am accelerating somewhat hard in 1-3 gears, there is a whine/screech that sounds remarkably like dragging across metal. This I can also reproduce this sound at a stand still in neutral with a quick rev of the engine (blip from idle to 2k).
Is my tranners screwed? I have a pretty good warranty I bought with the car used, so I might be able to get it replaced still.
Makes me sad that the other day I found the original owner had 75k mi warranty, but that wasn't transfered to the dealership that the guy traded the car into. Coulda had that sucker....
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