2008 Nissan 350z recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Airbags
What's wrong, in plain English: The airbag system — the part that is supposed to protect you in a crash. A VARISTOR IN THE OCS CONTROL UNIT LOCATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED OUT OF SPECIFICATION. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THIS COULD CAUSE AN INTERRUPTION OF SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT (ACU).
What could happen: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG BEING SUPPRESSED WHICH COULD FAIL TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL TEST THE SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND ACU SYSTEMS USING A SPECIAL TOOL TO CHECK THAT IT IS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. IF NECESSARY, THE SEAT CUSHION (CONTAINING OCS HARDWARE) WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE MANUFACTURED TO SPECIFICATION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 4, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2008 350Z.
- Book a repair at any authorized Nissan dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 08V521000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-647-7261.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: AIR BAGS
Summary: NISSAN IS RECALLING 204,361 MY 2007-2008 ALTIMA, ALTIMA HYBRID, 350Z, 350Z ROADSTER, MY 2008 ALTIMA COUPE, ROGUE, MY 2009 MURANO, AND INFINITI MY 2007-2008 G35 SEDAN, MY 2008 G37 COUPE AND EX35 PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS' OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) CONTROL UNITS. A VARISTOR IN THE OCS CONTROL UNIT LOCATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED OUT OF SPECIFICATION. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THIS COULD CAUSE AN INTERRUPTION OF SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT (ACU).
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG BEING SUPPRESSED WHICH COULD FAIL TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TEST THE SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND ACU SYSTEMS USING A SPECIAL TOOL TO CHECK THAT IT IS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. IF NECESSARY, THE SEAT CUSHION (CONTAINING OCS HARDWARE) WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE MANUFACTURED TO SPECIFICATION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 4, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.
Notes: CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Transmission / drivetrain (21), Airbags (3), Engine (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
05/08/2019 · Airbags
SENSOR ON DASHBOARD LITE WON'T GO OUT, SHOWING AIRBAG DISABLED DUE CHILD IN SEAT.
05/18/2018 · Transmission / drivetrain
I WAS DRIVING MY 08 350Z (CURRENTLY HAS 70K MILES) ON THE HIGHWAY APPROX 60 MPH WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO DOWNSHIFT FOR MY EXIT. THE CLUTCH PEDAL WENT DOWN AND STUCK WHEN I SHIFTED OUT OF 6TH AND THE CAR WOULDN'T GO INTO ANY GEAR. I MISSED THE EXIT AND PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND STOPPED. TURNS OUT THE SLAVE CYLINDER THAT HAD BEEN REPLACED 20K MILES AGO…
08/21/2016 · Transmission / drivetrain
CSC FAILURE 6 TIMES. FAILURE OCCURED IN MULTIPLE PLACES, ON THE HIGHWAY, SIDE STREETS, COUNTRY ROAD.
07/25/2016 · Transmission / drivetrain
I PURCHASED MY 08 350Z GRAND TOURING OCTOBER 5, 2015 FROM HOY FOX TOYOTA IN EL PASO TX. 3 DAYS LATER IT LEFT ME STRANDED. THE CLUTCH STAYED TO THE FLOOR AND IT WOULDN'T GEAR. THEY SOLD IT TO ME SAYING IT HAD A NEW CLUTCH SO I DECIDED AFTER TEST DRIVING IT TO TAKE IT. I HAD TO WAIT 30 DAYS FOR MY POWER TRAIN WARRANTY TO KICK IN SO I CAN MAKE A CLAIM. INITIAL…
05/13/2016 · Airbags
TAKATA RECALL
04/19/2013 · Transmission / drivetrain
CLUTCH STUCK TO FLOOR FROM SLAVE CYLINDER GOING OUT. *TR
04/16/2013 · Transmission / drivetrain
WHILE DRIVING AT SPEED PRESSED CLUTCH PEDAL AND IT STAYED ON THE FLOOR ACCOMPANIED BY A VERY CHARACTERISTIC AND STRONG BURNING SMELL, UNABLE TO CHANGE GEARS, CAR RENDERED INOPERABLE. SAFETY HAZARD, STUCK IN GEAR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TR
02/17/2013 · Transmission / drivetrain
DRIVING, PUSH CLUTCH IN IT STAY ON THE FLOOR, CANNOT SHIFT, DANGEROUS ON THE FREEWAY, SAFETY HAZZARD, THERE ARE NUMEROUS SAME PROBLEM WITH THE 2008 350Z NISSAN NEED TO DO A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE GET KILL OF THIS PROBLEM. *TR