1985 Nissan 300zx
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1985 Nissan 300zx is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 2 on record.
1985 Nissan 300zx at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1985 Nissan 300zx recalls 2
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATION 573. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. THE CAMPAIGN WILL REPLACE THE FUEL INJECTORS AND RELATED HOSES OF AFFECTED VEHICLES WHICH COULD LEAK.
Fix: NISSAN DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL INJECTORS AND RELATED HOSES ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.
UNINTENDED ACCELERATION MAY OCCUR, FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN SHIFTING FROM THE PARK POSITION.
Fix: INSTALL A SHIFT INTERLOCK SYSTEM WHICH PREVENTS THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER FROM BEING MOVED FROM THE PARK POSITION UNLESS THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
1985 Nissan 300zx common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 85 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1985 Nissan 300zx MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 8 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1985 Nissan 300zx costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 3
FUEL INJECTOR ASSEMBLY LEAKAGE Closed
AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS CLOSING REPORT IS INCLUDED IN THE PUBLIC FILE. SERVICE CAMPAIGN 95I-006.
NHTSA #EA94018 · Fuel System, Gasoline · opened Jun 1994 · closed Nov 1995RECONSIDERATION OF CLOSED INVEST. Closed
RECONSIDERATION OF CLOSED INVEST.
NHTSA #DP90004 · opened Mar 1990 · closed May 1990SUDDEN ACCELERATION Closed
SUMMARY: ODI HAS SENT FOUR IRS TO NISSAN (11/29/84, 10/10/85, 4/9/86, &11/14/86). ETF HAS TESTED 6 NISSAN VEHICLES AND WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATESUDDEN ACCEL. ODI INSPECTED 9 VEHICLES AND ALL OPERATED NORMALLY. ALL15 VEHICLES WERE REPORTED TO HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN SUDDEN ACCELERATIONINCIDENTS.ANALYSIS: THERE ARE THREE POSSIBLE CAUSES OF SA. (1) THE DRIVER PUSHED ONTHE ACCELERATOR INSTEAD OF THE BRAKE PEDAL, (2) THE VEHI…
NHTSA #EA85029 · Vehicle Speed Control · opened May 1985 · closed Jul 1989An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 3
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered.
NISSAN: TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) WARNING LIGHT ON/FLASHING. NO MODELS OR MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE UPDATED ON 08-11-2011. *KB
Bulletin NTB-09-101 · Tires · Sep 2010NISSAN: VENT CONTROL VALVE REPLACEMENT. WHEN REPLACING THE EVAP CANISTER VENT CONTROL VALVE FOR REASON: USE THE ONE LISTED ON PAGE 2; FOR VENT CONTROL VALVE REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE, REFER TO THE APPROPRIATE SECTION OF THE ELECTRONIC SERVICE MANUALS (ESM; WHEN IN…
Bulletin NTB-09-129 · Equipment · Sep 2010NISSAN: THE 12 VOLT BATTERY IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND IS REQUIRED TO STAY CONNECTED WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING. TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO VEHICLE ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS/CAUTIONS. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE
Bulletin NTB-09-030 · Electrical System · Apr 2009Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the 300ZX. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 1
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1985 Nissan 300zx. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Engine
WHEN SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION FROM `PARK' TO EITHER `REVERSE' OR `DRIVE', UNINTENDED ACCELERATION MAY OCCUR WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF A VEHICLE CRASH. CORRECTION: A SHIFT INTERLOCK WILL BE INSTALLED TO PREVENT SHIFTING FROM `PARK' TO EITHER `REVERSE' OR `DRIVE' UNLESS THE BRAKE PEDAL IS APPLIED.
Transport Canada #1987070 · Jul 1987Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Nissan 300zx
The Nissan 300ZX is a sports car that was produced across two different generations. As with all other versions of the Z, the 300ZX was sold within the Japanese domestic market under the name Fairlady Z.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.