Model year guide

1990 Nissan 300ZX

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1990 Nissan 300ZX is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 3 on record.

1990 Nissan 300ZX — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1990 Nissan 300ZX at a glance

Safety recallsNone
Owner complaints20
Combined18–19 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1990 Nissan 300ZX recalls 0

No NHTSA safety-recall campaigns are on record for the 1990 Nissan 300ZX.

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.

1990 Nissan 300ZX common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 20 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Gasoline
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Hydraulic
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

1990 Nissan 300ZX MPG & running costs

Combined18–19 mpg
City16 mpg
Highway22 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$4,500
EPA size classTwo Seaters
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd or Manual 5-spd
Forced inductionTurbocharged
Passenger volume49 cu ft
Cargo volume23 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$10,500 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 4 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 1990 Nissan 300ZX costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$22,500
Fuel only$22,500
Per mile$0.30

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.

Dimensions & weight

Length
169.7–178.0 in
Width
70.5–70.9 in
Height
49.6–50.0 in
Wheelbase
96.5–101.2 in
Curb weight
3,153–3,274 lb
Front track
60.2 in
Rear track
61.0 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1990 Nissan 300ZX — ranges cover the 3 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 5

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 2010

NISSAN: 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 2010

NISSAN: 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 2009

TRANSMISSIONS DETENT HOLES ELIMINATED FROM ADAPTER PLATE. *JD

Bulletin NTB97011 · Power Train · Jan 1997

VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN ON IGNITION POWER TRANSISTOR UNIT. *TW

Bulletin NTB94117 · Electrical System · Feb 1995

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the 300ZX. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

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.

1990 Nissan 300ZX trims & engines on record

Trims
2+2 · GS
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl

1990 Nissan 300ZX vehicles on record

1990 Nissan 300ZX 1990 Nissan 300ZX 2+2JN1RZ26A8LX010976 1990 Nissan 300ZX 1990 Nissan 300ZX 2+2JN1RZ26A1LX008535 1990 Nissan 300ZX 1990 Nissan 300ZX GSJN1RZ24A1LX006044

Other Nissan 300ZX model years

1995 1993 1991 1988 1985

1990 Nissan 300ZX — frequently asked questions

Does the 1990 Nissan 300ZX have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists no safety-recall campaigns for the 1990 Nissan 300ZX. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1990 Nissan 300ZX?

Across all 20 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine and engine cooling, fuel system, gasoline.

What gas mileage does the 1990 Nissan 300ZX get?

The 1990 Nissan 300ZX has U.S. EPA estimates of 18–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (4 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.