2016 Nissan 370z problems
The Nissan 370Z (known as the Fairlady Z Z34 in Japan) is a 2-door, 2-seater sports car (S-segment in Europe) manufactured by Nissan Motor Company. It was announced on October 29, 2006, and was first shown at an event in Los Angeles ahead of the 2008 Greater LA Auto Show, before being officially unveiled at the show itself. The 370Z is the sixth generation of the Nissan Z-car line, succeeding the 350Z. The 370Z marks the last production car with a naturally aspirated and high-rev V6 coupled to a manual transmission. The 2020 model year was the final model year for the 370Z. The line was continued by the Nissan Z (RZ34) on a modified version of the same platform.
Initial release
Engineering
Almost every piece and component of the 370Z has been redesigned from the previous 350Z. The wheelbase is 4 in (100 mm) shorter at 100.4 in (2,550 mm) and an overall length 2.7 in (69 mm) shorter at 167.1 in (4,240 mm). The overall width has been increased by 1.3 in (33 mm), the rear track by 2.2 in (56 mm), and overall height reduced by 0.3 in (7.6 mm). The smaller exterior dimensions and use of more lightweight materials helped reduce weight.
The 370Z features a front aluminum subframe, aluminum-alloy engine cradle, aluminum door panels, an all-aluminum hood, and an aluminum hatch. Front body torsional rigidity is improved by 10 percent with an extensively revised body structure, which includes a new front suspension cradle to reduce front body lateral bending, new rear structural reinforcements, and an underbody "V-bar" to help reduce rear lateral bending. Rear body torsional rigidity is improved by up to 22 percent and rear body vertical bending rigidity is improved by up to 30 percent. Additional enhancements include the use of a carbon fiber composite radiator housing and strengthening of the rear fender and hatch areas. The new structure weighs slightly less than the 350Z.
The 370Z uses a front double wishbone suspension, with forged aluminum control arms and steering knuckle. The rear multi-link suspension uses a forged aluminum upper control arm, lower arm and radius rod, the toe control rod is steel and wheel carrier assembly is aluminum. The refreshed 2013 model uses new dampers with the Sport package models. The brakes have been changed from the more expensive Brembo racing brakes to Nissan branded brakes which are manufactured by Akebono.
The coefficient of drag is 0.30 and 0.29 with the Sport Package, figures identical to the 350Z.
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Common 2016 Nissan 370z problems
The Nissan 370Z, a popular sports car, has had its fair share of issues throughout the years. While the 2016 model is considered reliable, there are still some common problems that owners have reported. Here are the most frequently mentioned issues with the 2016 Nissan 370Z, based on owner complaints:
- Engine Spits and Sputters Low fluid in the fuel tank can move around and cause the fuel tank to draw in air, leading to the engine spitting and sputtering while driving. To prevent fuel starvation on the 370Z, keep the gas tank closer to FULL. This issue is common in the 370Z and its predecessors.
- Steering Wheel Locking Up Some 370Z owners have reported that their steering wheels lock up, leaving their cars undrivable. This issue can be fixed by pulling a specific fuse, which disables the steering wheel locking mechanism. This issue is common in the 370Z platform and can be easily fixed by pulling the right fuse .
- Overheating Issues The oil temps in the 370Z tend to get pretty crazy quickly, reaching high temperatures even under normal driving conditions. To fix this issue, install an oil cooler, which can be purchased for as cheap as $450 on Z1. This will help keep the oil temps down and prevent overheating. This issue is common in the 370Z and its predecessors .
In summary, the 2016 Nissan 370Z has several common problems that owners have reported. These issues include CSC failure, clicking noises from the rear wheel, engine spitting and sputtering, steering wheel locking up, and overheating. While these issues can be frustrating, many of them can be easily fixed with the right tools and knowledge.
What are the main problems with a 370Z?
Nissan 370Z Issues
- Above-Average Oil Consumption. Under the hood of the Nissan 370Z sits a quick-revving V6 engine, which develops more than 330 horsepower. ...
- Premature Clutch Master and Slave Cylinders. ...
- Stock Exhaust Failure. ...
- Rear Axle Clicking. ...
- Fuel Starvation Problems.
Is the Nissan 370Z reliable?
The Nissan 370Z Reliability Rating is 4.0 out of 5.0, which ranks it 23rd out of 36 for compact cars. The average annual repair cost is $504 which means it has lower than average ownership costs.
What is the bad year for 370Z?
The 2010 model was a bad year for the Nissan 370z. CarComplaints named it the “Worst Model Year” of the 370z with 166 complaints and no recalls (which is surprising). As mentioned, this model's steering wheel lock remains a major issue but seems more pronounced here.
How good is the 370Z engine?
Its V6 engine is decently powerful, but this car lacks the potency of many of its rivals, and it's less fuel-efficient than some as well. Handling and ride quality tell the same story: The 370Z is solid in both respects, but most class rivals are superior.
2016 Nissan 370z car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Nissan 370z problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Unknown or other problems
- Electrical system problems
- Air bags problems
- Power train problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2016 Nissan 370z vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2016 Nissan 370z complaints
The NHTSA has received 3 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2016 Nissan 370z.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-01-07
- VIN: JN1AZ4EH3GM
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Sunday January 7th I came out to my vehicle and noticed my clutch was on the ground. I go to check my clutch fluid reservoir to just to see that it is completely bone dry. Last time I had driven the car,” was on Friday January 5th and everything was fine. I’ve had this problem previously before where if I didn’t drive the car for roughly 2 weeks then my clutch fluid would be empty and I’d have to bleed my clutch. Now it has got to the point where my clutch is on the ground and I can’t get back up no matter how much I try to bleed it. I’ve looked into the issue online only to find out multiply people has the same issue with either the Slave Cylinder or the Master Cylinder to cause their clutch fluid to leak out, some even reported that their clutches started getting damaged as well!
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-12-18
- VIN: JN1AZ4EH1GM
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
- Summary: I PURCHASED MY 370 Z AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND I AM A LOYAL NISSAN CUSTOMER. THIS IS MY SECOND Z AND MY FAMILY OF 9 CARS IS A LARGE BASE FOR YOUR VEHICLES. MY DAUGHTER-IN-LAW PURCHASED A NEW NISSAN AND WE WILL BE SHOPPING FOR MY WIFE'S NEW CAR IN JUNE WHEN SHE RETIRES. MY AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT HAS BEEN FLASHING FOR A WEEK SO I BROUGHT IT TO THE LOCAL DEALER TODAY. MY VEHICLE HAS 38,000 MILES. I WAS TOLD THAT SOMETHING UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT HAS TO BE REPLACED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE COST: OVER $3000. I CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY THIS. I ASKED THE TECH IF THE AIR BAGS WERE FUNCTIONING AND HE ANSWERED NO SO MY WIFE AND I HAVE NO AIRBAG PROTECTION. I ASK IF THIS FALLS UNDER THE AIRBAG PROBLEMS THAT HAVE BEEN IN THE NEWS FOR YEARS? IS MY WIFE AND I IN DANGER? PLEASE REVIEW THE AIRBAG ISSUE AND DIRECT ME TO MY NEXT OPTION. I FEAR A LIABILITY ISSUE. THANK YOU
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-11-06
- VIN: JN1AZ4EH1GM
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: AS I BEGAN TO START MY VEHICLE ONE DAY, THE CLUTCH PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE GROUND BECAUSE IT HAD NO PRESSURE ON IT. I FOUND THAT THE CLUTCH FLUID WAS COMPLETELY EMPTY AND REFILLED IT. AFTER IT REBUILT PRESSURE, IT WAS OPERABLE AGAIN FOR SEVERAL MONTHS UNTIL IT COMPLETELY LOST PRESSURE AGAIN WHILE DRIVING, SO I HAD TO PULL OVER. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID HAD COMPLETELY EMPTIED AGAIN. AFTER LOTS OF RESEARCH ONLINE, I FOUND THAT THERE IS A PLAGUING PROBLEM WITH THE CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER. (I AM MECHANICALLY INCLINED AND CAPABLE OF AUTO REPAIRS). I ORDERED THE CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER ONLINE AND REPLACED IT MYSELF FOR A PERMANENT FIX WITH AN OEM CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER. THERE'S NO TELLING HOW LONG THIS ONE WILL LAST BECAUSE NISSAN MAKES THESE PARTS OUT OF A VERY CHEAP PLASTIC THAT IS SUBJECT TO FAIL AT ANY TIME. THE CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER COST ME $188 PLUS THE COSTS OF RENTING A GARAGE BAY, PAYMENT FOR A FRIEND'S ASSISTANCE, AND OTHER MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS, AS WELL AS TIME OFF OF WORK. THE SAFETY MATTER BEHIND THIS GREATLY CONCERNS ME AS I PURCHASED MY 370Z BRAND NEW IN OCTOBER 2015 AND TAKE GREAT CARE OF IT. THE VEHICLE HAD 39K MILES AT THE TIME OF THE CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER FAILURE. HOW IS IT THAT NISSAN CAN CONTINUE TO MAKE SUCH A CHEAP, HIGH-FAILURE PART THAT GREATLY ENDANGERS SAFETY AND NOT UPGRADE THE PART AND FIX THE HUNDREDS OR THOUSANDS THAT HAVE FAILED? THE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER CAN BE FOUND ALL OVER THE INTERNET AND AFTER-MARKET COMPANIES HAVE TAKEN IT INTO THEIR OWN HANDS TO PRODUCE THEIR OWN CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER AND MASTER CYLINDER TO ALLEVIATE THE ISSUES CAUSED BY NISSAN. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN THE FIRST PROBLEM OCCURRED, AND IN MOTION DURING THE SECOND FAILURE. THE AVERAGE MECHANIC'S QUOTED RATE TO FIX THIS ISSUE RANGED FROM $1000 TO $1375.
Positive 2016 Nissan 370z car reviews
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2016 Nissan 370z problems:
Nissan 370Z Problems - 6th Generation 2009-2020 - 1A Auto
Nov 24, 2020 ... 3. Fuel Starvation · 4. Steering Wheel Lock—Faulty Steering Lock Mechanism · 5. High Oil Consumption.
2016 Nissan 370Z Problems | Kelley Blue Book
How reliable is the 2016 Nissan 370Z? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next 12 months.
Reliability - Nissan 370Z Forum
Most are negative; complaining about clutch failures, steering lock, axle bearings and bushings, oil consumption, paint, and on and on. If you ...
Nissan 370Z: Most Frequent Issues Encountered
Jul 4, 2022 ... Nissan 370Z Issues · Above-Average Oil Consumption Under the hood of the Nissan 370Z sits a quick-revving V6 engine, which develops more than 330 ...
Most Common Problems? - Nissan 370Z Forum
Most Common Problems? ... "Does the carpet match the drapes? NO!!! I don't date bald women." ... Even if you get a bimmer or audi you will have ...
Other years of Nissan 370z
Are you having problems with your 2016 Nissan 370z?
Regan Pagac 2025-08-14
I have purchased four of these cars so far, which should give you an idea of how highly I think of them. I bought this latest model sight unseen, based on my positive experiences with previous models, and it has been a great experience so far (only 2 months). As someone who only needs to transport themselves and a briefcase, a 2-seater is ideal for my basic commuting needs. All of the Z models I have owned have been nimble and quick, including the 300ZX. In terms of a direct comparison, I recently traded in my 350Z for the 370Z. I was pleasantly surprised to receive a resale value of $7500 for my ten-year-old 350Z. Overall, my experience with the 370Z has been the best yet. While the 350Z was made to be faster with a lighter push on the accelerator, the 370Z is the quickest yet. It accelerates less quickly with the same amount of pedal travel, but about halfway down, it becomes clearly quicker than the 350Z. Flooring it really shows how much quicker it is from 0 to 40 or so, although it is also a lot louder. The steering is very precise, but the steering wheel moves with a very light touch, making it easier to handle than any past Z models. The interior feels very similar to the 350Z, with a few upgrades. The manual seat fits me like a glove, and there is a much better layout of storage areas. The 370Z has a glovebox and rear storage areas, which the 350Z lacked. Unfortunately, the interior lights are all regular incandescents, which I dislike because they can drain the battery if left on. I replaced five of them with LED lights, which I found for a few bucks on Amazon. Initially, I was unhappy about paying for the upgraded Bose stereo in the sport package (since there was no choice if I wanted the larger brakes and viscous slip differential). However, I must say that it sounds better than I expected and better than the Bose stereo that came with past Z models.But the Z is still a great car, even though it may not be as good as some of the premium systems in the BMW 335 or the Grand Cherokee. Personally, I love the muscular and aggressive look of the exterior, especially now that they've gotten rid of the shark tooth front and added decent-looking LED running lights. While there may not be many Zs on the road, I don't mind at all - I think it's a unique and stylish car that stands out from the crowd. Plus, at $34k, it's an absolute bargain. The brakes are much better than past models, especially on the sport model with larger discs. The only downside is the rear visibility, which can be a bit of a challenge. However, I've found that adjusting my position in the car and using the side mirrors helps to compensate for this. Overall, I'm very happy with my Z and would definitely consider upgrading to the next model in the future. One thing to note is that after 2 years of ownership, I have noticed a slight issue with the accelerator pedal, which can be unresponsive at times. However, this is a minor issue and doesn't detract from the overall enjoyment of the car.It's really funny that at those speeds I just switch to manual mode and shift it myself. I wish they could reprogram this. Unfortunately, my dealer doesn't seem to know what I'm talking about. Nonetheless, I still like this car, and keeping it in manual shifting will make it more enjoyable.
Blake Hessel 2025-08-12
The 370Z has proven to be a reliable vehicle, with Nissan having worked out all the bugs by 2016. The Sport Tech model comes with all the bells and whistles one could need, and its handling is great with brisk acceleration and steering. The 370Z is the perfect evolution of the famous Nissan Z line. After taking the Z on a 2900 mile 4 day trip, cruising the Interstate at 80MPH or winding through the mountains of North Carolina, I can say that it performed flawlessly. Although the tires are somewhat noisy, the throaty exhaust easily compensates. However, I must say that I am extremely disappointed with the seats. Despite the vehicle's $40k price tag, both front seats are uncomfortable and mechanical, which is expected in a vehicle a third of the price. The seats are also so narrow that only a teenager could be comfortable in them. When I was shopping, I assumed that power memory seats were standard for the price and didn't even ask about them. Unfortunately, this was not the case. I was told that power memory seats weren't necessary in this type of sports car and that opting for manual seats saves space and weight. However, I believe that this is just a bean counter's way to cut costs. Every valet, car wash, and mechanic has to crank the seat to suit them, and it takes me forever to get the seat adjusted to my comfort again. Every other vehicle I've owned in the past 20 years has had power memory seats, which makes it easy to get back to my setting with just a push of a button. Even the 370Z Roadster has power seats.
Juvenal Reinger 2025-08-08
This is my third Z, and I absolutely love them. The Zs are not only fun to drive, but also incredibly reliable and relatively safe for sports convertibles. Plus, you could buy two of these cars for the price of a Porsche! The Bose sound system is crystal clear, and the road sound dampening improvements in the 2016 cars are a real plus.
Junior Kozey 2025-08-07
You've got yourself a fantastic sports car! The engine is amazing and sounds great at high RPMs. While there is some tire noise inside the cabin, this is to be expected from a sports car. The only downsides I can see are the gas mileage (26MPG) on the highway and the lack of power seats in the base model.
Stephan Bosco 2025-07-05
I have read many reviews from 'experts' claiming that there are better choices available, but I strongly disagree. My 2014 grey 370z roadster is an absolute superstar! It is stunning to look at, and I am always shocked when I go a single day without receiving compliments or admiring glances. The power is awesome, and the engine sound is brutal in a good way. The handling and braking are true sportscar quality. It is absolutely reliable, and the oil changes are the same price as a Sentra. I paid $38,900 for my base roadster, and I believe that no other two-seat sportscar on this planet can do what the Z does. A Corvette roadster for $55,000? A Boxster for $60,000? Don't even make me laugh by mentioning a Miata or an FRS. And by the way, a Mustang is not a Z competitor! It competes with Camaros and Challengers, and phony auto journalists should know that. The Z is unique in the price range, and it is an excellent true sportscar!