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2003 Nissan 350Z

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2003 350Z.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S5)

The 2003 Nissan 350Z is a passenger car platform equipped with a 5-speed automatic transmission (S5) and an engine requiring 5.0 quarts of 5W-30 API oil, returning EPA fuel economy of 17 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 19 mpg combined. As the inaugural model year in a complaint history spanning 2003 through 2008, the 2003 carries the distinction of being the most problematic year on record, with 275 total owner complaints — heavily concentrated in the suspension — alongside four recalls, compared to just 24 complaints by the 2008 model year. For a researcher, this means the 2003 sits at the bottom of the 350Z's reliability curve, representing the early-production teething issues that Nissan progressively addressed over the generation's run.

Model year2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2003

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque72-87 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy17/24/19 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 585 CCA battery, OE oil filter 1520865F0E. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 585 CCAOEM · verified

Tire size235-50R17OEM · verified

Wheel / rim8-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	1520865F0E
Engine air filter	16546V0100
Spark plug	224015M015 alt 224015M014
Front wiper blades	28890AC71A alt 28890CF00A
Serpentine belt	A1920AL510 alt 11920AG900
Thermostat	1305031U00 alt 212004W01B

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic (S5)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	169.7 in
Overall width	71.7 in
Overall height	51.6 in
Wheelbase	104.7 in
Curb weight	3148 lb
Track (front / rear)	61 / 61 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	53/47

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	17 / 24 / 19 mpg
Drivetrain	Rear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Premium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the 350Z of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.4–5.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.40 sec — 2003 Track Coupe

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2003	Track Coupe 3.5L V6	5.40 sec	14.10 sec	287 hp	RWD
2003	Track Coupe 3.5L V6	5.50 sec	14.00 sec	287 hp	RWD
2003	Touring Coupe 3.5L V6	5.70 sec	14.30 sec	287 hp	RWD
2003	Track Coupe 3.5L V6	5.70 sec	14.40 sec	287 hp	RWD
2003	Enthusiast Coupe 3.5L V6	5.72 sec	14.02 sec	287 hp	RWD
2003	Track Coupe 3.5L V6	5.80 sec	14.40 sec	287 hp	RWD
2004	Track Coupe 3.5L V6	5.30 sec	13.77 sec	287 hp	RWD
2004	Enthusiast Coupe 3.5L V6	5.50 sec	13.90 sec	287 hp	RWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.0 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 72-87 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil	80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	2.5 Pints
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	5.0 qt
Power Steering Fluid	ATF

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts	65 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	21-24 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	25.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	5.0-6.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	72-87 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	177 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	50 rpm
Spark Plug Gap	0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque	18.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing	15 degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance	5 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPM	Idle rpm

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.21 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	6.30 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	585 cca

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)	51.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	51.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance	13.5-17.5 ohms
Engine Compression	142-185 PSI. 14 Maximum variation PSI.
Engine Oil Pressure	14 psi @ Idle, 43 psi @ 2000 rpm psi
Intake Valve Lash	0.012-0.016 in
Exhaust Valve Lash	0.012-0.017 in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	113-114 ft-lbs / 17-22 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	73-93 ft-lbs / 53-71 ft-lbs / 113-114 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.002 in / 0.0014 in / 0.0028 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	1.181 in / 0.866 in / 0.945 in / 0.63 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	1.181 in / 0.866 in / 0.945 in / 0.63 in
Rotor Minimum Machining	1.118 in / 0.795 in / 0.866 in / 0.551 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

14-15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90-95

14–15 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

29-36 ft. lbs., step 2: 60

29–36 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

1	72 ft. lbs.	72 ft. lbs
2	Loosen all bolts.
3	26-32 ft. lbs.	26–32 ft. lbs
4	90-95 degrees.	90–95 degrees
5	90-95 degrees.	90–95 degrees

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

4-7 ft. lbs., step 2: 20-23 ft. lbs., step 3: 20-23

4–7 ft. lbs

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

24-28 ft. lbs., Step 2: 95

24–28 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Cruise Control System (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
At 60,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 105,000 mi	Spark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2003 Nissan 350Z sits at the apex of the generation's federal complaint and recall arc, recording 275 complaints and 4 recalls before steadily declining to just 24 complaints and 1 recall by the 2008 model year. As the inaugural year, the 2003 model bears the brunt of these issues, with the vast majority of complaints clustered in the suspension and tires—72 for suspension alone, 37 for tires, and 29 for both—along with 26 power train complaints, 6 crash incidents, and 1 fire incident. While the data does not specify the root cause of these failures, the rapid year-over-year drop in complaints, recalls, and Technical Service Bulletins (from 108 in 2003 down to 65 by 2006) implies significant early-production flaws that were progressively engineered out. Because it represents the most problematic year in the generation's lifecycle, the 2003 350Z is not an ideal purchase unless the specific suspension, tire, and power train issues have been thoroughly documented and resolved by previous owners.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

108

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

275

Owner complaints

6 involved a crash · 1 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’03’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 275 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Suspension72

Tires37

Suspension,Tires29

Power Train26

Engine & Engine Cooling25

Engine19

Air Bags7

Seats6

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

11E024000Power Train:Clutch AssemblyReported 24/06/2011

ZF SERVICE IS RECALL CERTAIN CLUTCH KIT ASSEMBLIES, PART NUMBER SX: K70358-01, SHIPPED TO WHOLESALERS AS SERVICE PARTS BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2010, AND MARCH 8, 2011. THESE SERVICE PARTS ARE INTENDED FOR USE ON MODEL YEAR… Remedy: ZF SERVICE NOTIFY WHOLESALERS TO RETURN ANY AFFECTED CLUTCH KIT ASSEMBLIES STILL IN INVENTORY FOR FREE REPLACEMENT KITS. THIS CONDITION WILL CORRECT ITSELF AFTER THE FIRST…

06E049000Exterior LightingReported 24/05/2006

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH… Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 108 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
NTB09-131C	2026-04-13	Structure	CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB09-131C	2026-04-13	Structure	CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB13-107G	2024-05-20	Electrical System	VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been…
NTB17-019H	2024-04-29	Visibility/Wiper	WINDOW GLASS WARRANTY INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY…
NTB13-028I	2024-04-29	Visibility/Wiper	REMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended. See…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific 350Z. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 35 battery Vehicles taking 5.0 qt Engine oil filter 1520865F0E Engine air filter 16546V0100 Spark plug 224015M015 Front wiper blades 28890AC71A

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2003 350Z take?

5.0 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2003 350Z have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 350Z get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 24 highway / 19 combined mpg.