2019 NISSAN 370Z

Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi

Symptoms: Blue smoke on cold start or deceleration, Oil level dropping 1+ quarts between changes, Fouled spark plugs, P0300 series misfire codes

Fix: VQ37VHR engines develop worn piston rings and glazed cylinder walls, especially when oil change intervals are extended or the engine sees sustained high RPM use. Proper fix requires engine-out, cylinder honing or boring, new pistons and rings. 25-35 labor hours for complete teardown and reassembly. Some shops offer ring replacement without boring if cylinder taper is within spec—saves money but shorter lifespan.

Estimated cost: $4,500-8,000

Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi

Symptoms: Transmission fluid in coolant (strawberry milkshake in reservoir), Transmission slipping or delayed engagement, Engine overheating, Coolant in transmission pan

Fix: The internal transmission cooler inside the radiator develops leaks, allowing ATF and coolant to mix—catastrophic for the automatic transmission. Requires new radiator, complete transmission fluid flush (multiple cycles), often new transmission if contamination went unnoticed. Manual transmissions less affected but still need radiator replacement. 4-6 hours labor for radiator and flushing; add 12-18 hours if transmission replacement needed.

Estimated cost: $800-1,200 (radiator only); $4,000-6,500 (with transmission replacement)

Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi

Symptoms: Clunking when shifting or launching, Excessive drivetrain movement felt through chassis, Vibration at idle in gear, Visible cracks or separation in rubber mount

Fix: Both manual and automatic 370Zs kill transmission mounts, especially with spirited driving or drag launches. The rubber deteriorates and tears away from the metal brackets. Replacement is straightforward but requires lifting the transmission slightly. 2-3 hours labor. Polyurethane aftermarket mounts last longer but transmit more NVH.

Estimated cost: $300-500

Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi

Symptoms: Rough idle and hesitation under load, Long cranking before start, Fuel trims heavily positive, P0171/P0174 lean codes

Fix: The in-tank fuel filter isn't a regular maintenance item but can clog from contaminated fuel or debris in the tank. Requires dropping the fuel tank and replacing the entire fuel pump assembly (filter is integrated). 3-4 hours labor. If caught early, prevents fuel pump failure. Also inspect for rust or sediment in tank while it's down.

Estimated cost: $600-900

Typical onset: 30,000-70,000 mi

Symptoms: Clutch pedal stays on floor, Difficulty shifting or can't get into gear, Clutch engagement point changes, Fluid leak visible on transmission bell housing

Fix: The internal slave cylinder fails and leaks fluid, leaving you stranded with no clutch. Notorious weak point on manual 370Zs and Z34 platform. Requires transmission removal to access. 8-10 hours labor. Many owners upgrade to aftermarket external slave cylinder conversion or heavy-duty CSC during repair to prevent repeat failures. Budget extra if doing clutch while transmission is out.

Estimated cost: $1,200-1,800 (CSC only); $2,000-2,800 (with clutch replacement)

Symptoms: Car won't start, steering lock won't disengage, Dash warning light for steering lock, Clicking noise from steering column when attempting to start, Stranded—no push-button start response

Fix: Electronic steering lock module fails and prevents the car from starting entirely. Not mileage-dependent—can happen anytime. Nissan updated the part but earlier failures still occur. Replacement is simple once diagnosed: remove lower dash panel, swap module. 1-2 hours labor. Many enthusiasts delete or permanently disable the steering lock to prevent this. Check if recall N1914 was completed.

Estimated cost: $500-800 (dealer part); $200-400 (aftermarket or delete kit)