2010 Nissan 370Z Steering Problems

As of 05/20/2025 my vehicle would not detect the Key in the vehicle to start. Put the Key in the slot to detect just in case it’s a bad battery on the Fob and nothing was being detected. Found out the steering lock unit is faulty. Called a local Nissan dealership and was told my VIN does not fall under a recall but I am having issues regarding the recall that has been sent out to some customers regarding the steering lock unit. Not too sure what can be done at this point.

NHTSA ID

11662924

Incident

May 20, 2025

My 370 Z Nissan was towed January 16, 2018 because of a problem with the electronic steering mechanism. The mileage at that time was 35,357 miles. Upon entering the car the steering wheel had locked and I could not start my car. Fortunately the car was in the garage at the time. total for repairs was $949 On March 29, 2018 a few months following with mileage at 35,857 miles I again experienced a steering lock problem and the car had to be towed once again …the repairs were covered at that time by warranty since this device was already replaced in January. December 9, 2021 I again experienced a problem with the steering lock mechanism mileage is 42,505 at this point on the car repairs were almost $1800 I find this a huge safety problem because I am a female and could be stranded at any time at any given place with a vehicle that wont operate…. This does concern me as I do travel out of town alone at times. I also drive at night from time to time . I did ask that the mechanism be disabled and was told by the mechanic at Nissan they were not allowed to disable the mechanism. My husband spoke with consumer affairs at Nissan and they were not willing to help us with this problem. I have considered selling the car but I’m not comfortable doing so without disclosing this problem to a potential buyer. My husband I researched this issue online and it appears that many people have experienced the same issue with their 370 Z vehicles

NHTSA ID

11443271

Incident

Dec 9, 2021

MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS 40000 AND IT'S ALREADY SLIPPING GOING FROM 5TH GEAR TO 4TH GEAR ALSO WHEN I DO A HARD STOP THE VEHICLE WON'T ACCELERATE FOR A SEC THEN IT WILL JUMP INTO GEAR.

NHTSA ID

11388251

Incident

Dec 19, 2020

NISSAN ESCL DEFECT. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THIS DEFECT ON MY MAKE AND MODEL AND REFUSING TO REIMBURSE THE TOWING, PART, AND LABOR. NEVER HAD A PROBLEM UNTIL 12/9/2019 WHEN MY CAR LEFT ME STRANDED. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO INFORMED ME OF THE WELL-KNOWN ESCL PROBLEM ON MY SPECIFIC MAKE AND MODEL. BECAUSE THERE IS NOT A RECALL ON MY VIN I'M OUT ROUGHLY $1,200.00. MY 2010 NISSAN 370Z HAS 60,000 MILES, IS GARAGED PARKED AND KEPT IN PRISTINE CONDITION FROM THE INSIDE OUT. I HAVE RECORDS OF EVERY OIL CHANGE, TIRE REPLACEMENT, BATTERY REPLACEMENT, WINDSHIELD WIPER REPLACEMENT, PASSING VEHICLE INSPECTION TO INCLUDE RECOMMENDED 'XXX' AMOUNT OF MILE SERVICES RECOMMENDED BY NISSAN. WHEN I INITIALLY CONTACTED NISSAN I WAS INFORMED ONLY A NISSAN DEALERSHIP COULD DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THERE FOR I PAID AN ADDITIONAL $150 TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO NISSAN. MY NISSAN TECHNICIAN CONFIRMED NISSAN CONSUMER NEVER CALLED THEM FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND THIS DECISION IS SOLELY BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER. PLEASE ADVISE THE APPROPRIATE STEPS TO MOVE FORWARD.

NHTSA ID

11296728

Incident

Dec 9, 2019

Mileage

60,000 mi

370Z YR 2010. I AM CONTACTING YOU FIRST BEFORE CONTACTING YOUR CEO. I RECENTLY DECIDED TO PURCHASE ANOTHER NISSAN. PLANNED TO TRADE IN ABOVE CAR WHEN OUT OF BLUE THE STEERING MECHANISM LOCKED UP...FOB DOES NOT START CAR . I HAVE REPLACED THE CAR BATTERY, BATTERY ON FOB. I HAVE READ THAT YOU HAVE RECALLED YOUR 370Z 2009/AND 2010 ON MULTIPLE WEBSITES. . WHEN I PUT THE VIN NUMBER IS IT SAYS 0 RECALLS ON YOUR WEBSITE. I HAVE SPENT HOURS TRYING ALL THE DIFFERENT RECOMMENDATIONS SUGGESTED BY NISSAN, FRIENDS, UTUBE TO START THIS CAR NOTHING WORKS. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH A ZERO RECALL ON MY VIN. SO YOUR COMPANY DOES NOT STAND BEHIND YOUR PRODUCT WITH A PROBLEM THAT CLEARLY SHOULD BE RECALLED. HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO BE INJURED FOR THIS DEFECT BEFORE YOU DO THE RIGHT THING....

NHTSA ID

11266586

Incident

Sep 2, 2019

Mileage

15,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN 370Z. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WHEN THE ENGINE BUTTON WAS PRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO RAY BRANDT NISSAN (4000 LAPALCO BOULEVARD, HARVEY, LA 70058, (504) 367-1666) WHERE THE STEERING COLUMN FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED PER THE NISSAN WARRANTY REGARDING THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 34390382. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,800.

NHTSA ID

11176456

Incident

Feb 4, 2019

Mileage

19,800 mi

CAR IS IN LOCK MODE. WILL NOT TURN TO ACC OR ON.

NHTSA ID

11170210

Incident

Jan 13, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN 370Z. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT START WHEN THE START BUTTON WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LL NISSAN VIRGINIA BEACH (3757 BONNEY RD, VIRGINIA BEACH, VA 23452) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK COLUMN BOX NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED IN 2014 FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE RECURRENCE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 34096503. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ID

11164850

Incident

Jan 4, 2019

Mileage

70,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN 370Z. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START BECAUSE THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NORTH BAY NISSAN (1250 AUTO CENTER DR, PETALUMA, CA 94952, (707) 769-7700) AND WAS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.

NHTSA ID

11152459

Incident

Nov 16, 2018

Mileage

77,000 mi

THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED IN A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY. WITHOUT ANY INDICATION OR WARNING IT WAS FULLY IMMOBILIZED AND COULD NOT BE MOVED AT ALL. HAD THE VEHICLE BEEN PARKED IN A REMOTE OR CONGESTED AREA A HAZARD CERTAINLY WOULD BE PRESENTED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO NISSAN DEALER WHERE THE ISSUE WAS DIAGNOSED AS A FAILED ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK (PART NUMBER 48700 MANUFACTURED JANUARY 28TH 2010). THE NISSAN SERVICE FITTED A DIFFERENT/REVISED PART AT A COST OF $1,608.00. NISSAN HAS A VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN ADDRESSING THIS EXACT "MANUFACTURING IRREGULARITY." A CLAIM WAS FILED BUT DENIED BECAUSE THIS VEHICLE/MODEL WAS NOT INCLUDED. NISSAN CUSTOMER AFFAIRS REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, STATING SIMPLY "THAT IS PROPRIETARY." A QUOTE FROM THE CAMPAIGN LITERATURE, 'DEALER WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK (ESCL) WITH AN ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN BOX (ESCB). THE ESCB WILL REPLACE THE ESCL ASSEMBLY, BUT WILL NO LONGER LOCK THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED AND TURNED OFF. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING FUNCTION IS NOT NECESSARY AS THE VEHICLE IS ALSO EQUIPPED WITH AN ANTI-THEFT IMMOBILIZER TO HELP PREVENT THEFT. INSTALLATION OF THE ESCB WILL ELIMINATE THE POSSIBILITY OF A NO-START CONDITION RELATED TO THE MANUFACTURING IRREGULARITY ON THE ESCL.' PICTURES OF THE DEFECTIVE PART, INCLUDING MARKINGS ARE ATTACHED.

NHTSA ID

11078220

Incident

Feb 26, 2018

Mileage

67,000 mi

THE INTELLIKEY WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE STEERING LOCKED. THERE ARE A LARGE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE. A DESIGN AND SAFETY ISSUE. THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN DRIVING. AFTER THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF IT DID NOT START.

NHTSA ID

11075620

Incident

Feb 28, 2018

Mileage

150,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN 370Z. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WHEN THE KEY WAS USED. ALSO, THE POWER STEERING BECAME VERY STIFF AND FAILED TO TURN RIGHT OR LEFT. THE FAILURES OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MODERN NISSAN OF LAKE NORMAN (18615 STATESVILLE RD, CORNELIUS, NC 28031) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK PART NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 800-647-7261 AND STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING SINCE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. CASE NUMBER: 29498996 WAS PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,300.

NHTSA ID

11064105

Incident

Jan 15, 2018

Mileage

72,300 mi

I WENT TO THE STORE AND PARKED MY CAR. WHEN I WENT BACK OUT TO MY CAR 15 MINS LATER THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN HAD LOCKED UP AND WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO START MY CAR. IT NO LONGER RECOGNIZED THE KEY. THIS APPEARS TO BE A REOCCURRING ISSUE WITH MY MAKE AND MODEL AND THEREFORE SHOULD BE A RECALL.

NHTSA ID

11061647

Incident

Jan 7, 2018

Mileage

94,500 mi

TAKATA RECALL - VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN 2009-2011 STEERING LOCK UNIT. I OWN A 2010 NISSAN 370Z WITH 37,000 MILES. LOCAL NISSAN DEALER WOULD NOT HONOR KNOWN ISSUE AND I HAD TO PAY $1500 TO REPAIR. PLEASE HELP. [XXX] , EMAIL: [XXX] VIN [XXX], DL: [XXX]. VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, STUCK IN PARKING LOT. HAD TO TOW TO NISSAN DEALER FOR REPAIRS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

11056792

Incident

Dec 6, 2017

Mileage

36,989 mi

DEFECTIVE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK (ESCL) ON 11/11/2017 MY 2010 370Z WOULD NOT START IN A COMMERCIAL PARKING LOT, COMPLETELY DISABLED. AFTER SOME QUICK RESEARCH, THE PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED. I CANNOT BELIEVE THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE AS THERE HAS BEEN FOR THE GT-R, ALTIMA AND I BELIEVE A FEW OTHER MODELS. I'M AFRAID THAT MY VEHICLE MAY NOT BE COVERED UNDER THOSE OTHER RECALLS ALTHOUGH THE ISSUE IS THE SAME. NOTE THAT NISSAN DISCONTINUED THIS EQUIPMENT STARTING IN 2012, LIKELY DUE TO ITS UNRELIABILITY. I HAVE OWNED 4 OTHER NISSAN VEHICLES (1989 NISSAN PATHFINDER, 350Z, SENTRA, FRONTIER). THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'M STUCK WITH A "DEAD" CAR THAT WILL COST ME A LOT TO GET REPAIRED. IT IS NOW SITTING AT MY NISSAN DEALER AND WAITING TO HEAR FROM MY SERVICE ADVISOR. HE WAS QUITE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11045372

Incident

Nov 11, 2017

Mileage

44,000 mi

I HAVE A NISSAN 370 Z AND UP TO THIS POINT I REALLY ENJOYED THE CAR THAT WAS UNTIL AN KNOWN ISSUE OF THE STEERING LOCK WENT OUT ON MY CAR AND LEFT ME STRANDED FOR 16 HOURS. I CALLED NISSAN AFTER I SPENT $1162.00 TO TRY TO GET REIMBURSED. I WAS INITIALLY TOLD I WOULD NOT REIMBURSED WHICH AFTER READING ONLINE HOW SOME PEOPLE WERE REFUSED REIMBURSEMENT INITIALLY I KEPT PURSUING A REIMBURSEMENT. STEPHANIE FROM A REGIONAL OFFICE CALLED AND BASICALLY TRIED TO LOW BALL ME BY OFFERING $500 REIMBURSEMENT. BELOW IS A FORUM LINK FOR THE KNOWN ISSUE OF THE STEERING LOCK. OTHER CUSTOMERS WERE OFFERED A FULL REIMBURSEMENT BUT FOR SOME REASON I AM NOT. THIS IS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW AND HAVE BEEN A LOYAL CUSTOMER EVER SINCE. I THEREFORE WOULD LIKE A FULL REIMBURSEMENT. I FEEL THAT THIS IS ONLY FAIR. WHAT IF I HAD BEEN STRANDED ON THE WAY TO VISIT AN AIRFORCE BUDDY IN ALAMOGORDO NM IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DESERT WITH SPOTTY CELL PHONE SERVICE. 16 HOURS STRANDED COULD HAVE EASILY TURNED INTO SOMETHING MUCH WORSE. MY CASE FILE IS 24957255. HTTP://WWW.THE370Z.COM/NEW-ROADSTER-370Z-OWNER/65272-ATTENTION-2009-2010-OWNERS-STEERING-LOCK-WONT-START-ISSUES.HTML THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN AND MUST BE ADDRESSED.

NHTSA ID

10938396

Incident

Dec 20, 2016

Mileage

47,984 mi

MY 2010 NISSAN 370Z STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP TWICE IN ONE WEEK.

NHTSA ID

10935510

Incident

Dec 15, 2016

ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2016, I ATTEMPTED TO START MY 2010 NISSAN 370Z NISMO WITH THE INTELLIGENT KEY TO NO AVAIL. I IMMEDIATELY CHECKED THE VOLTAGE ON THE CAR BATTERY AND DISCONNECTED IT FOR 30 MIN IN AN ATTEMPT TO RESET THE COMPUTER. I ALSO CHANGED THE BATTERY IN THE FOB, WHICH DID NOT SOLVE THE ISSUE. I INSERTED THE INTELLIGENT KEY AND WAS ABLE TO GET THE WINDOWS DOWN, BUT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE WHEEL WAS NOT LOCKED. I WENT TO VARIOUS BLOG SITES AND LEARNED THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THE 370Z AND GTR MODEL YEARS 2009-2010. I ALSO CHECKED ALL THE FUSES, AND NONE WERE FOUND TO BE FAULTY. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THIS MODEL FOR THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM, AND THAT THE REPAIR WOULD COST IN EXCESS OF $1,100.00. THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE THE FLATBED FEE TO TOW THE VEHICLE FROM MY HOME TO THE DEALER. ACCORDING TO NISSAN'S VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN 2009-2011, NHTSA REFERENCE #10051829, TSB #NTB13-014, CAMPAIGN #P3208, THE DEALER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING THE FAULTY STEERING LOCK MODULE AT NO CHARGE TO THE CUSTOMER. I CALLED MY DEALER AND WAS TOLD MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. WHAT SENSE DOES THIS MAKE IF THE SAME ISSUE AND SAME PART WAS USED ON ALL VEHICLES THAT ARE FAILING BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM? I WISH TO RECEIVE IMMEDIATE RESOLUTION TO THIS ISSUE, BECAUSE MY VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY DISABLED, AS I AM WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO DRIVE MY CAR.

NHTSA ID

10915701

Incident

Oct 9, 2016

Mileage

40,162 mi

CLUTCH PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER FAILED. FAILED IN MOTION, 75 MILES FROM HOME. TOW WAS EXPENSIVE. CAR WOULD NOT START. STEERING LOCK UNIT FAILED. FAILED IN STATIONARY , 95 MILES FROM HOME. TOW WAS EXPENSIVE.

NHTSA ID

10910120

Incident

Sep 11, 2016

Mileage

50,000 mi

DRIVING MY CAR TO MY BROTHER'S HOUSE TO BABYSIT MY NIECE, NO ISSUES OR WARNINGS. GO BACK TO MY CAR TO LEAVE AND MY CAR WILL NOT START. TRIED CHANGING THE BATTERY AND REPROGRAMMING MY KEY, HAD TO GET MY CAR TOWED TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT I NEED TO SPEND $1100 FOR NISSAN TO ORDER A PART WHICH HAS CAUSED MY CAR TO LOCK/STALL. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE YET NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE ABOUT IT, INSTEAD NISSAN ARE LEAVING CUSTOMERS STRANDED ONLY TO PAY AN INSANE AMOUNT OF MONEY.

NHTSA ID

10861730

Incident

Apr 26, 2016

Mileage

61,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN 370Z. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING LOCKOUT MECHANISM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,075.

NHTSA ID

10836509

Incident

Feb 15, 2016

Mileage

30,075 mi

CAR WILL NOT START. WAS TOLD BY NISSAN DEALER THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE STEERING POWER MECHANISM WHICH IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR CAR. MANUFACTURER WON'T RECOGNIZED THIS DEFECT.

NHTSA ID

10825315

Incident

Feb 9, 2016

Mileage

35,000 mi

WHEEL LOCK STEERING MODULE--CAR WOULD NOT START - NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE DEFECTIVE DEVICE--HAS HAD RECALLS ON OTHER YEARS-- 2010 WAS NOT INCLUDED-COST TO REPLACE IS VERY EXPENSIVE. THERE IS NO OVERRIDE TO BE ABLE TO MOVE THE CAR OR START THE CAR

NHTSA ID

10822889

Incident

Jan 19, 2016

Mileage

50,422 mi

MY STEERING LOCK ASSEMBLEY WENT OUT ON MY 2010 NISSAN 370Z CAUSING THE CAR NOT TO START. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I'M NOW FINDING OUT THAT THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS ITEM OR NOT COVERED ON WARRANTY. IT SEEMS THAT MANY OTHER NISSAN OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. NISSAN REFUSES TO PAY AND IT'S A $1,000 REPAIR

NHTSA ID

10822094

Incident

Jan 25, 2016

Mileage

50,000 mi

RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2010 370Z. WENT TO START MY CAR AND NO IGNITION. KEY FOB LIGHT WAS ON. HAD TOWED TO PERSONAL SHOP (NOT NISSAN DEALERSHIP DUE TO HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE.) TECH CALLED TODAY AND SAID IT WAS THE STEERING LOCK UNIT WHICH THE NISSAN CORP SHOULD COVER. CALLED TO FILE CLAIM- REFUSES TO EVEN CONSIDER HELPING ME UNTIL I TOW AT MY EXPENSE TO THEIR DEALERSHIP AND PAY ANOTHER $87 TO RUN THE DIAGNOSTICS. NISSAN CORP TOLD ME THE WERENT SURE AFTER ALL THAT IF THEY WOULD EVEN PAY FOR REPAIR. UNACCEPTABLE!!!!!

NHTSA ID

10819559

Incident

Jan 11, 2016

Mileage

32,000 mi