2011 Nissan 370Z Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2011 Nissan 370Z, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Steering2237.9%
- Powertrain (other)1424.1%
- Electrical1220.7%
- Engine58.6%
- Brakes23.4%
- Other / unspecified11.7%
- Fuel system11.7%
- Driver assistance11.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
Steering lock module failure. Same issue as in 2016 (NHTSA tracking number 10929922). Car would not start. In city park and waited 4 hours for tow truck. By myself - 74 year old female. Getting dark and dealership closed. Had the exact part malfunction in 2016 and had to have it towed. Cost $1000 to fix back then. Nissan has had issues with this but has refused to recall it except for one model. This repair cost me $1400. Not just the money or inconvenience - it's dangerous. There is no way to start this car - it has to be towed!
TL* THE CONSUMER OWNS A 2011 NISSAN 370Z. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING THE START THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER COGGINS NISSAN(10600 ATLANTIC BLVD, JACKSONVILLE FL) WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING LOCK WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE STEERING LOCK WAS REPLACED AND THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,700. *DT *AS
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER WENT OUT AT AROUND 40K MILES. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH MANY OTHER 370 Z'S. I AM NOW WORRIED THAT I WILL NEED A THIRD CSC.
THE CLUTCH STICKS TO THE FLOOR MAKING IT HARD TO SHIFT. YOU HAVE TO PULL IT UP WITH YOUR FOOT. SOME SAY THESE CARS WERE MANUFACTURED WITH A POOR DESIGNED SLAVE CYLINDER. THE CLUTCH STICKS WHERE EVER YOU ARE DRIVING SOMETIMES IT WILL START BACK TO WORKING PROPERLY FOR A WHILE. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A NISSAN DEALER TWICE, IT WILL OPERATE PROPERLY FOR A FEW WEEKS THEN START TO STICKING TO THE FLOOR AGAIN. THE DATE BELOW REFLECT THE MOST RECENT TIME OR LAST TIME FOR THE CLUTCH FAILURE. 11/11/16
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
FOR YEARS, THERE HAVE BEEN WIDESPREAD DEFECTS IN THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK (ESCL) THAT DISABLED THE PUSH-BUTTON IGNITION IN A WIDE RANGE OF NISSAN AND INFINITI VEHICLES. THE ESCL'S PRIMARY JOB IS TO KEEP THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UNTIL YOU BRING YOUR KEY FOB IN RANGE OF THE VEHICLE. IT'S MEANT TO PREVENT THEFT. HOWEVER, WHEN THE ESCL MALFUNCTIONS (EVEN WITH THE FOB PRESENT AND WORKING) THE ESCL WON'T DETECT IT AND, THEREFORE, WON'T RELEASE THE WHEEL. WHEN YOU PRESS THE START/STOP BUTTON TO START THE CAR, NOTHING HAPPENS. HOWEVER, THE "INTELLIGENT KEY WARNING LIGHT" SYMBOL COMES ON, INDICATING YOU HAVE A PROBLEM. NISSAN HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS ISSUE FO YEARS AND HAS ISSUED A VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN FOR VARIOUS MODELS. HOWEVER, THEY HAVE NOT DONE SO FOR THE 370Z, EVEN THOUGH THIS MODEL IS EXPERIENCING THE EXACT PROBLEM AS THE MODELS INCLUDED IN THE VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN. THIS MALFUNCTION HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH GENERAL "WEAR & TEAR". THIS MALFUNCTION IS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE PART AND POOR ENGINEERING. I AM ASKING NHTSA TO ENCOURAGE NISSAN TO CONDUCT A VOLUNTARY OR MANDATORY RECALL TO ADDRESS AND CORRECT THIS ISSUE AT NO COST TO VEHICLE OWNERS.
STEERING WHEEL LOCK SENSOR BROKE, FAILED IN LOCK POSITION, HAPPENS TO MOST EVERY NISSAN FOB KEY SYSTEM AT 1 TIME OR ANOTHER. THE DEALER CHARGED ME $1100.00 TO FIX AND IT TOOK THEM LESS THAN 2 HOURS. THIS IS A SCAM BY NISSAN AND THE INTERNET IS FULL OF PEOPLE COMPALINING ABOUT THIS ISSUE. IT LEFT ME STRANDED AND I HAD TO BE TOWED. PLEASE MAKE NISSAN START A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. WHEN THE STEERING LOCK FAILS IT WILL NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO START.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
FOR YEARS, THERE HAVE BEEN WIDESPREAD DEFECTS IN THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK (ESCL) THAT DISABLED THE PUSH-BUTTON IGNITION IN A WIDE RANGE OF NISSAN AND INFINITI VEHICLES. THE ESCL'S PRIMARY JOB IS TO KEEP THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UNTIL YOU BRING YOUR KEY FOB IN RANGE OF THE VEHICLE. IT'S MEANT TO PREVENT THEFT. HOWEVER, WHEN THE ESCL MALFUNCTIONS (EVEN WITH THE FOB PRESENT AND WORKING) THE ESCL WON'T DETECT IT AND, THEREFORE, WON'T RELEASE THE WHEEL. WHEN YOU PRESS THE START/STOP BUTTON TO START THE CAR, NOTHING HAPPENS. HOWEVER, THE "INTELLIGENT KEY WARNING LIGHT" SYMBOL COMES ON, INDICATING YOU HAVE A PROBLEM. NISSAN HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS ISSUE FO YEARS AND HAS ISSUED A VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN FOR VARIOUS MODELS. HOWEVER, THEY HAVE NOT DONE SO FOR THE 370Z, EVEN THOUGH THIS MODEL IS EXPERIENCING THE EXACT PROBLEM AS THE MODELS INCLUDED IN THE VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN. THIS MALFUNCTION HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH GENERAL "WEAR & TEAR". THIS MALFUNCTION IS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE PART AND POOR ENGINEERING. I AM ASKING NHTSA TO ENCOURAGE NISSAN TO CONDUCT A VOLUNTARY OR MANDATORY RECALL TO ADDRESS AND CORRECT THIS ISSUE AT NO COST TO VEHICLE OWNERS.
STEERING WHEEL LOCK SENSOR BROKE, FAILED IN LOCK POSITION, HAPPENS TO MOST EVERY NISSAN FOB KEY SYSTEM AT 1 TIME OR ANOTHER. THE DEALER CHARGED ME $1100.00 TO FIX AND IT TOOK THEM LESS THAN 2 HOURS. THIS IS A SCAM BY NISSAN AND THE INTERNET IS FULL OF PEOPLE COMPALINING ABOUT THIS ISSUE. IT LEFT ME STRANDED AND I HAD TO BE TOWED. PLEASE MAKE NISSAN START A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. WHEN THE STEERING LOCK FAILS IT WILL NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO START.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
BRAKES AND STEERING WHEEL STUCK DUE TO STEERING LOCK FAILURE. KNOWN PROBLEM FOR 2009 TO EARLY 2011 NISSAN 370Z. TOTAL VALUE $1029.85. CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR A FACTORY FAULT. *TR
ON OCTOBER 19, 2012, WHILE DRIVING AND BEGINNING TO STOP, MY BRAKE LIGHT AND MY ABS LIGHT CAME ON. MY BRAKE LIGHT WOULD GO OFF; HOWEVER, THE ABS/TRACTION LIGHT REMAINED ON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT ON OCTOBER 20, 2012 AND WAS TOLD THAT THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER WAS LEAKING AND THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ON THE PART AND THEY WOULD FIX IT, BUT DID NOT KNOW WHEN THEY WOULD GET THE PART AND AS OF OCTOBER 29, 2012, I HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED BY THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE PART. I AM VERY WORRIED AS I WAS READING ABOUT THE PART AND IT THE INFORMATION OBTAINED STATED THAT ""BRAKE FLUID MAY LEAK FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER," SAID NHTSA IN ITS RECALL SUMMARY OF THE 2009 SENTRA. "IF THE AMOUNT OF BRAKE FLUID IN THE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR DECREASES TO BELOW THE MINIMUM LEVEL, THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR WILL ILLUMINATE AS DESIGNED, AND THE BRAKES WILL NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. IF THE WARNING LAMP IS CONTINUOUSLY IGNORED, ONE OF THE BRAKE CIRCUITS ON THE VEHICLE MAY FAIL, INCREASING STOPPING DISTANCE AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH." NISSAN HAS YET TO FIX THIS PART AND I BELIEVE AT THIS TIME ARE BEING NEGLIGENT AS FURTHER READING ABOUT THE SITUATION SAID THAT THE BACK BRAKES WILL ALSO START TO WEAR DUE TO CONSTANT PRESSURE BEING PUT ON THEM TO STOP THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THIS MALFUNCTION AND I BELIEVE THAT NISSAN AT THIS TIME SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING MY BACK AND FRONT BRAKES SINCE THEY HAVE BEEN NEGLIGENT IN RESPONDING TO THE ISSUE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
HAD TO GO GET EMERGENCY COUGH MEDICATION FOR SPOUSE AT 2:30AM. AFTER LEAVING WALGREEN, WAS UNABLE TO START MY CAR. THE KEY FOB HAS ENOUGH BATTERY POWER BUT THE ENGINE IGNITION STAYED ON "LOCK" AND COULD NOT DETECT KEY FOB. AFTER TRYING TO AN HOUR TO "GOOGLE" AND "YOUTUBE" AND TRIED EVERYTHING I COULD FIND TO FIX THE ISSUE BUT WITH NO LUCK. HAD TO CONTACT SPOUSE TO PICK ME UP AT 3:00AM. TOWED TO A MECHANIC BECAUSE AFTER CONTACTING 3 DIFFERENT NISSAN DEALERS AND CALLING THE NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS, LEARNED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THIS CASE. HOWEVER, BEEN READING PLENTY OF FORUM ON THE SAME THING FOR OTHER NISSAN 370ZS ON THIS VERY SAME INCIDENT. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE STEERING MODULE WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND REPLACED THE UNIT AFTER $1,431.46. + $28 TOWING FEE. I WAS FORTUNATE THAT I WAS IN A SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD ALTHOUGH IT WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. BUT I FEEL THAT THIS STEERING LOCK MALFUNCTION IS TOO COMMON TO NISSAN DEALERS AND THEIR CONSUMER AFFAIRS TO NOT LOOK IN TO. MILEAGE ON VEHICLE IS 33,387.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATOR OR THE FUEL LEVEL SENDER MALFUNCTIONED. AFTER FILLING UP THE TANK CLEARLY ALMOST TO THE TOP, THE FUEL GAUGE SHOWED MISINFORMATION WHICH THE TANK WAS NOT FULL. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS LEFT STRANDED IN A PARKING LOT AFTER MY SECURITY STEERING LOCK MECHANISM LOCKED THE CAR AND WOULD NOT ALLOW IT TO TURN ON OR EVEN TO ACC MODE. SINCE THE CAR LOCKED UP, I HAVE TWO LIGHTS ON MY DASH THAT WILL NOT TURN OFF. I WAS STRANDED FOR HOURS AND COULD NOT GET AN AVAILABLE TOW TRUCK TO PICK MY CAR UP. AFTER SEVERAL HOURS, I WAS ABLE TO GET A FAMILY MEMBER TO DRIVE A LONG WAYS TO COME GET ME. MY CAR IS STILL IN THE PARKING LOT AND WAITING TO GET A TOW TRUCK TO PICK IT UP! ONLY ISSUE WITH THE TOW, MY CAR WON'T EVEN ALLOW THE SHIFTER TO MOVE INTO NEUTRAL! THE TOW COMPANY SAID THEY CAN'T PROMISE THE CAR CAN EVEN BE TOWED IF THEY CAN'T SAFELY STEER IT ONTO THE FLAT BAD TRUCK!
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .