2009 Nissan 370Z: won't start

Filed Apr 1, 2020 · Electrical, Steering · 82,458 miles · UT

I purchased my first nissan, a 2009 370z, in 2018. I went to start my car and it would not start, after reading various forums on the internet I found the issue with the 370z is well documented to the escl (electronic steering column lock) issue. There is no warning to this occurring; I drove my car to the store and then home, an hour later went to start to the car and it would not start. The only lead I had was the intelligent key warning light, that when referenced in the owner's manual states this will lock the steering column and prevent the car from starting. This is usually triggered from an unregistered key but my keys were registered and had worked with the car from the time I bought it. The car has had this module changed out for parts are dated, and the current module is dated from 2012, after the car was released in 2009. I am not faced with replacing this part to get my 370z to start, I have to have the car towed to the nissan shop and was told it will be about $1100 to fix. It is well documented that the escl that nissan uses is malfunctioning. The internet is full of stories of people stranded. Nissan claims to have fixed this issue but clearly they have not. Currently nissan is recalling the 2009 altima due to a defective escl and repair them for free. However, if you had bought a 2009 370z, the same year as the altima, you must pay for the defect. The escl that has to be installed is part # 48700-9n00b, which is the sixth (6) part number for the escl.

Filed Sep 8, 2017 · Steering · 45,000 miles · NC

Car wouldnt start had to get it towed , known problem of the steering wheel mechanism lock has to be replaced . Nissan is paying for altimas and maximas to get replaced but not 370z that has the same problem. Over $1200 to repair for a known defect

Filed Aug 15, 2017 · 69,004 miles · OK

My push button start does not start the car. It goes to aac and the ignition but the car just sites there. It will not turn the engine. I was stranded one time and had to get towed home.

Filed Oct 6, 2016 · Electrical · 35,000 miles · CO

Trying to start my 2009 370z approx 35k miles, I have to push the start button 2-7 times to get the car to start. Checked clutch switch position, it is okay. Occasionally it will start on the first time pushing the start button. Get in car, depress clutch when light comes on, push start button, on lights, no start , push again access light on, nothing, again off light, push again, and so on until starts. Dealer had no answers. Replaced battery in both keys, no difference. Has been an issue a couple times after stalling in traffic.

Filed Jul 17, 2015 · Electrical · 58,000 miles · GA

My 370z will start up fine sometimes but most times I have to it the start button 7-10 times before it cranks. When I push the button all lights on dash come and it makes clicking sounds but just won't start the vehicle. I had my steering lock mechanism replaced 6 months ago because there was a recall but the problem still persist. I have taken it to the dealership but no one can give me a solid answer.

Filed Jan 25, 2015 · Electrical, Steering · 38,120 miles · NY

Steering lock solenoid failed at 38120 miles (2120 miles outside electrical warranty) yellow "key" warning light on dash only illuminated the morning off failure. Went to leave work car would not start due to steering lock solenoid failure. Had to have vehicle flat bedded to dealership at the cost of $121.10. Thank god this didn't fail while driving. This is a well know issue within the online forums / community. I'm currently requesting a full reimbursement from nissan motor corp for the repair cost of $887.37 plus the tow bill. I have recently returned to the online forums and have read over 25 pages of failures with the nissan 370z. I also heard of this issue on nissan gtr and maxima vehicles.

Filed Feb 15, 2013 · Electrical, Steering · 31,000 miles · CA

Car won't start. Steering locking mechanism failed.

Filed Feb 6, 2013 · Electrical, Fuel system · 22,114 miles · CA

Attempted to start car using the push button. The car wouldn't start. Had aaa come out to test the battery. The battery was good. I towed to the dealership. They said it had a steering lock failure which cost $1100 to repair. It took a day to order the part. The mileage was 22,114. The service tech said he saw a lot of altimas come in with this problem.

Filed Feb 6, 2013 · Electrical, Steering · 22,114 miles · CA

Attempted to start car using the push button. The car wouldn't start. Had aaa come out to test the battery. The battery was good. I towed to the dealership. They said it had a steering lock failure which cost $1100 to repair. It took a day to order the part. The mileage was 22,114.

Filed Jan 25, 2013 · Electrical, Steering · 29,000 miles · LA

After I drove car for 5 minutes, I parked the car for 40 minutes. When I tried to start the car, nothing happened. The car has a push button start and when I pressed it, nothing happened. No sound, no starter noise. Nothing. I tried putting the key in the dash. Still nothing. I got the car towed to the nissan dealer and was told the locking system had failed. $1300 to fix it. I was told that when the system fails, the car will not start. This is an extremely dangerous car. It will leave your stranded anywhere and at any time. Many 350z & 370z owners have complained about this safety issue but nothing has been done to fix it. A recall should be forced on nissan!

Filed Jan 25, 2013 · Electrical, Steering · 45,100 miles · PA

Parked car while getting lunch, tried to restart car afterwards and ignition wouldn't cycle (wont go to acc or on, stays at lock). Indicator light implied keyfob needed to be inserted into the slot. After doing so, still would not start. Replaced keyfob battery, jumped the car; none worked. Eventually had to be towed to local dealer. Steering lock unit was determined to have failed. Unlike most reported failures, this one failed with the steering wheel unlocked (mechanism never engaged), however it would still not start. Parts came in at $719 and labor at $259. Had I been made aware of these costs before the work was done, as I requested in a voicemail left for the dealer, I would never have agreed and would have done it myself. Although this event may not occur while the vehicle is in motion, posing an immediate and apparent safety issue, it did result in being stranded in 10degree winter weather. Fortunately, this occurred in the middle of the day with people in the vicinity to help and a cell phone charged. Had it happened 12hrs later and with a dead cellphone, it would pose a considerable safety issue in sub10 degree weather. This is a well known issue, known by nissan, and seems to have been addressed for the gt-r's under ntb10-025 issued 3/18/10. Yet, for some reason, it has not yet been corrected for the 370z. According to service department at dealership where this work was performed, there were too many instances of this occurrence in their system to begin counting them all when I requested that information for reporting purposes. For others information, exact part number on the sticker of the replaced unit is as follows: 48700 9n00a-b1-01 t 4601101c e08 m01 31.03.09.

Filed Jan 21, 2013 · Electrical, Engine · 78,000 miles · IA

My car will not start due to the well-known yellow key light problem. I had it towed to the shop and I am afraid that the repair bill will be very expensive. Please make a recall for this obvious defect. It is very cold right now and could have been a real danger due to the cold weather.