Drove to the grocery store and parked. Upon return to car it would not start. Windows and locks worked but that was it. The yellow key light stayed on and the car was dead in the water. Called nissan and they said to check the battery and if that was not it the car would need to be towed. Seriously who would design something that you could not override to at least get to the dealership. Got the car towed and later the dealership phoned to say it was the steering wheel column lock and it would cost $1000 to fix. The dealer said they had another car in their service for the same thing on that same day!!! I did some research and it appears that this is a common problem on 2009 nissan vehicles not just the 370z. I also read that nissan no longer uses this part in 2012 vehicles because of all the problems that have occurred. I think nissan needs to step up and take responsibility for this part that is defectively manufactured. What if someone had injured themselves and needed to get medical attention but the car would not start. What if you were in a dangerous situation and could not start your car to get away. Nissan claims it is not a safety issue but I beg to differ. Please, please, please, help us get nissan to take responsibility for this and pay for repairs and reimburse those who already paid for this nonsense.
2009 Nissan 370Z steering complaints
Page 3 of 4: complaints 41 to 70 of 88, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 nissan 370z. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start and he was unable to unlock the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the steering wheel lock was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any immediate assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 52,000.
The vehicle in question, failed to start after a routine stop. A faulty steering lock control unit (slcu)resulting in the steering wheel failing to disengage from the locked position thus preventing the push button ignition system from starting the engine. The vehicle was able to be put in neutral, but only after accessing a compartmented shift lock switch. Unfortunately, with the steering wheel being locked, the vehicle could only be pushed forward or back and not turned. This proved to be a problem as the tow truck driver was forced to "drag" the vehicle to a better position in order to be loaded onto the flat bed. The dealership confirmed that the slcu was the single point of failure and acknowledged that this was a known issue in the 2009 and 2010 model years. Nissan failed to cover the repair costs because of the age of the vehicle, despise having under 20k miles.
I have a 2009 nissan 370z that after 3 days sitting in my garage wouldn't start without warning because the steering wheel lock failed. I was lucky that the issue didn't happen while I was out of town. The car had absolutely no power and had to be towed to the nissan dealership. The bill to have it fixed was $1051.01 with labor. I have a case open with nissan to try to get it covered since this part is out of warranty.
This is a very common problem found in 2009 and 2010 nissan 370z vehicles. The steering locking unit fails at a premature rate and the car will suddenly not start without warning. This happened to me in a valet parking structure without any warning or indication. Many, many individuals are being cheated without a recall on this highly defective unit. The dealership is looking to charge $1,200 for a replacement. Nissan has already ordered a recall for their nissan gtr's for the same exact issue, but for some reason refuse to acknowledge the same problem of the same part with their 370z line. Please the federal safety agency, listen to the hundreds of individuals with the same problem and order a recall and reimbursement for the 370z steering locking unit failures. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
I parked the car in the lot and lock it. When I came back to drive away at 2:00 am where is nobody around I couldn't start the car and I had key warning indicator flashing on the dashboard. I found out later that is my steering wheel lock module failed like another couple of hundreds other 370z. Nissan need to recall it.
Steering wheel lock failed thank god while im in the driveway not on the road.. Nissan said its common and will happen again.. Cost 1200 dollars not including labor... This is insane.. I just bought this car now im wasting alot of money..
Steering lock unit failed. Car would not start. Did not acknowledge that key was in the car. With the slu not working, steering wheel can turn but car won't start.
My vehicle would not start after normal usage. Had car towed to dealership and the steering wheel lock mechanism was shorted out. Cost around 1,200 to repair. After search, found out that this is a very common problem with this vehicle.
I drove my car to work and everything was running fine, as I stopped at a store to grab something and came back out my car no longer worked. The system would no longer recognize the intelligent key, and the push start button was in the "lock" mode. After researching this I found out that this is a common issue in the 2009-2010 z models. The same issue found in nissan gt-r models, the steering wheel lock malfunctions and is therefore enable to recognize the intelligent key due to the steering column being locked. Nissan should definitely take responsibility for the faulty equipment as this leaves cars and owners stranded. For a relatively new car this should not be happening esp. Under 36,000 miles. The majority of the complaints have not even surpassed the powertrain warranty. The government should show concern for consumers as well as nissan!
The steering lock mechanism part #48700-jf00a on 09 and 10 models fails after a while due to poor quality. This results in the steering column being unable to unlock and therefore disabling the car from being started. This can leave anyone stranded and needing the car towed. In my case the car is stuck in my garage because I am unable to start it due to this faulty part. This needs to be recalled because the part will fail its just a matter of when.
There is a known issue / problem with 2009 and early 2010 nissan 370z's. The problem is related to the steering wheel lock mechanism, which prevents the car from being turned on in any form (power or engine) because the mechanism fails mechanically and prevents an electrical response from being sent. It is not an issue that would affect safety while driving, but it is absolutely a safety issue because it can and will cause consumers to be stranded without warning. Nissan is refusing to take responsibility for this issue and consumers need a voice for a known faulty part which hundreds are experiencing! The simple fact is that because this vehicle is not a widely purchased, popular model, this issue has been ignored by nissan and the powers that be in the government that make recalls happen. More information from frustrated consumers may be seen at the following locations: http://www.the370z.com/diy-section-do-yourself/53437-steering-lock-cut-one-wire-switch-optional-18.html http://www.the370z.com/diy-section-do-yourself/47181-diy-replace-dreaded-steering-lock-2009s-early-2010s-30.html http://www.the370z.com/nissan-370z-general-discussions/48434-z-looked-awesome-tow-truck-sarcastic-6.html my vehicle should not have mechanical issues with any part with less than 18,000 miles on it. Ridiculous!
Drove 370z to work with no problem. Attempted to leave for appointment later in the day and car will not start. The car will do nothing, no power, no radio, can't roll the windows up, etc. The wheel lock system has malfunctioned. Apparently, this is a common problem.
Steering wheel lock failure (intelligent key system warning). Was at a gas station and car would not start. "yellow" key light showed up but car would not start at all. Had to have car towed to dealership. After research, I have discovered that this part has failed on many nissan models with this type of electronic steering wheel lock. This needs to be recalled and anyone who has paid to have it replaced needs to be reimbursed. A class action lawsuit needs to be filed because nissan refuses to accept that it is a faulty part. Total cost to replace: $1084.
Steering wheel /ignition system electronics switch failure ,causing vehicle and all electric accessory systems on vehicle to not function.
2009 nissan 370z worked perfectly then wouldn't start. Found many other incidents of the same problem. The issue is a broken steering wheel lock which won't unlock. Although the same part is known to have issues in many nissan cars, there is no recall so owner pays for an expensive part and labor.
The steering lock would not engage after turning off or locking the car. If the steering wheel lock does not work then the car will not start leaving me stranded.
Car will not start. Seems to be a very common problemwith 09 370z's. Steering lock mechanism.
In the 2009 and 2010 model years of this car (and other nissan vehicles), the steering wheel lock assembly is known to randomly fail, leaving the car unable to start. There is no recall or tsb for this as of yet, and it has affected several nissan vehicles including the gtr. Revisions a and b of the steering wheel lock assembly are well known to fail, and revision c is also known to fail however there are fewer occurrences. This has left me stranded and unable to get to work, and nissan will straight up refuse to fix the problem for less than $1000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 nissan 370z. The contact stated that he went to start the vehicle but the steering wheel lock malfunctioned. The contact stated that he could not unlock the steering wheel to start the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection and they stated that the steering wheel lock needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and stated that they would look into the matter and get back to him. The failure mileage was 23,000.
Car will not start, had to be towed to nissan, my 2009 370z had a electric steering lock problem. Part with labor will be around $1000. There have been several complaints on this same issue and should have been recalled by now!! Will be looking further into this problem nissan should be at fault 100%.
Parked my car at the store came pushed the start nothing. Changed the battery on the intelligent tried to start wouldn't start inserted the key into key slot nothing happened.
Attempted to start vehicle. Keyless entry system not working. Vehicle would not start. Had car flat bed towed to nissan. They said that it was the steering lock. There have been multiple complaints from consumers who own 2009-early 2010 nissan 370z. This part should be recalled by nissan since it prevents starting the car, thereby leaving you stranded. Nissan had a recall on the gtr's but not the 370z. This is what happens when you try to start the car. Without warning, the electric lock fails to unlock, sending error message to the bcm. The car will not start in this case and will flash the intelligent key warning in the cluster. Nissan is well aware of the faulty locks they installed and choose to ignore it. They stopped using these locks ( revb, revc etc) on the 2012 z's entirely.
Car will not start, had to be towed to nissan, my 2009 370z had a electric steering lock problem. Part with labor will be around $1000. There have been several complaints on this same issue and should have been recalled by now!! Will be looking further into this problem nissan should be at fault 100%.
On 11/22/2012 I attempted to start my vehicle and it would not start, or go into accesory mode. The car was towed to the dealership and determined to be caused by a faulty steering lock actuator. The car has under 19.000 miles.
The steering lock assembly went out, which causes the car to not start at all. It leaves you stranded. Reading through forums and talking to other 370z owners this is a common problem that needs to be recalled. You cant start your car or even turn it to accessory, which means if you break down away from home you cant even charge your phone to be able to call for help. The part is quite expensive and there are ways to disable it. I feel that if this issue is happening with so many of these cars it needs to be replaced free of cost.
Car was parked at a local coffee shop. Suddenly the steering lock, part of the starting system went haywire and disabled the car completely. Now the car can't be turned on even though the key is in the car and the battery is full. I believe the federal safety agency needs to be made aware of this issue as it is a safety concern since every 370z is at risk of this problem, leaving all potential owners stranded. I believe nissan is aware of this problem as the nissan gt-r had a campaign to replace the very same part. It is called a steering lock.
Steering lock failure part # 48700jf00d.
2009 base, 7at. Yellow intelligent key warning light appeared after getting gas about a week prior to incident. Car still started though and the light went away and came back a few times over the course of said week, prior to incident. After researching online, it came to my attention there is a faulty steering lock mechanism that is affecting many owners of the 2009 370z, causing it to fail, leaving the car unable to start. There has been a recall for a similar problem with the gtr. After parking in a local shopping center my car died yesterday (sunday). Yellow intelligent key light appeared while car was parked. Unable to start the car. Had to have it towed to the dealer first thing this morning (monday). As it stands, I'm still waiting to hear the diagnosis from the dealer and it's monday night. I really hope nissan corp. Addresses this ongoing issue that seems to be affecting many (if not all) owners of 09-10 370z's.
After work, tried starting my 370z and it would not start, leaving me stranded. Tried other key fob, same issue. Had car towed to the nissan dealer who identified the issue as steering lock failure: $750 part +$50 overnight + $100 labor + tax = $960 total cost. Nissan has replaced the part on the 2009 gt-r but apparently is doing nothing for the z owners with same issue. Nissan will not cover the part since I am 18000 miles over warranty, yet many owners have had same failure/repair as evidenced by the forums online. I contacted nissan consumer affairs at 1800nissan1 and have started a "case" but do not expect resolution. They agreed to reimburse for a rental car up to 2 days $70 max. Meanwhile they will send a rep to review my car's diagnosis prior to instructing the dealer to complete repairs within the next 2 days. I find it interesting perusing all the other reported incidents on your site, there are quite a few reported in the month of october, 2012. There needs to be an official recall of this faulty expensive part in the 370z.
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