2010 Nissan 370Z: steering wheel locks up

Filed May 24, 2025 · Steering · TX

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.

Filed Dec 9, 2021 · Steering · CA

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

Filed Feb 25, 2020 · Electrical · 38,000 miles · SC

Tl* the contact owns 2010 nissan 370z. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start when attempted. The intelligent key system warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to grainger nissan of anderson located at (3510 clemson blvd, anderson, sc 29621) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the electronic steering lock needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.

Filed Feb 12, 2019 · Electrical, Steering · 19,800 miles · LA

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.

Filed Jan 7, 2019 · Steering · 70,000 miles · VA

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.

Filed Mar 8, 2018 · Steering · 67,000 miles · IL

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.

Filed Mar 1, 2018 · Steering · 150,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Feb 11, 2018 · Electrical · 40,000 miles · FL

Steering lock unit failed. Had a key emblem the night before, thought it was maybe a fob battery issue. Next morning vehicle would not start or go into accessory position. Researched and found the common steering lock unit issue. Had it towed to dealership, and sure enough the unit had failed. Replaced part out of pocket, as the issue was covered for 2009 and first half 2010 cars with similar issues. Mine is a second half 2010 so no coverage.

Filed Dec 27, 2017 · Electrical, Steering · 36,989 miles · CA

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).

Filed Dec 29, 2016 · Electrical, Engine · 47,984 miles · CA

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.

Filed Dec 15, 2016 · Steering · MS

My 2010 nissan 370z steering wheel locked up twice in one week.

Filed Oct 13, 2016 · Steering · 40,162 miles · FL

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, the federal safety agency 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.