Steering lock module failure. Same issue as in 2016 (the federal safety agency 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!
The worst 2011 Nissan 370Z problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Steering22
- Transmission14
- Electrical12
- Engine5
- Brakes2
- Driver assistance1
- Fuel system1
- Wheels1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2011 Nissan 370Z
Recalls 1
Visibility: power window devices and controls
- What is wrong
- Nissan is recalling certain model year 2011 and 2012 infiniti g37 coupe vehicles and certain model year 2011 nissan 370z vehicles manufactured from july 2, 2011, through august 29, 2011. Due to a programming error, the power window switch controller in the subject vehicles was manufactured out of specification.
- Risk
- The threshold for auto reverse activation is higher than the nissan specification. Should a body part become trapped by a closing window, a pinch injury may result.
- Remedy
- Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power window switches with new ones free of charge. The safety recall began on december 5, 2011. Owners may contact nissan at 1800-647-7261 or infiniti at 1‑800‑662‑6200.
Recall number 11V538000 · Recall details
See all 1 recalls for the 2011 Nissan 370Z
Defect investigations
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
EA21002
Technical service bulletins for the 2011 Nissan 370Z 126
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Wiring harness repair information
- Certification label and VIN plate replacement service information
- CAN communication codes – diagnostic tips and guidelines
- CAN communication – network diagnostic flow chart
- Vehicle key not detected / authenticated, engine will not start
- Windshield cracking
- Removing foreign material from the window glass
- Window glass warranty information
- Diagnosis of vehicle pull (DRIFT) and/or steering wheel off-center
- Convertible top parts service information
2011 Nissan 370Z fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.7L 6‑cyl | RWD | 18-19 | 25-26 | 20-22 |
What 2011 Nissan 370Z owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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
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 the federal safety agency to encourage nissan to conduct a voluntary or mandatory recall to address and correct this issue at no cost to vehicle owners.
When my car had 22,000 miles it wouldn't start because my steering wheel locked up. I was home when this happened. Had to tow it to nissan dealership. It just happened to me again at 55,000 miles. I was about to leave work. Had to tow it back again. Not fair to pay 1,200!!
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 car would not start. I was stranded and had to have it towed to the dealership. They had to replace the steering lock unit stating that it was "bad". The same thing is noted on a recall issued for 2009 and 2010 nissan 370 z, but no recall for the 2011 even though t is the same part.
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.
Parked car in morning. Car would not start at night. Yellow indicator on dash. Problem was known issue with the steering lock anti-theft device. Prior model years recalled, only 2011 was not covered under recall. Car had to be towed. Over $1200 repair at dealership. Part was $775.
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!
Steering lock failure from what I understand nissan recalled this part for model years 2009-2010 however I have a 2011 model and it has failed at just under 28k miles. I cant start my car, the steering lock acts as a security feature (anti theft) and it has failed on my car and numerous other vehicles. I simply parked my car and when I returned I was unable to start it. I had to have it towed to a nissan dealership which has quoted me 1060.00 to replace that part with what I'm afraid is just going to fail again. How I'm not protected under the pervious recall or any other warranty is beyond me. What can I do to protect myself. Why was I sold a car with a part they know is bad. Prior to purchasing my vehicle I was under the impression I was buying a model year that did not suffer these symptoms (notably because I researched this issue prior). Please advise. Thanks, dane
Compare the 2011 Nissan 370Z
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Questions about the 2011 Nissan 370Z
Is the 2011 Nissan 370Z reliable?
Owners have filed 40 complaints about the 2011 Nissan 370Z, 4.0 times a typical 370Z model year.
What is the 2011 Nissan 370Z year score?
The 2011 Nissan 370Z scores 25 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the Nissan 370Z: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2011 Nissan 370Z?
Steering, with 22 complaints, typically around 39,000 miles. Next is transmission (14).
How many recalls does the 2011 Nissan 370Z have?
1 recall, covering visibility.
What year does the Nissan 370Z have bad steering?
The Nissan 370Z model years with the most steering complaints are 2009 (88 complaints), 2010 (62 complaints) and 2011 (22 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2011 Nissan 370Z get?
Official estimates for the 2011 Nissan 370Z range from 20 to 22 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.7L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 18-19 city and 25-26 highway.
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