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!
2011 Nissan 370Z steering problems
22 complaints (55% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 39,000.
- owner complaints
- 22
- of this car's complaints
- 55%
- typical mileage
- 39,000
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Nissan 370Z steering problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2011 Nissan 370Z steering
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
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!!
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.
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
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 nissan 370z. The contact stated that the vehicle was unable to start due to the steering wheel being locked.the contact was unable to turn the key in the ignition. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed with a lock steering malfunction. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 45,000. The VIN was not available. Updated 02/16/17
Car would not start. Faulty steering lock assembly. Had to be towed.
Questions about the 2011 Nissan 370Z steering
Does the 2011 Nissan 370Z have steering problems?
Owners have filed 22 complaints about the steering of the 2011 Nissan 370Z, 55% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2011 Nissan 370Z steering problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 39,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2011 Nissan 370Z steering?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
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).
Other 2011 Nissan 370Z problems
Transmission 14Electrical 12Engine 5Brakes 2Driver assistance 1Fuel system 1Wheels 1
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