Nissan 370Z steering lock-up problems

Filed Dec 15, 2025 · Steering · 176,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2009 Nissan 370Z. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the steering wheel locked up, and the contact was unable to start the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the residence, where a mobile mechanic diagnosed the vehicle with steering module failure. The contact called the dealer to schedule an appointment, and the dealer informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under Nissan Voluntary Service Campaign Number: P3208; free of charge, because the vehicle had already been previously repaired under the Voluntary Service Campaign. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact the vehicle history did not display the completion of Nissan Voluntary Service Campaign Number: P3208, and the contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 176,000.

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 Apr 4, 2023 · Steering · GA

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!

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 Jan 29, 2020 · Steering · 36,700 miles · FL

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

Filed May 2, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 51,000 miles · MI

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.

Filed Mar 4, 2019 · Steering · 129,200 miles · TX

I got into my stationary vehicle and when I push the start button it remained in the lock position. The steering lock sensor light was on and it won't change into the acc or on position. This is the second time it has happened to me, first time the dealership had to fix it.

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.