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!
Nissan 370Z won't start problems
91 of the 361 owner complaints about the Nissan 370Z describe won't start, most of them for the 2009 model year.
- owner complaints
- 91
- worst model year
- 2009
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,173
- typical mileage
- 38,120
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.
By model year
Often reported together
Trouble codes mentioned
P0309 1
What owners say
I purchased my first nissan, a 2009 370z, in 2018. I went to start my car and it would not start, after reading various forums on the internet I found the issue with the 370z is well documented to the escl (electronic steering column lock) issue. There is no warning to this occurring; I drove my car to the store and then home, an hour later went to start to the car and it would not start. The only lead I had was the intelligent key warning light, that when referenced in the owner's manual states this will lock the steering column and prevent the car from starting. This is usually triggered from an unregistered key but my keys were registered and had worked with the car from the time I bought it. The car has had this module changed out for parts are dated, and the current module is dated from 2012, after the car was released in 2009. I am not faced with replacing this part to get my 370z to start, I have to have the car towed to the nissan shop and was told it will be about $1100 to fix. It is well documented that the escl that nissan uses is malfunctioning. The internet is full of stories of people stranded. Nissan claims to have fixed this issue but clearly they have not. Currently nissan is recalling the 2009 altima due to a defective escl and repair them for free. However, if you had bought a 2009 370z, the same year as the altima, you must pay for the defect. The escl that has to be installed is part # 48700-9n00b, which is the sixth (6) part number for the escl.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 nissan 370z. The contact stated that the electronic locks were not working and the vehicle would not start from a cold start. Sterling mccall nissan (12230 southwest fwy, stafford, tx 77477) was contacted and stated that there were no recalls. The dealer attempted to schedule an appointment, but the contact refused. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 20,000.
370z yr 2010. I am contacting you first before contacting your ceo. I recently decided to purchase another nissan. Planned to trade in above car when out of blue the steering mechanism locked up...fob does not start car . I have replaced the car battery, battery on fob. I have read that you have recalled your 370z 2009/and 2010 on multiple websites. . When I put the VIN number is it says 0 recalls on your website. I have spent hours trying all the different recommendations suggested by nissan, friends, utube to start this car nothing works. I have researched and found this is a common problem with a zero recall on my VIN. So your company does not stand behind your product with a problem that clearly should be recalled. How many people have to be injured for this defect before you do the right thing....
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 nissan 370z. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start because the electronic steering column lock failed. The vehicle was taken to north bay nissan (1250 auto center dr, petaluma, ca 94952, (707) 769-7700) and was currently being repaired. The manufacturer stated that there was no recall on the vehicle; therefore, the contact would be responsible for the repair cost. The failure mileage was 77,000.
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.
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.
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.
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!!
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Nissan 370Z won't start
Which Nissan 370Z years have won't start problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2009 (40 complaints), 2010 (40 complaints) and 2011 (11 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix won't start on the Nissan 370Z?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,173 (median of 34 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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