Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Nissan 370Z owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 NHTSA Hotline for assistance. …
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. …
Service campaign bulletin no. Ntb13-014 was issued on 3/7/2013. My car experienced the problem described in the recall notice and the Nissan dealer replaced the defective part on 12/2/2013 at no charge. In November, 2017, my car experienced the exact same problem. It was repaired at the same Nissan dealer, performing the replacement of the exact same part, on 11/17/2017 at a cost to me of $1,153.40. Nissan has refused to cover the replaced (defective) part stating: 1) they complied with the recall campaign by replacing the initial failed part with a second (defective) part, and 2) the second (defective) part was beyond its 12 month warranty. In both cases, the defective part disabled the vehicle from starting, thus creating the need to have it towed to the dealer. …
My vehicle is equipped with an electronic steering column lock (escl) that locks the steering wheel when the vehicle is parked and turned off to help prevent theft. On some vehicles, due to a manufacturing irregularity,the escl May malfunction after the vehicle has been locked and could prevent the engine from starting. This condition, should it occur, will only occur when attempting to start the vehicle, which happened with my Nissan 370z yesterday. Thank god I wasn;t stranded in the middle of nowhere. And luckily this did not happen in the middle of an intersection or other busy road. I have read that Nissan has already recalled this part for their 2009-10 Nissan altima, altima coupe, altima hybrid, and maxima vehicles but have not read about including their 2009-10 Nissan 370z models. …
Steering lock solenoid failed at 38120 miles (2120 miles outside electrical warranty) yellow "key" warning light on dash only illuminated the morning off failure. Went to leave work car would not start due to steering lock solenoid failure. Had to have vehicle flat bedded to dealership at the cost of $121.10. Thank god this didn't fail while driving. This is a well know issue within the online forums / community. I'm currently requesting a full reimbursement from Nissan motor corp for the repair cost of $887.37 plus the tow bill. I have recently returned to the online forums and have read over 25 pages of failures with the Nissan 370z. I also heard of this issue on Nissan gtr and maxima vehicles.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Nissan 370z. The contact stated that the dealer indicated that they repaired the vehicle for a manufacturer's recall on the steering column lock system on July 19, 2013. On January 13, 2016, the contact stated that the steering wheel was tight, seized, and was unable to be turned. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnostic testing to determine the cause of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 59,000.
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.
Car wouldnt start had to get it towed , known problem of the steering wheel mechanism lock has to be replaced . Nissan is paying for altimas and maximas to get replaced but not 370z that has the same problem. Over $1200 to repair for a known defect
The story goes like this http://www.the370z.com/Nissan-370z-general-discussions/48434-z-looked-awesome-tow-truck-sarcastic.html. Http://www.the370z.com/Nissan-370z-general-discussions/48442-those-you-who-have-had-steering-lock-failure.html my story with my car is I had the key light come on about a month ago started researching found the forum and saw it was a common issue with my year so I sent a email to Nissan who basically gave me the run around saying we never have heard of it ... So I went to the dealer had my remote key batteries replaced after they said that they would have to keep it for 3 days to do test ... …
There is a known issue / problem with 2009 and early 2010 Nissan 370z's. The problem is related to the steering wheel lock mechanism, which prevents the car from being turned on in any form (power or engine) because the mechanism fails mechanically and prevents an electrical response from being sent. It is not an issue that would affect safety while driving, but it is absolutely a safety issue because it can and will cause consumers to be stranded without warning. Nissan is refusing to take responsibility for this issue and consumers need a voice for a known faulty part which hundreds are experiencing! The simple fact is that because this vehicle is not a widely purchased, popular model, this issue has been ignored by Nissan and the powers that be in the government that make recalls happen. …
Steering complaints in other 370Z years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2009 Nissan 370Z?
NHTSA has 88 complaints about the steering of the 2009 Nissan 370Z, 58% of the model year's 153 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2009 Nissan 370Z steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2009 Nissan 370Z. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2009 Nissan 370Z steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 39,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.