Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2010 Nissan 370Z owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.... …
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.
On Sunday, October 9, 2016, I attempted to start my 2010 Nissan 370z nismo with the intelligent key to no avail. I immediately checked the voltage on the car battery and disconnected it for 30 min in an attempt to reset the computer. I also changed the battery in the fob, which did not solve the issue. I inserted the intelligent key and was able to get the windows down, but also noticed that the wheel was not locked. I went to various blog sites and learned that this has been an ongoing issue with the 370z and gtr model years 2009-2010. I also checked all the fuses, and none were found to be faulty. I called the dealer and they informed me that there were no recalls on this model for the steering lock mechanism, and that the repair would cost in excess of $1,100.00. This does not include the flatbed fee to tow the vehicle from my home to the dealer. …
I have a Nissan 370 z and up to this point I really enjoyed the car that was until an known issue of the steering lock went out on my car and left me stranded for 16 hours. I called Nissan after I spent $1162.00 to try to get reimbursed. I was initially told I would not reimbursed which after reading online how some people were refused reimbursement initially I kept pursuing a reimbursement. Stephanie from a regional office called and basically tried to low ball me by offering $500 reimbursement. Below is a forum link for the known issue of the steering lock. Other customers were offered a full reimbursement but for some reason I am not. This is after I bought the car brand new and have been a loyal customer ever since. I therefore would like a full reimbursement. I feel that this is only fair. …
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 escl defect. Nissan is aware of this defect on my make and model and refusing to reimburse the towing, part, and labor. Never had a problem until 12/9/2019 when my car left me stranded. I had my car towed to a local mechanic who informed me of the well-known escl problem on my specific make and model. Because there is not a recall on my VIN I'm out roughly $1,200.00. My 2010 Nissan 370z has 60,000 miles, is garaged parked and kept in pristine condition from the inside out. I have records of every oil change, tire replacement, battery replacement, windshield wiper replacement, passing vehicle inspection to include recommended '[redacted]' amount of mile services recommended by Nissan. When I initially contacted Nissan I was informed only a Nissan dealership could diagnose the problem. There for I paid an additional $150 to have my car towed to Nissan. …
Vehicle has keyless system, the only key slot available is in the drivers side door. When I enter the vehicle, normally a light comes on to acknowledge the system recognizes you. On entering this time, a small symbol with the word key on it illuminated and the car would not start or go into the accessory position, nor would the steering column unlock. Also, the brake pedal was very hard. The owner's manual states the key symbol indicates a malfunction in the intellikey system. The vehicle was towed to a Nissan dealership where it was determined the electric steering lock had failed. The cost of repair was near $1200.00 and I was informed that, even though the car was still within warranty for 40,000 miles or for over a year, Nissan was refusing to make these repairs under warranty coverage. …
Defective electronic steering column lock (escl) on 11/11/2017 my 2010 370z would not start in a commercial parking lot, completely disabled. After some quick research, the problem was identified. I cannot believe there is no recall for this issue as there has been for the gt-r, altima and I believe a few other models. I'm afraid that my vehicle May not be covered under those other recalls although the issue is the same. Note that Nissan discontinued this equipment starting in 2012, likely due to its unreliability. I have owned 4 other Nissan vehicles (1989 Nissan pathfinder, 350z, sentra, frontier). This is the first time I'm stuck with a "dead" car that will cost me a lot to get repaired. It is now sitting at my Nissan dealer and waiting to hear from my service advisor. He was quite aware of this issue.
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 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, [phone]) 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.
Steering complaints in other 370Z years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2010 Nissan 370Z?
NHTSA has 62 complaints about the steering of the 2010 Nissan 370Z, 56% of the model year's 110 complaints. The component named most often is column (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2010 Nissan 370Z steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2010 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 2010 Nissan 370Z steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 47,000 miles, and 15% 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.