Most common 2011 Nissan 370Z problems
Share of the 40 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Nissan 370Z complaints by model year
Best 370Z years: 2017, 2014, 2012. Years to avoid: 2009, 2010, 2011. Compare all years →
2011 Nissan 370Z recalls (1)
Visibility › Power window devices and controls
Nissan is recalling certain model year 2011 and 2012 Infiniti g37 coupe vehicles and certain model year 2011 Nissan 370z vehicles manufactured from July 2, 2011, through August 29, 2011. Due to a programming error, the power window switch controller in the subject vehicles was manufactured out of specification.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power window switches with new ones free of charge. The safety recall began on December 5, 2011.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2011 Nissan 370Z:
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
What 2011 Nissan 370Z owners say
Steering all 22 →
Steering lock module failure. Same issue as in 2016 (NHTSA 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!
Yesterday afternoon, after leaving work to my car within the parking lot, my vehicle did not start. I assumed it was due to a low battery within the intelligent key for the push to start ignition, so I replaced the battery at a local wal-mart. Upon returning to the car, I had the same problem. The key was able to lock and unlock the doors to the car, however when I pushed in the clutch and brake per usual followed by the start button, nothing took place. The indicator remained on the 'lock' position and failed to move over to the 'on' position to start the car. No sounds took place at all as if it was even trying to start. As a result, I left the car overnight and had it towed to the local dealership. They informed me a few hours later that my steering lock unit had 'failed'. …
Transmission & drivetrain
Takata recall. I first occurred a problem with the z on my wedding day. My clutch dropped to the floor and we couldn't get the car in gear. We were put in the middle of the mountains with no way to call a tow truck so we did our best to make it to the closest Nissan dealer. On the way we came to a four way red light and couldn't shift to a low enough gear to get to car to slow down, a semi was traveling about 60 MPH right at us, we swerved into the emergency on and the truck to barely missed us. After that my husband found out from a mechanic that he should bleed the clutch so he did and the clutch was normal again. Besides that the car has had only one other occurrence with the clutch. I am petrified to drive my car after that situation but I have no choice considering I spend most of my paycheck just to pay for the one thing that will probably send me to my grave. …
When I entered my car to leave in the morning my clutch pedal had next to no pressure when depressed. The clutch would only disengage with approximately half an inch before reaching the floor. I immediately shut my car off and called the Nissan service center. I was advised to bring my car in. After waiting for traffic to subside I nervously drove my car to the service center without incident. While driving, I noted that the pressure in my clutch pedal was getting worse. Had this started while driving I could have been severely injured, or worse. The Nissan service center determined that the faulty part was the clutch concentric slave cylinder. This part is somehow not covered in my vehicle's power train warranty, even through it is an internal part of the transmission. I am fortunate that this did not happen while I was driving my car, as things could have been much worse. …
Electrical system
Yesterday afternoon, after leaving work to my car within the parking lot, my vehicle did not start. I assumed it was due to a low battery within the intelligent key for the push to start ignition, so I replaced the battery at a local wal-mart. Upon returning to the car, I had the same problem. The key was able to lock and unlock the doors to the car, however when I pushed in the clutch and brake per usual followed by the start button, nothing took place. The indicator remained on the 'lock' position and failed to move over to the 'on' position to start the car. No sounds took place at all as if it was even trying to start. As a result, I left the car overnight and had it towed to the local dealership. They informed me a few hours later that my steering lock unit had 'failed'. …
Takata recall. I first occurred a problem with the z on my wedding day. My clutch dropped to the floor and we couldn't get the car in gear. We were put in the middle of the mountains with no way to call a tow truck so we did our best to make it to the closest Nissan dealer. On the way we came to a four way red light and couldn't shift to a low enough gear to get to car to slow down, a semi was traveling about 60 MPH right at us, we swerved into the emergency on and the truck to barely missed us. After that my husband found out from a mechanic that he should bleed the clutch so he did and the clutch was normal again. Besides that the car has had only one other occurrence with the clutch. I am petrified to drive my car after that situation but I have no choice considering I spend most of my paycheck just to pay for the one thing that will probably send me to my grave. …
2011 Nissan 370Z engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.7L 6-cyl | 7-speed automatic | RWD | 19 / 26 / 22 |
| 3.7L 6-cyl | 6-speed manual | RWD | 18 / 26 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: Sports car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2011 Nissan 370Z a good car?
Based on 40 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 370Z rates avoid: 2.2× as many complaints as a typical year of the 370Z at the same age. It is one of the 370Z years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2011 Nissan 370Z?
The steering — 22 complaints, 55% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (14) and electrical system (12).
How many recalls does the 2011 Nissan 370Z have?
There is 1 recall for the 2011 Nissan 370Z, the most recent from November 4, 2011 (power window devices and controls). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Nissan 370Z?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2017, 2014 and 2012. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2009, 2010 and 2011. See the full Nissan 370Z years comparison.
At what mileage do 2011 Nissan 370Z problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 37,000 miles; 81% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 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.