Steering complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
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'. …
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.
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. …
Frequently asked questions
Which Nissan 370Z years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2009 (88), 2010 (62) and 2011 (22) model years. Steering complaints make up 58% of all complaints for the 2009.
Is there a recall for Nissan 370Z steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for any Nissan 370Z model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Nissan 370Z steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 41,000 miles; 64% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the column (1 mentions), followed by the column locking › anti-theft device (1).
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.