This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan 370Z. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start and he was unable to unlock the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the steering wheel lock was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any immediate assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 52,000.
The vehicle in question, failed to start after a routine stop. A faulty steering lock control unit (slcu)resulting in the steering wheel failing to disengage from the locked position thus preventing the push button ignition system from starting the engine. The vehicle was able to be put in neutral, but only after accessing a compartmented shift lock switch. Unfortunately, with the steering wheel being locked, the vehicle could only be pushed forward or back and not turned. This proved to be a problem as the tow truck driver was forced to "drag" the vehicle to a better position in order to be loaded onto the flat bed. The dealership confirmed that the slcu was the single point of failure and acknowledged that this was a known issue in the 2009 and 2010 model years. Nissan failed to cover the repair costs because of the age of the vehicle, despise having under 20K miles.
I have a 2009 Nissan 370Z that after 3 days sitting in my garage wouldn't start without warning because the steering wheel lock failed. I was lucky that the issue didn't happen while I was out of town. The car had absolutely no power and had to be towed to the Nissan dealership. The bill to have it fixed was $1051.01 with labor. I have a case open with Nissan to try to get it covered since this part is out of warranty.
This is a very common problem found in 2009 and 2010 Nissan 370Z vehicles. The steering locking unit fails at a premature rate and the car will suddenly not start without warning. This happened to me in a valet parking structure without any warning or indication. Many, many individuals are being cheated without a recall on this highly defective unit. The dealership is looking to charge $1,200 for a replacement. Nissan has already ordered a recall for their Nissan gtr's for the same exact issue, but for some reason refuse to acknowledge the same problem of the same part with their 370Z line. Please NHTSA, listen to the hundreds of individuals with the same problem and order a recall and reimbursement for the 370Z steering locking unit failures. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
I parked the car in the lot and lock it. When I came back to drive away at 2:00 am where is nobody around I couldn't start the car and I had key warning indicator flashing on the dashboard. I found out later that is my steering wheel lock module failed like another couple of hundreds other 370Z. Nissan need to recall it.
- Glendale, CA, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
Steering wheel lock failed thank god while im in the driveway not on the road.. Nissan said its common and will happen again.. cost 1200 dollars not including labor... this is insane.. I just bought this car now im wasting alot of money..
Steering lock unit failed. Car would not start. Did not acknowledge that key was in the car. With the slu not working, steering wheel can turn but car won't start.
My vehicle would not start after normal usage. Had car towed to dealership and the steering wheel lock mechanism was shorted out. Cost around 1,200 to repair. After search, found out that this is a very common problem with this vehicle.
I drove my car to work and everything was running fine, as I stopped at a store to grab something and came back out my car no longer worked. The system would no longer recognize the intelligent key, and the push start button was in the "lock" mode. After researching this I found out that this is a common issue in the 2009-2010 Z models. The same issue found in Nissan GT-R models, the steering wheel lock malfunctions and is therefore enable to recognize the intelligent key due to the steering column being locked. Nissan should definitely take responsibility for the faulty equipment as this leaves cars and owners stranded. For a relatively new car this should not be happening esp. Under 36,000 miles. The majority of the complaints have not even surpassed the powertrain warranty. The government should show concern for consumers as well as Nissan!
The steering lock mechanism part #48700-jf00A on 09 and 10 models fails after a while due to poor quality. This results in the steering column being unable to unlock and therefore disabling the car from being started. This can leave anyone stranded and needing the car towed. In my case the car is stuck in my garage because I am unable to start it due to this faulty part. This needs to be recalled because the part will fail its just a matter of when.
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. More information from frustrated consumers may be seen at the following locations: www.the370Z.com/diy-section-do-yourself/53437-steering-lock-cut-one-wire-switch-optional-18.htmlwww.the370Z.com/diy-section-do-yourself/47181-diy-replace-dreaded-steering-lock-2009S-early-2010S-30.htmlwww.the370Z.com/Nissan-370Z-general-discussions/48434-Z-looked-awesome-tow-truck-sarcastic-6.html my vehicle should not have mechanical issues with any part with less than 18,000 miles on it. Ridiculous!
Drove 370Z to work with no problem. Attempted to leave for appointment later in the day and car will not start. The car will do nothing, no power, no radio, can't roll the windows up, etc. The wheel lock system has malfunctioned. Apparently, this is a common problem.
Steering wheel lock failure (intelligent key system warning). Was at a gas station and car would not start. "yellow" key light showed up but car would not start at all. Had to have car towed to dealership. After research, I have discovered that this part has failed on many Nissan models with this type of electronic steering wheel lock. This needs to be recalled and anyone who has paid to have it replaced needs to be reimbursed. A class action lawsuit needs to be filed because Nissan refuses to accept that it is a faulty part. Total cost to replace: $1084.
2009 Nissan 370Z worked perfectly then wouldn't start. Found many other incidents of the same problem. The issue is a broken steering wheel lock which won't unlock. Although the same part is known to have issues in many Nissan cars, there is no recall so owner pays for an expensive part and labor.
The steering lock would not engage after turning off or locking the car. If the steering wheel lock does not work then the car will not start leaving me stranded.
In the 2009 and 2010 model years of this car (and other Nissan vehicles), the steering wheel lock assembly is known to randomly fail, leaving the car unable to start. There is no recall or tsb for this as of yet, and it has affected several Nissan vehicles including the gtr. Revisions a and B of the steering wheel lock assembly are well known to fail, and revision C is also known to fail however there are fewer occurrences. This has left me stranded and unable to get to work, and Nissan will straight up refuse to fix the problem for less than $1000.
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan 370Z. The contact stated that he went to start the vehicle but the steering wheel lock malfunctioned. The contact stated that he could not unlock the steering wheel to start the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection and they stated that the steering wheel lock needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and stated that they would look into the matter and get back to him. The failure mileage was 23,000.
Car will not start, had to be towed to Nissan, my 2009 370Z had a electric steering lock problem. Part with labor will be around $1000. There have been several complaints on this same issue and should have been recalled by now!! will be looking further into this problem Nissan should be at fault 100%.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Harrisonville , MO, USA