2009 Nissan 370Z problems
The 2009 Nissan 370Z has 153 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2009 Nissan 370Z has 153 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is steering at 88 complaints, typically surfacing around 45,837 miles (~$700 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 370Z (this page) | 153 | 0 |
| 2010 370Z | 110 | 0 |
| 2011 370Z | 40 | 1 |
| 2012 370Z | 16 | 0 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2009 Nissan 370Z? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- steering — 88 owner reports · tends to show around 45,837 mi · ~$700 to fix
- powertrain — 24 owner reports · tends to show around 42,786 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- electrical — 18 owner reports · tends to show around 40,309 mi · ~$850 to fix
- airbags — 5 owner reports · tends to show around 36,500 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 36,500 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.6/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2009 Nissan 370Z
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 5 categories with 3+ complaints
Your road ahead on this 2009 Nissan 370Z
When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
- ~38,560 misteering~$700
- ~39,300 mipowertrain~$2,500
- ~43,480 mielectrical~$850
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
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…
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. *tr
The passenger side air bag light stayed on and I took it to the dealer. They said the seat cushion had to be replaced because it was the air bag sensor that was faulty. It cost me over $2100 dollars out of pocket. That was after Nissan corp. Agreed to pay $500 towards the…
Steering wheel /ignition system electronics switch failure ,causing vehicle and all electric accessory systems on vehicle to not function. *tr
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Under investigation 1 open at NHTSA
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA21002 on NHTSA →
How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →
Common questions
Is the 2009 Nissan 370Z reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.6 out of 10 based on 153 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Nissan 370Z is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2009 Nissan 370Z?
On the NHTSA data, the 2009 Nissan 370Z does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2009 Nissan 370Z?
Inspect the steering first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 88 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 45,837 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2009 Nissan 370Z a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 153 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is steering. Typical failure occurs around 45,837 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2009 Nissan 370Z?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 88 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 45,837 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The steering is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 45,837 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Nissan 370Z has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2009 Nissan 370Z?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 153 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $700, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.