Nissan 370Z problems
153 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
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.
Top trouble spots 5 categories with 3+ complaints
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'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.