I have a Nissan 370 z and up to this point I really enjoyed the car that was until an known issue of the steering lock went out on my car and left me stranded for 16 hours. I called Nissan after I spent $1162.00 to try to get reimbursed. I was initially told I would not reimbursed which after reading online how some people were refused reimbursement initially I kept pursuing a reimbursement.…
2010 Nissan 370Z steering problems
moderate 62 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
62
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
When does it fail?
Of the 62 steering complaints filed for the 2010 Nissan 370Z, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Steering accounts for 56% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 4 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 62 steering complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The electronic steering lock on 2010 370Z models is a documented widespread problem that can strand you anywhere without warning, with repair costs of $950–$1,800. Nissan's voluntary service campaign excludes many affected VINs despite identical failures, and the company has consistently denied warranty claims and reimbursement.
The 2010 Nissan 370Z has a pervasive steering lock failure pattern. Owners consistently describe the electronic steering column lock seizing without notice, locking the wheel and preventing engine start. The vehicle becomes completely immobilized—no start, no accessory mode, no power functions. An intelligent key warning light often appears on the dash before or during failure.
Failures occur across the mileage spectrum: some at 5,000 miles, others at 70,000+. Towing is mandatory because the locked steering makes the car impossible to move. Dealer diagnosis is required ($87–$150 diagnostic fee), and replacement costs $950–$1,800 depending on labor rates and whether the vehicle is out of warranty.
Nissan issued a voluntary service campaign (TSB #NTB13-014, Campaign #P3208) to replace the faulty ESCL with an updated ESCB at no cost. However, many owners report their VINs are excluded from this campaign despite having identical parts and symptoms. The company applied the campaign selectively while offering recalls for the same part on GTR and certain Altima/Maxima model years, leaving 370Z owners frustrated and out-of-pocket.
Multiple owners report the lock was removed entirely from 2012 and later Nissan models, indicating the manufacturer recognized the design flaw years after the 370Z rolled off the lot. Some owners experienced the same failure twice on the same vehicle; Nissan denied the second replacement claim once warranty expired.
Same Nissan 370Z steering reports on nearby years: 2009 · 2011
Failure modes owners describe
Electronic Steering Column Lock (ESCL) failure causing no-start condition
The electronic steering column lock unit fails without warning, locking the steering wheel and preventing engine start. The vehicle becomes completely immobilized. Owners report the intelligent key system indicator shows a lock symbol or key warning light, but the vehicle will not turn on or enter accessory mode.
When: Occurs at various mileages from as low as 5,000 miles to 77,000 miles; failures reported at both cold start and after vehicle has been parked short periods
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not start when push button pressed; Steering wheel remains locked; Intelligent key warning light illuminates on dashboard; Key fob does not unlock the system; Manual key in door slot also fails to unlock or start vehicle; Brake pedal becomes very hard; Vehicle will not enter accessory mode; Power windows and other accessories non-functional when lock engages
Codes mentioned: 48700-JF00A, 48700-JF00B, 48700-JF00C, 48700-JF00D
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of entire Electronic Steering Column Lock (ESCL) assembly or Electronic Steering Column Box (ESCB) unit. Repair costs range from $949 to $1,800 including labor and towing fees. Some owners paid $1,100–$1,700 at dealerships. Part sourcing delays reported at two weeks or longer. Replacement with revised part 48700 manufactured January 28, 2010 documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan issued Voluntary Service Campaign 2009-2011 (NHTSA Ref. #10051829, TSB #NTB13-014, Campaign #P3208) to replace ESCL with ESCB at no charge. However, many 2010 370Z models with identical parts and symptoms are excluded from this campaign based on VIN. Service campaign documentation states ESCB replacement will eliminate steering wheel locking function as anti-theft immobilizer is sufficient. GTR models and some Altima/Maxima model years received recalls for the same part; 370Z received only a limited voluntary campaign. Extended warranty offered to select 2009-2010 370Z and GTR models but not all affected vehicles. Steering lock removed from 2012 and later models. Nissan has refused warranty claims and reimbursements, citing VIN exclusion from campaign despite identical failures.
Intelligent key system malfunction (IntelliKey warning light illumination)
Intelligent key system warning light activates, often preceding or coinciding with steering lock failure. The symbol with the word 'KEY' illuminates on the dashboard indicating a malfunction in the IntelliKey system per owner's manual, but dealer diagnosis confirms steering lock as root cause.
When: Light may appear intermittently before lock failure; some owners report light was on for weeks before complete failure occurred
Symptoms owners cite: Intelligent key warning light flashes or illuminates on dashboard; Symbol with 'KEY' text appears on instrument cluster; Vehicle will not start or recognize key (manual or fob); System does not acknowledge intelligent key presence upon vehicle entry
Repairs/costs cited: Root cause is steering lock assembly failure requiring replacement as described above. Light disappears after ESCL/ESCB replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner's manual directs drivers to contact Nissan dealership when light appears, but dealership diagnosis has consistently identified the steering lock as the underlying cause, not a separate system failure.
Recurrent steering lock failure on same vehicle
Some vehicles experience repeated steering lock failures after initial replacement, suggesting either a defective replacement part batch or an underlying systemic issue with the lock assembly design.
When: One documented case: initial failure at 35,357 miles (January 2018), second failure at 35,857 miles (March 2018, three months later), third failure at 42,505 miles (December 2021). Another case: initial repair in 2014, recurrence at 70,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Same no-start and steering lock symptoms repeat after prior repair; Vehicle becomes stranded again despite replacement unit installation
Codes mentioned: 48700-JF00A, 48700-JF00B, 48700-JF00C
Repairs/costs cited: First replacement at $949; subsequent replacements at approximately $1,800 when warranty expired. Warranty covered second failure but not third failure occurring years later outside warranty window.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan warranted second failure and performed replacement at no cost. Refused third failure repair as out-of-warranty. No root cause investigation or design fix offered.
Synthesized from 62 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 13 most recent
Parked vehicle in parking spot and shut off engine. Yellow key light turned on and steering wheel locked. Vehicle would not turn on. Steering wheel lock failure on Nissan 370z nismo- year 2010. Part malfunction 48700-jf00b . Problem part on 2009 and early 2010 models. *tr
Takata recall - voluntary service campaign 2009-2011 steering lock unit. I own a 2010 Nissan 370z with 37,000 miles. Local Nissan dealer would not honor known issue and I had to pay $1500 to repair. Please help. [xxx] , email: [xxx] VIN [xxx], dl: [xxx]. Vehicle would not start, stuck in parking lot. Had to tow to Nissan dealer for repairs. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of…
Car ignition is stuck in lock after being parked to go into the mall. Known issue that Nissan issued recall for gtr which is a more expensive car but not for the z a less expensive car. Car will not start or power into acc mode so the windows are also stuck down and have no way of going up. Issue has been reported many times butthe lower end cars do not get a fixc for this and will leave the…
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Nissan 370z. The contact stated that after several attempts, the engine failed to start. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer for diagnosis. The technician stated that the malfunction was related to a voluntary recall issued by the manufacturer. The recall pertained to the electronic steering column lock, however the contact's VIN was not included. The vehicle…
My 2010 Nissan 370z steering wheel locked up twice in one week.
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…
Vehicle was parked and wouldn't start. Told by dealership it's the electronic steering lock. Read online several complaints of others having the same issue. I called Nissan usa. I was told there isn't or hasn't been a recall on my vehicle for this issue and they would not make good on this faulty part. The repair cost $1,200.
Steering wheel lock failure: car was parked and will not start $1100 to replace faulty part.
First problem-excesive oil leak coming from u joint drive shaft, after 3/4 complaints, I took pictures and the they were forced to replace the drive shaft. Second problem -vehicle won't start at times and if starts- cranks,check engine light came on several times. After 6/7 refusals that a problem exist, the dealer attempted to resolve the issue and finally replace the steering lock that…
Had steering trouble with your 2010 Nissan 370Z?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2010 Nissan 370Z?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 62 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 53 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 32,000 and 56,000 miles, with the median around 47,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 32,000; a quarter make it past 56,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2010/Nissan/370Z.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.