DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2010 Nissan Cube steering problems
moderate 17 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
17
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
When does it fail?
Of the 17 steering complaints filed for the 2010 Nissan Cube, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 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 31% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 5 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 11 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SERVICE INFORMATION When servicing run flat tires or low profile tires: - Special equipment and procedures are required to avoid damage. - Specifically, Tire Pressure Monitor transmitters (TPMS sensors) can be damaged when improperly dismounting and mounting tires. - TPMS sensors becoming damaged during mounting or dismounting tires are not covered under warranty. - To avoid such damage, ensure that the tire changer being used and the operator of the tire changer is capable of servicing run flat and low profile tires. - Operator?s manuals for such tire changers must be followed. See this bulletin for further detail.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SERVICE INFORMATION - This bulletin is to assist you in responding to customer questions about brake operation, and provides diagnostic and repair information for each item listed, if any should occur. - Most brake incidents fall into the following categories: a. Brake Noise: A squeak, squeal, clunk, or groan that occurs when the brakes are applied or released. b. Brake Judder: A vibration that can be felt in the vehicle, steering wheel or brake pedal when the brakes are applied. c. Pedal Feel: The effort needed to operate the brakes is too high or too low. SERVICE PROCEDURE 1. Verify the condition by road testing the vehicle with the customer. 2. Determine the specific brake incident based
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗If YOU CONFIRM: A vehicle needs to have the brake rotors resurfaced (front or rear). ACTION: Use the ProCut PFM Series on-car brake lathe to perform brake rotor resurfacing and follow the tips listed in this bulletin. - The ProCut PFM Series brake lathe has been chosen as the approved tool for rotor resurfacing. - The ProCut PFM Series brake lathe can be ordered from TECH-MATE at 1-800-662-2001. - ProCut technical support or service can be obtained by calling 1-800-543-6618. NOTE: Brake rotors may need to be resurfaced during routine brake repair or for brake "judder" incidents. - Brake judder: A brake pedal pulsation and/or steering wheel shimmy when braking that occurs when there is too mu
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2010 Nissan Cube's electronic steering lock assembly (ESCL) or steering lock module fails while the vehicle is parked, leaving it unable to start. Owners report pressing the start button produces no engine crank; instead, an amber or orange key icon flashes on the dashboard. The steering wheel locks in place, the brake pedal may feel stiff, and the vehicle refuses to enter ACC mode—yet all other electrical systems (lights, horn, gauges) work normally.
Nissan recalled an identical steering lock part (number 487001) on 2009 Cubes and extended warranty coverage to 2010 Altimas and Maximas. However, the company refuses to cover 2010 Cubes despite using the same or nearly identical part (487001FA0B or FA0C). One owner contacted Nissan corporate and was told the company cannot take responsibility because "revisions" were made to the part.
Owners report repair costs ranging from $700 to $1,053. One customer waited over a month for parts to arrive; dealers say they lack ready inventory. Multiple owners report towing costs on top of the repair bill. One complaint notes intermittent failures spanning two months, occurring every other day—leaving the driver unable to plan trips safely.
Same Nissan Cube steering reports on nearby years: 2009
Failure modes owners describe
Electronic Steering Column Lock (ESCL) / Steering Lock Assembly Failure
The ESCL or steering lock assembly malfunctions, preventing vehicle start. The lock may engage incorrectly, fail to sense brake pedal input or wheel position, or get stuck in locked position. Owners report the vehicle will not start or respond to the start button, even though other electrical systems (lights, horn, dashboard) function normally. Multiple owners cite that Nissan recalled the same part on 2009 Cubes and 2010 Altimas/Maximas but not on 2010 Cubes, despite using identical or nearly identical part numbers (487001FA0B, 487001FA0C).
When: Failures occur while vehicle is stationary and parked. Reported across a range of mileages: 47,000 miles, 94,000–95,000 miles, and various other points in vehicle life. One complaint reports intermittent failure over 2 months occurring every other day.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not start; engine does not crank or turn over; Push-button start does not respond; Solid or flashing amber/orange key icon appears on dashboard; Steering wheel locked in place; Brake pedal feels stiff or locked; Vehicle will not enter ACC mode; Intermittent starting—vehicle starts sometimes but not others; Battery drain (one complaint reports battery replaced twice in 9 months despite alternator testing good)
Repairs/costs cited: Repair costs reported range from $700 to $1,053.35. Repairs include steering lock assembly replacement or ESCL module replacement. One owner reports the dealer had difficulty obtaining parts, with the vehicle sitting at a repair shop for over a month. Parts cited: 487001FA0B (manufacture date 09-30-09), 487001FA0C. One owner had the module replaced at a non-Nissan mechanic for $971; multiple owners report being quoted $800–$1,000 by Nissan dealers.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan issued a warranty extension on the 2009 Cube and 2010 Altima/Maxima for this defect (part number 487001), but did not extend coverage to 2010 Cubes despite using the same or revised versions of the same part. One owner reports contacting Nissan corporate, which stated it could not take responsibility because 'revisions' had been done to the part and declined financial assistance. Another owner reports Nissan stated no campaign exists for their particular VIN. One owner did not receive notice of the warranty extension even after learning it existed.
Battery Drain Related to Steering Lock Mechanism
One complaint reports that the steering lock mechanism fails to lock in the locked position, remaining in an unlocked state. This causes continuous battery drain, resulting in dead battery conditions and inability to start the vehicle.
When: Occurring every other day for approximately 2 months prior to complaint
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel does not lock; Rapid battery drain; Engine fails to start due to dead battery; Dash lights come on and key is recognized, but engine does not start; Battery depleted despite replacement and confirmed-good alternator
Repairs/costs cited: Battery replaced twice in 9 months; alternator tested good. Failure attributed to steering lock mechanism staying in unlocked position causing parasitic drain.
Synthesized from 17 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
Electronic steering column lock (escl) was malfunctioning, as diagnosed by a Nissan dealer. The car was parked in a parking garage, and it would not start, no engine, or into acc mode because the escl did not sense the brake pedal being pressed or the wheel in an unlocked position. The brake pedal was stiff, and engine start button did not work. A solid amber key icon on the dash board would…
Electronic steering column lock (escl) was malfunctioning, as diagnosed by a Nissan dealer. The car was parked on the side of the road, and it would not start, no engine, or into acc mode because the escl did not sense the brake pedal being pressed or the wheel in locked position. Pushing the brake pedal too start the car did nothing, and engine start button did not work but a solid amber key…
My car starts when it feels like it. I've been stranded at the store after dropping off a child at sports practice, stranded in my own garage unable to take my child to school or get to work. It appears to be the steering lock mechanism issue that abounds in the 2010 cube. Sometimes it starts and sometimes it doesn't. I now have to phone a friend and tell them I'm leaving and where I'm going in…
I recently had my steering lock mechanism go out on my 2010 Nissan cube and leave me stranded. I had my vehicle towed because it would no longer start thinking it was a safety issue. =$$ no other dealerships would look at it because it was what seemed an electrical issue, I had to take it to Nissan dealership to diagnose this problem. I was quoted $950 for it to get fixed. Upon doing research I…
Power steering lock assembly is defective. Vehicle happened to be stationary at the time, locks the car from starting using the start button, car wont even turn over, dealer states part must be replaced. This exact same problem was addressed by a ntsb recall for 2009 - 2010 altimas and one other model but not the cube krom
Had steering trouble with your 2010 Nissan Cube?
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 Cube?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 17 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 14 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 47,000 and 84,676 miles, with the median around 80,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 47,000; a quarter make it past 84,676. 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/Cube.
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.