Failure of the telescopic steering column. A broken limiter caused the tilt motor to exert beyond it's threshold causing failure during entry/exit automatic operation. Steering wheel now rubs on plastic trim pieces. Regardless of what Infiniti claims, there have been many others with same issue: http://forums.nicoclub.com/steering-wheel-won-t-turn-unless-column-tilted-up-t611149.html…
2012 INFINITI M37 steering problems
severe Owners of the 2012 INFINITI M37 have filed 11 NHTSA complaints about the steering, typically surfacing around 66,068 miles at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 M37 | 5 |
| 2012 M37 (this page) | 11 |
| 2013 M37 | 5 |
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 11 steering complaints filed for the 2012 INFINITI M37, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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 37% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 4 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 9 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2012 Infiniti M37 steering column shows a pattern of mechanical failure tied to the power-adjustable (telescopic) mechanism. Owners describe a loud pop—often heard when adjusting the wheel position or entering the vehicle—followed by the plastic shroud cracking or separating. Once this happens, the steering wheel binds against the plastic trim inside the housing and becomes very difficult or impossible to turn left or right.
The failure occurs across a mileage range from roughly 50k to 72k miles. Several owners note the problem happens immediately after adjustment and forces them to reposition the wheel upward to regain steering control. One owner reported the upper steering shaft itself failed at 49,700 miles, diagnosed as a steering column issue requiring replacement.
Infiniti's response has been uniform: no recall, and claims the problem falls outside warranty coverage due to prior owner neglect or insufficient maintenance at the dealership. Owners counter that the plastic components are barely used and should not degrade or crack normally, pointing to multiple documented cases on owner forums. No owner reports a successful repair covered by Infiniti; some vehicles remain unrepaired.
Failure modes owners describe
Telescopic steering column mechanical failure
The telescopic/power-adjustable steering column fails mechanically, causing the steering wheel to become stuck, difficult to turn, or completely immobile in certain positions. A broken limiter or failed upper steering shaft is cited. The plastic shroud cracks or separates, and the steering wheel rubs against plastic trim pieces inside the housing.
When: Between 49,700 and 72,541 miles; one case at 62,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud pop or popping sound during steering wheel adjustment or entry/exit; Steering wheel difficult or impossible to turn left or right; Steering wheel locked up; Plastic shroud cracks, separates, or comes apart; Steering wheel rubs on plastic trim, creating noise; Plastic housing binding around column; Steering wheel unable to reach set position
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosis: steering wheel column replacement required; vehicle not repaired in some cases; owner reported attempted repair unsuccessful.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Infiniti stated no recall coverage once vehicle is out of warranty; blamed prior owner neglect; declined responsibility claiming manufacturing defect was outside warranty scope.
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 8 most recent
2012 m37 49,700 miles. When steering wheel is in the position selected for driving, the wheel locked up.unable to turn left or right. Dealer said upper steering shaft failed.
When entering & exiting the car the steering wheel will adjust. We started noticing a noise and then it made a loud pop. I noticed that the plastic housing around the column was in a bind. I moved the steering wheel up to be able to steer. This is ridiculous on this type of car. I've read many complaints with the same problem and not there is no recall??? Is there a recall or not? Can this…
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Infiniti m37. While driving at any speed, when the steering wheel was tilted downward, it was unable to be turned left or right. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 72,541.
When the steering wheel is adjusted up, down or the telescopic adjustment is used a loud pop is heard, the casing comes apart and it is no longer possible to turn the wheel left or right.
I'd like to report a problem that has occurred with my 2012 Infiniti m37 which seems to be pretty fatal. The plastic cover that covers the steering wheel's rod cracks open when the steering wheel is tilted to a lower position. Once the cover is cracked, steering wheel rubs on to the plastic behind it and makes the steering wheel nearly impossible to steer. If someone faced this issue…
Opened car with touch key and telescopic steering wheel made loud popping sound. Steering wheel did not go to set position and was very difficult to steer afterwards. The vehicle was not moving thankfully as it was very difficult to steer after the popping sound. The steering wheel had to be kept in an upward position to steer at all with difficulty.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Infiniti m37. While turning the steering wheel to the left and right, the steering wheel became lose. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering wheel column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 62,000.
Had steering trouble with your 2012 INFINITI M37?
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 2012 INFINITI M37?
It's a meaningful issue. 11 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 53,063 and 72,541 miles, with the median around 66,068. A quarter of owners report trouble before 53,063; a quarter make it past 72,541. 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/2012/INFINITI/M37.
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.