Links to posts about Steering Wheel Lock
 

Seems that a lot of people are having Steering Lock problems. Here's a list of posts that discuss the issue and how to prevent/fix it. I hope this will help those having Steering Lock problems and those trying to help them.
I found these by using the site search and looking for "lock", then wading through the 500 hits. They are listed in the order I found them. If you find any more, please add a comment.
Number of pages accurate as of 2012-12-08. Links in italic are posts I think are most informative.
Last edit: 2012-12-14 1135 USCentral


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Those of you who have had Steering Lock Failure (24 pages)
If your Steering Lock has failed, please post here and then file a complaint at NHTSA. Better yet, file a complaint and then post here. ;) Lots of good info if you have the time.

Link to NHTSA for filing complaint - Link to purchase new SLU - DTC thrown is B261F - Tips from fritz - Link to purchase bypass harness - MelloYello counts 33 members with SLU failure - No SL in 2012 and newer 370Zs - Name and current rating of SL fuse - Pics of opened IPDM and cover - TSB for re-programming BCM (NTB12-041 dated April 27, 2012) - Nissan list of affected vehicles - SL fuse not related to pause on start

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car wont start ipd steering lock (3 pages)
Some discussion of striking SLU as temporary fix. Not much new here.
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Steering lock problem solved (for real) (30 pages)
Pull the fuse and a lot more. Great place to start.

Original, Q&D version of Pull The Fuse - Screenshot of FSM wiring diagram showing SL fuse - Screenshot of FSM drawing of IPDM location - Annotated FSM wiring diagram of SL fuse - Start of discussion about lost IPDM input/output - More IPDM I/O discussion - Pics of IPDM when removed and cover - Another pic of IPDM removed - Start pause in a fuse-intact 7AT - fritz weighs in - Summary of the 4 fixes - Fuse puller in LH kick panel - Detailed fuse removal instructions - Loose IPDM cover warning - Another fuse-intact with pause - Possible interaction with passenger air bag - (retracted later) - Excellent fuse removal DIY with great pics - No need to remove weatherstripping when doing fuse removal - Another fuse removal procedure

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How many of you have pulled the steering lock fuse? (3 pages + Poll)

Copy of the fuse removal procedure from another post (text only)

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Steering Lock: cut one wire. /switch optional (29 pages)
Cut the wire alternative to installing a harness. Harness discussion.

Original Cut The Wire DIY - FSM screenshots of SLU connector and other info - Explanation of how SLU works - Link to PDF of NH connector specs - Pics of NH connectors and part #s - Link to connector manufacturer - More connector links - bdl99 investigating building harness - bdl99's harness works - Pics of prototype harness - Link to pre-order harness - Pic of final harness and install video - Warning about removing fuse - Details on difference between harness/cut and fuse removal - Throttle response problem after installing harness - bdl99's take on harness vs fuse pull - Disabling SL may void theft insurance

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DIY Replace dreaded steering-lock on 2009s and early 2010s. (36 pages)
If your SLU has failed, replace it your self. Light on pics, but well-written and lots of info. Tips on how to "revive" a failed SLU. A good starting point.

Original DIY for replacing the SLU - Links to buy SLU and security bolts - Technical info on SLU workings - Link to GT-R SLU Recall PDF (NTB10-025-1) - No re-programming required when replacing SLU - No resetting/re-programming required after replacing SLU - DIY SLU repair with pics - Link to PDF with SLU microswitch specs - Another pic of SLU internals - SLU internal microswitches function - Steering Wheel in a bind may be causing SLU failures - Warning about SLU modifications Another SLU modification DIY

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Steering lock problem solved etc: but not "problems" (1 page)
Discussion of possible repercussions of disabling SLU.
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Replacing the steering lock assembly, help (1 page)
Does anything need to be reprogrammed after replacing SLU?

According to SPOHN, no

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Steering Lock: Cutting the Brownie (1 page)
Cut the wire DIY with lots of pics.
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DIY: Steering Wheel Lock Fix w/ Pics! (2 pages)
"Master DIY thread for the different steering wheel lock fixes" - a shorter version of this list

The List plus great Clip The Wire DIY with pics - Unsticking the SLU with percussion - Video of harness installation

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Edit:
Other posts I stumbled upon:
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WARNING! You may get stranded if you see this light. (1 page)
Nothing new.
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Intelligent Key System Warning Light... (22 pages)
Many reports of failed SLUs.

Link to a Corvette forum post about similar problem - Nissan part # and pic of SLU security bolt - SLU part #s and other info - Link to GT-R SLU replacement DIY - Pic of BCM

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Edit 2012-11-19:
More posts I found:
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New member with a question (1 page)
Does a new SLU have to be programmed? Apparently not.
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steering wheel lock (1 page)
Nothing new
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Well... (3 pages)
Nothing new
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Edit 2012-11-29:
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"key" light went on (4 pages)

Location of key indicator light

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Edit 2012-12-06 - Started adding link comments

Edit 2012-12-08:
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Z Looked Awesome on a Tow Truck (Sarcastic) (12 pages)

Link to NHTSA

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She's Dead, Jim (14 pages)

Link to buy SLU - Nissan e-mail addys - Form letter to media

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Engine not cranking... (5 pages)

DTCs related to SLU problem

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Edit 2012-12-09:
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Steering Lock entry and immobiliser delete (no photos) (1 page)

Info on Panasonic microswitches

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Horrible experience...!!! (6 pages)

Link to DIY for replacing SLU in GT-R

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Edit 2012-12-11:
You can download an OpenOffice spreadsheet (.ods) of all the ppl I have found on The370Z.com who have reported a failure of their SLU. SLU Failure Reports on The370Z.ods. So far I have found 50 ppl reporting failures in 3 topics and will be adding any others as I find them.

Edit 2012-12-12:
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Dreaded steering lock (1 page)
Another one bites the dust
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Edit 2012-13-14:
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Steering Lock Elimination (3 pages)
SLUs disappeared from 370Z in mid-2011. Some discussion about SLU technical details.
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Steering lock failure (1 page)

nurbrun reports failure. need to add to SS

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Steering lock repair (3 pages)
fritz offers to PM DIY for SLU repair

fritz offers to PM DIY for SLU repair

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Edit 2012-13-14:
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Car not starting (2 pages)
Tward's SLU dies
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.

I will work on making a comprehensive tutorial this weekend that sums up all of those posts, it can be a tad bit overwhelming to wade through all those when you have a potential $500 part looming in your future.

Placeholder for list of SLU failures reported on The370Z.com.
Last edit: 2012-12-14 1710 USCentral

Edit: 2012-12-12:
Wow! List is up to 112 people with SLU failures on this site alone. BBCode does not have a good way to display the data, so it will be a while before I can post the data in tabular form. :( Here's a link to the SS I'm using to collect the data:
Link to OpenOffice spreadsheet of SLU failures

I need all the help I can get verifying the data I already have and finding new cases of SLU failure.

Edit:2012-12-12:
I finally finished scanning the threads listed in the first post above. 117 112* reported SLU failures!
Use the link above to download the spreadsheet.
* Found some duplicates

Edit 2012-12-16:
Couldn't figure out a good way to display the table with BBCode. :( You can see the data in tabular form at SLU Failure List

Notes section from SS:
I have no way to verify these reported failures.
The people who have disabled their SLUs skew the numbers
I have only searched the topics listed in my http://www.the370z.com/engine-drivet...heel-lock.html topic
Some of these may not actually be a SLU failure. I caught a few where the reporter later posted that the problem turned out not to be the SLU.
I may have misinterpreted some reports. If you see any errors, please let me know.


USDM cars produced until about July 2011
Edit 2012-12-14 1710:
Here's a list of the first 39 failure reports I found in Those of you-who have had steering lock failure

You're a beast! I'd give you more rep but it won't let me. This should be made a sticky

Thanks for making this! very helpful

SLU Failure Stats
 

Some stats (most of which aren't very reliable or meaningful due to sampling methods and sample size) I gleaned from the SLU failure reports:
Last edit: 2012-12-13 1145 USCentral

2009 failure reports found - 72 (11208 made. Failure rate = 0.64%)
2010 failure reports found - 24 (10991 made. Failure rate = 0.22%)
2011 failure reports found - 2 (5168 made. Failure rate = 0.04%)
Year not known - 14
Total failure reports found - 112 (27367 made. Failure rate = 0.41%)

==========
Edit 2012-12-13:
33986 members on The370Z.com. I doubt if that number means much, but there it is if you want to use it.
==========


Miles on odometer when SLU failed:
0-5k - 0
5k-10k - 2
10k-15k - 3
15k-20k - 7
20k-25k - 6
25k-30k - 5
30k-35k - 3
35k-40k - 7
40k-45k - 9
45k-50k - 2
50k-55k - 3
55k-60k - 2
Unk/Other - 62

If we do a little more collapsing, it doesn't look like mileage has much to do with it:
0-10k - 2
10k-20k - 10
20k-30k - 11
30k-40k - 10
40k-50k - 11
50k-60k - 5

Some Things I've Learned About SLUs While Researching This Thread
 

Some Things I've Learned About SLUs While Researching This Thread
Last edit: 2012-12-14 1640 USCentral

If

1) your 370Z will not start nor go into ACC mode
AND
2) the Intelligent Key indicator (to left of multi-display, yellow-orange, says KEY above a pictogram of a key){1} is flashing
AND
3) you don't hear the whirr/buzz from under the steering wheel that normally happens when you press the start button. (Not 100% true. The SLU motor may run, but the lock may not retract all the way. If it does retract, the microswitches may not work properly. Judging by the reports I've read, most of time the motor fails.)
AND
4) Your 370Z is a 2009 through mid-2011

then your Steering Lock Unit (SLU) has failed. This is not uncommon on 2009 through mid-2011 370Zs (and a few other Nissan models, apparently). Nissan stopped using SLUs in 370Zs mid-2011 (IIRC, sometime around March-July).



There are many theories as to why the SLUs are failing. For the same part on their GT-R, Nissan claims the problem is over-oiling of the internals.
(links to theories of failure mechanism)



If this happens to you, the first thing to try is striking the SLU with the side of your fist, the toe of your shoe, rubber mallet, &c in an attempt to shake things loose. Then, while your car is being fixed, file a complaint with NHTSA and post your details in this thread.
(links to different "percussive" procedures)

If you can't get the lock to work by striking it, you'll need to call a tow truck. :(


If you manage to get the SLU to function again, don't think you've won the war - it will most likely fail again and soon. You have several options. At least one of these should be done ASAP as in "right now, before it leaves me stranded and kicking it doesn't help".

In no particular order: (insert links after each option)
* Have dealer replace SLU. If you are under warranty, this is a good option. If not under warranty, you are looking at a $900-1300 repair bill. At least one person has reported multiple failures, so you may want to consider using one of the following methods to disable the new SLU.
* DIY SLU replacement. A very easy job for an intermediate DIYer (even a beginner can handle the job if the right tools are available), but parts will run $500-800 and availability can be very limited. See multiple-failure warning above.
* Pull the fuse for the SLU. Very easy job for even a beginning DIYer, but removing the IPDM-E/R can be intimidating for a first-timer. Cost is zero. Only tools required are a small screwdriver or other pry tool for the plastic pop-rivets and a fuse puller (one is located in the 370Z footwell fuse panel)
* Purchase harness to disable SLU. Super-easy job for all but the most inept. No tools required. Includes option to disable functioning SLU in locked position, via a hidden switch, for extra security or inspections. ~$50 when available.
* Clip power wire at SLU connector. Clipping the wire is very easy to do, but insulating the resulting wire ends may be difficult for a beginner. Next to impossible to put back to factory condition once you clip it (it can be fixed electrically, but not cosmetically). No cost if you have some wire-cutters and something to insulate the cut ends in your tool-box.

* Note: with all the disabling methods above, power should be cut only after assuring that the lock is in the unlocked position.



==========
Bibliography:
http://www.the370z.com/diy-section-d...ml#post1463523
More here...
==========
{1} http://www.xenonz34.com/warninglamps.html

Couldn't figure out a good way to display the table of reported SLU failures with BBCode. :( You can see the data in tabular form at SLU Failure List

Thank you so much!

I'm bumping this because my car has 68k miles and I'm going to pull this fuse this week. Lol

I had a SLU failure. 45,000+ miles. Fixed at dealer for $936.76. Complained to NHTSA. Sent E-mail to Nissan USA. Long time buyer. This my last buy etc. Nissan rep called me. Took down info and said someone with call me. 10 days later no call. Sent second e-mail. Got called that day by rep who had just received 1st e-mail (and also 2nd). he said he would look int it and get back to me. The call back day came and he called. He had info from Dealer and was pushing it up e ladder. I will get more info Jan. 30th. COMPLAIN TO NHTSA - E-MAIL NISSAN USA. Nissan recalled the GTRs because they said those were the type of owners to complain to NHTSA. Go for it.

I filed a complaint through the link provided and it seems my rants via Twitter have been noticed. Hopefully they are for not just me, but everyone else that has experienced this issue. My dad said the woman said "yes, @NissanSupport showed your son's tweets. Safe to say he's a little upset and understandably so." I continue to message Nissan Supports twitter telling them this MUST be looked into further and they seem to be quite understanding...but I'm certainly not getting my hopes up. Just throwing it out there that your voice is "seen (in this case)" and if you bitch enough, it may work out.

Btw, mind costed $1,080 to fix. What a scam.

What did Nissan do to the late 2011 & 2012 370Z's that fixed the problem? I read that only the 2009-early2011 Z owners have the problems. Or am i wrong & the newer Zs have the same issue, but they're still too new & low mileage enough to not experience the problem yet? Just curious if my 2012 base 370Z with the sport package, Nismo R-Tune, long-tube, Cold Air Intake,& ARK Grip true dual cat-back exhaust. Just wondering if i need to do any preventative maintenance so my car will always reliably start.

They took it out... Literally

As DE-1/2 said, Nissan quit installing SLUs (ESCL in Nissanese) during the 2011 MY, so you don't have anything to worry about - you don't have one. :driving:

I have a 2009 and received a recall notice in the mail to replace the steering wheel lock. Looks like Nissan is finally stepping up to the plate.

I got a letter in the mail from Nissan's national headquarters stating they're officially putting out a recall for ALL 370Z owners, free of charge, also. Feels pretty awesome since I recently fought with them getting all my money back. I feel as if I actually helped make a change.

You did brother, thanks for that write up a while back

Thanks! I hope they will still do mine because I did the hammer + fuse mod..

For those people that have had a delayed start or a pause during startup, this thread will explain how to eliminate that altogether!

It seems a lot of people have been blaming the pulled steering lock fuse for the delayed start. Issues are unrelated but seem to happen about the same time. If this has not happened to you yet, it most likely will....

http://www.the370z.com/nissan-370z-g...ring-lock.html

any chance i can get a copy of this letter or anything along those lines? my 2011 370z build date 09/10 steering wheel lock gave out today.

Steering Lock Failure
 

I own a 2010 370Z Roadster with the Touring Package and Navigation, and it was built in July of 2009.

I wanted to let you know that I took my 2010 Z to the dealer yesterday and asked them to check into the lock problem.

The Tech looked under the steering column and saw that the lock in my Z has the part number: 48700-JF00D.

He told me that I already have the replacement part that replaces the number's 48700-JF00A and 48700-LF00B, and he also think's that 48700-JF00C is included as the locks that were problematic. I understand they're called; "REV A - REV B and REV C.

It looked like Nissan installed the "REV D" during the building of my Z. I have no idea as to why they did that, and wonder if Nissan was aware of the problem's in the 2009's and early built 2010's, and by July had changed to the "REV D's".

But, that wouldn't explain later year models having the locks with the bad numbers.

My point her is that - IT LOOK'S LIKE - if you have a 2010 Z, and it was built in July of 2009, then you have a good chance of already having the replacement lock installed from the factory.

If you can, crawl under the steering column and take a look at the number. It's printed on a white tag that's stuck on the lock, or take it to a Nissan Dealer and have them take a look for you.

Also, I want to thank those on this Forum for making me aware of this issue, and for supplying so many posts filled with really informative and useful information.

Thanks again to all of you.

My guess is that your ESCL has been replaced. Possibly more than once.

If you haven't done so already, pull the fuse. Many posts, pics, DIYs, etc on this site.

I know that it hasn't been replaced after it left the factory because I ordered it, and bought the car new.

So it's pouring rain and I have all the symptoms of Steering Lock Failure, Fob opens but won't start, However I Can't get to ACC and the wheel isn't locked. Fob in fobgina, near handbrake, nothing. Any ideas?

The steering wheel can be physically unlocked and still not makes the internal switches. Try beating on the ESCL while pressing the start button - with any luck you will be able to get the car started.

If you get the car started, pull the fuse immediately. Be prepared to do this - have the hood up, the trim removed, and the IPDM pulled out before you try starting.

Good Advise
 

Valuable advise, SouthArk370Z. On behalf of the Forum, I thank you.

Steering lock-up issue
 

This is a serious problem just waiting to happen to all 370Z's.

It's not if, but when it will happen to your Z.

I consider this a mandate, and you all need to take one of the actions mentioned so far on the Forum to disable that lock!

I chose to go with the harness and am happy with it, but any of the other great suggestions are fine too.

I am seriously suggesting to all 370Z owners to disable that lock NOW! Do not wait any longer.

This is serious and needs to be taken care of A.S.A.P. before it get's you into a bad situation - or worse.

Not all 370Zs, just the first two years*. Then Nissan deleted the ESCL.

But, yeah, if your Z has an ESCL, you should disable it before it fails.


*I can't remember exactly when Nissan did away with the ESCL but, IIRC, it was around the 2011 model year.

Car wont start
 

Hi all,

I have been reading these steering lock threads all morning after my car failed to start to see if this problem effected cars from 2011-12 as mine is a late 2011 Roadster model. I have all the same symptoms, lock sign on at the start button and small yellow key warning light is on. Steering is unlocked. Tried fob in slot, new fob battery etc.

Been a horrible day, was actually trying to get roof trim fixed, with only bad news there, then went to leave the trim place to go for a booked in specialist Dr appointment that I have been waiting ages for to get in and then this- car just been towed off to Nissan-not feeling very confident. To make matters worse they tell cant look at it for another 12 days as they are so busy:mad:. :(

Any ideas for this year model.
Thank you for any help
Rodd

If your issue is the steering lock, then I'm going to guess you have an ESCL Revision D (still very prone to failure) and that Nissan will not do anything for you. Only Rev A, B, and C are covered under the recall notice. Your best bet is to bring a rubber mallet with you to wherever you had the car towed. Beat on the underside of the steering column while trying the start button. If you get it started, pull the fuse immediately!! Good luck.

Thanks for that, was thinking that my model did not have an ESCL but I believe they were not fitted from 2012 and onwards.

So I am correct in saying that with the recall they fitted Rev D Units in all earlier cars (09/10) and most have pulled fuse/cut power wire anyway as new unit (rev D) still plays up anyway? I would think Nissan would have needed another fix if this was the case or it perhaps no one bothered as they did the own fix and new the unit?


One final question, if I cant get car started by hitting the ESCL could I remove the unit, fit a second hand one (assuming its working), start car and then pull fuse?

Sorry for going over old ground but this is all new to me and quite overwhelming with tall pages and pages of info out there,
Cheers again,
Rodd

woo hoo,smacked the Steering unit, pushed start button once, it went into ACC mode, pulled the fuse and drove the hell of the Nissan workshop-should have their faces-gold! Especially after their comments "that wont work", "you will need to buy a new unit "etc Too funny.

I'll just add that this is the beauty of having special cars, none more so than the mighty Zed, in that there are many excellent people willing to share knowledge and experiences and pass that on. This job could have ended very badly for me without help from fellow Z forum users so thank you all very much once again

Long live the Zed :icon18:

Haha I love it! Right in front of them, too :rofl2: Nicely done! :tup: :tup:

Congrats. Now go :driving:



Background story is Nissan did a recall after the first three revisions were all failing. Then the rev d had similar issues. So instead of issuing another recall (those cost $$$), they just stopped putting the ESCL in the Z. That way they wouldn't have to document more failures that could lead to another recall.

Yeah I did hear about no ESLU in the 2012 + models. So is there some other type of steeering lock? Surely there must be something?

No. There is no form of steering lock in the Z as of 2012.

I just experienced the ESCL problem in Feb 2020 after 55,000 trouble free miles in my 370Z

I found a $70 part to fix the problem yourself. It’s Nissan OEM part that fits in the same place, but no longer locks the steering column. Part number is:
48708-9N00A check your favorite discount Nissan parts supplier (I found it on eBay for around $63 shipped. I was quoted a ‘discounted’ price of $743 to replace my steering lock at the Nissan dealer where I bought and had always serviced my Z.

Differences are - it has a plastic top and metal bottom, it has no ‘deadbolt’ that moves up & down. Although it came with them, I see no need to use security bolts as it doesn’t lock the wheel.

I prefer not to hack my wiring harness or have a steering wheel lock (ESCL) box I have to beat on. If the switches go open again.

The new part closes the internal switches, provides all the correct signals to BCM / ECU, so you get no starting delay. I DID experience starting delays after ‘banging’ on the old ESCL unit and ‘pulling the fuse’.

There’s a write up on page 39 near the end of this post: http://www.the370z.com/diy-section-d...rly-2010s.html

A Nissan OEM part purchase gives money to Nissan regardless of the vendor you purchase it from. Don't support Nissan by giving them money and pull the fuse instead.

recall
 

There is a recall on the part. Go to the dealer and they will replace it for free.
1 I paid for and got a refund from Nissan.The second time I used the recall and all was fixed for FREE.

Last I heard, the recall was limited. Some folks on this site have reported that they were denied replacement under the recall. But, yeah, at least give them a call if you are experiencing ESCL problems - they'll never say yes if you don't ask.