I had the problem last month and it took two weeks to get the steering lock. I double checked and they did install the "D" unit on mine. I checked a bunch of dealers while I was waiting, including Courtesy Nissan and no one had any in stock. They all told me it was on back order. From the sound of things, my 2 week wait was less than most. I guess I got lucky.

Nissan really should do a recall on this!

AZ

I was thinking more along the lines of sending the story out to car sites/blogs, as it appears Nissan isn't really responding to e-mails regarding the issue nor are they taking an effort to address it. Putting the issue out in the public domain on car-related publications and sites would definitely get Nissan's attention, and could possibly force them to respond (with something besides a canned reply).

Furthermore, pushing information on the steering lock issue alerts other Z, GTR, Altima, and Maxima drivers to be aware of the high possibility of the issue afflicting them; not everyone who owns one of those cars is on the forums. One my ex-girlfriends' parents drive a Maxima, and while I hate that bitch, I think her parents are fantastic people, who only happened to accidentally raise an idiot - it would be awful to see them driving out to the mountains to go hiking or camping and then getting stuck out there.

I'm on board with this... how can we help?

good to hear! :tup: please keep us posted on your car.

i think with japan's production finally kicking up to near full since the 3/11 disaster last year all the suppliers are coming up kind of short on supply for service parts. :)

:iagree: Who among us is going to take the lead?

Does anyone know of a 2011 model going out?

Based on what I've read on this thread and Kenchan's DIY, I've also emailed Nissan North America (no response yet) and I also contacted my local dealership service department that I purchased my Z from back in 2009. I provided the service manager the background on what has been happening to other 370Z owners and the part(s) in question. He replied back that he had his folks look into it and they confirmed that no TSB was out for this on the 370Z. He said they have had only one instance to date of this problem at their dealership. That was interesting to me because that is one more I (we) were not aware of.

This very real first year of production (unknown) problem, is why I bought an extended warranty. As foolish as it sounds.

I bought an extended warranty also and it does not sound foolish at all. Although mine is under factory warranty still, I don't like the idea of sheeling out serious dollars when I pass 36,000 miles, which will likely be later this year.

That's funny. How do they explain why the 2012 models don't have them (per onzedge)?

Also my dealer gave me a extended warranty at no extra charge. I was pretty shocked.

mr.onzedge- while you were on your painful biztrip to hawaii :icon17: was your car hooked up to a battery manager or your kids drive your Z around while you were out?

i ask because there might be some link (not verified) of cars with lower battery charge having this issue more than others.

especially for those in very hot or very cold climates cca can vary greatly...and 3yrs is about when batteries start to show wear if not on battery manager.

I'm going to gather up the appropriate data and then write something up on Monday and shoot it out to some of the car sites I frequent - Edmunds' Insideline, Jalopnik, and Autoblog - any other suggestions?

Is it possible, then, to mitigate or overcome the issue by getting a new battery?? Could be an easier fix than the $500, out-of-stock part.

EDIT: Perhaps nevermind - just saw this post from the other thread...

Waaaaaaaasabi- we're just trying to understand the situation. Over oilling is likely on the earlier recall but I don't think nissan's supplier completely understands the problems.

I noted this in the diy already.

My car was not on a battery charger and I was only gone for 5 days total. I do not think any of my guys messed with the Z -- they know better. Besides, we changed the locks and codes. :icon17:

Scotty in Star Trek III stated that "The more you overtake the plumbing, the easier it is to stop up the drain". It could very well be that it is simply a bad design with too many moving parts/interfaces. Why else would Nissan simply eliminate the lock entirely in the 2012 models?