In the mean time check out the DIY I did with my version of tips on temporary and permanent solutions.

Jenny




http://www.the370z.com/diy-section-d...ml#post1463523

I swear you all are gonna have this issue and this is NISSAN'S job to fix this for us! We paid so much money for these z's and look its obvious this needs to be a recall situation I just dont know how to get this started w Nissan. I'm sure some you guys are talented n can fix the issue...wish I can.

OMG i'm going through the same thing. this happened to me about a 2 weeks ago. And now the stupid part is on back order and im driving a lame *** altima 2.5 with no tint! FML it would be on back order!

I totally agree with you! I had to get my car towed, missed work, and now the stupid part is on back order. which i dont pay all this money for this car for it to be in the shop waiting for one little part, that seems to be an issue with many of these Z's.

I TOTALLY AGREE..... I got stranded on my way into work, and now no ETA when this part will be shipped!

Just called nissan and complained about this issue of the steering wheel lock issue!

if you were even slightly capable of working on a car, i would recommend tapping at your faulty steering lock gently with a small hammer or a plastic mallet. if that doesnt work, unplug it at the harness, tap at it again.

that should be enough to get it to un-lock so that you can at least use your car until the replacement arrives.

btw, all this is included in the DIY thread...

the thing that really bothers me is that this is a $500 part, not chump change, when this should be repaired under warranty and recalled. When the hell will Nissan issue a recall?

i hear you.. but for me, i dont want to have to think about the towing damage that can occur, potential damage while the car sits at the dealership, waiting for parts to come in, etc. $500 and 15min is a small price to pay for insurance for me. :)

email I just sent to Nissan via:
NissanUSA.com - Contact



Dear Nissan,

I am writing to inquire about the status of a known issue with Nissan 370z models assembled from 2009 until early 2010 that involves a faulty Steering Wheel Lock that causes the Intelligent Key Warning to engage and effectively stranding vehicle owners without the ability to operate their car. This is a known issue that in fact WAS recalled already on the exact same part on the Nissan GTR models. I feel that it is unacceptable that so many people are experiencing this problem and that those of us driving with this part number have to wait to be inconvenienced tremendously by the part failing until it gets recalled. Please contact me with any questions about my concerns with this issue. I am a 15 year driver of Nissan vehicles and continue to purchase and drive them after my 1996 Sentra, 2001 Sentra and 2007 Murano were all reliable vehicles I expected my 2009 370z (my Dream car) to follow with that same level of reliability and ease of mind, but as it stands I do not feel comfortable recommending Nissan to my friends and family until this issue is resolved satisfactorily. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Did this work for you? The dealership actually has my car already!

iv tried that kinda did not work

Dear Landon
Thank you for taking the time to contact Nissan North America, Inc. and allowing us the opportunity to be of assistance.

In regards to your inquiry, please be advised that all recall and service campaign information is vehicle identification number specific, depending on the manufacturing date and the plant where the vehicle was assembled. Therefore not all models are subject to the same recalls. Technical Service Bulletins are not issued for vehicle not included on a recall.

If you are experiencing an issue with your vehicle, please contact your local Nissan dealer and schedule an appointment, as the dealer is in the best position to diagnose and repair your vehicle. Your Nissan dealer will be more than willing to assist.

Sincerely,

Nissan North America, Inc.

i replaced mine only as a precaution.

ive read that moving it around does release it most of the time. it's a intermittent issue. sometimes just towing the car is enough movement to unlock the steering lock...which means the dealer can start the car like nothing happened when it arrives and charge you for the towing, etc. :ugh2:

Well this sucks. Any 2011's have this issue?

shouldn't be. it seems to be 2009's and early 2010's only

yah, so far we've only seen affecting 2009's and early 2010's using the steering lock with either RevA or RevB.

RevC and RevD appears to be the solution. ive not read about 370Z/GTR owners with RevC with problems... yet.

im screwed. This **** just happend to me tonight! :( I have a car starter on there too..pretty sure i wont be covered under warranty. I can start the car with my car starter..it will start but i cant go anywhere..cuz on a car starter if u tap on the brakes it will shut off. unless i use the emergency as my brakes which im not doing..But other then that it wont start and the yellow key light and red light comes on. Guessing its goin to be over $1000 to fix huh

Yikes. I just read about another member on FB that just had his go south today as well. :shakes head: Nissan really should have put a recall out for this.

I think right around $1,000, if not a little more, is right. Haggomyeggo, the guy that bought my old Z, just had his go bad a few weeks ago too. :(

I have RevC on my Z which has a build date of July 09. I'm assuming the previous owner ran into this same problem and had the newer locking mechanism installed. Sucks for him but :tup: for me, as I was about to fork over $500 to get the latest version as a precaution.

MJB- im keeping an eye open from time to time at the GTR forums to see if there have been any repeat problems after their recall service was done. so far ive not seen any so i am pretty sure RevC is good.

and if it does fail, just tap at it to see if it will at least get you back to the dealer or home. :)

ouch

I just called them and they said if my car starter is not the cause of this issue then it is still covered under warranty! I have to go to Nissan on Monday and find out..hopefully they dont pull a fast one and sayin the car starter is the problem?

Nice, hopefully they cover it!

It's well documented at this point that it's a common problem so if they try to claim it's the starter, direct them to the internet!

haha that will work XD

if you had the lock failure be sure to file a complaint here

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/index.cfm

there have been many reports of this failure on this forum alone if everyone files the complaint the government will force the recall

I Urge you to file a complaint!!!!
 

Thanks Thechidz for the link, +1 Rep....
I urge ALL to File.
Link to search for current complaints: Search for a Complaint | Safercar.gov | NHTSA

my complaint:

1. Vehicle InformationVehicle Identification Number (VIN):xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Make / Model / Year:NISSAN 370Z 20092. Incident Information
Approximate Incident Date:11/25/2011 Failure Mileage:38,500 Speed:0 (mph)Failed Component(s):Electrical, SteeringFire: NoCrash: NoPersons
Injured: No Deaths
2: Description:Steering Lock Solenoid Failure at 38.5K 1,500miles after 36K warranty.
After dealership played parts changer for 3 weeks they finally worked up to the Steerling Lock Solenoid.
STEERING LOCK ASSM. $542 - $622 - #48700-JF00B
Production Date: 2008.10-2009.08 - #48700-JF00C
Production Date: 2009.08-2009.10 - #48700-JF00C
Production Date: 2009.10-2010.09 - #48700-JF00D
Production Date: 2010.09- Current (You Want This One "D")
Obviously this part has gone through revisions.
TOTAL Repair $837.00 -
3 Weeks in the shop. Had to have car towed to dealer after the
"Yellow" Key light showed up. This part has failed on many
Nissan Models with this type of electronic Steering Wheel Lock.
This needs to be a recall and anyone who paid to have it fixed
needs to be reimbursed.

A class action lawsuit need to be filed.

You should be fine with Version C, but if it does fail you'll be looking for blood... and $500 is a steal if you can get it. You'll be installing it yourself for that price. - I'm just sorry for all the people who have to deal with this.. it's not like a flat tire...

And with any manufacturer your gonna have problems.. It's just how they resolve it which will keep you as a repeating customer.. Of course if a company can't get their **** together like FORD, GM, CHRYSLER they will fall in sales. The good ole Government (Tax Payer) will bail them out... Now it's the Jap's turn to lower standards to compete with companies who should have failed. Nothing like having your tax dollars prop up rusting metal so the better product (Jap Cars) falls into 2nd place... - I know Nissan and the like get Government money, but not at the level the Big 3 eminem 8 mile Hemi garbage barge companies do. They just figured it out late in the game.. MAKE A BETTER CAR... AND PEOPLE WILL CONTINUALLY BUY IT.. oh and tell others as well!

Take care.. sorry for the rant... It just sucks!
oh and m4a1mustang - Nice Cruze... Very sharp car!

mwagner are you a racist? :icon17:

Cruze? :icon14:

Right on. I've filed with mine as well. I've been dealing with some woman at Nissan Corp USA and she's helping me "expedite" my car getting help. However, it's been over a month now. I'm going to call her today and tell her I shouldn't be paying for this.

Mine is dead waiting on tow sigh

Use the tow hook right?

To pull the car up on the flatbed, yes.

Ok good

Though you could probably tap on the steering lock then drive up yourself.

Tried no go

you probably did it too many times. :icon17: ;) you only get a few tries until the thing really dies, i guess.

GL with the repair. chin up. :)