NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
110 reports67,000 miles · Mar 8, 2018
Steering
THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED IN A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY. WITHOUT ANY INDICATION OR WARNING IT WAS FULLY IMMOBILIZED AND COULD NOT BE MOVED AT ALL. HAD THE VEHICLE BEEN PARKED IN A REMOTE OR CONGESTED AREA A HAZARD CERTAINLY WOULD BE PRESENTED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO NISSAN DEALER WHERE THE ISSUE WAS DIAGNOSED AS A FAILE…
Read full complaint
THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED IN A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY. WITHOUT ANY INDICATION OR WARNING IT WAS FULLY IMMOBILIZED AND COULD NOT BE MOVED AT ALL. HAD THE VEHICLE BEEN PARKED IN A REMOTE OR CONGESTED AREA A HAZARD CERTAINLY WOULD BE PRESENTED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO NISSAN DEALER WHERE THE ISSUE WAS DIAGNOSED AS A FAILED ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK (PART NUMBER 48700 MANUFACTURED JANUARY 28TH 2010). THE NISSAN SERVICE FITTED A DIFFERENT/REVISED PART AT A COST OF $1,608.00. NISSAN HAS A VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN ADDRESSING THIS EXACT "MANUFACTURING IRREGULARITY." A CLAIM WAS FILED BUT DENIED BECAUSE THIS VEHICLE/MODEL WAS NOT INCLUDED. NISSAN CUSTOMER AFFAIRS REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, STATING SIMPLY "THAT IS PROPRIETARY." A QUOTE FROM THE CAMPAIGN LITERATURE, 'DEALER WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK (ESCL) WITH AN ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN BOX (ESCB). THE ESCB WILL REPLACE THE ESCL ASSEMBLY, BUT WILL NO LONGER LOCK THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED AND TURNED OFF. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING FUNCTION IS NOT NECESSARY AS THE VEHICLE IS ALSO EQUIPPED WITH AN ANTI-THEFT IMMOBILIZER TO HELP PREVENT THEFT. INSTALLATION OF THE ESCB WILL ELIMINATE THE POSSIBILITY OF A NO-START CONDITION RELATED TO THE MANUFACTURING IRREGULARITY ON THE ESCL.' PICTURES OF THE DEFECTIVE PART, INCLUDING MARKINGS ARE ATTACHED.
NHTSA ODI #11078220
150,000 miles · Mar 1, 2018
Steering
THE INTELLIKEY WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE STEERING LOCKED. THERE ARE A LARGE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE. A DESIGN AND SAFETY ISSUE. THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN DRIVING. AFTER THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF IT DID NOT START.
NHTSA ODI #11075620
40,000 miles · Feb 11, 2018
Electrical System
STEERING LOCK UNIT FAILED. HAD A KEY EMBLEM THE NIGHT BEFORE, THOUGHT IT WAS MAYBE A FOB BATTERY ISSUE. NEXT MORNING VEHICLE WOULD NOT START OR GO INTO ACCESSORY POSITION. RESEARCHED AND FOUND THE COMMON STEERING LOCK UNIT ISSUE. HAD IT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, AND SURE ENOUGH THE UNIT HAD FAILED. REPLACED PART OUT OF POCKET, A…
Read full complaint
STEERING LOCK UNIT FAILED. HAD A KEY EMBLEM THE NIGHT BEFORE, THOUGHT IT WAS MAYBE A FOB BATTERY ISSUE. NEXT MORNING VEHICLE WOULD NOT START OR GO INTO ACCESSORY POSITION. RESEARCHED AND FOUND THE COMMON STEERING LOCK UNIT ISSUE. HAD IT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, AND SURE ENOUGH THE UNIT HAD FAILED. REPLACED PART OUT OF POCKET, AS THE ISSUE WAS COVERED FOR 2009 AND FIRST HALF 2010 CARS WITH SIMILAR ISSUES. MINE IS A SECOND HALF 2010 SO NO COVERAGE.
NHTSA ODI #11072154
72,300 miles · Jan 22, 2018
Electrical SystemSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN 370Z. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WHEN THE KEY WAS USED. ALSO, THE POWER STEERING BECAME VERY STIFF AND FAILED TO TURN RIGHT OR LEFT. THE FAILURES OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MODERN NISSAN OF LAKE NORMAN (18615 STATESVILLE RD, CORNELIUS, NC 28031) …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN 370Z. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WHEN THE KEY WAS USED. ALSO, THE POWER STEERING BECAME VERY STIFF AND FAILED TO TURN RIGHT OR LEFT. THE FAILURES OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MODERN NISSAN OF LAKE NORMAN (18615 STATESVILLE RD, CORNELIUS, NC 28031) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK PART NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 800-647-7261 AND STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING SINCE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. CASE NUMBER: 29498996 WAS PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,300.
NHTSA ODI #11064105
94,500 miles · Jan 10, 2018
Steering
I WENT TO THE STORE AND PARKED MY CAR. WHEN I WENT BACK OUT TO MY CAR 15 MINS LATER THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN HAD LOCKED UP AND WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO START MY CAR. IT NO LONGER RECOGNIZED THE KEY. THIS APPEARS TO BE A REOCCURRING ISSUE WITH MY MAKE AND MODEL AND THEREFORE SHOULD BE A RECALL.
NHTSA ODI #11061647
36,989 miles · Dec 27, 2017
Electrical SystemSteering
TAKATA RECALL - VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN 2009-2011 STEERING LOCK UNIT. I OWN A 2010 NISSAN 370Z WITH 37,000 MILES. LOCAL NISSAN DEALER WOULD NOT HONOR KNOWN ISSUE AND I HAD TO PAY $1500 TO REPAIR. PLEASE HELP. [XXX] , EMAIL: [XXX] VIN [XXX], DL: [XXX]. VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, STUCK IN PARKING LOT. HAD TO TOW TO NISSAN DEALER…
Read full complaint
TAKATA RECALL - VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN 2009-2011 STEERING LOCK UNIT. I OWN A 2010 NISSAN 370Z WITH 37,000 MILES. LOCAL NISSAN DEALER WOULD NOT HONOR KNOWN ISSUE AND I HAD TO PAY $1500 TO REPAIR. PLEASE HELP. [XXX] , EMAIL: [XXX] VIN [XXX], DL: [XXX]. VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, STUCK IN PARKING LOT. HAD TO TOW TO NISSAN DEALER FOR REPAIRS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #11056792
84,000 miles · Dec 8, 2017
Power Train
CSC (CLUTCH PRESSURE) IS FAILING. MANY 370Z DRIVERS ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE
NHTSA ODI #11053392
44,000 miles · Nov 11, 2017
Steering
DEFECTIVE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK (ESCL) ON 11/11/2017 MY 2010 370Z WOULD NOT START IN A COMMERCIAL PARKING LOT, COMPLETELY DISABLED. AFTER SOME QUICK RESEARCH, THE PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED. I CANNOT BELIEVE THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE AS THERE HAS BEEN FOR THE GT-R, ALTIMA AND I BELIEVE A FEW OTHER MODELS. I'M…
Read full complaint
DEFECTIVE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK (ESCL) ON 11/11/2017 MY 2010 370Z WOULD NOT START IN A COMMERCIAL PARKING LOT, COMPLETELY DISABLED. AFTER SOME QUICK RESEARCH, THE PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED. I CANNOT BELIEVE THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE AS THERE HAS BEEN FOR THE GT-R, ALTIMA AND I BELIEVE A FEW OTHER MODELS. I'M AFRAID THAT MY VEHICLE MAY NOT BE COVERED UNDER THOSE OTHER RECALLS ALTHOUGH THE ISSUE IS THE SAME. NOTE THAT NISSAN DISCONTINUED THIS EQUIPMENT STARTING IN 2012, LIKELY DUE TO ITS UNRELIABILITY. I HAVE OWNED 4 OTHER NISSAN VEHICLES (1989 NISSAN PATHFINDER, 350Z, SENTRA, FRONTIER). THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'M STUCK WITH A "DEAD" CAR THAT WILL COST ME A LOT TO GET REPAIRED. IT IS NOW SITTING AT MY NISSAN DEALER AND WAITING TO HEAR FROM MY SERVICE ADVISOR. HE WAS QUITE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #11045372
27,000 miles · Oct 16, 2017
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Unknown Or Other
THE LIGHT ON THE DASH COMES ON READING THERE IS NOT KEY IN THE CAR WHEN IN FACT THERE IS. IT HAPPENS WITH BOTH MY FOBS. NOW, THE CAR WON'T EVEN START AND I HAVE TO USE THE KEY TO GET INSIDE IT. HAPPENED WHEN STATIONARY THEN WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA ODI #11033824
79,766 miles · May 31, 2017
Unknown Or Other
THE PROBLEM: DEFECTIVE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK (ESCL) ON 12/01/16 I HAD TO HAVE MY VEHICLE TOWED TO A LOCAL NISSAN DEALER AFTER IT BECAME DISABLED BY WHAT I WAS ADVISED WAS THE FAILURE OF THE ESCL UNIT. THE COST OF THE REPAIRS TOTALED $1094.20. IN ADDITION, DUE TO THE LATENESS OF THE HOUR I ARRIVED AT THE DEALERSHIP, I …
Read full complaint
THE PROBLEM: DEFECTIVE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK (ESCL) ON 12/01/16 I HAD TO HAVE MY VEHICLE TOWED TO A LOCAL NISSAN DEALER AFTER IT BECAME DISABLED BY WHAT I WAS ADVISED WAS THE FAILURE OF THE ESCL UNIT. THE COST OF THE REPAIRS TOTALED $1094.20. IN ADDITION, DUE TO THE LATENESS OF THE HOUR I ARRIVED AT THE DEALERSHIP, I WAS WITHOUT THE USE OF MY VEHICLE THAT EVENING THROUGH MIDDAY OF THE FOLLOWING DAY. MY OWN ON-LINE RESEARCH LED ME TO THE DISCOVERY THAT THIS MECHANICAL FAILURE IS A KNOWN ISSUE TO NISSAN, AND THERE HAD BEEN A TSB CAMPAIGN A FEW YEARS PRIOR THAT I HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF OR INCLUDED IN BY THE NISSAN CORP. I HAVE BEEN A LOYAL NISSAN CONSUMER FOR YEARS, AND MY CURRENT VEHICLE THAT WAS AFFECTED BY THIS BREAKDOWN, IS ACTUALLY MY FOURTH "Z" VEHICLE. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED AND DISPLEASED BY HOW NISSAN HAS CHOSEN TO HANDLE THIS ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #10992374
NHTSA investigations
1EA21002 · Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Opened Sep 17, 2021 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
Illustration