Problems · by component

2010 Nissan 3 Series steering problems

62 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2010 Nissan 3 Series cite steering, 56% of all 110 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
62
56% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the steering

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“As of 05/20/2025 my vehicle would not detect the Key in the vehicle to start. Put the Key in the slot to detect just in case it’s a bad battery on the Fob and nothing was being detected. Found out the steering lock unit is faulty. Called a local Nissan dealership and was told my VIN does not fall under a recall but I am having issues regarding the recall that has been sent out to some customers regarding the steering lock unit. Not too sure what can be done at this point.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 24, 2025SteeringODI 11662924
“My 370 Z Nissan was towed January 16, 2018 because of a problem with the electronic steering mechanism. The mileage at that time was 35,357 miles. Upon entering the car the steering wheel had locked and I could not start my car. Fortunately the car was in the garage at the time. total for repairs was $949 On March 29, 2018 a few months following with mileage at 35,857 miles I again experienced a steering lock problem and the car had to be towed once again …the repairs were covered at that time by warranty since this device was already replaced in January. December 9, 2021 I again experienced a problem with the steering lock mechanism mileage is 42,505 at this point on the car repairs were almost $1800 I find this a huge safety problem because I am a female and could be stranded at any time at any given place with a vehicle that wont operate…. This does concern me as I do travel out of town alone at times. I also drive at night from time to time . I did ask that the mechanism be disabled and was told by the mechanic at Nissan they were not allowed to disable the mechanism. My husband spoke with consumer affairs at Nissan and they were not willing to help us with…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 9, 2021SteeringODI 11443271
“MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS 40000 AND IT'S ALREADY SLIPPING GOING FROM 5TH GEAR TO 4TH GEAR ALSO WHEN I DO A HARD STOP THE VEHICLE WON'T ACCELERATE FOR A SEC THEN IT WILL JUMP INTO GEAR.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 15, 2021Steering, Power train, Unknown or otherODI 11388251
“NISSAN ESCL DEFECT. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THIS DEFECT ON MY MAKE AND MODEL AND REFUSING TO REIMBURSE THE TOWING, PART, AND LABOR. NEVER HAD A PROBLEM UNTIL 12/9/2019 WHEN MY CAR LEFT ME STRANDED. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO INFORMED ME OF THE WELL-KNOWN ESCL PROBLEM ON MY SPECIFIC MAKE AND MODEL. BECAUSE THERE IS NOT A RECALL ON MY VIN I'M OUT ROUGHLY $1,200.00. MY 2010 NISSAN 370Z HAS 60,000 MILES, IS GARAGED PARKED AND KEPT IN PRISTINE CONDITION FROM THE INSIDE OUT. I HAVE RECORDS OF EVERY OIL CHANGE, TIRE REPLACEMENT, BATTERY REPLACEMENT, WINDSHIELD WIPER REPLACEMENT, PASSING VEHICLE INSPECTION TO INCLUDE RECOMMENDED 'XXX' AMOUNT OF MILE SERVICES RECOMMENDED BY NISSAN. WHEN I INITIALLY CONTACTED NISSAN I WAS INFORMED ONLY A NISSAN DEALERSHIP COULD DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THERE FOR I PAID AN ADDITIONAL $150 TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO NISSAN. MY NISSAN TECHNICIAN CONFIRMED NISSAN CONSUMER NEVER CALLED THEM FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND THIS DECISION IS SOLELY BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER. PLEASE ADVISE THE APPROPRIATE STEPS TO MOVE FORWARD.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 2, 2020SteeringODI 11296728
“370Z YR 2010. I AM CONTACTING YOU FIRST BEFORE CONTACTING YOUR CEO. I RECENTLY DECIDED TO PURCHASE ANOTHER NISSAN. PLANNED TO TRADE IN ABOVE CAR WHEN OUT OF BLUE THE STEERING MECHANISM LOCKED UP...FOB DOES NOT START CAR . I HAVE REPLACED THE CAR BATTERY, BATTERY ON FOB. I HAVE READ THAT YOU HAVE RECALLED YOUR 370Z 2009/AND 2010 ON MULTIPLE WEBSITES. . WHEN I PUT THE VIN NUMBER IS IT SAYS 0 RECALLS ON YOUR WEBSITE. I HAVE SPENT HOURS TRYING ALL THE DIFFERENT RECOMMENDATIONS SUGGESTED BY NISSAN, FRIENDS, UTUBE TO START THIS CAR NOTHING WORKS. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH A ZERO RECALL ON MY VIN. SO YOUR COMPANY DOES NOT STAND BEHIND YOUR PRODUCT WITH A PROBLEM THAT CLEARLY SHOULD BE RECALLED. HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO BE INJURED FOR THIS DEFECT BEFORE YOU DO THE RIGHT THING....”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 6, 2019SteeringODI 11266586
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN 370Z. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WHEN THE ENGINE BUTTON WAS PRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO RAY BRANDT NISSAN (4000 LAPALCO BOULEVARD, HARVEY, LA 70058, (504) 367-1666) WHERE THE STEERING COLUMN FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED PER THE NISSAN WARRANTY REGARDING THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 34390382. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,800.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 12, 2019Steering, Electrical systemODI 11176456

Showing 6 of 62 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Other 2010 3 Series problem areas