NISSAN 370Z · model year

2009 NISSAN 370Z

227 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2009NISSAN370Z carries 227 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2009 370Z is steering with 88 filings, followed by electrical system (67) and power train (23). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 54 investigation files overlapping the 2009 370Z, and 5 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

227
Complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

227 filings

Crashes Reported

2 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
STEERING88
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM67
POWER TRAIN23
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM9
ENGINE8
AIR BAGS6
UNKNOWN OR OTHER6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING3
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
STRUCTURE:BODY2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE1
SEATS1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC1

Recent Complaints

20251215STEERING

The contact owns a 2009 Nissan 370Z. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the steering wheel locked up, and the contact was unable to start the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the residence, where a mobile mechanic diagnosed the vehicle with steering module failure. The contact called the dealer to schedule an appointment, and the dealer informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under Nissan Voluntary Service Campaign Number: P3208; free of charge, because the vehicle had already been previously repaired under the Voluntary Service Campaign. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact the vehicle history did not display the completion of Nissan Voluntary Service Campaign Number: P3208, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 176,000.

Mileage: 176,000

20230428SEAT BELTS

Seatbelts won’t retract easily from both driver and passenger side.

20210715AIR BAGS

My vehicle has only 12,400 miles, and the passenger air bag light will not go off and the airbag light in the dash keeps blinking. Millions of Nissan vehicles have had the same problem. I want my Nissan dealership, where I purchased this vehicle ( M’Lady in Crystal Lake, IL ), to fix this at no cost to me.

20210715ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

My vehicle has only 12,400 miles, and the passenger air bag light will not go off and the airbag light in the dash keeps blinking. Millions of Nissan vehicles have had the same problem. I want my Nissan dealership, where I purchased this vehicle ( M’Lady in Crystal Lake, IL ), to fix this at no cost to me.

20201220FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

VEHICLE FUEL GAUGE SAID 1/4 OF A TANK AS I WAS DRIVING THE CAR SUDDENLY SHUT OFF ON A BUSY ROAD MAKING IT VERY DANGEROUS. I HAD THE CAR TOWED HOME AND AS I WAS TRYING TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM I ADDED GAS TO THE TANK AND THE CAR STARTED. OBVIOUSLY THE PROBLEM IS THE FUEL SENDING UNIT.

Mileage: 93,000

20200521STRUCTURE

THE DASHBOARD IN THE CAR IS GREYING AND STICKY (SAME AS 2008-09 ALTIMAS, 2011 MAXIMAS, TOYOTAS, ETX) AND CAN CREATE A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD FROM THE SUN REFLECTING OFF OF THE GLUE. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *TR

Mileage: 96,204

20200401ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I PURCHASED MY FIRST NISSAN, A 2009 370Z, IN 2018. I WENT TO START MY CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START, AFTER READING VARIOUS FORUMS ON THE INTERNET I FOUND THE ISSUE WITH THE 370Z IS WELL DOCUMENTED TO THE ESCL (ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK) ISSUE. THERE IS NO WARNING TO THIS OCCURRING; I DROVE MY CAR TO THE STORE AND THEN HOME, AN HOUR LATER WENT TO START TO THE CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START. THE ONLY LEAD I HAD WAS THE INTELLIGENT KEY WARNING LIGHT, THAT WHEN REFERENCED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATES THIS WILL LOCK THE STEERING COLUMN AND PREVENT THE CAR FROM STARTING. THIS IS USUALLY TRIGGERED FROM AN UNREGISTERED KEY BUT MY KEYS WERE REGISTERED AND HAD WORKED WITH THE CAR FROM THE TIME I BOUGHT IT. THE CAR HAS HAD THIS MODULE CHANGED OUT FOR PARTS ARE DATED, AND THE CURRENT MODULE IS DATED FROM 2012, AFTER THE CAR WAS RELEASED IN 2009. I AM NOT FACED WITH REPLACING THIS PART TO GET MY 370Z TO START, I HAVE TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE NISSAN SHOP AND WAS TOLD IT WILL BE ABOUT $110

Mileage: 82,458

20200401STEERING

I PURCHASED MY FIRST NISSAN, A 2009 370Z, IN 2018. I WENT TO START MY CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START, AFTER READING VARIOUS FORUMS ON THE INTERNET I FOUND THE ISSUE WITH THE 370Z IS WELL DOCUMENTED TO THE ESCL (ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK) ISSUE. THERE IS NO WARNING TO THIS OCCURRING; I DROVE MY CAR TO THE STORE AND THEN HOME, AN HOUR LATER WENT TO START TO THE CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START. THE ONLY LEAD I HAD WAS THE INTELLIGENT KEY WARNING LIGHT, THAT WHEN REFERENCED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATES THIS WILL LOCK THE STEERING COLUMN AND PREVENT THE CAR FROM STARTING. THIS IS USUALLY TRIGGERED FROM AN UNREGISTERED KEY BUT MY KEYS WERE REGISTERED AND HAD WORKED WITH THE CAR FROM THE TIME I BOUGHT IT. THE CAR HAS HAD THIS MODULE CHANGED OUT FOR PARTS ARE DATED, AND THE CURRENT MODULE IS DATED FROM 2012, AFTER THE CAR WAS RELEASED IN 2009. I AM NOT FACED WITH REPLACING THIS PART TO GET MY 370Z TO START, I HAVE TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE NISSAN SHOP AND WAS TOLD IT WILL BE ABOUT $110

Mileage: 82,458

20200229ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH AN ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK (ESCL) THAT LOCKS THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED AND TURNED OFF TO HELP PREVENT THEFT. ON SOME VEHICLES, DUE TO A MANUFACTURING IRREGULARITY,THE ESCL MAY MALFUNCTION AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN LOCKED AND COULD PREVENT THE ENGINE FROM STARTING. THIS CONDITION, SHOULD IT OCCUR, WILL ONLY OCCUR WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, WHICH HAPPENED WITH MY NISSAN 370Z YESTERDAY. THANK GOD I WASN;T STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. AND LUCKILY THIS DID NOT HAPPEN IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION OR OTHER BUSY ROAD. I HAVE READ THAT NISSAN HAS ALREADY RECALLED THIS PART FOR THEIR 2009-10 NISSAN ALTIMA, ALTIMA COUPE, ALTIMA HYBRID, AND MAXIMA VEHICLES BUT HAVE NOT READ ABOUT INCLUDING THEIR 2009-10 NISSAN 370Z MODELS. MULTIPLE 370Z FORUMS CONFIRM THAT THE 2009-10 370Z MODELS HAVE THE SAME ISSUES AS THE RECALLED NISSAN MODELS. THIS NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED. 2009-10 NISSAN 370Z CUSTOMERS SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR THE NEW

Mileage: 135,000

20200229STEERING

MY VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH AN ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK (ESCL) THAT LOCKS THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED AND TURNED OFF TO HELP PREVENT THEFT. ON SOME VEHICLES, DUE TO A MANUFACTURING IRREGULARITY,THE ESCL MAY MALFUNCTION AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN LOCKED AND COULD PREVENT THE ENGINE FROM STARTING. THIS CONDITION, SHOULD IT OCCUR, WILL ONLY OCCUR WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, WHICH HAPPENED WITH MY NISSAN 370Z YESTERDAY. THANK GOD I WASN;T STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. AND LUCKILY THIS DID NOT HAPPEN IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION OR OTHER BUSY ROAD. I HAVE READ THAT NISSAN HAS ALREADY RECALLED THIS PART FOR THEIR 2009-10 NISSAN ALTIMA, ALTIMA COUPE, ALTIMA HYBRID, AND MAXIMA VEHICLES BUT HAVE NOT READ ABOUT INCLUDING THEIR 2009-10 NISSAN 370Z MODELS. MULTIPLE 370Z FORUMS CONFIRM THAT THE 2009-10 370Z MODELS HAVE THE SAME ISSUES AS THE RECALLED NISSAN MODELS. THIS NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED. 2009-10 NISSAN 370Z CUSTOMERS SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR THE NEW

Mileage: 135,000

20200229UNKNOWN OR OTHER

MY VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH AN ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK (ESCL) THAT LOCKS THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED AND TURNED OFF TO HELP PREVENT THEFT. ON SOME VEHICLES, DUE TO A MANUFACTURING IRREGULARITY,THE ESCL MAY MALFUNCTION AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN LOCKED AND COULD PREVENT THE ENGINE FROM STARTING. THIS CONDITION, SHOULD IT OCCUR, WILL ONLY OCCUR WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, WHICH HAPPENED WITH MY NISSAN 370Z YESTERDAY. THANK GOD I WASN;T STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. AND LUCKILY THIS DID NOT HAPPEN IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION OR OTHER BUSY ROAD. I HAVE READ THAT NISSAN HAS ALREADY RECALLED THIS PART FOR THEIR 2009-10 NISSAN ALTIMA, ALTIMA COUPE, ALTIMA HYBRID, AND MAXIMA VEHICLES BUT HAVE NOT READ ABOUT INCLUDING THEIR 2009-10 NISSAN 370Z MODELS. MULTIPLE 370Z FORUMS CONFIRM THAT THE 2009-10 370Z MODELS HAVE THE SAME ISSUES AS THE RECALLED NISSAN MODELS. THIS NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED. 2009-10 NISSAN 370Z CUSTOMERS SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR THE NEW

Mileage: 135,000

20190808FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THE GAS READING IS ALWAYS MESSED UP SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR, IT'S LEFT ME STRANDED MY LAST 350Z ALSO DID THIS I WON'T SHOP NISSAN WITH THESE ISSUES IF I'M FORCED TO PAY FOR THIS ISSUE TWICE

Mileage: 117,041

20190327STEERING

I PURCHASED MY FIRST NISSAN, A 2009 370Z, IN 2009. AS OF TODAY THE CAR HAS HAD FOUR (4) ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCKS (ESCL) INSTALLED. THE ESCL THAT NISSAN USES IS DEFECTIVE, WHICH RESULTS IN LEAVING THEIR CUSTOMERS STRANDED. THIS, IN MY OPINION IS UNCONSCIONABLE. THE LATEST FAILURE OF THE ESCL LEFT ME STRANDED OUT OF TOWN. I HAVE NO FAITH THAT THE FOURTH ESCL WILL BE ANY BETTER THAN THE PREVIOUS THREE THAT NISSAN HAS INSTALLED. IT IS WELL DOCUMENTED THAT THE ESCL THAT NISSAN USES IS MALFUNCTIONING. THE INTERNET IS FULL OF STORIES OF PEOPLE STRANDED IN UNSAFE AREAS DUE TO THIS DEFECTIVE PART. NISSAN CLAIMS TO HAVE FIXED THIS ISSUE BUT CLEARLY THEY HAVE NOT. MY CAR WOULD HAVE NO PROBLEMS STARTING, HOWEVER THE ESCL THAT NISSAN HAVE INSTALLED WILL NOT ALLOW IT TO START. NISSAN WILL NOT ALLOW MY CAR TO START UNLESS I PAY THEM TO INSTALL A DEFECTIVE PART. SO I HAD TO PAY THEM. CURRENTLY NISSAN IS RECALLING THE 2009 ALTIMA DUE TO A DEFECTIVE ESCL AND REPAIR THEM FOR FREE. HOWEV

Mileage: 89,000

20190304STEERING

I GOT INTO MY STATIONARY VEHICLE AND WHEN I PUSH THE START BUTTON IT REMAINED IN THE LOCK POSITION. THE STEERING LOCK SENSOR LIGHT WAS ON AND IT WON'T CHANGE INTO THE ACC OR ON POSITION. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME, FIRST TIME THE DEALERSHIP HAD TO FIX IT.

Mileage: 129,200

20180410STEERING

SERVICE CAMPAIGN BULLETIN NO. NTB13-014 WAS ISSUED ON 3/7/2013. MY CAR EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL NOTICE AND THE NISSAN DEALER REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE PART ON 12/2/2013 AT NO CHARGE. IN NOVEMBER, 2017, MY CAR EXPERIENCED THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. IT WAS REPAIRED AT THE SAME NISSAN DEALER, PERFORMING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE EXACT SAME PART, ON 11/17/2017 AT A COST TO ME OF $1,153.40. NISSAN HAS REFUSED TO COVER THE REPLACED (DEFECTIVE) PART STATING: 1) THEY COMPLIED WITH THE RECALL CAMPAIGN BY REPLACING THE INITIAL FAILED PART WITH A SECOND (DEFECTIVE) PART, AND 2) THE SECOND (DEFECTIVE) PART WAS BEYOND ITS 12 MONTH WARRANTY. IN BOTH CASES, THE DEFECTIVE PART DISABLED THE VEHICLE FROM STARTING, THUS CREATING THE NEED TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. BECAUSE THE EXACT SAME PART FAILED THAT WAS SUBJECT TO THE SERVICE RECALL CAMPAIGN, CREATING THE NECESSITY FOR A SECOND REPLACEMENT, I BELIEVE IT SHOULD HAVE ALSO BEEN SUBJECT TO THE SERVICE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE REPLAC

Mileage: 108,400

20180220ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK DEVICE HAS BEEN FAILING DAILY.I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN MARCH OF 2014 AND I HAVE ALL OF THE PAPERWORK THAT SHOWS THE PREVIOUS OWNER TOOK IT TO AUTONATION NISSAN CHANDLER AND UNDER RECALL P3208 IT WAS SUPPOSEDLY FIXED IN 2013. I DIDN'T EVEN OWN THE CAR TIL 2014!THE NTB13-014 ALSO WAS ON THE INVOICE. IT SAYS THEY REPLACED THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK UNIT- I HAVE SPENT OVER $20K ON MY Z ( NOT INCLUDING THE PRICE OF THE CAR, AND I CAN'T EVEN GET LARRY H MILLER NISSAN TO TAKE CARE OF IT. THEY WANT $1500. I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW LARRY H MILLER NISSAN KNEW ABOUT THIS AND NEW THE DATES IT WAS 'FIXED' AT THE OTHER DEALERSHIP, AND FAILED TO NOTIFY ME WHEN I BROUGHT IT TO THEIR ATTENTION.I HAVE ALL MY INVOICES FOR WORK DONE,AND A NISSAN W 44,000 MILES HAS HAD ENDLESS PROBLEMS -PLEASE HELP. I AM DISABLED, AND THIS IS A HUGE FINANCIAL BURDEN FOR ME,I REALLY HAD A LOT OF CONFIDENCE IN NISSAN TAKING CARE OF THEIR CUSTOMERS - IT SEEMS THAT ISN'T THE CASE- ON JUNE 27 I GOT INTO A

Mileage: 43,480

20180123AIR BAGS

PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR CAME ON AND SHOWS THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IS OFF. THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS FLASHING AS WELL WITH NO WARNING AT ALL. JUST STARTING THE CAR, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND SAID AIR BAG OFF AND FLASHING LIGHT ON DASH. PASSENGER AIRBAG WON'T TURN BACK ON AND DOESN'T WORK PUTTING PASSENGERS IN GREAT DANGER.

Mileage: 40,000

20171201AIR BAGS

WHEN DRIVING THE SEATBELT AIRBAG LIGHT IS FLASHING, WANT GO OFF, EVEN IF JUST SITTING STILL WITH THE CAR CRANK, THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS FLASHING.

20170908STEERING

CAR WOULDNT START HAD TO GET IT TOWED , KNOWN PROBLEM OF THE STEERING WHEEL MECHANISM LOCK HAS TO BE REPLACED . NISSAN IS PAYING FOR ALTIMAS AND MAXIMAS TO GET REPLACED BUT NOT 370Z THAT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. OVER $1200 TO REPAIR FOR A KNOWN DEFECT

Mileage: 45,000

20170815UNKNOWN OR OTHER

MY PUSH BUTTON START DOES NOT START THE CAR. IT GOES TO AAC AND THE IGNITION BUT THE CAR JUST SITES THERE. IT WILL NOT TURN THE ENGINE. I WAS STRANDED ONE TIME AND HAD TO GET TOWED HOME.

Mileage: 69,004

Compare 2009NISSAN370Z to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 5 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2009 NISSAN 370Z have?
The 2009 NISSAN 370Z has 227 NHTSA complaints, 2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 NISSAN 370Z?
The most-complained component for the 2009 NISSAN 370Z is STEERING with 88 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and POWER TRAIN.
Is the 2009 NISSAN 370Z safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.