2009 Nissan 370Z Problems
Compared with other Nissan 370Z years
More complaints than typical for this model
68/100 1.5× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 1.5× that of a typical Nissan 370Z year, weighted for crashes, fires, injuries, recalls and mileage, and allowing for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints.
- 7 of its 153 complaints were filed by the end of 2011.
- Most reported problem: Steering lock failure (car won't start) (97 complaints, median 39,500 mi).
Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2011
Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated
- Complaints
- 153filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 39,650miles, 146 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 21 mpgcombined, 3.7L 6-cyl RWD · 18 city / 26 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2009 Nissan 370Z (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
What owners report
Owners of the 2009 370Z most often report a no-start condition tied to the electronic steering column lock, usually after the car has been parked and with the yellow key warning light on. Clutch pedal problems on manual cars — the pedal sinking to the floor and not returning — are the next most common theme, followed by fuel gauge readings that do not match the actual fuel level. Most sampled complaints are filed between roughly 20,000 and 60,000 miles.
- Steering
Steering lock failure (car won't start)
- 97 complaints (63%)
- median 39,500 mi at 4.2 yrs old (94 state mileage)
- owner-quoted repair $1,100 (median of 30 quotes)
- filed 2011–2025
Owners describe pressing the start button and getting nothing — the key warning light and lock indicator light up but the engine will not crank, and in some cases the car will not go into accessory mode either. The car has to be towed, and dealers typically diagnose it as a failed steering lock or electronic steering column lock module and quote a repair in the several-hundred-to-over-a-thousand-dollar range. Some owners report repeat replacements, and several mention a service campaign applied to the part. Reported across a wide span, most often between about 20,000 and 60,000 miles and after the car had been parked.
What to check: Before buying, try several cold starts and confirm the key light goes out and the steering unlocks each time; ask whether the steering lock module has been replaced and whether any service campaign was performed on it.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“The 370Z uses a keyless ignition system. The system failed and I am no longer able to start the car. I am being told by the dealer that it is the electronic steering lock system. There are many many other 2009-2010 370Z owners that are experiencing this same issue at aprox 30-40k miles. This appears to be a manufacturer defect.”
NHTSA complaint #10478160, filed 2012-10, 48,500 miles“Tried starting my 370Z and it would not start, due to what the Nissan dealer described as a steering lock failure. When this occurs it leaves the driver stranded as the car will not operate. Nissan replaced this part on the 2012 370Z but has done nothing for the previous models. Nissan will not cover the part since I am 2000 miles over my warranty, yet many owners have had this failure.”
NHTSA complaint #10481577, filed 2012-10, 38,000 miles - Transmission and drivetrain
Clutch pedal sticks to the floor
- 23 complaints (15%)
- median 51,000 mi at 6.1 yrs old (23 state mileage)
- owner-quoted repair $1,200 (median of 5 quotes)
- filed 2010–2017
On manual cars, owners report the clutch pedal going to the floor and staying there, leaving the car unable to change gear or move off; some describe having to hook the pedal up with a foot to keep driving. Dealers and shops commonly diagnose the concentric slave cylinder, and sometimes the master cylinder, as the failed part, with repairs reported more than once on the same car. A few owners mention the problem appearing after highway driving or in stop-and-go conditions. Reported from roughly 16,000 to 65,000 miles, with several cases in the 30,000-40,000 mile range and some repeat failures.
What to check: On a manual car, press the clutch repeatedly and check that the pedal returns fully and firmly every time; ask whether the slave cylinder or clutch hydraulic parts have been replaced and when.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“This problem of the clutch sticking has been an ongoing problem since I purchased the vehicle. I don't drive the car that often but when I do the clutch pedal does not come up once pushed to the floor. In order for the clutch pedal to return to the up position I have to pull it up with my left foot and this have become a hazard driving. The car currently have 42,242 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #10586461, filed 2014-05, 36,500 miles“I have a 2009 370Z. It is daily driven (no clutch dumping, burn out, track, racing, etc.). The clutch is oem. At 16,158 miles I was leaving work. I was getting ready to pull out of the parking lot when the clutch pedal sunk to the floor. The more I press down, the more pressure was lost. The dealership diagnosed the problem as a failed concentric slave cylinder. This is probably the same part that is used in the '07+ 350z with similar issues. Thankfully this problem occurred in the parking lot. …”
NHTSA complaint #10356227, filed 2010-09, 16,158 miles - Electrical system
Push-button start needs several presses
- 16 complaints (10%)
- median 33,000 mi at 4.3 yrs old (15 state mileage)
- filed 2011–2016
Some owners describe pressing the start button and getting dash lights and a click but no crank, needing anywhere from two to ten presses before the engine starts. In some cases the dealer had no explanation, and in others the steering lock had already been replaced without solving it. A separate report describes a failed power distribution module leaving the car unable to start at all. Reported between about 25,000 and 70,000 miles, often intermittently.
What to check: Start the car cold several times and note whether one press is enough; ask whether the intelligent key batteries, start button and steering lock have been checked or replaced.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“My 370Z will start up fine sometimes but most times I have to it the start button 7-10 times before it cranks. When I push the button all lights on dash come and it makes clicking sounds but just won't start the vehicle. I had my steering lock mechanism replaced 6 months ago because there was a recall but the problem still persist. I have taken it to the dealership but no one can give me a solid answer.”
NHTSA complaint #10734733, filed 2015-07, 58,000 miles“On monday 9/15/14 I attempted to start my car like I had done earlier in the day without any problems. When I went to push my start button, I noticed that nothing had happened at all except the illumination of a key lock light. After checking the gas, battery, and fuses, I did not know what to do about this issue. Today is 9/17/14 and when I attempt to start my car I have to depress the start button 7-10 times before it actually starts the car. …”
NHTSA complaint #10637101, filed 2014-09, 45,000 miles
Buying note. The 2009 370Z is a car where a pre-purchase inspection pays off: check that it starts reliably on the first press and that the steering unlocks, and on a manual car confirm the clutch pedal returns properly. Ask for records of any steering lock replacement or service campaign work, since repeat repairs are reported.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 153 consumer complaints for the 2009 Nissan 370Z. 146 of the complaints include a mileage, and 64% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 39,650 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 96 technical service bulletins for this model year. Compared with the other 2 Nissan 370Z model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 68 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (more complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Steering88 58%
- Electrical system67 44%
- Fuel system11 7.2%
- Engine8 5.2%
- Air bags6 3.9%
- Other or unknown6 3.9%
- Engine cooling4 2.6%
- Brakes3 2.0%
- Body and structure3 2.0%
Also reported: Vehicle speed control (2), Seat belts (1), Seats (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Steering: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #11184226, filed 2019-03, 129,200 milesElectrical system: “I parked the car in the lot and lock it. When I came back to drive away at 2:00 am where is nobody around I couldn't start the car and I had key warning indicator flashing on the dashboard. I found out later that is my steering wheel lock module failed like another couple of hundreds other 370Z. Nissan need to recall it.”
NHTSA complaint #10491721, filed 2013-01, 37,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “I got into my car in the garage and tried to start it by first pushing the clutch and pressing the start button. While pushing the clutch down, it fell to the floor and stayed there and never came back up. I have to lift it with my left foot.”
NHTSA complaint #10967085, filed 2017-03, 24,495 milesFuel 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.”
NHTSA complaint #11384267, filed 2020-12, 93,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
64% of the 146 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 28,580 and 58,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2009 Nissan 370Z version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 370z RWD | 3.7L 6-cyl | 7-speed automatic | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,900 |
| 370z RWD | 3.7L 6-cyl | 6-speed manual | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,900 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2009 Nissan 370Z in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 96 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11031705Apr 13, 2026Body and structure. CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “Certification Label” or “VIN Plate/Label” may be needed. HINT…
- 11031704Apr 13, 2026Body and structure. CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “Certification Label” or “VIN Plate/Label” may be needed. HINT…
- 11004962May 21, 2024Electrical system. VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 11004961May 21, 2024Electrical system. CAN COMMUNICATION – NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 11004960May 21, 2024Electrical system. CAN COMMUNICATION CODES – DIAGNOSTIC TIPS AND GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 11001201Apr 30, 2024Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). WINDOW GLASS WARRANTY INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 11001194Apr 30, 2024Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). REMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 11001191Apr 30, 2024Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). WINDSHIELD CRACKING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10243708Sep 21, 2023Steering. DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10239062Jun 16, 2023Electrical system. SILICONE-BASED LUBRICANT OR GREASE CAN DAMAGE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SERVICE INFORMATION Do not apply Silicone-based lubricants or grease to, or around, any interior electrical components. To avoid…
Other model years of the Nissan 370Z
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 5 | 5,000 | 0 | — | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 2014 | 10 | 19,000 | 0 | — | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 2013 | 17 | 23,000 | 0 | — | 21 | — | Falling |
| 2012 | 16 | 36,262 | 0 | — | 21 | — | Falling |
| 2011 | 40 | 35,850 | 1 | — | 21 | 20 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2010 | 110 | 40,000 | 0 | — | 21 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2009 | 153 | 39,650 | 0 | — | 21 | 68 · More | Falling |
All Nissan 370Z model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Nissan 370Z?
Owners of the 2009 370Z most often report a no-start condition tied to the electronic steering column lock, usually after the car has been parked and with the yellow key warning light on. The issues reported most often: Steering lock failure (car won't start); Clutch pedal sticks to the floor; Push-button start needs several presses.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2009 Nissan 370Z have?
NHTSA recorded 153 consumer complaints for the 2009 Nissan 370Z as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2009 Nissan 370Z is reported most often?
Steering is named most often, in 88 complaints (58% of the total), followed by electrical system with 67.
Has the 2009 Nissan 370Z been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Nissan 370Z get?
The EPA rates the 2009 Nissan 370Z (370z, 3.7L 6-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 18 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2009 Nissan 370Z reported?
Among the 146 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 39,650 miles and the middle half falls between 28,580 and 58,000 miles; 64% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.