2010 NISSAN 370Z — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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.

The contact called on behalf of her husband who owns a 2010 Nissan 370Z. The contact stated that while her husband was driving on a main road at 20 MPH, the passenger’s side air bag deployed. There were no warning lights illuminated. There were no injuries reported. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was advised to contact the manufacturer for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced Customer Service Bulletin: P0A10; as a possible cause for the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 35,000.

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 this problem. I have considered selling the car but I’m not comfortable doing so without disclosing this problem to a potential buyer. My husband I researched this issue online and it appears that many people have experienced the same issue with their 370 Z vehicles

****NOTE - NEED MORE INFORMATION. CONTACTED CONSUMER - 3/29/2021, 4/21/2021**** FLASHING AIR BAG LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT ALWAYS SAYS IT IS OFF EVEN WITH PASSENGERS IN THE SEAT. AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE DASH FLASHES AT ALL TIMES. ## VIN FAILED ## NISSAN, INFINITI, DATSUN 2010#VPIC# 1 - CHECK DIGIT (9TH POSITION) DOES NOT CALCULATE PROPERLY; 4 - VIN CORRECTED, ERROR IN ONE POSITION ONLY (INDICATED BY ! IN SUGGESTED VIN), MULTIPLE MATCHES FOUND; 14 - UNABLE TO PROVIDE INFORMATION FOR ALL THE CHARACTERS IN THE VIN. #VPIC# ##

THE SRS LIGHT CAME ON ON THE DASH. CAR IS 10 YEARS OLD, BUT ONLY HAS 24073 MILES ON IT. NISSAN DEALER IDENTIFIED ERROR CODE B1018. OCCUPANT SENSOR IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT FAILED. NISSAN QUOTED $4767 TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER SEAT BASE ASSEMBLY. STATED SENSOR WAS INTEGRATED INTO THE SEAT AND COULD NOT BE REPLACED WITHOUT REPLACING THE ENTIRE SEAT CUSHION. IT IS INTERESTING TO NOTE THAT NISSAN HAD A "VOLUNTARY RECALL CAMPAIGN" FOR THE EXACT SAME ISSUE ON THE 2007-2008 NISSAN 350Z. NISSAN TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 08-095D IS GERMANE. THE PROBLEM IS DESCRIBED AS A FAILED OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM VARISTOR IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION. THIS IS A SENSOR THAT LETS THE CAR KNOW WHETHER OR NOT AN AIRBAG SHOULD FIRE, DEPENDING ON WHETHER OR NOT THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THAT SEAT. DID NISSAN EVER CORRECT THIS SAFETY ISSUE? I CONTACTED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS, (CASE 42872979), BUT THEY WERE NO ASSISTANCE (ONLY STATING THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY). THIS IS A SAFETY ITEM THAT, IN MY OPINION, NISSAN SHOULD WARRANTY FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE, OR AT A MINIMUM ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE SAME COMPONENT ON THE PRIOR MODEL (350Z). THE SRS LIGHT COMES ON ON THE DASH, AND BLINKS INTERMITTENTLY. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT NEAR THE PASSENGER SEAT STAYS PERMANENTLY LIT. IN VIRGINIA (WHERE I LIVE), YOU CANNOT PASS STATE SAFETY INSPECTION WITH THE BLINKING SRS LIGHT ON YOUR DASHBOARD DISPLAY. HAS TO BE FIXED. I REPAIRED THE ISSUE MYSELF BY ACQUIRING A SECOND HAND (USED) SEAT. HOWEVER, AS I PREVIOUSLY STATED, NISSAN SHOULD PAY FOR THIS PROBLEM THAT THEY PREVIOUSLY ACKNOWLEDGED IN THE TECH SERVICE BULLETIN (FAULTY OCCUPANT SENSOR), BUT APPARENTLY HAVE NOT FIXED.