AI Damage2011 Nissan 370Z: common problems
Owners of the 2011 Nissan 370Z filed 40 complaints with NHTSA, most often about steering and powertrain. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 40
What fails most often
- 1 Steering 55% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 35% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 30% of all complaints
- 4 Engine 13% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 5% of all complaints
- 6 Electronic stability control 3% of all complaints
- 7 Fuel/propulsion system 3% of all complaints
- 8 Wheels 3% of all complaints
- Steering: 22 complaints (55% of all).
- Powertrain: 14 complaints (35% of all).
- Electrical system: 12 complaints (30% of all).
- Engine: 5 complaints (13% of all).
- Service brakes: 2 complaints (5% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.7 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 7-speed
- manual, 6-speednamed in 8 complaints
Drive: RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 40 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 22 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 14 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Steering lock module failure. Same issue as in 2016 (NHTSA tracking number 10929922). Car would not start. In city park and waited 4 hours for tow truck. By myself - 74 year old female. Getting dark and dealership closed. Had the exact part malfunction in 2016 and had to have it towed. Cost $1000 to fix back then.
The vehicle was towed to the local dealer coggins nissan([address], jacksonville fl) who diagnosed that the steering lock was faulty and needed to be replaced. The steering lock was replaced and the failure was remedied. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered.
The escl's primary job is to keep the steering wheel locked until you bring your key fob in range of the vehicle. It's meant to prevent theft. However, when the escl malfunctions (even with the fob present and working) the escl won't detect it and, therefore, won't release the wheel.
Clutch slave cylinder went out at around 40k miles. After doing some research, this is a known problem with many other 370 z's. I am now worried that I will need a third csc.
Steering wheel lock sensor broke, failed in lock position, happens to most every nissan fob key system at 1 time or another. The dealer charged me $1100.00 to fix and it took them less than 2 hours. This is a scam by nissan and the internet is full of people compalining about this issue.
The clutch sticks to the floor making it hard to shift. You have to pull it up with your foot. Some say these cars were manufactured with a poor designed slave cylinder. The clutch sticks where ever you are driving sometimes it will start back to working properly for a while.
Clutch pressure (csc) failure this has already failed once and needs to be recalled and upgraded so the problem doesn't happen every 25,000 miles. Now that my car is out of warranty they will not replace anymore.
Steering lock control module - vehicle started in the morning and was fine driving to work, after I got off my vehicle was unable to start and did not recognize my key. Towed it to nissan and was informed my steering lock control module failed. There is a recall for this issue but my vehicle does not fall under it.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 5,949 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 16% most complained about).
On average one model year of the 370Z has 30 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 40, above average.
What to check before buying
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Nissan 370Z?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: steering, powertrain, electrical system. Total complaints: 40. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: steering or power steering problems (57%), won't start (25%), warning lights, check engine (10%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2011 Nissan 370Z?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2011 Nissan 370Z from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2011 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.