*Voluntary Service Campaign ** Steering Lock Fix**

sidezero

Actually consumer affairs wasn't willing to cover anything at all. I finally resorted to blasting them on Twitter which got the executive specialist with the office of the vp to call me back.

She's the one who "did me a favor" by covering 1/2 of my repair after taking about a week to get an answer for me. I'm pretty sure they were trying to wait me out while my car sat at the dealership fixed to see if I'd just pay for it during that time frame. Luckily I have the ability to work from home.

Alex100

I have a 2011 model, and my Steering Lock module failed 3 days ago at the worst timing possible (11:30pm in a public parking, first day of freezing temp in Dallas, with rain and wind, and I had a flight to catch the next morning at 9am).

I had the exact same symptoms. The car wouldn't start (not even the electrics) and I got the key light/indicator on the dashboard. I managed to tow it to the dealership (after I towed it to my place first, since it failed on a Sunday night), and they confirmed it was the steering lock failure. They refused to repair it for free, as expected, and the repair set me back $1340. On top of that, the dealership gave me the shortest warranty possible for the new module: 12 months. Really? 1 year of warranty for a module that is bound to fail again in the future? F*k off!

I'm really disappointed that this seems to be the exact same failure as the previous models (09 and 10) and the later models aren't included in the extended 6 years warranty. Really disappointed by both my dealership (they know this is a known manufacturing fault, they should have offered the minimum repair cost possible to their customer) and Nissan.

I intend to call Nissan and ask for some/all of the repair money to be reimbursed. If that doesn't happen, I'll probably sell the car within 2016 and never buy a Nissan again.

wind.zero

I have a 2011 NISMO with 38k miles. Luckily, mine failed in the garage.

That's besides the point, because mine had the latest 48700-JF00D part revision. This proves Nissan's fix is worthless.

I called the closest dealer which happens to be Courtesy Nissan. The SA I spoke with was well aware of the problem but said "the 2011 year model and your VIN" are not part of the voluntary service campaign. She quoted me almost $1,500 for the repair.

So I resorted to using the well documented methods of fixing it myself. In the end, I had to buy a new SLU 48700-JF00D from Courtesy at the cost of right at $700. I changed out the part myself and no surprises here, the car fired right up.

I called Nissan Consumer Affairs and opened a case. The agent said the same thing as the dealer, the same old story of your car used a different supplier so you are not included in the campaign. After some arguing she gave me a case number and said a regional person would call me.

I doubt anything will happen but this is my first and last Nissan. What a poor excuse of how to fix a SAFETY issue.

On a side note, there won't be any good will reimbursement for me. I don't trust the dealers near me and perform all my maintenance myself.

JARblue

First, go pull the fuse if you haven't already. Then, if I were you, remove the new unit, return the new one, and get your money back. I don't think you need to have one installed. Or maybe you do and you need to install the old broken one. Regardless, if you pull the fuse correctly, the car should work just fine without the new unit

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wind.zero

I pulled the fuse right after the car started. So yeah, I had to spend the cash for the part and then bypass the part. Yeah me ....

The parts department was very specific, "are you sure this is the part you need and you can't return it because it's an electrical component."

Alex100

Unfortunately I had a flight to catch the following morning, so I didn't have the time (or clarity) to go through all the information online. Otherwise I'd probably have done the same, either get the car running and pull the fuse or buy an ESCL unit and replace it myself.

Anyway, after opening a case with Nissan Consumer Afairs, they called me back and offered a $500 reimbursment. I insisted in getting the full amount reimbursed ($1330), but they refused.

JARblue

Fuckin' bastards

Maybe give 'em the old Discount Tire treatment

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steve216

is there a guide anywhere to show how to remove the unit from the car. I can barely see anything to unbolt when looking under the steering wheel.

kenchan

there's two security screws on the steering lock. the screw heads break off at torque, so u have to use a pair of long nose pliers to remove the 2 bolts.

try laying on your back on the floor board and look up under the steering column with a flash light. it will be in your face.

Ginaham1

Nissan offered $500 and advised that even though the same Year, Make and Model and same issue is included in the recall---my Vin was not....so I am only offered $500.00---where can we go?? Ideas??? Sounds like a huge Lawsuit for Liability!!!

scope22

I just filed, if they don't pay up i'll file a claim with BBB

Update: They called back and offered 50% back $760, i tried to get more but they said its final so i took it

dbw

I've got a 2010 roadster. Mine failed 2 nights ago. Temp was -11F. Took 1.5 hours to get a tow truck. Couldn't leave the vehicle as it was in a less than totally desirable part of town. I was bloody cold by the time we got it to the dealership.
Dealership..Crown Nissan in Winnipeg....has been absolutely great with dealing with this. I can't say enough good things about them. Definitely first class.

Called Nissan Canada this morning after I found out about this problem by googling it. Nissan insists I wasn't notified as my vehicle wasn't affected by this problem so the individual at Nissan insisted. I tried to explain that yes inddeedy it was affected as it was sitting in the dealership service department with this problem. He insisted that no I wasn't in the affected bunch of vehicles and I finally gave up talking and hung up....politely.

dbw

I got mine fixed under my extended warranty. Dealer was excellent.

That said Nissan Canada, when called, was less than excellent. Deny, Deny,Deny was Nissans position even though mine was a 2010 they said I was not affected. Bullfeathers.

Bottom line the newest one is prone to failure just like the earlier versions. Here in Manitoba winter can be brutal. Windchills in the area of -40 to -60F are not uncommon. If this thing breaks somewhere there's no help available or cell phone coverage it could be deadly. In the winter I put 4 studded snowtires and run it year round. I am concerned.

ChaseZ

Not really a winterpeg car though - I sure don't miss those temperatures!

Nissan Canada owns 50% of each dealership service shop, it's part of their franchise contract. So even when they do cover the work, it's only costing them half as much to pay out to the dealer. Smart business I guess, still kind dirty though.

In any case glad they covered it. I'm still waiting from last July for the rubber boot that covers the shifter linkage below the car

dbw

It works good in the winter especially with those tires and the limited slip diff. If we get a snowfall of any amount I wait till the roads are cleared. Had a Boxster before this and drove it year round too. All about tires. Porsce pushes driving their vehicles year round including boxsters/caymans/911 and they have winter driving schools if you're interested and have that kind of coin lying around.

Other than this steering lock I have been 100% happy with my 370. Till this event I've had exactly 1.5 hours of unscheduled maintenance in all these years...I've had the 370 since new. It's a 6 speed manual roadster with sport and touring packages. Dealer, Crown Nissan, has been excellent since day one.

Wish Nissan had a small SUV with a transmission other than a CVT and somewhat along the lines of the Machan or F-pace. I don't care for a CVT. Personal preference.

Calgary weather may be a little nicer than Winnipeg but I think I'll be getting a place on the Island.