On May 6, 2016 had to be at hospital at 7a.m. for a procedure and car would not start. That evening after looking on the Internet found possible cause. Was able to hit on the Steering Box and got it to start. It did fine for about 5 days. It has done it to me 2 more times as recent as 5-18-16. It started for me to come to work and now it wont start. Tapping on the box is not helping.

I can't afford $800 to $1000 to get Nissan to fix. There should have been a recall since there are so many with this issue for 2008-2009. I read where Nissan quit using the device in 2010. I feel Nissan should have notified the owners of this problem. This is my only means of transportation and I don't know what I need to do. Any Suggestions??

The local dealer has 3-5 of these parts in stock always. It was said they've replaced 50 in the last few years. With an hour shop time for replacement, total loss of engine start, and failure to be able to put transmission in neutral, the disabling profile of this part is complete.

Steering Lock Unit failure can happen anytime, ours was at home in the garage, our car has only 48k miles. But the 90 degree turn from driveway to garage stall, unable to shift to neutral, and cramped access meant the tow driver and I had to dolly the front wheels to push the car out for the tow- a 2 man operation. We had smooth surfaces to do it, too.

With the amount of Internet info on this problem, dealer admittance to frequency of replacement, and people needing to keep their cars longer- this SLU part failure is a pathetic comparison of warranty length and trust. The warranty has been extended for this vehicle, for other reasons too? The dealer replaced the head on the engine on same car because of a stuck valve at 33k miles! The initial blame for that was us using "cheap gas", really? What level of replacement frequency is enough to trigger a "Duh, it's a bad design" response so the car owner has freedom of usage, safe usage, and having to waste money, energy, and time when parts like this one take a hike?

We bought the car new, we have had a decent and understanding dealership to help us with issues, but the consistency of problems- large and small- has left no doubt our money will go elsewhere when buy time comes.

Wow, is customer service valued at Nissan? Was it ever? Here's my story: My 2009 Nissan Altima would not start on Sunday so I had to get it towed. I soon learned that the [electronic steering lock] is malfunctioned, which really means "sorry the smart key to your car is not recognized so the car won't turn on. On top of that, plan B of inserting the smart key in the hole will not work either." After following the Nissan service mechanic's advice, I put in a case with Nissan Corporate as my costs would run at least $1,000! After finally getting in touch with the Regional Case Manager in TN, I learned that Nissan won't cover any of my costs as my request came in 5 months after they had an extended warranty. Apparently, I would have had to experience this issue on my own during that time in order for Nissan to cover my costs. Above that, I was told that Nissan did not need to proactively let their customers know about the issue because it fell under a 'warranty issue'. I don't get it. I didn't cause this issue, nor does it fall under the normal circumstances of typical wear, tear, or replacement like battery, tires, etc. How is it fair to make me, Nissan's consumer, pay $1000+ dollars for something I did not cause? For a malfunctioned piece that was installed on my Nissan Altima that was ultimately put in a warranty? To put the cherry on top of the cake, the rep (which I asked for permission to post), said that "VEHICLES ARE MAN MADE - THEY AREN'T MADE PERFECT". As a consumer, I'm interpreting that as "Sorry, we don't have high-quality products". Am I upset? Yes. Would I currently recommend Nissan automobiles? No. ........ Anyone else with similar experience? Can anyone on the Nissan team help??

When I called the Nissan Dealership to inquire about why my car wouldn't start, I was advised that it was most likely the steering wheel lock. I told them that my Nissan Altima was a 2009 model & I was advised that the car would've been under warranty to have this fixed last year. But now it would cost me $1200 out of pocket to have fixed at the dealership. On Nissan forums, I found that this was a KNOWN DESIGN DEFECT by Nissan. I feel that they should be replace at no charge on all the cars since they knowingly sold a DEFECTIVE PART.

This car (2009 Altima 4 door sedan) broke down yesterday and I had to call a towing co. it took 3 tries and then it worked. my battery is good and therefore it was not the battery. But when I press the brake it does not trigger the automatic key system to turn on the car. I now recall months ago I had to fix my brake lights in order to get an inspection sticker. I was unaware the lights were not working. So this is very dangerous situation because I have a high school student who has a learners permit driving this car!!!!!!!!!!!I Than last year my car did not start on a few occasions and I brought it to Nissan. They told me I needed a new battery for my automatic key. NOT ONCE DID ANYONE FROM NISSAN TELL ME THERE WAS A BULLETON ON THIS PROBLEM!!!! I called my local Nissan Co here and they said they had not heard of it a harness problem. Nissan said my repair place does not know what they are doing. Long story short-----luckily I have been bring my car to a local repair Co for the last 6 years. They know me and are familiar with my car. This is a service place who I trust and they looked up this bulletin on the internet. I was surprised to read 1000'a of people with the same problem. All were told by Nissan it was 600-1000$ to fix and many said the problem recurred. I am very concerned with this problem. I am a nurse and need a dependable car for call hours not one that will not start. this car needs to be recalled before deaths occur with no brake lights lighting up. please help me and get the word out about this. I can clearly see there is a problem with this electrical issue. Nissan needs to not wait until a serious accident happens or perhaps it has already happened???

I do not know what to do? But I will not stop until I talk to the right person!!!!! is there any vouchers given for this problem? this car is to be paid off in 2 months but I am very leery now about my safety and my children driving it. Get this word out today. thank you.

my car is a 2009 Altima.

I purchased this car as NEW from an authorized Nissan Dealer and my car has now less than 50K miles on it. On 4/09/16 my car completely died on me after being parked for less than 30 minutes. I was stranded and had to have it towed to Nissan Dealership. It was diagnosed with "Electronic Steering Column Lock Unit Failure". The Technician told me this was a manufacturer's defect for this year/model which Nissan is well aware of, and owned up to it by issuing a recall notice. However, I have never gotten the recall notice because it turned out it did not include my VIN (?!) I called Nissan Corp and was told they would contact the Dealer and if my car is diagnosed with having this (recall) issue they would approve the repair so I can have my car and avoid missing work.

On 4/11/2016 I faxed Nissan the Dealer's paper stating the Electronic Steering Column Lock failure, hoping to get my car fixed (the Technician stated it would take 1 hour to fix). But Nissan Consumer Affair rep went back on her word saying she needed to 'escalate my case to Regional Office". I am still waiting for Nissan Corp to contact me.

This is unacceptable on Nissan's part first and foremost for not issuing a Recall on a KNOWN Defect Part, putting consumers at risk on the roads and/or of getting stranded, when the car unexpectedly dies. Nissan should conduct a fair business and correct this problem immediately without putting myself or any other consumer at risk and through further pain and loss due to their negligence.

I was stranded in a dark parking lot over 20 miles from home. Car would not turn on. Got another key from and that wouldn't work either. Had to be towed to a dealership. Sounds like the ESCL problem close to 300 complaints on this Nissan Altima 2009 through this forum. Never heard a word from dealer or NIssan direct about a warranty extension or recall. Thoroughly upset if I have to pay over $1000 to fix this. Nissan -- I will never buy another one again. It was very late at night and very upsetting.

Update from Apr 5, 2016: My local Nissan Dealership said Nissan extended the warranty on this ESCL part but no information was mailed to Nissan owners. I "missed" the warranty coverage period by 12 months and 11,000 miles. The new part is only warranteed for 12 months/12000 miles by the dealership. I was told this is the "industry standard" for new parts. I am very concerned if I ever get stranded again in a location not near a dealership or Towing company. As far as I am concerned, Nissan Motor Company made a bad move in recalling this part. Never buying Nissan again.

After driving car and stopping . car will not start again. Went online and found this is a regular problem with the Altima and other Nissan cars. It is the ignition locking device. It gets stuck and when you try to start the car , it won't . If you go on line you can look up this problem . and see how people rigged this device to work . You would think Nissan would recall cars with this problem .,but they don't . If nothing is done to fix this problem, I think word of mouth to all of your friends will hurt them where it hurts , their pocket books

I contacted the service department two weeks ago when the indicator light first appeared. I was told to change the battery in my fob and it would fix the problem. I had already done a quick web research to see what the problem may be and on several forum people had stated that the steering column would lock when this indicator light appeared.

I specifically asked the service department if I should bring my car into the dealership to be looked at because of what I read online. He chuckled at me and replied, "No, absolutely not. Change the battery in the fob and I guarantee it will be fixed." I responded, "So you're saying it will not affect my steering column?" His reply was, "No, not in your case. I guarantee it's just needs a new battery." I changed the battery. The light turned off. Came back on briefly a day ago and then this morning my entire steering column is locked up.

I called the service department at the dealership immediately this morning and the gentlemen I spoke to today said that this happens and he apologized. He said I have to tow the car in and it will cost me $1200 to have repaired. Now that I am doing more research I see that this IS a frequent problem with 2009 Nissan Altimas. The company needs to do a recall and they should be responsible for faulty parts. NOT THE CONSUMER.

Parked the car in a parking about 10 miles from home. Once we got back in the car and tried to start it, the warning light came on showing the key symbol. The start button also flashed "Locked". After searching the internet, it was obvious the problem was the electronic steering column lock. Tried several things, including pounding on the steering wheel lock, changing the battery in the key fob, and charging the cars battery.

Called the Nissan Dealership (Ron Sayer) and asked what it would cost to replace the steering column lock. The service manager said it would cost about $800. I told him that after doing some research, this was a chronic and continuing issue with this model of car and asked why doesn't Nissan do something about it. He said sorry, Nissan extended the warranty but yours ran out on March 1 and the lock broke on March 26. I told him I wanted to speak to the manager. He said he was the manager and I told him I wanted to talk to the head manager. He connected me to the manager's phone so that I could leave a message. About an hour later, the service manager called me back and told me that the manager wanted him to find out what the issue was. You can see what the manager's of these Nissan dealerships think of their customers by not even having the courtesy to speak with them.

We needed the car quickly, so we had it towed to the dealership. The cost of the repair was: 1. $666.04 for the lock 2. $140 for the installation 3. $7 for hazardous waste charges 4. $40.38 tax. 5. Towing fee

The cost of a part that you really don't need, but makes your car inoperable, is incredible. Nissan appears to be happy screwing their customers over in any way they can.

Update from Apr 13, 2016: After submitting an email to Nissan Consumer Affairs, I received a call from them offering to pay for the steering wheel lock. I thought that it was a fair offer and they sent us a check for $666 within a few days.

I was away on business when this happened. I went out to my car to begin the three-hour drive home after a grueling week away, and was greeted by a car that wouldn't start. After arranging to have to car towed (additional expense) to the closest Nissan dealership, I rented a car (additional expense) to finally drive home.

The next day, the service department called to let me know what was required to fix my car. Apparently, widespread defects in the Electronic Steering Column Lock (ESCL) can disable the push-button ignition in a wide range of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles. Though the car is a 2009, my mileage is only 50k.

This is a known problem to Nissan and they have not issued a recall. Apparently, they did extend the warranty on this particular part, but we were never notified about the issue. As you might have guessed, the issue is now out of the extended warranty period, and I'm out $1135 for the repair, $100 for the tow, and $125 for the rental car.

If this part is known to be defective, Nissan should do the right thing and issue a recall and pay for the repairs. At the very least, the extended warranty should be extended for the life of the vehicle. This is not a one-off situation, as numerous people have experienced the same problem, and Nissan has acknowledged a recurring problem.