Is the 2011 Nissan 370Z reliable?

The 2011 Nissan 370Z has 59 complaints filed with NHTSA (3.1x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: STEERING problems.

What are common problems with the 2011 Nissan 370Z?

Top problems: STEERING (22 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (14 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (12 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2011 Nissan 370Z?

Yes, there are 1 recall(s): VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS. Contact any Nissan dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2011 Nissan 370Z?

The 2011 Nissan 370Z gets 22 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2182. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2011 Nissan 370Z?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2011 Nissan 370Z is approximately $1,366/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2011 Nissan 370Z

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2011 Nissan 370Z has 59 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 3.1x the segment average of 19. The most common issue is steering problems (37% of all complaints), specifically: brakes and steering wheel stuck due to steering lock failure. known problem for 2009 to early 2011 nissan 370z. total value $1029.85. consumers should not have to pay for a factory fault. *tr. There is 1 recall issued for this model year.

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

3.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

STEERING

22 complaints

37%

• BRAKES AND STEERING WHEEL STUCK DUE TO STEERING LOCK FAILURE. KNOWN PROBLEM FOR 2009 TO EARLY 2011 NISSAN 370Z. TOTAL VALUE $1029.85. CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR A FACTORY FAULT. *TR
• IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT NISSAN HAS HAD MANY ISSUES OF THE STEERING LOCK FEATURE THAT FAILS IN THE NISSAN 370Z. IF THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN SO WIDE SPREAD THE CONSUMER SHOULD NOT HAVE TO FORK OVER 1200$ FOR AN ISSUE THAT'S SO WELL KNOWN. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL BECAUSE THEY ARE GOING TO PISS OFF ALO
• DROVE MY CAR TO THE STORE THAT WAS APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES AWAY FROM MY HOME. ON THE WAY THERE, THE CAR WAS OPERATING IN GOOD WORKING CONDITION, AS USUAL. THE KEY INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD LIT UP BUT THEN QUICKLY DISAPPEARED. AFTER GOING INTO THE STORE, I GOT BACK INTO MY CAR AND TRIED TO ST

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“BRAKES AND STEERING WHEEL STUCK DUE TO STEERING LOCK FAILURE. KNOWN PROBLEM FOR 2009 TO EARLY 2011 NISSAN 370Z. TOTAL VALUE $1029.85. CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR A FACTORY FAULT. *TR”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2011 Nissan 370Z

Based on 55 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 39K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

Reported earliermedian 27K mi · 14 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 39K mi · 19 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 51K mi · 11 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 58K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (1)

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS04/11/2011

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 AND 2012 INFINITI G37 COUPE VEHICLES AND CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 NISSAN 370Z VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 2, 2011, THROUGH AUGUST 29, 2011. DUE TO A PROGRAMMING ERROR, THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH CONTROLLER IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WAS MANUFACTURED OUT OF SPECIFICATION.

Risk: THE THRESHOLD FOR AUTO REVERSE ACTIVATION IS HIGHER THAN THE NISSAN SPECIFICATION. SHOULD A BODY PART BECOME TRAPPED BY A CLOSING WINDOW, A PINCH INJURY MAY RESULT.

Fix: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER WINDOW SWITCHES WITH NEW ONES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 5, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2011 Nissan 370Z

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,182

Per month

$182

Per mile

18.2¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,667/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,847/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2011 Nissan 370Z

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,366

Full coverage / month

$114

Liability only / year

$611

vs US avg

-18%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.85x

= Full coverage estimate$1366

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Nissan 370Z Service Intervals

Oil change

5K mi / 6 mo

Tire rotation

5K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

105K mi

Spark plugs

105K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

CVT-equipped models (Altima, Sentra, Rogue, Pathfinder) MUST use Nissan NS-3 CVT fluid, not conventional ATF. Frequent CVT service extends life significantly.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Nissan New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

3 yr / 36K mi

These are the terms for a new Nissan. If you're buying a used 2011 370Z, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Nissan dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 59 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
STEERING: BRAKES AND STEERING WHEEL STUCK DUE TO STEERING LOCK FAILURE. KNOWN PROBLEM FOR 2009 TO EARLY 2011 NISSAN 370Z. TOTAL VALUE $1029.85. CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR A FACTORY FAULT. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: BASE MODEL. MANUAL TRANSMISSION. STOCK - NO AFTERMARKET ENHANCEMENTS. ON FREEWAY ATTEMPTING TO DECELERATE (SHIFTING DOWN FROM 5TH TO 4TH) CLUTCH PEDAL "DISAPPEARS" INTO THE FLOOR BOARD. THIS MARKS THE BEGINNING OF PROBLEMS WITH THE CLUTCH PEDAL HAVING A MIND OF IT'S OWN. TRANSMISSION HARD TO SHIF
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATOR OR THE FUEL LEVEL SENDER MALFUNCTIONED. AFTER FILLING UP THE TANK CLEARLY ALMOST TO THE TOP, THE FUEL GAUGE SHOWED MISINFORMATION WHICH THE TANK WAS NOT FULL. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: KEY INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON ABOUT A WEEK PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. MADE 2 PHONE CALLS TO LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIPS (ONE IN PORTLAND OR AND ONE IN VANCOUVER, WA) BOTH DEALERSHIPS CLAIMED THEY HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS GOING ON BUT I SHOULD BRING IT IN FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH RAN AROUND $118 JUST TO LOOK A
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Nissan dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)