I was driving the children to school and a "key" indicator came on. After I dropped them off and went to leave again, the car wouldn't start. I could lock/unlock the door with the key sensor; but nothing else would work. I had aaa check the battery and everything was fine. The technician called into the office and learned that this model is one of two cars that have an issue with a faulty steering wheel lock. The car would not start and it had to be towed into the dealership for a $979 repair. I also had to rent a car for two cars while this was fixed. I'm a social worker and I could have easily been trapped at a client's house in a bad situation and had no way to leave. This is a dangerous fault that should be at the cost of the manufacturer and not the customer. Why were these vehicles not recalled since this is a known defect?? we should practice prevention; not wait until a "magic number" of lives have been compromised.

- Huntsville, AL, USA

Steering wheel lock control I have been stranded 4 times do to me car not starting with my child in car I researched and Nissan has had alit of complaints on it just want it fixed before I go any further.

- Fall River, MA, USA

Nissan has refused to recall their faulty electronic steering lock unit that is needed to turn the vehicle on. If it does not lock the wheel in place it will not allow the push start ignition to start the vehicle, thus leaving their occupants stranded with no option other than to have their vehicles towed to a Nissan dealership and forced to pay upwards of $1200 for the replacement of a defective factory part. They offered a extended warranty to address this issue, but neglected to inform consumers of this. They are clearly trying to get out of paying for their mistakes and are passing the cost on to their unsuspecting customers.

- San Diego, CA, USA

After routine drive, car "froze-up" door would not open, car would not start, wheel did not turn, car would not start, car dead. After some research found many complaints about this, it has something to do with "steering / engine locking-up" and can happen anywhere at anytime without any warning. Nissan at one point had extended the warranty on this indefinitely, then arbitrarily ended it in mid 2015. This is incredibly dangerous....can leave you stranded anywhere!!!

- Miami, FL, USA

Escl - electronic steering column lock I went to the store far from home and when I tried starting the car it did not start. The door locks worked but nothing else would come on. I checked online and it stated that it was escl. I put in a used one and it worked. I would like Nissan to replace that part with a new part. I was stranded for hours and had to leave my car in the store parking lot for 3 days.

- Chicago, IL, USA

My mother-in-law drove the car to work in the morning with no issues. When she went to leave at the end of her evening shift, the car would not turn on when the push button start was pressed. Thankfully a co-worker was still with her and able to drive her home, otherwise she would have been stranded in a precarious situation waiting for a tow truck for who knows how long. The car was parked in a parking lot of a bank branch (where she works). After researching the behavior, we learned about the steering lock module failure. After having it towed to the dealership, they confirmed our fears. Unfortunately, the repair was grossly expensive. Upon filing a claim for payment assistance or reimbursement with Nissan, we were denied as they said it was not a recall/safety issue, their "customer satisfaction warranty extension" offered has expired, and the NHTSA did not feel the issue was tied to customer safety therefore it wasn't a recall. I believe this is unreasonable. My mother-in-law, or any driver, could be stranded with a useless vehicle, unable to start the car, due to a known failure in a Nissan part. At a minimum, Nissan should have been required to notify owners of this known and the possibility of being left stranded should the car fail to properly turn on.

- Sarasota, FL, USA

Takata recall steering lock control unit malfunction

- Miami, FL, USA

The Altima is equipped with an electronic steering column lock (escl) unit that locks the steering wheel when the vehicle is parked and the ignition is turned off to help prevent theft. Escl may malfunction after the vehicle is locked and could prevent the engine from starting. This condition, should it occur, will only occur when attempting to start the vehicle, and not while driving. I turned on my car and took my 6 month old daughter to the doctor as she was running a high fever. Upon leaving the doctor's office at 12A.M. I pushed my start button to turn on my vehicle and it was unresponsive. I was left in the dark unable to operate my vehicle in the middle of the night with my 6 M month old baby. The parking I was in did not allow for overnight parking and I was alone with my baby. Upon researching Nissan had extended the warranty to the electronics steering column lock to 6 years unlimited miles from 3 years 36,000 miles warranty. I no longer fall on that and I am having this issue. Nissan says I am out of warranty and there is nothing they can do for me. According to their annoucement this is a 'manufacturing irregularity' that now I have to find a way to pay. I have no savings to pay for such part and the towing already cost me a handful and put my baby in a dangerous situation. I am a single mom and truly upset with the situation. This should have been a recall! please see link: Regarding the warranty web.archive.org/web/20150219214832/http://www.nissanassist.com/web/escl_warranty_extension/programdetails.php?menu=61

- San Benito, TX, USA

The steering lock is causing the car not to start at all. I have been stranded many times and this is not safe. I have been at my house where it hasn't worked, I have been at work.

- Hilliard, OH, USA

Intelligent key light would come on but the car wouldn't start or do anything, but the lock/unlock feature would still work. Apparently the steering lock mechanism is defective

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering wheel lock failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated they would get back in touch with the contact. The failure mileage was approximately 85,300.

- Egg Harbor Township, NJ, USA

Malfunction with the steering lock that won't allow the car to start. When I push the brakes to start the car the car it is stating that there is a malfunction with the steering wheel lock.

- North Charleston, SC, USA

The car was sluggish driving in to the driveway and went dead. It would not start and could not depress the brakes they were locked. Had to have the car towed to the dealer. If this would have happened while on the driving on the street or freeway my son could have been hit from behind since it just went dead without warning. After 3 days the dealer determined it was the electronic steering lock. Found out that there was a 6 year warranty added to this part on the car but I was never informed by Nissan. Unfortunately we did not have the problem until the 7th year, 1 year beyond the warranty. Nissan knows about the potential of this part failing and added the 6 year warranty but if outside of that time period you are responsible. This is a defect not something cause by an owner for lack of maintenance and should be a part of a recall not a limited warranty.

- Houston, TX, USA

After sitting I cannot start my car, steering seems to be stuck and brake is very hard to press down.car has only 50.000 mi.

- Concord, OH, USA

Car will not start. Steering lock mechanism malfunction. Car parked on street in front of our house. At least I'm not on a trip. Nissan won't fix under a recall. They had an extended warranty to cover this problem, but it expired. Owners of pre-owned cars were never notified.

- Greenville, TX, USA

My steering wheel lock is defective, my sister got stuck after a pit stop traveling from boston to New York. After doing some research online I came across informations showing it was a factory default. I purchased the car in 2013 and was never told about this at the dealership

- Salem, MA, USA

Notice a key indicator light on dash... vehicle wouldn't start! I was in a very dark area by myself and didn't know what to do! I was scared for my life because I was alone and didn't know what would happen!!

- High Point, NC, USA

My car would not start. The car battery is fine and the intelligent key fob is also working fine and was even tried with a new battery. Pushing the start button does nothing and the two key lights on the dash both light up when in the car. After checking the manual, calling the dealer, and checking the internet, it is clear that my steering lock mechanism has malfunctioned. This seems to be a very common problem as Nissan extended the warranty on it indefinitely and then went back and shortened it to run out in January of this year! they even tell you to call the dealer in the manual if you encounter it and it is then a $1000 repair. I'm just glad this didn't happen over the weekend while I was camping and potentially stranded!

- Ann Arbor, MI, USA

This problem is occuring in 2009-2011 Nissan Altima and maxima vehicles. When turning off vehicle, the steering locks and when you go to turn it back on, the steering wheel will not unlock after turning key on. Vehicle will not start due to steering wheel being locked. There are numerous complaints regarding this on the internet and the dealers want $1200 to fix problem. This should really be a recall item.

- Peyton, CO, USA

Car will not start due to steering lock on vehicle malfunctioned X 4. towed to dealership for diagnostic only to be told repair is $900. Contacted Nissan who is going back on their word to pay for repair. Car also has airbag lights that come on while driving. Car is always in parked positioned when there is a problem.

- Springfield, MA, USA