Hey Guys,

This may sound like an odd question, but is the steering wheel on a 2013 supposed to "lock" when the car is in park and the turned off? I ask because I found a steering wheel DIY install video on YouTube where the person recording the video had the same year car and recommended to the viewer that they "lock" the steering wheel as it makes the center nut easier to remove. This got me thinking.

I know that Nissan had some issues with the Electronic Steering Column Lock (ESCL) mechanism and issued a TSB: G37 based thread here and the main Nissan TSB here.

But for some reason I thought that problem only effected earlier model G37s (2009-2010). To be honest, I can't recall the steering wheel in my car ever locking, so I suspect they removed the Electronic Steering Column Lock (ESCL) that was problematic and used an Electronic Steering Column Box as described in the Nissan TSB that's linked above.

Or maybe the dealer simply removed the cleverly hidden Steering Lock fuse as described in this video:

here

in order to avoid have owners eventually having to replace the pricey ESCL?

I feel like I should be able to find this answer online, but entering "Electronic Steering Column Lock (ESCL) G37" into google conjures up lots of threads describing people getting stranded because the steering wheel wont unlock.

 

There is no definitive cut-off date or VIN build as to when Nissan did away with the lock box and switched to the module. The general "consensus" is that "sometime in 2011" the switch went into effect. However, there have been reports of some 2012 and even 2013 models having the lock box failure. In all actuality it likely depends on where the car was along the assembly line at the time the "old" parts ran out and the "new" part was introduced. I seriously doubt Nissan "trashed" the lock boxes and took a gamble that "they ALL won't fail..."

Important to note, Nissan acknowledged the issue and addressed it. Infiniti ignored it. Same with the "sticky/ cracking dash issue. Nissan tackled it while Infiniti ignored it. See a pattern?

That said, if your wheel does not lock when you lock the car consider yourself damn lucky and do not go looking for trouble. The steering wheel nut is tight but easy enough to break loose with one hand holding the wheel or use a helper. Given the rate these lock boxes fail, do you really want to put any unnecessary stress on the mechanism and potentially exacerbate a known weak link?

 

Thanks for the quick response @ILM-NC G37S

Based on some of the stories I was reading about last night where the column refused to "unlock" and people were stranded paying significant towing bills and ESCL replacement costs, I was seriously wondering if the issue was a blessing in disguise as I rarely view the locking of the column as a security feature since key fob RF signals are now so easy replicate. In fact, its a PITA on my son's Ranger as I sometimes need to yank on the wheel and manipulate the colomn shifter to get that truck to start as the lock often binds the key/ignition so that it cannot move. Reminds me of GM's legendary "Nuetral Safety Switch" issues I experienced years ago.

Wasn't aware that Nissan owned up to the sticky/cracking dash, but Infiniti did not. Did that issue only effect certain years as well? What was the answer? New supplier of dash backing/adhesive? Seems that the issue is that the adhesive is leaking through the dash material when exposed to alot of heat. I'm surpised thats not common in more cars to be honest. I saw a guy on YouTube that replaced his dash because of the issue, and did it in like 6 hours! Looks like a huge undertaking. Thanks again.

 

As @ILM-NC G37S pointed out, Infiniti just likes to ignore these issues and have people pay out of pocket. Pretty pathetic on their part, but not surprised.

 

re: ESCL. If you do a basic google search you will find plenty of NTB's (Nissan Technical Bulletins) for the ESCL failure across several models: 370Z, Altima, GT-R, Maxima, etc. Repeat the same search for Infiniti ITB's.... crickets.

re: Dash. Initially, the complaints started over the Altima both for the sticky issue but also for the glare caused by the "goo." Several lawsuits and NHTSA complaints later Nissan finally agreed to replace "some" of the dashboards. It is not clearly known whether Calsonic-Kansei- the manufacturer of the dash- revised the dash to incorporate different chemicals/ materials or if it is the same damn dash. Ether way, there was some "remedy" for owners. Infiniti? Crickets. Granted, a bazillion-and-one Altimas were sold vs. G37's, but the issue, the glare, and the severity of the issue is the same. At some point I will have to replace mine...

re: Ford. I had read somewhere long ago that PATS could be bypassed/ deactivated but because I have a manual on my beater Ranger I never bothered.

 

Thanks again for the guidance. I called the delership and they can run your VIN and tell you if you have an ESCL or the Electronic Steering Column Box. Looks like I have the latter.

 

did u get it fixed yet?