Why won't my Infiniti G37 start and says steering lock malfunction?

Short answer: On the G37, a car that won't power on or start, with a steering lock warning or a yellow or red key light, often comes down to the electronic steering column lock (ESCL). That's a small motor-driven lock on the steering column that has to unlock and report back before the car will start. Owners say the first step is a fully charged, healthy battery, because low voltage can stop the lock from moving. If the lock itself has failed, it has to come off the steering column, which is a bigger job than it sounds.

Symptom: Pressing the start button does nothing or the car stays in LOCK, a steering lock malfunction message or a key warning light on the cluster, and no click or whirr from the steering column when you press start.

What to check first

1. Charge or test the battery first. On MyG37, a member said these cars draw a lot of current at startup and a weak or deeply drained battery can keep the steering lock from releasing. A quick jump with thin cables may not be enough.
2. Gently turn the steering wheel left and right while pressing start. If the wheel is pressed hard against the lock, the lock pin can bind. Don't force it.
3. Listen at the steering column when you press start or lock. No click or whirr at all points toward the lock module itself.
4. Replace the key fob battery if the key light flashes. In a separate MyG37 thread, a flashing key light that mentioned steering lock in the manual turned out to be a weak fob battery (CR2032).
5. Have the codes read with a scan tool that can see body and security codes. A basic code reader may not show steering lock faults.

Likely causes

1. Failed electronic steering column lock (ESCL). The lock motor or its internal switch fails, so the car never gets the 'unlocked' signal and won't power on. MyG37 members said this mainly showed up on 2009–2010 Nissan and Infiniti models.
2. Weak or discharged 12-volt battery. Low voltage can keep the lock from moving even when the lock is fine. Owners always start here.
3. Weak key fob battery. A dying fob battery can bring up a flashing key warning that looks related. A new CR2032 cleared it for one owner.

What it usually costs

On MyG37, a member found the ESCL part (for a 2008 coupe) listed at about $732 from an online Infiniti parts seller. On r/G37, a 2010 G37S owner said a dealer quoted $2,200 to replace the steering lock, and another commenter put the new lock at about $730 list. The extra cost is labor: the lock is held on with break-off security screws that have to be drilled out, and the new lock needs programming.

Is it safe to keep driving?

This one usually strands you rather than failing while driving: the car either won't start or won't power on. The owners in these threads describe a car that won't start, not one that locks up while driving. Some owners pull a fuse to stop the lock from ever engaging again, which removes an anti-theft feature. If you have any steering warning while driving, pull over and have it checked. Verify with a mechanic.

DIY or shop?

Battery and fob: DIY. Steering lock replacement: shop or dealer for most people. One MyG37 owner did it himself by dropping the steering column, freeing the lock, and swapping the security screws for normal bolts, and called it a real pain.

Recalls, bulletins and complaints in plain words

• No recall covers the G37 steering lock in NHTSA's recall data for 2008–2013 G37 models.
• NHTSA complaints: 18 keyword-matched complaints for Infiniti G37 2008–2013 (of 536 unique complaints queried, NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-10-19; keywords: steering lock, steering column lock, escl, steering wheel lock, key, will not start, won.?t start).

What owners report

• In Steering Lock Release Malfunction Help on MyG37, a member said to get a fully charged or new battery first, then try a light tap on the lock module or a steering wheel shimmy. They said the lock usually has to be replaced and is hard to reach, and that the STEER LOCK fuse can only be pulled once the lock is unlocked. The owner later fixed it by taking the lock off the column, pushing the lock back in, reinstalling it, and pulling the fuse once the car was on.
• In Just got quoted $2200 to replace the steering lock on r/G37, a 2010 G37S owner asked whether a $2,200 dealer quote was fair. Commenters said the lock is held on with break-off screws that must be drilled out, that the new part needs programming, and that some owners pull a fuse in the under-hood fuse box once the wheel is unlocked so it never locks again.
• In Red intelligent key warning light, a 2011 G37x owner's flashing key light that mentioned steering lock in the manual went away after replacing the fob batteries.

My take

My advice as a former pre-purchase inspector: on a 2009–2010 G37, I'd ask the seller whether the steering lock has ever been replaced or the fuse pulled. Shut it off and restart it a few times during the test drive. If it hesitates or shows a key light, I'd price in the repair or keep looking.

Vehicle focus: 2008–2013 Infiniti G37 coupe, sedan and convertible with push-button start (most reports are 2009–2010).

Safety / mechanic note

Some owners disable the steering lock with a fuse, which also removes an anti-theft feature. Verify with a mechanic.