U.S. – Aug. 31, 2018 – In a recent announcement affected the U.S. and Canada, the Nissan Motor Co. is recalling 166,000 vehicles, according to Consumer Reports. There is a potential issue with the ignition switch, which may be connected to the deployment of airbags or the engine cutting off unexpectedly. Nissan has also been a part of the massive Takata airbag recall this year.

The Defect

The ignition switch where the key is inserted into certain Nissan vehicles is potentially wearing down prematurely. The risk is cars shutting off while the vehicle is in motion if the ignition switch wears down over time. This could offer a risk of an accident, loss of vehicle control or a crash.

Certain Juke SUVs, Frontier pickup trucks, Sentras, Versas, NV and NV200 van models from 2017 and 2018 are part of this particular recall. Nissan vehicles that have keyless ignition are not a part of this specific recall. About 13,000 of these vehicles are in the U.S, while the remaining 153,000 are in Canada. For now, Nissan recommends that all owners and drivers remove additional objects from their key ring that could cause issues, such as key chains and additional keys.

Nissan is also involved in the massive Takata airbag recall this year too, according to Fortune. Airbags are susceptible to explode if exposed to high heat or humidity. Tens of millions of cars are affected by this recall, including Nissan. The Takata recall is the biggest recall in U.S. history, and linked to at least 180 injuries and 20 deaths. 19 different automakers have been affected by the recall, with companies such as Ford, Toyota and Nissan having to pay out large settlements for consumer loss claims.

On the Nissan website, it’s reported that only 39 percent of the recall has been completed to date, meaning there are many more vehicles still on the road with this airbag risk. The automaker is offering incentives such as free repairs and free alternative transportation to those waiting on fixes. They advise to take the airbag recall seriously, as the defect can seriously injure those inside the car, or even be fatal in certain situations.

Timeline of Events

In late August, spokespeople from Nissan confirmed that they would perform the recall on certain vehicle models. There will be official announcements about the plan and execution in the coming days in the U.S., following the announcement by Transport Canada already this week.

Next month, Nissan will officially begin contacting those who may be affected by their recall, including drivers, owners and dealerships. Most likely, Nissan will offer complimentary inspections and repairs to the ignition switches of any of their cars and SUVs that are a part of this specific recall.

The Solution

If drivers, owners and dealerships are concerned about the recent Nissan recall, they can find more information from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) via their website, or call their hotline at 1-800-424-9153. However, the recall has not yet been officially announced on the NHTSA website. To contact Nissan directly in the U.S., those looking for more information can call 1-800-647-7261.

Franklin, Tenn. – July 20, 2018 – Nissan North America (OTCMKTS:NSANY) has recalled more than 104,000 vehicles potentially equipped with defective Takata air bag assemblies, according to documentation submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The recall includes 2010-2011 Nissan Versa sedans and 2010-2012 Nissan Versa hatchbacks

Recall summary

Affected vehicles contain air bag assemblies with Takata non-desiccated ammonium-nitrate inflators prone to propellant degradation. When exposed to high-humidity or -temperature environments, the propellant granules in these parts may deteriorate, prompting the inflator to explode and break apart during air bag deployment. In such an event, shrapnel may fly through the cabin at high speeds. This defect therefore poses a serious safety hazard to occupants.

The defective components involved in this action are part of a larger, multi-year campaign involving approximately 37 million vehicles across more than a dozen brands, according to the NHTSA. These Takata air bag assemblies have claimed the lives of 15 individuals in the U.S. and injured hundreds more, according to Consumer Reports.

The repair

The automaker has directed dealers to replace the defective air bag assemblies in affected vehicles free of charge, according to an NHTSA recall acknowledgment document. Nissan notified owners via first-class mail July 9, 2018.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

Over 104,000 million vehicles were originally part of this recall. As of April 9, 2021, – the last date for which information was available – 68,860 airbags had been replaced. To see if your car still needs to be repaired, use MotorSafety’s free lookup tool.

• 2016-2018 Nissan Titan pickup trucks produced between April 14, 2016, and Feb. 27, 2018.
• 2016 Nissan Titan XD diesel pickup trucks produced between Nov. 18, 2015, and Sept. 17, 2016.
• 2018 Nissan Titan XD diesel pickup trucks produced between Dec. 7, 2017, and Feb. 13, 2018.

Franklin, Tenn. – Feb. 14, 2018 – Nissan North America has recalled more than 400 vehicles potentially equipped with defective brake components, according to documentation submitted to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.

The campaign affects 2015-2017 Nissan Juke Nismo RS hatchbacks produced between July 6, 2015, and Jan. 30, 2017. The Japanese automaker suspects just 1 percent of the models referenced in the safety action actually contain the defective parts.

The Defect

Affected vehicles could contain “out-of-specification” master brake cylinders that may inhibit brake performance. Specifically, the problematic fixtures feature master cylinder housings that could potentially come unsealed as a result of increased negative brake booster pressure and drier internal conditions, which, together, lead to resistance between the cup seal and the master cylinder piston.

If unsealed, the master brake cylinder may leak fluid into the brake booster and extend stopping distances. However, the braking systems in affected vehicles should continue to function overall, as these assemblies feature two separate circuits so that when one fails, the other can power the brakes. That said, the defect still increases the likelihood of an accident and therefore poses a safety risk to occupants. Nissan has yet to receive reports linking the defective parts to any accidents or injuries, though.

Owners operating vehicles with the problematic master brake cylinders have reported seeing the brake system indicator light illuminate.

Timeline of Events

In December 2017, Nissan received a report from an overseas detailing an instance of master brake cylinder trouble. The car company immediately launched an investigation, reaching out to Tokico Automotive, its brake assembly supplier, to gain more insight into the potentially problematic component and determine the likelihood of the part affecting Juke models sold in the U.S. Nissan was able to confirm that vehicles sold in the U.S. market did indeed come equipped with the part. However, no American dealers had submitted reports outlining instances of master brake cylinder failure.

One month later, Nissan conducted a test to determine whether the defective master brake cylinder inhibited brake functionality to such an extent that the vehicles on which it was installed fell out of compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 135, which stipulates that vehicles must stop within 551 feet after accelerating to 62 miles per hour, according to the Government Publishing Office. Analysis showed that the affected vehicles did not violate FMVSS 135.

Nissan and Tokico then collaborated to identify the range of vehicles that could contain the defective parts, eventually landing on the models included in this recall.

The automaker launched a voluntary safety recall Jan. 29 and informed dealers Feb. 1.

The Solution

Nissan has directed dealers to replace the master brake cylinders in affected vehicles free of charge, according to an NHTSA recall acknowledgement document. The organization intends to notify owners March 19. Those in need of more immediate assistance can connect with Nissan customer service at (800) 646-7261. Concerned owners can also reach out to the NHTSA directly using its Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.

Franklin, Tenn. – Feb. 14, 2018 – Nissan North America has recalled more than 400 vehicles potentially equipped with defective brake components, according to documentation submitted to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.

The campaign affects 2015-2017 Nissan Juke Nismo RS hatchbacks produced between July 6, 2015, and Jan. 30, 2017. The Japanese automaker suspects just 1 percent of the models referenced in the safety action actually contain the defective parts.

The Defect

Affected vehicles could contain “out-of-specification” master brake cylinders that may inhibit brake performance. Specifically, the problematic fixtures feature master cylinder housings that could potentially come unsealed as a result of increased negative brake booster pressure and drier internal conditions, which, together, lead to resistance between the cup seal and the master cylinder piston.

If unsealed, the master brake cylinder may leak fluid into the brake booster and extend stopping distances. However, the braking systems in affected vehicles should continue to function overall, as these assemblies feature two separate circuits so that when one fails, the other can power the brakes. That said, the defect still increases the likelihood of an accident and therefore poses a safety risk to occupants. Nissan has yet to receive reports linking the defective parts to any accidents or injuries, though.

Owners operating vehicles with the problematic master brake cylinders have reported seeing the brake system indicator light illuminate.

Timeline of Events

In December 2017, Nissan received a report from an overseas detailing an instance of master brake cylinder trouble. The car company immediately launched an investigation, reaching out to Tokico Automotive, its brake assembly supplier, to gain more insight into the potentially problematic component and determine the likelihood of the part affecting Juke models sold in the U.S. Nissan was able to confirm that vehicles sold in the U.S. market did indeed come equipped with the part. However, no American dealers had submitted reports outlining instances of master brake cylinder failure.

One month later, Nissan conducted a test to determine whether the defective master brake cylinder inhibited brake functionality to such an extent that the vehicles on which it was installed fell out of compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 135, which stipulates that vehicles must stop within 551 feet after accelerating to 62 miles per hour, according to the Government Publishing Office. Analysis showed that the affected vehicles did not violate FMVSS 135.

Nissan and Tokico then collaborated to identify the range of vehicles that could contain the defective parts, eventually landing on the models included in this recall.

The automaker launched a voluntary safety recall Jan. 29 and informed dealers Feb. 1.

The Solution

Nissan has directed dealers to replace the master brake cylinders in affected vehicles free of charge, according to an NHTSA recall acknowledgement document. The organization intends to notify owners March 19. Those in need of more immediate assistance can connect with Nissan customer service at (800) 646-7261. Concerned owners can also reach out to the NHTSA directly using its Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.

Franklin, Tenn. – Nov. 7, 2017 – Nissan North America has recalled more than 17,000 vehicles potentially equipped with defective steering components, according to documentation submitted to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The campaign affects 2017-2018 Infiniti QX30 hatchback sedans assembled between Aug. 10, 2015 and June 16, 2017. Nissan estimates 1 percent of the models referenced in the recall actually contain the defective parts.

The Defect

The vehicles named in this action could contain broken steering column module clock springs that are insufficiently grounded. These components may produce electromagnetic charges that ascend the steering column, enter air bag assemblies and prompt inadvertent air bag deployment. These fixtures pose a serious safety hazard to occupants – especially those traveling at high speeds, as the accidental activation of vehicle safety features could lead to a collision. However, Nissan has yet to receive reports connecting the defect to any accidents or injuries.

Timeline of Events

In October 2017, Mercedes-Benz USA recalled nearly 500,000 vehicles with defective steering columns prone to discharging electromagnetic currents and activating air bags, according to the NHTSA. This action came as the result of a two-year investigation in which Mercedes engineers had discovered that the steering columns in more than three dozen models contained broken clock springs and suffered from electromagnetic incompatibility.

One month before Mercedes publicized its recall, Daimler AG, the automotive conglomerate that controls Mercedes, contacted Nissan, with whom it shared suppliers, and made the Japanese company aware of the potential safety issue. Throughout October 2017, Nissan engineers met with DAG personnel to better understand the defect. Over this same span, Nissan confirmed that the defective steering column assemblies installed in the recalled Mercedes models had been used during the production of 2017-2018 Infiniti QX30 sedans. Following its meetings with DAG, Nissan chose to conduct its own voluntary safety recall Oct. 26. The car manufacturing company notified dealers Nov. 2.

The Solution

Nissan has asked dealers to reinforce the grounding in the steering assemblies installed in the affected vehicles, according to a recall acknowledgment document from the NHTSA. This work, which involves the installation of a commutator ring designed to optimize grounding, will be performed free of charge. In the meantime, Nissan is developing a more effective long-term solution that will be released to dealers when ready. The automaker plans to notify owners Dec. 18. Those in need of more immediate assistance can contact Nissan customer service at (800) 622-6200. Callers should choose option seven when prompted. Owners can also reach out to the NHTSA directly using its toll-free Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.

Franklin, Tenn. – Oct. 2, 2017 – Nissan North America has recalled more than 800 vehicles believed to be equipped with defective driver-side air bag assemblies, according to documentation filed with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The campaign affects 2017 Infiniti Q50 and Q50 Hybrid sport utility vehicles with production dates ranging from Dec. 22, 2016 to Jan. 19, 2017. The car company suspects 1 percent of the models referenced in the recall actually contain the defective feature.

The Defect

The vehicles named in this campaign could include driver-side air bag assemblies with insufficiently welded initiator collars and closure plates. This could cause cracks to form during deployment and allow gas to leave the initiator housing. Consequently, air bag assemblies in the recalled vehicles may not deploy properly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury for drivers. However, Nissan has yet to receive reports connecting the defect to any accidents or injuries.

Timeline of Events

In April 2017, parts supplier Nihon Plast contacted Nissan regarding an instance in which an installed air bag assembly failed to deploy properly during a low-temperature test conducted at -40 degrees Fahrenheit. The automaker investigated the test result and found that a crack in the inflator welding had inhibited air bag deployment. Nissan then requested Nihon to quarantine the affected parts to be used in a forthcoming root-cause investigation. In May, Nissan met with Nihon and the Daicel Corporation, which supplied parts for the air bag assembly involved in the failed test. The three parties agreed to conduct a joint investigation. This inquiry revealed that staff at Daicel had not effectively cleaned and inspected weld jigs during the air bag assembly process, resulting in misalignment of closure plates and poor welding.

In June, Nissan requested Daicel to conduct internal tests in an effort to duplicate the defective parts and further understand the mechanisms of the ineffective processes that led to their creation. Daicel agreed and launched this initiative, along with a parts collection program to analyze other previously fabricated fixtures. Both of these efforts concluded in July. Nissan then met with the parts provider to review the results, which included data on inflator weld strength. One month later, the automaker confirmed the root cause of the failed air bag deployment observed during the April trial. Quality assurance personnel then reviewed internal records to identify possibly affected vehicles and launched an internal investigation to study the safety risks associated with the defective air bag assemblies.

On Sept. 7, Nissan confirmed that the defective parts posed a serious threat to owners and issued a voluntary safety recall. The car company notified dealers Sept. 15.

The Solution

Nissan had directed dealers to replace the driver-side air bag inflators in the affected vehicles free of charge, according to a recall acknowledgment document from the NHTSA. The automaker plans to notify owners via first-class mail Oct. 30. Those in need of more immediate assistance can contact Infiniti customer service personnel at (800) 662-6200. Owners can also reach out to the NHTSA directly through the agency’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.

Franklin, Tenn. – Aug. 15, 2017 – Nissan North America has recalled more than 44,000 pickup trucks with noncompliant seat belt components, according to documentation filed with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The campaign affects 2016-2016 Nissan Titan crew cab models produced between Sept. 29, 2015 and Feb. 24, 2017, as well as Titan XD diesel crew cab models with production dates ranging from Aug. 4, 2016 to Feb. 24, 2017. Nissan suspects 100 percent of the vehicles named in the recall contain the noncompliant components.

The Defect

The vehicles named in the recall could be equipped with seat belt fixtures that do not meet automotive assembly requirements established in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 201, which states that such components cannot have passenger head injury criterion values exceeding 1,000, according to the NHTSA. The Titan pickups referenced in the campaign contain seat belt assemblies that recorded a HIC value of 1007.9 in factory safety tests. These parts pose a serious threat to passengers, who, due to overly lax restraint features, could come into contact with hard metal seat belt bolt rim caps during accidents. However, Nissan has yet to receive reports connecting the noncompliant components to accidents or injuries.

Timeline of Events

In January 2017, Nissan conducted internal HIC tests to assess the safety features on multiple vehicles, according to company documents submitted to the NHTSA. During these trials, engineers for the automakers learned that multiple models of the Nissan Titan pickup did not meet FMVSS requirements. In February, the NHTSA’s Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance sent an information request to Nissan asking for HIC readings. As engineers prepared this data, they performed further tests to ascertain the root cause of the readings and pinpoint any possible seat belt assembly defects that might have caused them.

Nissan responded to the OVSC request in March and continued internal tests to see if the noncompliant readings created real-world safety concerns. Engineers soon discovered that the restraint features present in vehicles that registered HIC values over 1,000 were slightly skewed – specifically, the D-ring bolt trim caps and C-pillars were installed so as to create an approach angle of 15 degrees, when the FMVSS recommended they be installed to accommodate an approach angle of 0 degrees.

With this information in hand, Nissan established that the installed equipment created a significant safety risk and issued an official recall. The car company notified dealers July 31.

The Solution

Nissan has ordered dealers to the seat belt bolts and bolt caps in affected vehicles, free of charge. Owners should expect to receive notification Sept. 26 via first-class mail. Those in need of more immediate assistance can contact Nissan customer service personnel at (800) 647-7261 or call the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.