Franklin, Tenn. – Aug. 11, 2017 – Nissan North America has recalled more than 14,000 Infiniti sedans possibly equipped with defective fuel pump control module software, according to documentation filed with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The campaign affects 2016-2018 Q50 models produced between March 10, 2015 and April 5, 2017, as well as 2017 Q60 models with production dates from July 30, 2015 to April 5, 2017. Nissan suspects 100 percent of the vehicles referenced in the recall contain the defective software.

The Defect

The models involved in the recall could include FPCM software that references the incorrect fuel pressure map and, as a result, may not effectively filter gasoline from the reserve tank to the primary tank when its fuel levels drop. This could result in complete engine shutoff, as the small amount of fuel left in the main tank is inaccessible to the fuel pump. This scenario could increase the likelihood of an accident and poses a serious safety risk to vehicle operators. However, Nissan has yet to receive any field reports connecting the defect to any accidents or injuries.

Timeline of Events

In December 2016, the car company received a report from the U.S. market detailing an Infiniti sedan that experienced fuel pump issues. Nissan launched an investigation immediately. More than a month later, engineers succeeded in replicating the problem in-house, using parts retrieved from the vehicle named in the initial report. In March 2017, the automaker launched a monitoring program to collect more data on the defect and assess its impact.

One month later, engineers involved in the initial investigation submitted evidence connecting the issue to the fuel pressure mapping components in the vehicle’s FPCM software. Nissan amended the software at the point of production and then reached out to the NHTSA. However, the car company had not yet gathered enough information to launch an official safety recall and continued to monitor the field for more data related to the fuel pump defect. This program lasted until early July, by which point Nissan had collected enough field insights to initiate a recall.

The car company met with NHTSA officials for the final time on July 12, launched an official safety recall July 19 and notified dealers July 27.

The Solution

Nissan has ordered dealers to reprogram the FPCM software in affected vehicles, free of charge, according to internal documentation submitted to the NHTSA. The automaker plans to notify owners via first-class mail by Aug. 21. Those in need of more immediate assistance can contact Infiniti customer service representatives at (800) 662-6200 or call the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.

Franklin, Tenn. – May 4, 2017 – Nissan North American has recalled more than 28,000 vehicles equipped with defective air bags, according to documentation filed with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The campaign affects Leaf hybrid-electric hatchbacks produced between Sept. 20, 2014 and Dec. 12, 2016, as well as Sentra sedans with production dates ranging from Sept. 25, 2014 to Sept. 22, 2016. It is unknown what percentage of these vehicles actually contain the problematic air bag assembly.

Just over 24,000 of the vehicles originated from dealers in the U.S. Roughly 2,600 were sold in unspecified foreign markets, while over 1,400 went to Canadian showrooms. Approximately 10 were shipped to Mexico.

The Defect
Vehicles named in this recall contain front passenger-side air bag assemblies with faulty components. Specifically, the inflator modules in these safety systems may hold defective coolant with diminished compression strength. As a result, the air bags may not inflate properly in the event of an accident, leaving occupants defenseless. Nissan has traced the coolant issue to two separate phenomena: oxidization due to ineffective storage methods and excessive wear from factory tooling practices. This defect obviously poses serious risk to owners. However, Nissan has not learned of any accidents or injuries connected to the faulty air bag inflator modules.

Timeline of Events
In October 2016, Nissan conducted safety tests and discovered that air bag assemblies in Leaf and Sentra models failed to fire properly. The automaker soon notified Japanese chemical firm Daicel Corporation, which supplied the coolant used in the fixtures. Daicel initiated an internal evaluation. Between November and December 2016, engineers for both companies reviewed the production workflows at the Daicel plant to determine the cause of the issue. The two teams also reached out to other suppliers involved in the production of the inflator modules, including Fuji and the Japanese vehicle design company Nihon Plast. The latter began internal testing.

Nihon Plast completed its evaluation in February 2017 and summoned Nissan officials to review the results. As this unfolded, the automaker launched field tests to pinpoint any accidents that could have been attributed to the malfunctioning air bar assembly. Nissan ultimately found none. In March, Nissan completed its review of the Nihon Plast product evaluation  and determined that a voluntary recall was necessary. The company launched the campaign April 6, 2017 but has since amended it twice – once April 28, 2017 and another time May 4, 2017.

The Solution
Nissan notified dealers April 27, 2017, requesting that they replace passenger-side air bags in affected models, free of charge, according to an internal communication submitted to the NHTSA. The car company has agreed to reimburse individuals with vehicles out of warranty for repairs. Models with active factory warranties should receive coverage for the recall work. Owners should expect to receive notification June 1, 2017. Those in need of more immediate assistance are encouraged to contact the NHTSA or the Nissan customer service department.

Franklin, Tenn. – April 26, 2017 – Nissan North America has recalled more than 500 compacts with defective Takata air bag assemblies, according to documentation filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The campaign affects Versa sedans produced between Feb. 16 and Feb. 21, 2017, as well as Versa Note hatchbacks that rolled off the line over the same span. The automaker has yet to determine what percentage of listed models contain these defective air bags.

The Defect
Affected vehicles are equipped with faulty air bag cushion housings. Specifically, the ringed plates that hold the cushioning in place are made of metal with low carbon content. These fixtures are therefore prone to failure in high temperatures and can even separate from the cushioning when safety features are deployed during accidents. When airborne at high speeds, the air bag housing assembly poses great risk to passengers. No accidents or injuries have been connected to this defect.

Timeline of Events
In early February of this year, Takata engineers performed a round of quality assurance tests and discovered that some air bag assemblies suffered abnormal deployments. QA personnel conducted these trials in areas with temperatures of 85 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Soon after the results registered, Takata engineers initiated an internal review to look into the problem. Weeks later, the provider connected with Nissan and shared the results of the air bag tests. The automaker immediately searched its inventory for affected parts, eventually instituting a worldwide quarantine of all Takata air bag assemblies included in the initial QA tests. Most of these fixtures were stored at Nissan production plants in Civac and Aguascalientes, Mexico.

In March, Takata came forward with conclusive results: A tier-two supplier had shipped out ring plates with faulty metallurgical compositions. The parts, which were light on carbon, failed in high-temperature environments. Nissan immediately initiated audits in its Mexican facilities in an effort to pinpoint and remove the defective air bag ring plates. Over the course of March and April, personnel reviewed more than 1,800 air bag assemblies and found that 616 Versa models included flawed safety features. Nissan QA personnel soon decided to launch a voluntary recall campaign.

The Solution
The automaker has ordered dealers to evaluate the air bag assemblies installed in affected vehicles using a quick scan tool, according to internal documents released to the NHTSA. Should the readings show parts that originate from the defective batch, dealers are to replace the passenger-side air bag module, free of charge. Nissan notified dealers April 27. The company is currently distributing owner notifications and is expected to finish this process by the end of June. Versa owners in need of additional assistance are encouraged to contact the NHTSA.

Franklin, Tenn. — March 25, 2017 — The power steering system in some Nissan SUVs could disconnect, according to a recent manufacturer’s recall. An official statement with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said that the action could involve as many as 56,766 vehicles, though there was no estimate as to how many could be potentially affected.

The Defect

Some power steering fluid hoses in these vehicles may come with a clamp that’s the wrong size. Because of this, the report said that the hose could dislodge, potentially spilling important steering fluid. The risk from this is twofold, as this could not just impact the steering but also pose a possible fire risk, as the fluid would be flammable. All of the involved vehicles are a Murano with the 2013 and 2014 model years.

Timeline of Events

• August, 2014: This was the final month the affected vehicles were produced.
• January, 2017: Both the recall report and a Defect Information Report on the action said that the first investigation into a related case began last year. The U.S. investigations intensified in January, though, to respond to claims of related incidents in other markets.
• February, 2017: Targeting the U.S. vehicles specifically, Nissan began gathering relevant vehicle parts.
• March, 2017: After the results of equipment tests, Nissan concluded that the defect originated with the clamps involved in affected vehicles and agreed to begin a safety recall effort to address the issue. The Part 573 report contained a March 16 submission date.

The Resolution

As of the March 16 report, there was no owner notification date listed, although the statement did say that it would reach out to owners “within 60 days.”  April 4 was scheduled as the dealer notification date. The fix itself will reportedly include a replacement for the hose.

Franklin, Tenn. – March 15, 2017 – Nissan North America has recalled 79 vehicles with faulty side-curtain air bag inflators. The recall impacts Infiniti QX30 hatchbacks manufactured between Oct. 10-16 last year, according to documentation from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.

The Defect

Affected models contain side-curtain air bag assemblies from the Auburn Hills, Mich.-based parts provider Autoliv ASP. These fixtures contain inflator initiators with incorrect mix ratios, which expressly violate Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Consequently, the side-curtain air bags may malfunction and fail to deploy in the event of a crash, leaving the operator and passengers without proper impact protection. This poses a serious risk to owners.

Timeline of Events

On Dec. 16, 2016, Autoliv contacted Nissan representatives and explained that it intended to recall its air bag inflators based on the results of a recent quality assurance evaluation. The parts provider had initiated an investigation into its inflator assemblies on Oct. 3, due to nonconforming QA test results, according NHTSA documents. After reviewing production processes, Autoliv discovered that an improperly configured programmable logic controller had altered the generant chemical mix and produced defective inflator initiators. The automated devices were reprogrammed with the incorrect mix ratio on June 16, 2016 in two separate fabrication facilities.

On November 30, the parts provider discussed the issue with NHTSA officials and roughly two weeks later began contacting affected customers.

After receiving confirmation of the defect, Nissan immediately initiated a recall. The car maker received updated information regarding the inflators throughout February 2017 and on the 28 of that month launched another recall campaign to address Infiniti QX30 models with faulty side-curtain air bags. Dealers received notification March 9.

The Solution

Nissan has ordered dealers to replace the air bag assemblies, according to the NHTSA. The car maker is expected to notify owners within 60 days of the initial recall date.

Washington, D.C. – Feb. 7, 2017 – A Nissan recall could target certain newer Altima models over possible door latch concerns. This represents the most recent door-related issue for this vehicle in a series of several.

The Defect

This recall affects 341,005 Altima vehicles with the 2015, 2016 and 2017 model years. According to the recall acknowledgement statement submitted Jan. 18, a poorly routed lock could mean the rear door in some of these vehicles accidentally opens when the rear window is lowered. This is because the latch-lock cable in affected vehicles could interfere with the window regulator.

Timeline of Events

According to an official Part 573 Recall Report, the manufacturer noticed the defect between July and August. Although Nissan determined the cause by the start of October, it didn’t confirm the need for a recall until later in the year, making the official decision on Jan. 10, 2017. Despite early estimates that this was confined to a single vehicle, later tests showed how the production process could create the same defect again.

Resolution

As of this writing, there was no official owner notification date listed on the latest recall report. However, the initial acknowledgement did state that the fix would involve an update to the cable to prevent this issue in the future.

Last January, a different Nissan recall concerned the hood latches in 2013, 2014 and 2015 Nissan Altima vehicles. That error left affected vehicles at risk of opening hoods while driving, as the secondary latches stuck in open position. A patch will reportedly make the door’s sealing screen more effective, as the vehicle accommodates the proper cable housing.

The recall affected 846,000 vehicles subject to earlier recalls, and the 2016 recall was meant to replace the earlier efforts as dealers installed more up-to-date hood latches into these vehicles.

Washington, D.C. – October 25, 2016 – A brake fluid leak in some Nissan vehicles may cause an electrical short which carries with it the risk of a fire breaking out, according to a recall memo from the National Traffic Safety Administration. The Nissan vehicles mentioned in the report included the 2016-2017 Maxima, 2015-2017 Murano and 2015-2016 Murano hybrid. Additionally, the report mentioned that as many as 120,329 vehicles were affected by the issue. Nissan informed dealers on September 2, 2016, and began preparing notifications for the owners to go out via first class mail some time in the following 60 days.

The Defect

The vehicles that are at risk for having the defect mentioned in the recall are equipped with actuators that were manufactured outside of specified dimensions. In fact, the wrong die temperatures may have resulted in the formation of seal hardness in the vehicles with Nissan’s Intelligent Cruise Control. If this occurs, the seal will likely leak brake fluid onto a circuit board. Although an ABS warning lamp, should be triggered in response to the leak, the an electrical short can occur and a fire could break out at that location in your vehicle.

Timeline Of Nissan’s Response

Nissan recommended that if the ABS light inside your Nissan vehicle stays illuminated for more than 10 seconds, you should pull over and park your car as soon as you can. Although it took a little time to investigate the issue, Nissan has done a good job of putting together a game plan to handle the recalls. Here are a few distinct actions that Nissan took over the course of first finding out about the problem to the issue of a recall:

• June 7, 2016: Nissan was first notified of an incident involving thermal damage to a 2016 Nissan maxima. There was an inspection of the vehicle scheduled immediately to determine the cause and origin of the problem.
• June 2016: After the inspection, Nissan determined that a fire did occur and likely originated in the area around the ABS actuator. Upon further investigation, it was made clear that the ABS warning lamp was on prior to the issue. Nissan proceeded to notify the ABS actuator unit supplier (ADVICS) and continued the investigation with the supplier.
• June 2016 – August 2016: In collaboration with ADVICS, Nissan attempted to determine whether or not this is an isolated incident or one that affects a collection of vehicles. Nissan also monitored other incidents that sound similar to this one more closely.
• August 24, 2016: Based on evidence from the investigation, Nissan determined that the defect was real and a risk to driver safety. As such, the company conducted a safety recall campaign to remedy the issue as much as possible.

The Solution

Every individual who responds to Nissan’s recall can have their vehicle examined at a dealership. Your Nissan professional should inspect the serial number of your ABS actuator to see if it was manufactured during an affected time. If it was, the dealer will replace your ABS actuator at no cost to you, the owner.

Franklin, Tenn. — September 16, 2016 — A group of 1,140 Nissan vehicles may experience engine shutdown in some circumstances. According to the Part 573 Safety Recall Support, submitted July 8, the recall affects both 2012 and 2013 Infiniti M35 Hybrid models. The ones concerned were specifically produced between March 23, 2010 and September 9, 2013.

As the report described, the cooling systems in these vehicles could malfunction, leading them to possibly overheat. While this would set off the warning lamp, the source said that occupants could ignore this sign, putting themselves in potential danger. This would not affect the brakes, but it would possibly stop the engine, leaving passengers and drivers at risk of an accident.

Nissan has investigated the issue since April and is having dealers reprogram software in affected vehicles free of charge for owners. The campaign’s Aftersales Retailer Support document went into further detail about this action, describing exactly how the vehicles in question are distributed: The majority (1,130 units) are in the U.S., with 94 in Canada, six in Puerto Rico and four in Guam.

This notice also said that the affected vehicles were manufactured in Tochigi, Japan. No parts are apparently necessary for the repair other than the software, already available through ASIST. Though the advisory said that dealer repair times could vary, it also estimated that the repair process would take “approximately 1 hour.”

All authorized Infiniti dealers are supposedly able to conduct this service, but they are cautioned to update their software and turn off external devices before preparing to fix the issue.

Earlier this year, other Infiniti vehicles, including different years of the QX60 and Q50 models, were part of a different recall for possible Occupant Classification System issues. All together, 3,177,645 were potentially affected.