Nissan recalls Infiniti SUVs due to risk of airbag failure

Franklin, TN – March 26, 2021- Nissan (OTCMKTS:NSANY ) is recalling 26,156 vehicles due to an incorrectly folded airbag cushion. This may result in the airbag tearing “during deployment” and failing to cushion the passenger to the fullest extent, magnifying the risk of injury.

The recall includes the following SUVs:

  • 2006  Infiniti FX35
  • 2007 Infiniti FX35
  • 2008 Infiniti FX35
  • 2006 – 2008 Infiniti FX45

The component in question is the Passenger Air Bag Module with the part number K8515 CL71A.

Recall summary

This recall is caused  by an improperly folded front passenger airbag cushion, which may restrict the flow of gas required to inflate the airbag during during deployment. This increases the cushion’s internal pressure and may cause a tear. 

The cars included in this recall were part of a massive 2020 recall because they were equipped with potentially lethal Takata airbag inflators. The airbags were then replaced by a different brand whose supplier did not fold them correctly, leading Nissan to issue corrective action.

Risks

As reported in our recent article about a Porsche recall, airbags’ goal is to cut down on the risk of upper body injury. Therefore, passengers in a crash without a fully functional airbag face an increased risk of injury, especially in a “moderate or severe” accident.

Other Infiniti recalls

Nissan recently recalled over 2020 Infiniti QX50 SUVs due to illegible text on the tire and loading information placard. The issue could potentially lead the driver to overinflate tires, increasing the likelihood of an accident. 

Repair

The repair is a free front passenger airbag module replacement at any Infiniti dealer. The recall is slated to start on April 18, 2021.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

Approximately 26,000 vehicles are part of this Nissan recall. To perform a Nissan recall check, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Aleksandra SnesarevaNissan recalls Infiniti SUVs due to risk of airbag failure

Certain Nissan and Infiniti AirBags May Explode

Laguna Hills, Calif. – January 16, 2020 – Nissan North America is recalling over 300,000 Nissan and Infiniti vehicles with faulty airbag inflators that could explode without warning, propelling sharp and metal objects toward vehicle occupants. The recall includes

  • 2001-2003 Nissan Maxima
  • 2002-2006 Nissan Sentra
  • 2002-2004 Nissan Pathfinder
  • 2007-2011 Nissan Versa sedan and hatchback.
  • 2001-2004 Infiniti I30 and I35
  • 2002-2003 Infiniti QX4
  • 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45
  • 2006-2010 Infiniti M35

The Defect

Affected vehicles were manufactured with faulty airbag inflators supplied by Takata, now a bankrupt company, that has phased out airbags in accordance with documents released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. A Nissan spokesperson announced that “Nissan Group is implementing the next phase of the Takata inflator recalls in accordance with the predetermined coordinated remedy schedule set by NHTSA.”

The recall outlines that airbag inflators, subjected to high temperatures or humidity, could explode sending propellant and metal objects toward the driver and other occupants. This could result in injury or death. NHTSA estimated that sixteen people in the U.S. have been killed and 250 have been injured due to the defective airbag inflators. Of the recalled vehicles, NHTSA estimates that 25 percent, or 13 million vehicles, are still to be repaired by Nissan.

Solution

Affected owners should take their vehicle into any authorized Nissan or Infiniti dealership to replace the defective airbag inflator, free of charge. Nissan will notify the owners on February 10, 2020 asking to bring their vehicles into any authorized dealers for proper service. Affected vehicle owners should contact Infiniti customer service at 888-810-3715 or Nissan customer service at 888-737-9511, for further recall information.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

Over 300,000 vehicles were originally part of this recall. As of April 9, 2021 – the last date information was available – 103,241 airbags had been replaced. To see if your car still needs to be repaired, use MotorSafety’s free lookup tool.

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Sean ReyesCertain Nissan and Infiniti AirBags May Explode

Nissan Recalls a Variety of Vehicles Due to Issue With Replacement Airbag

Laguna Hills, CA – Jan 9, 2020 – Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling over 300,000 vehicles that may be equipped with non-desiccated frontal airbag inflators used as temporary remedy replacement parts for a previous recall. The inflators are in danger of rupturing due to exposure to high levels of humidity or temperatures, as well as rapid temperature changes. The recall includes the following models:

  • 2001-2003 Nissan Maxima
  • 2002-2006 Nissan Sentra
  • 2002-2004 Nissan Pathfinder
  • 2007-2011 Nissan Versa Sedan
  • 2007-2011 Nissan Versa Hatchback
  • 2001-2004 Infiniti I30
  • 2001-2005 Infiniti I35
  • 2002-2003 Infiniti QX4
  • 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35
  • 2003-2008 Infiniti FX45
  • 2006-2010 Infiniti M35
  • 2006-2010 Infiniti M45

The Defect

Non-desiccated air bag inflators were equipped on various Nissan vehicles as temporary stopgap remedies in previous Takata airbag recalls. These inflators have a defect of their own; due to the presence of moisture in these parts, the inflator’s supply of stabilized ammonium nitrate is susceptible to changes in pressure. These pressure changes can occur due to high temperatures or high levels of humidity – in addition, rapid temperature cycling can also cause these pressure changes. At high enough temperatures or humidity, the inflators can explode, resulting in metal debris impacting the driver and passengers in the vehicle. This increases the risk of personal injury to occupants as well as collisions resulting from either distraction or incapacitating injuries.

Timeline of Events

In early January, Takata sent out Defect Report 20E-001, detailing a defect they discovered in some airbag inflators used as temporary replacement parts in a recall. Upon receipt of this report, Nissan collated a list of previously recalled vehicles equipped with this remedy. It was determined that 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback, 2001-2004 Infiniti I30 and I35, 2002-2003 Inifiniti QX4, 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 and 2006-2010 M35 / M45 vehicles were equipped with these replacement parts.

After the confirming the risk, Nissan drafted a safety recall January 2, 2020, brought upon by an “abundance of caution” according to the initial filing. On January 9, this recall notice became public, and owners of the affected vehicles were made aware of the risk. Preparations were made to replace the non-desiccated inflators with correct desiccated ones; the remedy process is projected to start in early February.

The Solution

In accordance with the initial recall, Nissan will notify owners of the danger and replace the air bag inflators with non defective ones, free of charge. Owners will be periodically notified and reminded of the defective nature of the parts and the recall will be distinguished from the original to avoid confusion. Owners can bring their vehicles to authorized retailers in order to receive their free replacement parts. However, until then, owners are advised not to operate their vehicles due to the risk involved to both occupants and other motorists. This recall is expected to begin February 10, 2020.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

Over 300,000 vehicles were originally part of this recall. As of April 9, 2021 – the last date information was available – 103,241 airbags had been replaced. To see if your car still needs to be repaired, use MotorSafety’s free lookup tool.

Sean ReyesNissan Recalls a Variety of Vehicles Due to Issue With Replacement Airbag

Toyota yanks over 928,200 cars with faulty Takata airbags

Laguna Hills, CA – October 24, 2019 – Toyota is recalling more than 928,200 models of various types due to concerns that the air bags installed in these vehicles’ dashboards and steering wheels could explode upon deployment in a crash and hurl deadly shrapnel at the driver or passengers.

A total of 17 different model types are included in this recall action, several of which are under Toyota’s luxury brand. Here’s a partial list:

  • 2007-2012 Lexus ES350
  • 2010-2017 Lexus GX460
  • 2006-2012 Lexus IS 250
  • 2010-2015 Lexus IS 250c
  • 2006-2012 Lexus IS 350
  • 2010-2016 Toyota 4Runner
  • 2003-2013 Toyota Corolla
  • 2009-2010 Toyota Corolla Matrix
  • 2004-2005 Toyota RAV4
  • 2002-2007 Toyota Sequoia

The defect

Toyota has announced the recall of 928,203 models because the air bag inflators may be faulty. The propellant used to inflate the air bags once triggered may degrade in high-humidity environments, which could lead to an explosion of the air bag itself. Sharp objects within the unit could cause serious injury or death should they strike the passenger or driver.

Timeline of events

As previously noted, Toyota is one of several automakers impacted by air bag recalls, as millions of automobiles have returned to dealerships so their original bags can be swapped out for fully operating ones. In fact, all of the listed vehicles were a part of a separate air bag recall for the same problem. This is the second and final phase of the original recall. The errant air bags in question were developed by Takata, which filed for bankruptcy in 2017. According to Reuters, at least 24 people have been killed worldwide as a result of rupturing air bags. Of these deaths, 16 took place in the U.S.

Just because there are recall notices out on numerous makes and models doesn’t mean that they’re all attended to, despite owners’ receipt of notifications. In 2018, however, repair rates improved rather sharply among several models. These included the 2006 Ford Ranger (82% in October 2018 from 6% in January 2018), and multiple 2001-2003 Honda models, with an overall 96% repair rate by the end of 2018, according to NHTSA data.

Several of the automobiles subject to this latest air bag recall were also involved in a previous one that was announced in February. That one affected 1.2 million vehicles, among them 2010-2016 4Runner, 2011-2013 Corolla and 2011-2013 Corolla Matrix vehicles.

The solution

Starting November 15, Toyota will begin distributing notifications via first-class mail informing owners of this most recent air bag recall. Before this, however, each car will be inspected to determine the nature of the problem and the appropriate corrective action. For example, the driver and/or passenger air bags may be defective. Whatever the case may be, the inflator, air bag assembly or both will be swapped out. This repair is free, and the fix should take approximately one hour to complete.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

Over 928,000 cars were originally part of this recall. As of April 9, 2021, 545,271 airbags had been replaced. To see if your car still needs to be repaired, use MotorSafety’s free lookup tool.

Note: June 8, 2021

We have noticed a large number of readers are interested in this recall. For that reason, we have added the last section to allow the driver to check if his or her car is part of the recall and reflect the most up-to-date information on the recall’s completion rates. The article has also been updated to reflect the latest editorial standards.

Sean ReyesToyota yanks over 928,200 cars with faulty Takata airbags

Over 1,600 2019 Infiniti vehicles recalled by Nissan for faulty air bag modules

Lilburn, Georgia – Sept. 21, 2018: Nissan North America, Inc. is recalling certain 2019 INFINITI QX50 vehicles due to an air bag module defect that increases risk of injury for passenger seat drivers in the event of a crash.

The recall includes just over 1,600 vehicles manufactured between July 4, 2018, and August 24, 2018, with the chances of any specific vehicle suffering a defect being 1 percent, according to the NHTSA safety recall report. No other INFINITI (or Nissan) vehicles are affected by this issue because the affected passenger-side knee air bag module is unique to this model and those dates of manufacture.

The Defect

In the event of a crash in very cold temperatures, the trim cover may separate unexpectedly from the passenger-side knee air bag module instead of splitting at the trim cover tear seam as designed. If the passenger-side knee air bag cover detaches during deployment, it can increase the risk of injury.

According to an INFINITI campaign bulletin, the manufacturer strongly recommends that if a vehicle is confirmed to be affected, this safety recall repair performed as soon as possible. Owners are urged to contact their retailer as soon as possible to schedule an appointment, and in the meantime to not allow passengers to ride in the front passenger seat.

Timeline of Events

In August 2018, while a supplier was conducting a low temperature lot acceptance test, the passenger-side knee air bag cover detached from the air bag module during deployment. The supplier launched an investigation, and two weeks later the plant and supplier quarantined all passenger-side knee air bag modules.

The investigation found that certain passenger-side knee air bag modules had been manufactured with an out-of-specification tear seam thickness, and the knee air bag cushion was incorrectly folded. Nissan identified the affected vehicles and chose to conduct a voluntary recall campaign to replace the passenger-side knee air bag module.

The Solution

The dealer will replace the passenger-side knee air bag module, including the module trim cover, with a new one. INFINITI will notify owners, and retailers will complete the replacement free of charge. Rental car coverage will be available up to a max of $180. The recall is expected to begin October 22, 2018, and the Campaign ID is PC644.

Owners may contact INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200, or contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153). Owners may also use the INFINITI recall tool to enter their VIN and find out if their vehicle is affected by the recall.

Sean ReyesOver 1,600 2019 Infiniti vehicles recalled by Nissan for faulty air bag modules