In a recent press release by Nissan, two recalls have been initiated. The first is for the Frontier truck and Xterra SUV, for faulty steering linkages. The second recall is for the Sentra, and involves the battery cables. All told, around 513,000 vehicles in the US will be recalled, starting this month. Click past the jump for details, press release, and model years affected.
2004 Nissan Xterra
For the Frontier and Xterra, model years 2002-2004 are affected, totaling over 500,000 vehicles in the US. The lower steering column joint can develop corrosion, which leads to limited movement of the joint, the final result being that the steering shaft breaks. This then leads to a loss of steering control, increasing the likelihood of a crash. Nissan will be replacing the steering joints and shafts free of charge on the recalled vehicles.
2010 Nissan Sentra
For the Sentra, it’s model years 2010 and 2011, and involves a misshapen bolt or washer on the positive battery terminal. The misshapen bolt or washer can cause a gap which can lead to a loss of power either entering or leaving the battery, which can cause stalling and hard-to-start vehicles. If a vehicle stalls while in motion, the risk of a crash is increased, hence the safety issue and the recall.
Nissan’s press release cites 3 complaints in Canada and 6 in Brazil, quite low numbers to initiate such a big recall, but again, in this post-unintended acceleration world, automakers are skittish about any customer complaints that have anything to do with safety and accidents. It’s good to see the recall go on though. Nissan also says that no accidents or injuries have been reported for either issue, so it’s good that they have a solution in place before anything bad could happen to one of their customers.
NISSAN ISSUES VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL ON FRONTIER, XTERRA AND SENTRA MODELS
Nissan North America (NNA) today announced a voluntary safety recall campaign to replace the lower steering column joint and shaft on Frontier and Xterra vehicles and the positive battery cable terminal on Sentra vehicles in several markets in North and South America and Africa. No accidents or injuries have been reported with either issue.
“At Nissan, we’re committed to the safety and satisfaction of our customers. We regret any inconveniences that our customers may experience as we address these issues,” said Kevin Martin, vice president of Total Customer Satisfaction for NNA.
The lower steering column joint and shaft will be replaced on approximately 303,000 Frontier and 283,000 Xterra vehicles in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil and a number of other Latin American countries. The potentially affected Frontier and Xterra vehicles were manufactured at the Smyrna, Tenn., plant between July 2001 and January 2005 and at the Curitiba, Brazil plant between November 2001 and June 2008.
The positive battery cable terminal will be replaced on approximately 18,500 Sentra vehicles in the U.S., Mexico, Canada, Argentina, Brazil and a number of Latin American and African countries. The potentially affected Sentra vehicles were manufactured at the Aguascalientes, Mexico plant between May 22, 2010 and July 8, 2010.
REASON FOR THE RECALL
Nissan recently discovered that in certain rare instances, the lower steering column joint on the affected Frontier and Xterra vehicles can develop corrosion that limits the movement of the joint. If the vehicle continues to be driven in this condition it may, in an extreme case, lead to cracking of the steering shaft.
This issue was discovered through three field reports from Canada, and six from Brazil. There are no field reports of this issue in the United States or other affected markets.
On some of the affected Sentra vehicles an issue with the connector on the positive battery cable terminal could lead to difficulty starting the vehicle, and in rare cases, a possibility of stalling at low speeds.
No accidents or injuries have been associated with either of these issues.
VEHICLES INVOLVED
Model Year 2002 through 2004 Nissan Frontier vehicles manufactured from July 9, 2001 to October 20, 2004 in Smyrna, Tenn., for the North American markets
Model Year 2002 through 2004 Nissan Xterras manufactured from July 9, 2001 to January 6, 2005 in Smyrna, Tenn., for the North American markets
Nissan Frontier vehicles manufactured from November 30, 2001 to June 26, 2008 in Curitiba, Brazil for South and Central American markets
Nissan Xterra vehicles manufactured from February 17, 2003 to June 13, 2008 in Curitiba, Brazil for South and Central American markets
Nissan Sentra vehicles manufactured from May 15, 2010 to July 8, 2010 in Aguascalientes, Mexico for global markets
In the U.S. approximately 240,000 Frontier, 261,000 Xterra and 14,000 Sentra vehicles are included in this campaign. In Canada approximately 4,500 Frontier, 9,900 Xterra and 1,900 Sentra vehicles are included in the campaign.
WHAT OWNERS OF POTENTIALLY AFFECTED VEHICLES SHOULD DO
Nissan plans to begin owner notification in early December once replacement parts are available. Owners will be asked to bring their vehicles to the dealer to have the new parts installed free of charge.
Customers in the U.S. with questions may contact Nissan Consumer Affairs at 1-800-NISSAN1 (1-800-647-7261). Customers in Canada may contact Nissan Canada Consumer Affairs at 1-800-387-0122. Customers may also contact their respective authorized Nissan dealers.
