Recalls
| Campaign | Manufacturer | Manufacturing date | Type | # of units affected | Date Owner notified Mfg | Recall Initiated by | Manufacturers of recalled vehicles/products | Report Recieved Date | Record Creation Date | Regulation Part Number | FMVSS Number | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING - COLUMN | ||||||||||||||||
| 11V244000 | NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. | from 09/01/1996 to 10/31/2002 | V (Vehicle) | 195991 | ODI | NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. | 04/20/2011 | 04/21/2011 | ||||||||
| Defect Summary | Nissan is recalling certain model year 1996-2004 pathfinder and model year 1997-2003 infiniti qx4 vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in, connecticut, delaware, iowa, illinois, indiana, massachusetts, maine, maryland, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, washington d.c., west virginia and wisconsin. in areas of the country in which heavy concentrations of road salt are used, a mixture of snow/water and salt may enter an assembly location hole in the upper strut housing, causing water to collect at the mating surface of the strut housing panel and the inner hood ledge assembly. over time, this snow/water and salt intrusion may result in corrosion of the strut tower housing in some subject vehicles. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | The strut housing may crack and pull away from the inner hood ledge assembly. this may lead to grinding noises, increased steering effort, and possibly the steering column to break, resulting in the loss of steering control, which could result in a crash. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | Nissan will inspect the strut housing and repair the vehicles as necessary, free of charge. an interim notification letter to owners will be mailed on or before may 16, 2011. owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Owners may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov . | |||||||||||||||
Investigations
| NHTSA ID | Manufacturer | Date open | Date close | Subject | Recall campaign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | ||||||
| PE11004 | NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. | 01/28/2011 | 06/30/2011 | Frame/Body Structure Corrosion | 11V244000 | |
| In their defect information report (dir) of april 20, 2011, nissan north america, inc. (nissan) notified nhtsa that it would conduct a safety recall of certain 1996-2004 nissan pathfinder and 1997-2003 infinity qx4 vehicles to repair corrosion damage to the driver's side front strut tower.the vehicles included in the recall are those that were originally sold, or are currently registered in salt belt states including connecticut, delaware, iowa, illinois, indiana, massachusetts, maine, maryland, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin, and the district of columbia.the dir states in part, ...the strut housing may crack and pull away from the inner hood ledge assembly.this could lead to the strut housing panel separating and contacting the steering column lower shaft.contact with the steering column lower shaft can cause steering difficulties and may require an increase in steering effort by the driver.if the steering column lower shaft completely fractured it would result in a total loss of steering control.in some cases, the strut housing panel can contact or affect adjacent brake system components.complainants reported experiencing either steering or brake system issues, and in some cases, both.nissan dealer's will inspect the strut housing and, based on the level of corrosion found, make an assessment as to how to remedy the vehicle (see defect information report for additional details). brake system components adjacent to, and in the area of, the strut tower (i.e., brake master cylinder, left front brake line, abs wire harness, etc.) will also be inspected. | ||||||
| PE11004 | NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. | 01/28/2011 | Frame/Body Structure Corrosion | |||
| The office of defects investigation has received 35 reports on the subject vehicles alleging a corrosion related failure of the driver's side front strut tower.in 18 of the reports there were allegations that the failures affected the vehicles steering, including five that reported the steering shaft or column broke resulting in a loss of steering.severe corrosion of the frame/body structure in the area of the driver's side front strut tower can allow the strut tower to fail.if the failed strut tower contacts the steering column upper joint, or otherwise restricts the rotation of the steering column shaft, it can result in increased steering effort, steering impediment, or a complete loss of steering control. | ||||||
| STEERING - COLUMN | ||||||
| PE11004 | NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. | 01/28/2011 | 06/30/2011 | Frame/Body Structure Corrosion | 11V244000 | |
| In their defect information report (dir) of april 20, 2011, nissan north america, inc. (nissan) notified nhtsa that it would conduct a safety recall of certain 1996-2004 nissan pathfinder and 1997-2003 infinity qx4 vehicles to repair corrosion damage to the driver's side front strut tower.the vehicles included in the recall are those that were originally sold, or are currently registered in salt belt states including connecticut, delaware, iowa, illinois, indiana, massachusetts, maine, maryland, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin, and the district of columbia.the dir states in part, ...the strut housing may crack and pull away from the inner hood ledge assembly.this could lead to the strut housing panel separating and contacting the steering column lower shaft.contact with the steering column lower shaft can cause steering difficulties and may require an increase in steering effort by the driver.if the steering column lower shaft completely fractured it would result in a total loss of steering control.in some cases, the strut housing panel can contact or affect adjacent brake system components.complainants reported experiencing either steering or brake system issues, and in some cases, both.nissan dealer's will inspect the strut housing and, based on the level of corrosion found, make an assessment as to how to remedy the vehicle (see defect information report for additional details). brake system components adjacent to, and in the area of, the strut tower (i.e., brake master cylinder, left front brake line, abs wire harness, etc.) will also be inspected. | ||||||
| PE11004 | NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. | 01/28/2011 | Frame/Body Structure Corrosion | |||
| The office of defects investigation has received 35 reports on the subject vehicles alleging a corrosion related failure of the driver's side front strut tower.in 18 of the reports there were allegations that the failures affected the vehicles steering, including five that reported the steering shaft or column broke resulting in a loss of steering.severe corrosion of the frame/body structure in the area of the driver's side front strut tower can allow the strut tower to fail.if the failed strut tower contacts the steering column upper joint, or otherwise restricts the rotation of the steering column shaft, it can result in increased steering effort, steering impediment, or a complete loss of steering control. | ||||||
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | |||
| 09/16/2010 | 172000 | ||
| Tl*the contact owns a 1997 infiniti qx4. the contact was traveling 25 mph and began to have trouble controlling the steering wheel. the contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was told that there was corrosion in the steering column and she needed a new vehicle. the contact stated that they had the struts and suspension replaced a year earlier because of corrosion and was told that the vehicle was in good shape. the contact stated that this was a safety issue, because of the corrosion. the failure mileage was 172,000 and the current mileage was 174,000. | |||
| 07/19/2010 | 245000 | ||
| While on interstate 10, the qx4 shakes uncontrollably while driving at higher speeds and the steering wheel does not turn in portion to the rotation of turning the wheel. changed the struts in the front and the back and shocks without any progress. | |||
| 09/16/2010 | 172000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 1997 infiniti qx4. the contact was traveling 25 mph through their sub-division and started having trouble controlling the steering wheel. the contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was told there was corrosion in the steering column and was told they would need a new vehicle. the contact stated they had the struts and suspension replaced a year earlier because of corrosion and was told the vehicle was in fine shape. the contact feels this is a safety issue, because of the corrosion. the failure mileage was 172,000 and the current mileage was 174,000.rl | |||
| 07/19/2010 | 245000 | ||
| While on interstate 10, the qx4 shakes uncontrollably while driving at higher speeds and the steering wheel does not turn in portion to the rotation of turning the wheel. changed the struts in the front and the back and shocks without any progress. | |||
| 09/16/2010 | 172000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 1997 infiniti qx4. the contact was traveling 25 mph through their sub-division and started having trouble controlling the steering wheel. the contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was told there was corrosion in the steering column and was told they would need a new vehicle. the contact stated they had the struts and suspension replaced a year earlier because of corrosion and was told the vehicle was in fine shape. the contact feels this is a safety issue, because of the corrosion. the failure mileage was 172,000 and the current mileage was 174,000.rl | |||
| 07/19/2010 | 245000 | ||
| While on interstate 10, the qx4 shakes uncontrollably while driving at higher speeds and the steering wheel does not turn in portion to the rotation of turning the wheel. changed the struts in the front and the back and shocks without any progress. | |||
| 09/16/2010 | 172000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 1997 infiniti qx4. the contact was traveling 25 mph through their sub-division and started having trouble controlling the steering wheel. the contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was told there was corrosion in the steering column and was told they would need a new vehicle. the contact stated they had the struts and suspension replaced a year earlier because of corrosion and was told the vehicle was in fine shape. the contact feels this is a safety issue, because of the corrosion. the failure mileage was 172,000 and the current mileage was 174,000.rl | |||
| 07/19/2010 | 245000 | ||
| While on interstate 10, the qx4 shakes uncontrollably while driving at higher speeds and the steering wheel does not turn in portion to the rotation of turning the wheel. changed the struts in the front and the back and shocks without any progress. | |||
| 01/05/2009 | 150000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 1997 infiniti qx4. the contact stated when the vehicle is going 50 mph or more and hits a bump, the steering becomes unstable. the steering also starts to shake and the contact feels they will loose control. the contact has replaced the struts and shocks twice. they have replaced the lower tire rods end, tires and a full steering rack replacement. none of the repairs corrected the problem. the dealer has stated they cannot pinpoint the failure. the failure mileage was 150,000 and the current mileage was 210,000.rl | |||
| 01/20/2000 | 1 | ||
| Vehicle slid on black ice down a very steep road, lost control, and went up a mountain wall, flipped over, and hit a tlelphone pole. car hit dead center, and the airbags did not deploy. *ak | |||
| STEERING - LINKAGES - ARM - IDLER AND ATTACHMENT | |||
| 02/01/2006 | 1 | 02/01/2004 | |
| My 1997 infiniti qx4 started to have a side to side wobble. it got worse over time. now i can barely drive on the freeway. at speeds of about 50-65 it wobbles to the point that it is very dangerous. i bought an infiniti for the safety and i do not feel safe in it anymore. i have replaced shocks, tires, have done tire balancing, wheel alignment. none have done anything to remotely fix the problem. i can not afford to fix this problem. a recall is needed for the pathfinder and qx4. *tr | |||
| STEERING - WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR | |||
| 07/19/2010 | 245000 | ||
| While on interstate 10, the qx4 shakes uncontrollably while driving at higher speeds and the steering wheel does not turn in portion to the rotation of turning the wheel. changed the struts in the front and the back and shocks without any progress. | |||