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 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUSPENSION - FRONT | ||||||||||||||||
| 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 . | |||||||||||||||
Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUSPENSION | |||||
| ITB97026A | 07/10/2001 | 623068 | Information regarding rear suspension bottoming out. *yh | 10/25/2001 | |
| ITB98060 | 02/15/1999 | 604322 | Vehicle may exhibit steering shimmy while driven at speeds between 60 and 70 mph (w/o braking). *tt | 04/23/1999 | |
| 98001 | 03/25/1998 | 600112 | Concerns with pull and front/rear suspension excessive play. *yc | 04/24/1998 | |
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - MACPHERSON STRUT | |||||
| RCB-11-039-E | 06/08/2012 | 10044329 | Infiniti: see document search button for owner letter. certain vehicles registered in states where concentration of road is used, an inspection for corrosion and repair, if necessary, on front housing panels. safety recall campaign. mo | 06/12/2012 | |
| ITB-11-041 | 08/10/2012 | ITB-11-041-E | 10040864 | Nissan service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. 1997-2004 qx4. in states where heavy concentrations of road salt are used in the winter, the front driver | 09/14/2011 |
| ITB-11-041 | 08/11/2011 | 10040864 | Ready | 09/14/2011 | |
| ITB-11-041 | 08/11/2011 | 10040864 | Nissan service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. 199-2004 qx4. in states where heavy concentrations of road salt are used in the winter, the front driver | 09/14/2011 | |
| ITB-11-041 | 06/08/2012 | ITB-11-041-D | 10040864 | Nissan service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. 1997-2004 qx4. in states where heavy concentrations of road salt are used in the winter, the front driver | 09/14/2011 |
Investigations
| NHTSA ID | Manufacturer | Date open | Date close | Subject | Recall campaign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUSPENSION | ||||||
| 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. | ||||||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT | ||||||
| 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. | ||||||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - MACPHERSON STRUT | ||||||
| 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. | ||||||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - SHOCK ABSORBER | ||||||
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUSPENSION | |||
| 08/25/2012 | 225000 | 1 | |
| I recently bought this car today and it was driving fine at low speeds, but until i accelerated over 40mph the rear back was swerving left to right after i release my foot off the gas. almost had 4 crashes. something in the rear is making the car swerve like its losing traction but only when it's released off the gas pedal. it was the biggest fatal part of experience within driving of my life. all i know is that it is pretty rusted on the strut areas since i checked if something was broken under the car. low speeds around 30mph the car drives fine but higher speed its like, i have to keep accelerating to prevent the car from swerving in the rear. my life was endangered for 40 minutes of my life on the highway. please contact me, this is a very dangerous situation i need to repair. *tr | |||
| 08/25/2012 | 225000 | ||
| I recently bought this car today and it was driving fine at low speeds, but until i accelerated over 40mph the rear back was swerving left to right after i release my foot off the gas. almost had 4 crashes. something in the rear is making the car swerve like its losing traction but only when it's released off the gas pedal. it was the biggest fatal part of experience within driving of my life. all i know is that it is pretty rusted on the strut areas since i checked if something was broken under the car. low speeds around 30mph the car drives fine but higher speed its like, i have to keep accelerating to prevent the car from swerving in the rear. my life was endangered for 40 minutes of my life on the highway. please contact me, this is a very dangerous situation i need to repair. | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT | |||
| 10/01/2011 | 1 | ||
| 1998 infiniti qx4. consumer writes in discontent concerning recall repairs *tgw the consumer stated the dealer never informed her it would take an extended amount of time to fix the strut tower. the consumer stated the dealer had her vehicle for three weeks. finally, the first week of september, the consumer was informed the corrosion on the strut tower housing was so significant, that it not only needed sealant and resin patches and additional work, but the repairs could not be guaranteed by the mechanics. *jb | |||
| 10/06/2009 | 135000 | ||
| Tl*the contact owns a 1998 infiniti qx4. the contact stated that the left strut apron broke and it was covered with rust which caused the steering coupling to shear off. while driving approximately 5 mph, he tried to make a turn and the steering wheel did not respond. the vehicle was towed to a service station. he also noticed that when driving over pot holes there was limited stability in the steering wheel; although, the shocks and struts were replaced prior to the failure. the dealer and manufacturer have not been notified. the current and failure mileages were approximately 135,000. | |||
| 05/01/1999 | 2 | 02/01/1998 | |
| Dealer has attempted repairs of emission system. problems still keep occurring. additionally, after dealer rotated and balanced wheels/tires, vehicle now has distinct shimmy, brake problems, and rapping in steering shaft. an independent check revealed and repaired wheel balance as incorrect weights were added. however, independent dealer theorizes that brake rotors may have been warped by central infiniti. additionally, there appears to be excessive wear in both the suspension and steering system. | |||
| SUSPENSION - REAR | |||
| 09/09/2010 | 161000 | ||
| Tl* the contact owns a 1998 infiniti qx4. the contact was driving 35 mph when the vehicle began drifting from left to right. the contact had to slow the vehicle down in order to stop the drifting. the contact took the vehicle to a local mechanic where the mechanic stated that the rear spring and shocks needed to be replaced. the contact replaced both rear shocks and springs but the repair did not remedy the failure. the contact took the vehicle back to the mechanic and the mechanic advised that the rear bushing also need to be replaced. the contact took the vehicle to the dealer and the dealer also confirmed that the rear bushings needed to be replaced, as well as the rear trailer arm. the vehicle was not further repaired. the failure mileage was 161,000. | |||
| SUSPENSION - REAR - SHOCK ABSORBER | |||
| 02/01/1998 | 1 | 12/01/1997 | |
| Rear shock absorbers failed. *yc | |||