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 10/01/1995 to 07/31/2004 | 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 | |||
| 03/18/2011 | 165891 | 1 | |
| Vehicle strut housing and strut had to be replaced on driver side and passenger side ,front driver side tire also had to be replaced due to it. all services was done by a mechanic and charged for labor and parts. please email me about this @[xxx] [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr | |||
| 03/18/2011 | 165891 | ||
| Vehicle strut housing and strut had to be replaced on driver side and passenger side ,front driver side tire also had to be replaced due to it.all services was done by a mechanic and charged for labor and parts. please email me about this @ paulamayo10@yahoo.com.. thanks paula | |||
| 04/10/2012 | 180000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 1998 nissan pathfinder. the contact stated that while driving 60 mph, the steering wheel began to wobble and the driver felt like she was going to lose control of the vehicle. the failure ocurred while driving at low speeds as well, but the degree of wobbling was lesser. the vehicle wobbled so much that the passengers became queasy. the vehicle was taken to the dealer for a diagnosis and the contact was informed that the vehicle needed new bushings, control arms, and struts. the manufacturer was notified and offered little assistance. the vehicle had not been repaired. the failure and current mileages were 180,000. sm. | |||
| 04/10/2012 | 180000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 1998 nissan pathfinder. the contact stated that while driving 60 mph the steering wheel begins to wobble causing the driver to feel like she was going to lose control of the vehicle. the failure occurred at lower speeds as well with less shaking and wobbling. the vehicle wobbles so much that the passengers became queasy. the vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis and was informed she would need new bushings, control arms and struts. the manufacturer was notified and offered little assistance. the vehicle had not been repaired. the failure and current mileages were 180,000. dt | |||
| 05/02/2011 | |||
| My vehicle has two recalls on it - first one is the gas neck recall and the second is the strut housing causing steering problems. i took my vehicle in on may 2nd, 2011 to bergstrom/nissan in oshkosh. they checked out my vehicle and said that my vehicle has the problems regarding both recalls. it is september 8th, 2011 and they still have my vehicle. they called me this morning and told me that they braced up the front. things should be good but that they took it for a drive and it is still all over the road. they also said that the part for the gas neck recall is on back order. they told me to come and pick up the vehicle. if they took it for a drive and it still is all over the road and there is still a problem with the steering - then i don't think it is safe and that they must not have done a good enough job fixing the problem. i don't want to drive an unsafe vehicle until they have corrected the problem. | |||
| 05/02/2011 | 189000 | ||
| Tl - the contact owns a 1998 nissan pathfinder. the contact stated that the vehicle strut tower separated from the body. in addition the abs system was malfunctioning as a result of the failure. the vehicle was taken to the dealer who did not diagnosed the problem and was awaiting for the manufacturer approval to repaired it. the manufacturer was made aware of the problem but did not offered any assistance since the vehicle was not included on recall nhtsa campaign id number: 11v244000 ( component: steering:column) . the vehicle was not repaired. the failure and current mileage was 189,000. pm | |||
| 03/04/2011 | 130000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 1998 nissan pathfinder. while driving approximately 5 mph the contact heard a cracking noise coming from the steering while turning in either direction. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the front strut towers were replaced. the failure continued after the repairs. the manufacturer was contacted and stated there was a recall under nhtsa campaign id number: 11v244000 (steering:column) but the vehicle was not included. the vehicle was not repaired. the approximate failure mileage was 130,000. ds | |||
| 03/31/2011 | 158101 | ||
| I made a turn and i heard a pop sound and totally lost my steering. thank god i was going fast and didn't hit the cars parked on the side. my 1998 nissan pathfinder se had to be towed to my mechanic which made me aware that the steering column upper joint had broken. | |||
| 10/07/2009 | 110 | 1 | |
| As i was approaching the end of an exit ' i put my foot on the brakes to slow down but instead the car took off at an excessive speed while i watched in horror and fearing for my life. it kept going until it hit a free . the car was totaled. i escaped with minor injuries. the problem i have is that i had dropped collision a few months before so now i'm out of a car and about $6,000.00 for which the car was more or less worth. *tr | |||
| 12/13/1997 | 1 | ||
| Steering failed, causing loss of control, resulting in a crash/injuries. | |||
| STEERING - COLUMN | |||
| 05/02/2011 | 189000 | ||
| Tl*the contact owns a 1998 nissan pathfinder. the contact stated that the strut towers separated from the body of the vehicle. in addition the abs system malfunctioned as a result of the failure. the vehicle was taken to the dealer who did not diagnose the problem and was awaiting for the manufacturers approval to repair it. the manufacturer was made aware of the problem but did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in recall nhtsa campaign id number: 11v244000 ( steering:column) . the vehicle was not repaired. the failure and current mileage was 189,000. | |||
| 03/04/2011 | 130000 | ||
| Tl*the contact owns a 1998 nissan pathfinder. while driving approximately 5 mph the contact heard a cracking noise in the steering wheel while turning in either direction. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the front strut towers were replaced. the failure continued after the repairs. the manufacturer was contacted and stated nhtsa recall campaign id number: 11v244000 (steering:column) was related; yet, the vehicle was not included. the vehicle was not repaired. the approximate failure mileage was 130,000. | |||
| STEERING - WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR | |||
| 05/02/2011 | |||
| My vehicle has two recalls on it - first one is the gas neck recall and the second is the strut housing causing steering problems. i took my vehicle in on may 2nd, 2011 to bergstrom/nissan in oshkosh. they checked out my vehicle and said that my vehicle has the problems regarding both recalls. it is september 8th, 2011 and they still have my vehicle. they called me this morning and told me that they braced up the front. things should be good but that they took it for a drive and it is still all over the road. they also said that the part for the gas neck recall is on back order. they told me to come and pick up the vehicle. if they took it for a drive and it still is all over the road and there is still a problem with the steering - then i don't think it is safe and that they must not have done a good enough job fixing the problem. i don't want to drive an unsafe vehicle until they have corrected the problem. | |||