Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
Manufacturer
Nissan North America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
307,962
Reported to NHTSA
2020-01-09
Owners notified
2020-02-12
Defect description
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 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 and M45 vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated, frontal passenger air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Safety risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Manufacturer remedy
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators with alternate desiccated inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 888-737-9511 or Infiniti customer service at 888-810-3715.
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
Manufacturer
Nissan North America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
46
Reported to NHTSA
2017-02-02
Owners notified
2017-03-31
Defect description
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2002 Pathfinder and Infiniti QX4 vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with Takata air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture.
Safety risk
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Manufacturer remedy
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on March, 31, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2001-2003 Nissan Maxima, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2003 Infiniti QX4 and I35, 2003 FX35 and FX45, and 2001 I30 vehicles. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Safety risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Manufacturer remedy
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on June 15, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. Note: On December 18, 2015 Nissan informed NHTSA of an amendment of this recall to remove 2004-2005 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 vehicles.
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.
Safety risk
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.
Manufacturer remedy
NISSAN WILL INSPECT THE STRUT HOUSING AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM NOTIFICATION LETTER WAS SENT OUT IN MAY 2011. THE SECOND NOTICE WAS MAILED ON JULY 25, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
NISSAN IS RECALLING FORTY-SIX CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002 PATHFINDER AND INFINITI QX4 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 24, 2001 THROUGH AUGUST 28, 2001. THE AIR BAG INFLATOR CONTAINS PROPELLANT WAFERS THAT ARE REQUIRED TO PROPERLY DEPLOY THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG. DUE TO IMPROPER PROPELLANT WAFER INSTALLATION DURING THE AIR BAG INFLATOR ASSEMBLY PROCESS, SOME AIR BAG INFLATORS MAY BE MISSING ONE OF THE WAFERS. AS A RESULT, THE REMAINING WAFERS IN THE INFLATOR USED FOR THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG MAY, OVER TIME, BREAK UP INTO POWDER DUE TO NORMAL VIBRATION EXPERIENCED WHILE DRIVING. THIS CAUSES THE COMBUSTION RATE OF THE PROPELLANT TO INCREASE INSIDE THE INFLATOR, WHICH CAN LEAD TO INTERNAL PRESSURE RISING SUDDENLY DURING AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.
Safety risk
THE INFLATOR HOUSING MAY RUPTURE AND PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
Manufacturer remedy
NISSAN WILL NOTIFY THE OWNERS OF THE FORTY-SIX AFFECTED VEHICLES. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULE ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW ONE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 19, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 AND INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.
Owner complaints
A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.
Component
Complaints
Median mileage
Suspension
34
120,000 mi
Steering
16
121,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system
14
58,000 mi
Structure: body
11
118,000 mi
Vehicle speed control
10
163,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor
9
76,000 mi
Air bags
8
140,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system
8
150,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine
7
58,000 mi
Engine
5
108,000 mi
Power train
5
25,580 mi
Suspension: rear
5
100,000 mi
Electrical system
4
55,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling
4
65,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission
4
50,467 mi
Structure: frame and members
4
150,000 mi
Equipment
3
26,500 mi
Service brakes
3
96,070 mi
Suspension: front
3
—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control
2
36,000 mi
Interior lighting
2
—
Seat belts
2
25 mi
Seat belts: rear/other
2
88,000 mi
Seats
2
—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
2
26,000 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields
2
44,528 mi
Tires
2
185,602 mi
Unknown or other
2
118,000 mi
Wheels
2
109,000 mi
Air bags: frontal
1
15,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
1
—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys
1
—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
1
37,024 mi
Equipment: electrical
1
—
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.
1
56,000 mi
Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer
1
300 mi
Latches/locks/linkages
1
91,120 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
1
—
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock
1
—
Power train: axle assembly
1
—
Power train: driveline
1
65 mi
Seat belts: front
1
—
Seat belts: front: retractor
1
—
Seats: front assembly: power adjust
1
—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components
1
—
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages
1
—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar
1
—
Structure: body: door
1
300 mi
Structure: body: roof and pillars
1
300 mi
Suspension: front: macpherson strut
1
230,000 mi
Suspension: rear: springs
1
—
Suspension: rear: springs: coil springs
1
300 mi
Tires: bead
1
—
Tires: sidewall
1
33,765 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal
1
—
Visibility: glass, side/rear
1
—
Visibility: power window devices and controls
1
52,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages
1
268,700 mi
The 2001 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2003 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.
Open investigations
An investigation is not a recall. It indicates that NHTSA is currently evaluating an alleged defect but has not reached a final determination.
EA21002Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.