2005 Nissan Titan

It seems every automaker is getting caught by the recall bug these days, and Nissan isn’t immune.  According to reports, the automaker is recalling 2.1 million vehicles worldwide, with around 762,000 of them in North America.  The recall involves a wide range of vehicles, from the Cube to the Titan, and centers around a faulty ignition switch, which can cause the engine to stall and/or not restart.  Click past the jump for more details and a list of affected models.

Update 11/1/2010: We now have a list of the affected models and their model years, as well as the NHTSA’s press release.  Continue reading for the updates.

2005 Nissan Pathfinder

According to Automotive News, “the breakdown of the recalled U.S. models is: Titan 227,313 units, Pathfinder 143,471 units, Frontier 123,037 units, Armada 106,003 units, Xterra 101,483 units, Infiniti QX56 36,969 units.”

The recall affects models built between 2003 and 2006, and owners should expect to be notified in the coming weeks.

UPDATE: Affected models and model years are listed below:

Show Press Release

Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s): INFINITI / QX56 2004-2006 NISSAN / ARMADA 2004-2006 NISSAN / FRONTIER 2005-2006 NISSAN / PATHFINDER 2005-2006 NISSAN / TITAN 2004-2006 NISSAN / XTERRA 2005-2006 Manufacturer: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. Mfr’s Report Date: OCT 28, 2010 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 10V517000 NHTSA Action Number: N/A

Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Potential Number of Units Affected: 747480

Summary: NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 ARMADA, TITAN, INFINITI QX56 AND MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 FRONTIER, PATHFINDER AND XTERRA VEHICLES. THE INTELLIGENT POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULE (IPDM) ASSEMBLY CONTAINS AN ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) RELAY THAT HAS A DIODE FOR ELECTRICAL CURRENT NOISE REDUCTION. THE ECM RELAY MAY ALLOW SILICON VAPOR TO FORM AND, OVER TIME, THE SILICON EVAPORATES FROM THE DIODE MOLDING WHICH CAUSES SILICON OXIDE TO DEVELOP ON THE ECM RELAY CONTACT DUE TO ARCING.

Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE ENGINE STALLING INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ECM RELAY INSIDE THE IPDM ASSEMBLY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING DECEMBER 2010. 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 TOHTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .

by John Suit

Source: Automotive News, NHTSA

Related posts:

1. Nissan to recall 539,864 vehicles for brake pins, fuel gauges
2. Update: Toyota to Recall 3.8 Million Vehicles over Gas Pedal issue
3. Garmin Recalls Nav Units, Affects Automotive Market

2008 Infiniti QX56

What is it with braking systems on vehicles these days?  Have automakers lost their minds?  I believe it to be a combination of trying to save money and the mainstream application of “drive by wire” systems, where computers and sensors replace traditional hydraulics and cables.  Nissan is the latest automaker to initiate a recall for its brakes, as well as faulty fuel gauges.

2010 Nissan Titan

In the case of the brakes, a pin that presumably holds the pedal assembly together can become partially dislodged, causing a “loss of normal braking ability.”  Nissan blames the supplier of the part, and reiterates that none of its vehicles which are currently on sale have the issue.  Nissan also says that there have been no accidents or injuries related to this recall, but its customers’ satisfaction is the big motivator.  Looks like another automaker learned from Toyota.

On the fuel gauge side, certain high mileage vehicles have a tendency to display an incorrect amount of fuel in the gas tank.  The gauge may have a tendency to read high, which could leave drivers stranded.

VEHICLES INVOLVED
Models and numbers of vehicles with potentially affected brake pedal pins are:

• 2008 through 2010 model year Nissan Titan, Armada, Quest and Infiniti QX56
• 178,916 in the U.S., 25,869 outside the U.S.

Models and numbers of vehicles with potential fuel gauges inaccuracies are:

• 2005 through 2008 model year Nissan Titan, Armada and Infiniti QX56
• Nissan Frontier, Pathfinder and Xterra produced between January and March 2006 and between October 2007 and January 2008
• 418,865 in the U.S., 53,253 outside the U.S.

by John Suit

Source: Nissan

Related posts:

1. UPDATE: And the Hits keep on Coming: Nissan Recalls 2.1 million vehicles worldwide
2. Is Nissan having problem with its driveshafts?
3. Honda to recall 412,000 vehicles over brake issue