Feds Review Recall Remedy in 986,826 Nissan and Infiniti Vehicles

WASHINGTON – Federal safety regulators on Friday said they are reviewing the effectiveness of a recall remedy in 986,826 2013-’14 Nissan and Infiniti vehicles, including the 2013-’14 Nissan Altima sedan and Nissan Leaf electric car, after customer complaints about the recall.

The vehicles, which were recalled in 2014, may misclassify adult front-passenger occupants and turn off, or deactivate, the passenger’s frontal airbag.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened a review of the recall in March 2015 but now has upgraded the probe to what is called an “engineering analysis” to conduct “a thorough review of the countermeasures taken by Nissan and its suppliers,” the agency said.

Other vehicles included in the review are the 2013-’14 Nissan Pathfinder and Sentra; 2013 Infiniti JX35; 2014 Infiniti QX60 and Q50; and 2013 Nissan NV 200/Taxi vehicles.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it has received 1,271 consumer complaints about how the recall was carried out.

In March 2015, NHTSA opened what is called a recall query after receiving complaints alleging problems with the occupant classification system after recall repairs were made. The majority of complaints alleged the passenger-airbag status light stays on for adult front passengers of sufficient weight.

Airbag systems deactivate if a child is detected in the front seat because of concerns about the risk of injuries.

“Many complaints stated the dealers have made multiple repairs but the problem still persists,” NHTSA said.

NHTSA said there are two crashes linked to the recall and one injury.

“Nissan Group believes the recall remedy was effective and appropriately addressed the safety defect,” the automaker said in a statement on Friday. “Nissan and Infiniti also took additional steps to help dealers address residual customer concerns unrelated to the recall and to maintain a high level of customer satisfaction.

“Nissan Group is committed to a high level of customer safety, service and satisfaction. We look forward to work with the regulators to answer their questions, and explain the company’s recall remedy and additional customer satisfaction efforts.”

Edmunds says: Consumers must wait for federal safety regulators to finish their work before taking any further action. But those with immediate concerns should contact their Nissan or Infiniti dealers now.