Nissan recalls 200,000 vehicles over passenger air bag issue
Nissan is recalling 200,000 vehicles due to a faulty sensor system that could affect the car's passenger sid airbag. The problem is described as an issue with an electrical component that could interfere with the sensor system, which could then prevent the side airbag from deploying in certain circumstances. We gather from the report on Recall.gov that the sensor telling the car whether or not someone's riding shotgun could malfunction, and in the event of a crash the car could assume no one's sitting there at not deploy the passenger airbag. Most of the vehicles affected are 2007 or 2008 Nissan Altimas, tallying over 140,000 units of that model in all. Other models affected include '07 and '08 examples of the Infiniti EX35, G35 Sedan, G37 coupe and the Nissan 350Z, Rogue and Murano. The Japanese automaker claims that there have been no injuries as a result of the defect, but apparently it was deemed significant enough to pay for a recall and be safe today rather than sorry tomorrow. Owners of an affected Nissan vehicle can call 1-800-647-7261 and Infiniti owners can dial 1-800-662-6200 for more information, as dealers are able to test the system and replace the passenger-side seat cushion where the offending hardware is located.
[Source: Detroit News, Recalls.gov]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Say What? 7:39PM (10/15/2008)
Recall this. Recall that. It seems like every other day someone is recalling something. Cars, food, toys, appliances ... you name it. It's either been recalled, in the process of being recalled or on the list to be recalled.
It's a shame someone can't recall these bad times we're going though.
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Say What? 7:41PM (10/15/2008)
Oops! I meant to close my comments with, "It's a shame someone can't recall these bad times we're going through."
Sorry folks.
Tim 7:59PM (10/15/2008)
Everyone will turn the other cheek on this yet GM got beat up on on this same blog site for recalling less than 100 Impala's for air bags. LESS than 100. Yet 200,000 Nissans will be no big deal.
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Big Rocket 8:07PM (10/16/2008)
Just a hypothesis: Suppose you are a fan of your local NFL team. If another team's quarterback fumbles and loses the football a few times in a single game, you might laugh at his incompetence, and that would be about it. Now, if your own team's quarterback makes the same mistakes, it's not so funny anymore, and you might get a bit upset and criticize the quarterback's incompetence.
M 12:02AM (10/21/2008)
BMW has a very similar problem and service campaign for their passenger seat occupancy sensors.
Tomas 9:46PM (10/15/2008)
I have an 2008 Nissan Altima and I noticed that and was about to go in to the dealership myself. This is the second time I have to bring mine in for a fix. The first time was the inside dash lights that were not working properly. WTF.
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Wobbly_ears 11:23PM (10/15/2008)
Another passenger airbag seat sensor recall? It seems that many manufacturers are having issues with these sensors.
Do they all use the same suppliers or is the technology for these sensors not completely baked for real world use? Weren't these put as part of some government mandate?
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Ligor 10:00AM (10/16/2008)
you'de be suprised how many of the same sensors are found accross all cars.
what I don't understand is if the sensor does not work, then why is the default state for the airbag not turned to ON instead of OFF.
that way it'll deploy no matter what adn the seat sensor not being there will only cause hte insurance company to pay some extra money to fix the car. If i'm in a situation that my airbag went off, the last thing in my mind is if hte insurance will get hit with a bigger bill.
Now, this is not looking good for Nissan as they seems to be having more recalls in the last few years.
M 12:05AM (10/21/2008)
Because when the sensor is @ OFF (in this case erroneously), that is the same as when a child is in the seat and doesn't have enough weight to turn the sensor to ON.
The more conservative position is OFF (protects children who are sitting in the front seat by not deploying the airbag).
Restraints Engineer 12:57AM (10/16/2008)
Reread the recall notice. It has nothing to do with the side airbag. There's a varistor that is out of spec the Occupant classification system control unit which could cause the 'Passenger' airbag to not fire during an impact event.
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Acefighter 6:04PM (10/16/2008)
Thanks, Autoblog. One of the guys I work with drives an 08 Altima, just let him know.
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Frank 8:34AM (10/16/2008)
The Altima's plasticky interior should be recalled too.
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Hershey Lover 9:47AM (10/16/2008)
(think of the preacher from Tool's song Disgustipated saying this)
The Hypocrisy
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Gary 11:17AM (10/16/2008)
Why so few snarky comments on this story?
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Tim 12:34PM (10/16/2008)
Because the story isn't about GM, Ford or Chrysler. If it were, there would be 200 negative comments about it by now. Being its an Asian company, they are forgiven. See my post above regarding the 74 Impala recalls.
Kaveman 2:31PM (10/16/2008)
What if your passenger's name isn't "sid" - error checking slipping a little today, folks :)
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Tony 6:25PM (10/16/2008)
As an owner of a 07 Altima I look forward to taking in my car to the dealership to be tested. I will be spoken too in a friendly and respectful fashion and asked if there are any other issues. Driven to my work in a timely fashion by a friendly shuttle driver. I will be picked up at work at a prearranged time and driven back to my washed and vacuumed car. No muss or fuss.
I have even delivered my car to the dealership the night before for service, planning to leave it there and pick it up the next day. Only to find that the dealership rushes the car in and performs the service work that night while I wait for half an hour.
I know what I have said is scary, and sounds demonic to the G.M, Ford and Chrysler fanatics out there. I know I use to be one, but try it out you may like it.
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