Nissan may bust a nut under pressure, recalls 143,000 over tire monitoring woe
2009 Nissan Cube – click above for hi-res image gallery
If you own a 2008-2010 Nissan with Tire Pressure Monitoring and you live in one of the 21 "cold weather" states, your tires could lose an air load in a big hurry. Nissan is recalling 143,000 vehicles equipped with TPMS after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration discovered that the material in the nut may corrode in areas that use high concentrations of road salt. If this happens, the nut could come out of the sensor-transmitter, illuminating the amber TPMS lamp. if the driver ignores this warning, the tire could quickly deflate, possibly resulting in a crash (or at least a ruined trip to the grocery store).
What models are covered in the recall? The 2009 Nissan Cube and Murano, along with the 2008 Rogue. 2008-2010 Infiniti M35 and M45 sport sedans are also affected by the action. Owners of model affected by the recall will be able to head over to the nearest Nissan or Infiniti dealer to get a "more robust nut." Dealers will be able fix recalled vehicles on or before November 2010. Hit the jump to see if you live in one of the states affected by the recall. Hat tip to Art G.
Gallery: 2010 Nissan Cube (US Model)
[Source: NHTSA]
PRESS RELEASE:
Report Date : October 9, 2009 at 03:12 PM
NHTSA Campaign ID number : 09V393000
Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s):
INFINITI / M35 2008-2010
INFINITI / M45 2008-2010
NISSAN / CUBE 2009
NISSAN / MURANO 2009
NISSAN / ROGUE 2008
Manufacturer: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. Mfr's Report Date: OCT 01, 2009
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 09V393000
NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
Potential Number of Units Affected: 143223
Summary:
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF 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. THE MATERIAL IN THE NUT USED TO SECURE THE SENSOR-TRANSMITTER OF THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) MAY CORRODE AND POTENTIALLY CRACK IN AREAS WITH HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT. IF THIS OCCURS, THE NUT MAY COME OUT OF THE SENSOR-TRANSMITTER AND THE TPMS LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE.
Consequence:
IF THE TPMS LAMP IS DISREGARDED AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO BE DRIVEN IN THIS CONDITION, THE TIRE WILL QUICKLY LOSE AIR PRESSURE AT A CONSISTENT RATE RESULTING IN A FLAT TIRE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy:
THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE TPMS NUT WITH A NEW, MORE ROBUST NUT. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE NOVEMBER 9, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 AND INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.
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 .
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
135 5:36PM (10/09/2009)
It's a good thing this didn't happen to their Titan or else Nissan would have a pickup blow their load too.
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Luis 12:19AM (10/11/2009)
Did AB just really reference a male bodily function? Really?
Level 5:36PM (10/09/2009)
the more gadgets we add the more likely we bound have problems...
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Kumar 10:01PM (10/09/2009)
So true. In the last decade, the race for gadget supremacy has hurt the reps of most car companies. Small price to pay for power everything.
I wonder if this TPMS thing is more widespread. I remember hearing something about a few Chrysler models having issues, but that may have just been issues with mechanics knocking the sensors off while changing tires.
daleam 12:41PM (10/10/2009)
How right you are, Level.
Matt (that likes ford) 5:40PM (10/09/2009)
Best headline all day
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Franz 5:52PM (10/09/2009)
I agree. Couldn't help but chuckle at this one.
Andrew T 6:26PM (10/09/2009)
Still laughing
hyundaifans.com 11:55PM (10/09/2009)
LOL! Oh man. That was really funny.
Gruv 5:47PM (10/09/2009)
I have a tire pressure monitoring system on all my cars. It's called eyeballs and a tire gauge. Works great. Costs $1.39.
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Torrent 5:48PM (10/09/2009)
I loled at the title.
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daleam 12:42PM (10/10/2009)
At first I read that as "I loled a little". I was going to ask, "Just a little?" LOL
spdracerut 5:49PM (10/09/2009)
I hate TPMS! Just a waste of money, weight, and something else to break.
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the friendly grizzly 6:55PM (10/09/2009)
Not to mention the raping you will get when they need to be replaced. And it is probably a federal rap for a tire dealer to put on conventional stems. Everything else is a federal rap these days...
Jrejre 5:49PM (10/09/2009)
Mmmmm. . . more robust nut
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ALEXDB9 1:09AM (10/13/2009)
I've busted many a nut under pressure....eh....the second one os the one you can controll...wait....
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RowFive 6:25PM (10/09/2009)
That Cube is a monument to terrible styling. I thought the xB was amusing, the Element SC kinda cool, and the Kia Soul appealing though trendy. The Nissan box is heinous.
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Chris 6:44PM (10/09/2009)
Funny, of all of them, it's the only one I like. Hate the Soul, Element, new xB...
ryan 7:05PM (10/09/2009)
I actually kind of like the Soul. I think it stands out the most of the vehicles mentioned and it still surprises me that its bold styling came from Kia of all companies. I've also started liking the Element lately since they color matched those disgusting black plastic panels and slapped some (IMO) gorgeous wheels on them. I dont think I'd ever own any of them because they dont really cater to my wants/needs but I think they were all wonderfully designed. Except the Scion. F that piece of S.
Monte Carlo 9:26AM (10/19/2009)
Its a terrible design and an unenviromentally friendly engine - what sort of immecile would buy a car like this - just awful.
Nissan PR are also covering up its appauling green credentials