Nissan recalls 163,000+ 2008-2009 Rogue crossovers over potential steering fault

On Sunday, we brought you word of a Nissan recall affecting 2009-2010 Altima sedans, and today, we bring you word of an even larger safety issue impacting its CUV lineup. The Japanese automaker is recalling 163,659 2008 and 2009 model year Rogue crossovers due to a potentially serious safety issue involving the crossover's steering gear housing cover. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is reporting that a screw could loosen, potentially causing the steering response to be compromised. In a worst-case scenario, the screw could come out completely, and if large steering inputs are made, the pinion shaft could come out, resulting in total loss of steering.

Affected Rogue owners will be contacted by Nissan to have the repair scheduled at the local Nissan dealer. The dealers will re-tighten the screw and install a cover plate to prevent the screw from loosening in the future. The recall is scheduled to begin in November, but if you're currently experiencing steering issues (or if this sort of thing keeps you up at night) you should stop by the local dealer right away. Hit the jump to read over NHTSA's press release, and if you have any questions, you can call Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

[Source: NHTSA]

PRESS RELEASE:

Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s):
NISSAN / ROGUE 2008-2009

Manufacturer: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Mfr's Report Date: OCT 14, 2009
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 09V411000

NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT PITMAN
Potential Number of Units Affected: 163659

Summary:
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 ROGUE VEHICLES. A SCREW IN THE STEERING GEAR HOUSING COVER MAY LOOSEN OVER TIME AND COULD FALL OUT. AS IT LOOSENS, THE STEERING RESPONSE OF THE VEHICLE MAY BE COMPROMISED BUT THE DRIVER WILL RETAIN STEERING CONTROL.

Consequence:
THE SCREW MAY EVENTUALLY COME OUT OF THE STEERING GEAR COVER. IF LARGE STEERING INPUTS ARE MADE WITH THE COVER SCREW MISSING THE PINION SHAFT MAY COME OUT OF THE STEERING GEAR RESULTING IN A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy:
DEALERS WILL INSPECT WHETHER THE STEERING GEAR COVER SCREW IS LOOSE AND WILL BE RETIGHTENED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION. DEALERS WILL ALSO INSTALL A COVER PLATE TO PREVENT THE SCREW FROM POSSIBLY COMING OUT OF THE STEERING GEAR. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2009. 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 TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .