The defect
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A V6 ENGINE, AN INCORRECT SIZE WHEEL RIM FOR THE SPARE TIRE WAS PROVIDED IN THESE VEHICLES. THE WHEEL RIM DOES NOT FIT PROPERLY AS A REPLACEMENT FOR A FRONT WHEEL.
The risk
WHEN INSTALLED ON THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, THE WHEEL RIM WILL CONTACT THE BRAKE CALIPER CAUSING A LOUD RUBBING NOISE AND COULD RESULT IN WEAR ON THE CALIPER AND/OR WHEEL RIM IF DRIVING CONTINUES. CONTINUED USAGE OF THE SPARE TIRE WHEEL AT THE FRONT LOCATION CAN ALSO RESULT IN LOOSENING OF THE LUG NUTS AND DETERIORATION IN BRAKING PERFORMANCE. THIS COULD EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY TO SEPARATE FORM THE VEHICLE AND RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND A CRASH.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SPARE TIRE WHEEL RIM WITH A NEW ONE, AND REMOUNT THE SPARE TIRE ON IT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 13, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Nissan Frontier | 2003 |
Components: WHEELS:RIM
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Frontier | 2003 | 77 | 4 |
Other wheels recalls in 2002
14 of the 434 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2002 concerned the wheels; NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. filed 216 campaigns in all.
| 02V339000 17 Dec 2002 | SOUTHEAST TOYOTA DISTRIBUTORS |
| 02V305000 14 Nov 2002 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 02V250000 17 Sept 2002 | AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO. |
| 02V242000 10 Sept 2002 | TRIUMPH MOTORCYCLES |
| 02V235000 5 Sept 2002 | SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. |
| 02V212000 12 Aug 2002 | STRICK CORPORATION |
| 02V221000 6 Aug 2002 | FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION |
| 02V191000 23 Jul 2002 | BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2002