The defect
NISSAN IS RECALLING FORTY-SIX CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002 PATHFINDER AND INFINITI QX4 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 24, 2001 THROUGH AUGUST 28, 2001. THE AIR BAG INFLATOR CONTAINS PROPELLANT WAFERS THAT ARE REQUIRED TO PROPERLY DEPLOY THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG. DUE TO IMPROPER PROPELLANT WAFER INSTALLATION DURING THE AIR BAG INFLATOR ASSEMBLY PROCESS, SOME AIR BAG INFLATORS MAY BE MISSING ONE OF THE WAFERS. AS A RESULT, THE REMAINING WAFERS IN THE INFLATOR USED FOR THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG MAY, OVER TIME, BREAK UP INTO POWDER DUE TO NORMAL VIBRATION EXPERIENCED WHILE DRIVING. THIS CAUSES THE COMBUSTION RATE OF THE PROPELLANT TO INCREASE INSIDE THE INFLATOR, WHICH CAN LEAD TO INTERNAL PRESSURE RISING SUDDENLY DURING AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.
The risk
THE INFLATOR HOUSING MAY RUPTURE AND PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
The remedy
NISSAN WILL NOTIFY THE OWNERS OF THE FORTY-SIX AFFECTED VEHICLES. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULE ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW ONE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 19, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 AND INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Infiniti QX4 | 2002 |
| Nissan Pathfinder | 2002 |
Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infiniti QX4 | 2002 | 37 | 5 |
| Nissan Pathfinder | 2002 | 156 | 5 |
Other air bags recalls in 2010
13 of the 647 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2010 concerned the air bags; NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. filed 216 campaigns in all.
| 10V644000 17 Dec 2010 | GENERAL MOTORS LLC |
| 10V581000 12 Nov 2010 | JAGUAR LAND ROVER NORTH AMERICA, LLC |
| 10V564000 10 Nov 2010 | VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC. |
| 10V489000 13 Oct 2010 | VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC. |
| 10V402000 8 Sept 2010 | HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.) |
| 10V349000 22 Jul 2010 | NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. |
| 10V145000 12 Apr 2010 | HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.) |
| 10V118000 25 Mar 2010 | AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2010