Recall: Nissan Pathfinder and Infiniti QX4 SUV for dangerous rust

Consumer Reports News: April 25, 2011 11:08 AM

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Nissan Motor company is recalling nearly 196,000 Nissan Pathfinders and Infiniti QX4 SUVs because the road salt used during the winter months may cause under-body corrosion that affects steering and suspension.

The recall affects 1996 to 2004 model year Nissan Pathfinders and 1997 to 2003 model years Infiniti QX4 SUVs sold in 20 states. The issue, says Nissan and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), is that water and corrosive salts could enter the front strut housing of the vehicles. Over time, rust can form on the housing which may pull away from other assemblies involved with vehicle steering. Impaired or total loss of steering in the affected vehicles could lead to a crash.

According to Nissan and NHTSA, the recalled Pathfinders and QX4s were originally sold in: Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington D.C., West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

In mid-May, Nissan will mail notices to its customers affected by this latest recall. Owners will be instructed to take their SUVs to a Nissan dealership where mechanics will inspect the strut housings and, if necessary, replace them for free.

For more information, consumers can contact Nissan (800-647-7261) or visit NHTSA's Safer Cars website: www.safercar.gov.

Nissan Pathfinder, Infinity QX4 SUV recall (NHTSA campaign #: 11V244000) [NHTSA]
Nissan to recall 195,000 Pathfinder, QX4 SUVs in cold weather states [Detroit News]

—Paul Eng