Nissan is recalling 2003-2004 Infiniti M45 models because the electronic circuit board that controls the fuel gauge fails and the M45 can stall suddenly when it runs out of gas with the gauge reading higher.
The recall was prompted by preliminary evaluation of the problem opened by government regulators after analyzing consumer complaints from a safety hotline and the web. In the required filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration responding to requests for more data, Nissan said the electronic problem was caused by a defective circuit board, which fails from overheating, and that, yes; warranty claims on the component were elevated when the warranty was in effect years ago.
Nissan said in its NHTSA response “the subject vehicles had an elevated number of warranty claims related to this issue prior to warranty expiration and high parts demand.”
In the pre-Toyota cover-up fines from NHTSA, it appears that Nissan ignored the safety problem and warranty data. In the post-Toyota fine era at NHTSA, the number of recalls from Japanese makers, not coincidentally, has accelerated dramatically.
This is the sixth major Nissan recall since the fall. Earlier recalls involved Nissan and Infiniti gasoline leaks, oil leaks, sudden stalling on Sentra models, Juke turbocharger boost sensors, and defective Rogue electric power steering control computers.
Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or go to http://www.safercar.gov.
(See also Nissan Recalls Juke, Infiniti QX, M Models for Gasoline Leaks, Nissan Recall Active for Oil Leaks. Infiniti Recall too, Nissan Recalls Power Windows on 370Z and Infiniti G37)
