All is well when specifications are met, but these are explosive Takata-supplied devices that can and will kill you because of a manufacturing defect.
Nissan North America is now recalling 2002-2003 Nissan Maxima, Pathfinder and Infiniti I35 and QX4 models, as well as 2002-2004 Nissan Sentra and 2003 Infiniti FX vehicles because a defective Takata supplied airbag inflator can send shrapnel into the passenger compartment.
Takata apparently does not have accurate records of what were or what may be defective airbag inflators, forcing automakers to recall huge numbers of vehicles. The numerous Nissan and Infiniti models were equipped with inflators manufactured in one of Takata’s facilities between 23 September 2001 to 11 September 2002.
This latest Takata recall covers both the passenger side frontal air bags that were originally installed in the vehicles, as well as replacement air bags that may have been installed as service parts. “The company is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to the recall,” according to Brian Brockman of Nissan.
Owners of all vehicles where a defective air bag may have been installed either as original equipment or as a replacement will eventually be notified. Dealers will inspect vehicles, and where a defective air bag inflator is identified, the inflator will be replaced, free of charge as is required by United States law.
The recall is expected to begin 11 August 2014. Owners may contact Nissan Customer Service at 1-800-647-7261. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA Recall No. 13V-136.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
