Nissan is recalling 807,376 Sentra Cars for failed brake light and starting problems. In the required NHTSA filing, Nissan said this safety defect is unique to model year 2016-2019 Sentra vehicles because a clevis pin grease that uses a high concentration of silicon, and a bulb system that uses a high current switch are close to one another. No other Nissan or Infiniti vehicles share this specific combination of factors and are unaffected by the issue, Nissan claims.
The stop lamp switch may become contaminated with off-gassing from silicon- based grease used in surrounding components (HVAC and brake booster clevis pin) in close proximity. Oxidation may occur at the switch contact surface due to electric arcing, resulting in silicon dioxide build-up. This build-up may lead open circuits and an inoperative stop lamp switch.
“The customer may notice a malfunction indicator light (MIL) ON, the rear stop lamps may not illuminate and/or the engine may not start. Rear stop lamps not illuminating could potentially increase the risk of a rear end crash,” Nissan said.
An estimated 20% of all Sentra models have the defect. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch and install a protective grommet, free of charge as required by U.S. regulations.
However, the so-called remedy parts are not expected to become available until the Fall 2021. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed beginning April 7, 2021. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800867-7769. Nissan’s number for this recall is PM971.
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.
Nissan Recalls 80,376 Sentra Cars for Failed Brake Lights
Nissan is recalling 807,376 Sentra Cars for failed brake light and starting problems. In the required NHTSA filing, Nissan said this safety defect is unique to model year 2016-2019 Sentra vehicles because a clevis pin grease that uses a high concentration of silicon, and a bulb system that uses a high current switch are close to one another. No other Nissan or Infiniti vehicles share this specific combination of factors and are unaffected by the issue, Nissan claims.
The stop lamp switch may become contaminated with off-gassing from silicon- based grease used in surrounding components (HVAC and brake booster clevis pin) in close proximity. Oxidation may occur at the switch contact surface due to electric arcing, resulting in silicon dioxide build-up. This build-up may lead open circuits and an inoperative stop lamp switch.
“The customer may notice a malfunction indicator light (MIL) ON, the rear stop lamps may not illuminate and/or the engine may not start. Rear stop lamps not illuminating could potentially increase the risk of a rear end crash,” Nissan said.
An estimated 20% of all Sentra models have the defect. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch and install a protective grommet, free of charge as required by U.S. regulations.
However, the so-called remedy parts are not expected to become available until the Fall 2021. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed beginning April 7, 2021. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800867-7769. Nissan’s number for this recall is PM971.
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.