A simple assembly problem with a retaining clip leads to a Nissan safety recall on its NV van.
Nissan is recalling all of its NV vans built from the start of production in 2010 until last January because the transmission shift indicator, aka PRNDL in slang, can point to the wrong gear. The assembly problem occurred at the Canton, Mississippi plant where the Titan is also built.
Almost 19,000 NV vans are affected by the safety defect caused by an improperly installed lock clip on the lever-gear lock plate, Nissan said in a required NHTSA filing made public today. Normal vibration during driving moves the plate out of position, resulting in the confused gear indicator.
Nissan said it is not aware of any crashes associated the issue, but at least one warranty claim ha been submitted. Nissan determined that a safety-related defect exists and that a safety recall campaign would be conducted.
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will correct the installation of the transmission lever gear-selector-plate lock clip, free of charge as is required by federal regulations. The recall is expected to begin on 8April 2013. Owners may contact Nissan Customer Service at 1-800-647-7261.
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or go to www.safercar.gov.
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.
