Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is reaching out to the owners of certain 2023 Ariya vehicles due to an issue with the inverter software. This problem may trigger the inverter to detect a short circuit, causing a shutdown of the EV system and a loss of drive power.

The Discovery of the Problem:

Nissan first became aware of this issue during a production trial involving an Ariya vehicle in January 2022. In this trial, the electric motor abruptly shut off shortly after the vehicle began moving at low speed. A diagnostic trouble code (DTC) revealed a short circuit inside the motor, although no actual damage to the motor or its components was observed. A deeper investigation into the problem found that in some rare instances, conductive fibers generated during the operation from the slip ring in the motor could lead to a momentary short circuit between the electrodes.

Understanding the Problem:

Nissan Ariya dashAccording to the defect report, the root cause of the issue lies in conductive fibrous shavings from the drive motors’ slip ring assembly. These shavings can occasionally cause a momentary short circuit between the two slip rings. When this occurs, the fibrous shavings are instantaneously burned out, causing no harm to any vehicle components. However, when the inverter detects a momentary over-current due to the short circuit, it reduces motor torque to protect the internal components of the controller. This leads to a loss of drive power, and an “EV System Off” message is displayed on the dashboard to alert the driver.

In the event of this issue occurring, the torque to the driven wheels is cut off. This continues until the fail-safe mode is released, which requires turning the vehicle off and then back on. An unexpected loss of motive power while driving at high speeds could potentially increase the risk of an accident.

Nissan’s Solution:

To address this safety concern, Nissan dealers will reprogram the inverter software to enhance the fail-safe protocols. This proactive measure aims to prevent such short circuits from impacting the driving experience and maintaining safety for the driver.

Recall Details:

Nissan has designated this recall as R23C6 and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has assigned the campaign number 23V-657 to this recall.

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is taking action to address a safety matter related to certain 2018-2023 LEAF EVs. These Electric Vehicles could experience unintended acceleration. This issue came to Nissan’s attention during internal testing in December 2021 when a trial vehicle showed a motor torque deceleration delay following the deactivation of Intelligent Cruise Control.

To tackle this problem, Nissan conducted computer simulations, analyzing data from the test vehicle, in an effort to replicate the condition. After several tests, they identified a specific sequence of actions that could potentially lead to the reported phenomenon, although they were unable to recreate the issue on an actual vehicle.

To ensure the safety of their customers, Nissan continued their efforts to replicate the phenomenon under real-world conditions. After extensive computer simulation and on-track testing, they determined that the following sequence of actions must be completed in under eight (8) seconds for the unintended acceleration to occur:

1. Disengage Cruise Control, Intelligent Cruise Control, or ProPILOT Assist.
2. Immediately after disengagement, shift drive modes from ‘D’ to ‘B’ or ‘ECO’, or activate e-Pedal ‘ON’.
3. Press the accelerator pedal and then release it.

Nissan’s evaluation of the risk associated with this issue in real-world driving conditions is very low, as it has not occurred outside of controlled track or simulated test environments. However, taking a cautious approach, Nissan decided to conduct a recall campaign to reprogram the Vehicle Control Module (VCM) as a preventive measure.
For clarification, the ‘B’ mode engages the regenerative braking system more aggressively on downhill slopes, reducing the need for excessive brake use. This mode is manually selected by shifting from ‘D’ to ‘B’ using the shift lever.

To address the issue, Nissan dealers will reprogram the Vehicle Control Module (VCM). You can refer to Nissan’s recall number for this action, which is R23A6, and the corresponding NHTSA campaign number, which is 23V-494.

Nissan has determined that certain 2023 model year Nissan Leaf EVs may have a damaged right hand brake tube that could result in a brake fluid leak.

Nissan first became aware of the potential problem in January 2023 when a Nissan technician noticed a 2023 Nissan Leaf EV being assembled with a damaged right hand brake tube assembly. Nissan collected the affected parts and began an investigation. The investigation included a parts audit of 975 brake assemblies which revealed twenty-five (25) damaged right hand brake tubes at the actuator connection bend. Nissan also conducted a yard audit of 395 vehicles and found five (5) with a scratched or damaged right hand brake tube. These parts were quarantined and the vehicles were put on a quality hold.

According to the defect report, an investigation with the supplier determined that the incorrect tooling was used to align the brake tube into the pipe bending jig. Because the brake tube was misaligned, the tooling clamped the pipe in the incorrect position and caused scratching, and in some cases deformation of the tube, at the actuator bend.

Nissan performed corrosion and stress tests on two (2) of the worst case condition parts to evaluate the effect of the damaged brake tube on brake performance over time. Nissan concluded that the brake performance could be degraded and could lead to extended stopping distances possibly without prior warning. Nissan decided to conduct a Voluntary Safety Recall to recall all potentially affected LEAF vehicles to inspect the right-hand brake tube and replace any damaged brake tube assemblies.

Owners receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealers to have the right-hand brake tube inspected for damage. If damage is found, the affected brake tube will be replaced. Nissan’s number for this recall is PC976 and the NHTSA campaign number is 23V-362.

Nissan has initiated a voluntary safety recall for certain 2023 Nissan Ariya EVs that underwent a recent port modification activity to replace the steering wheel due to a quality issue. The modification required the replacement of the vehicle’s steering wheel, which could have led to an inadvertent application of incorrect torque settings to the steering wheel bolt by the technician. In certain cases, the steering wheel bolt may not have been installed, causing the steering wheel to experience some play or potentially separate from the steering column if pulled toward the driver. This can increase the risk of a crash. Owners are advised to contact their dealer immediately for transport and repair if they notice excessive play or looseness in the steering wheel.

Nissan first became aware of the issue in January 2023, following a report from one of their dealers about a loose steering wheel found on a 2023 Ariya vehicle. An investigation found the steering wheel center bolt was completely missing. After receiving a second report of a loose steering wheel and missing steering wheel bolt on another 2023 Ariya vehicle in February, Nissan opened an investigation and identified that both vehicles had been serviced by the same technician during the port modification activity.

In response, Nissan launched a dealer quality action to inspect the steering wheels on 418 Ariya vehicles in dealer inventory that was previously repaired as part of the port modification activity. One additional Ariya vehicle with a loose steering wheel was identified during the audit, and an investigation found that the incorrect torque had been applied to the affected steering wheel bolt during the port modification activity. Out of an abundance of caution, Nissan decided to conduct a voluntary safety recall to remedy all vehicles included in the port modification activity.

To address the issue, dealers will replace the steering wheel bolt, and Nissan’s recall number for this issue is PC956, while the NHTSA campaign number is 23V-131.

The owners of certain 2020-2023 Nissan Titan and 2020-2023 Nissan Frontier trucks equipped with 9-speed transmissions, could experience an unexpected vehicle roll-away. A fix for the problem is still under development and Nissan is continuing to investigate whether other Nissan or Infiniti automobiles could be affected.

The problem began in June 2022, when Nissan initiated a recall (22V-457) for certain Nissan Titan and Frontier vehicles manufactured from December 13, 2019, to June 14, 2022. These vehicles were experiencing a potential non-engagement of the parking pawl due to contact between the edge of the parking pawl and the boss on the transmission case. As a result, vehicles could unexpectedly roll away if they were in “Park” but the parking brake was not applied.

In July, Nissan received another report from the Canton, MS plant, that a 2022 Nissan Frontier vehicle produced after June 14, 2022, had moved after being placed in the ‘P” Park position. Nissan investigated the incident and conducted duplication testing to recreate the condition. They found that this issue appeared to be different than the one in recall 22V-457. This problem appeared to be related to an insufficient lifting force of the parking pawl due to friction between the parking rod and the parking wedge. Nissan initiated a quality hold on all 2020-2023 Titan and Frontier vehicles and conducted a plant audit that identified 11 out of 83 vehicles with the subject condition.

The investigation to date indicates that resistance between the parking rod and wedge inside of the transmission housing may inhibit movement of the wedge and parking pawl. If the parking pawl does not engage, an affected vehicle may move after placing the shifter into ‘Park.’ If the driver does not engage the parking brake, potential vehicle movement could increase the risk of injury or crash.

Nissan has decided to conduct a recall campaign due to the safety risk of a potential vehicle roll-away condition. Nissan’s investigation is ongoing, and the final recall fix is still under development. Nissan will be notifying all owners of the affected vehicles, including those that received a letter under recall 22V-457. The interim notification will include instructions advising owners to apply the parking brake whenever they park their vehicle. The NHTSA campaign number for this recall is 22V-671.

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Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) will be asking the owners of certain 2021 Nissan Rogue SUVs to return to their dealerships to fix a problem affecting the fuel system in their vehicles. An assembly defect in the fuel pump could lead to an unexpected vehicle stall.

The problem began in March 2021, when Nissan first received a field report about a 2021 Rogue SUV crossover that allegedly experienced a fuel pump failure. According to the driver of the vehicle, the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illuminated just before the engine stalled. The driver was not able to restart the vehicle and needed to have it towed. Nissan initiated an investigation into the problem and collected parts from the field to perform duplication testing to identify the scope of the issue. The supplier also conducted a field investigation and process check in an attempt to track down the problem.

Nissan discussed the ongoing investigation with the NHTSA and reviewed their field claims checks for the U.S. Market and identified 87 warranty claims alleging the same problem… engine stalls while driving. Based on manufacturer production records the problem affects certain model year 2021 Nissan Rogue vehicles manufactured between March 2021 and October 2021. No other Nissan or Infiniti vehicles have been affected.

According to the defect report, the problem is the result of an operator assembly error at the supplier. Some fuel pumps may experience excessive friction between the fuel pump brush and commutator. This will cause heat and melting damage that would result in the fuel pump failing. If the fuel pump fails, it will cause the engine to stall and not restart.

Owners receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealers to have the fuel pump assembly replaced. Nissan’s number for this recall is R21B8 and the NHTSA campaign number is 21V-957.

In October 2020 Nissan became aware of a problem with certain front steering knuckles and rear axle housing manufactured at their Yokohama, Japan Plant. Nissan conducted a plant audit and determined that a gap in a particular furnace door caused low temperature conditions during the heat treating process. Axle components located in the low temperature area of the furnace experienced an insufficient amount of heat which resulted in poor hardness. These components have been installed on certain 2020-2021 Nissan and Infiniti vehicles.

If the front steering knuckle or rear axle housing receives an impact such as hitting a curb, the steering knuckle or rear axle housing could deform. If the steering knuckle is deformed, the steering wheel may become off-center, impairing the driver’s ability to steer the vehicle. If the rear axle housing is deformed, it will cause wheel mis-alignment.

If the deformation is not detected and the vehicle continues to be operated, the damaged steering knuckle or rear axle housing may cause the wheels to separate from the vehicle.

Vehicles Affected Include
2020 Nissan Murano
2021 Nisssn GT-R
2020 Infiniti QX60
2021 Infiniti QX50
2021 Infiniti Q50

Dealers will inspect and replace the front steering knuckle and rear axle housing, as necessary. The NHTSA recall campaign number is 21V-402.

Owners of certain 2020-2021 Nissan Armada and 2020-2021 Infiniti QX80 SUVs equipped with V8 engines could experience a fuel system problem that could result in an unexpected engine stall. Nissan learned of a potential issue on these vehicles in June 2020 and initiated an investigation which has lead to the recall of approximately 24,000 vehicles.

According to the defect report, the fuel pump module was not designed to manufacturer specifications and could fail. During the impeller manufacturing process, a buildup of molten plastic on the injection moulding machine cylinder tip could cause the density of the impeller to be out of specification. Fuel inside the fuel pump can cause the impeller to swell, increasing friction between the impeller and inlet cover. Eventually the fuel pump will bind internally and the engine will stall.

Owners receiving notices will be asked to return to the dealers to have the fuel pump module replaced. Nissan’s number for this recall is R21A2, Infiniti’s number for this recall is R21A3 and the NHTSA campaign number is 21V-373.