Nissan is recalling 4038 Frontiers, Pathfinders and Xterras, model year 2010, for loose fasteners securing the passenger front air bag module and the steering shaft positioning bracket.

The fasteners might have not been tightened to the proper torque specification, so any of the parts could come loose. In a crash, the air bag trajectory could be affected by the loose brakects in the passenger front air bag module, while the ones in the steering shaft positioning bracket could come off and increase the risk of a crash.

To remedy this, dealers will replace inspect the affected fasteners, replacing any missing ones and tightening any loose ones. The recall should begin in April.

Press Release

Makes/Models/Model Years:
NISSAN/FRONTIER/2010
NISSAN/PATHFINDER/2010
NISSAN/XTERRA/2010

NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V-115

Mfg’s Report Date: March 19, 2009

Components: STEERING: GEAR BOX: SHAFT SECTOR
AIR BAGS: FRONTAL: SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE

Potential Number of Units Affected: 4,038

Summary:
NISSAN HAS NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A DEFECT IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 FRONTIER, PATHFINDER, AND XTERRA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 22, 2010 TO MARCH 13, 2010. ON SOME OF THE POTENTIALLY AFFECTED VEHICLES, THE FASTENERS SECURING THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG MODULE, AND ALSO THE FASTENERS SECURING THE STEERING SHAFT POSITIONING BRACKET MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATION.

Consequence:
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT TRAJECTORY MIGHT BE AFFECTED. THE FASTENERS COULD POSSIBLY COME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN POSITIONING BRACKET INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy:
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG FASTENERS AND ANY MISSING FASTENERS WILL BE REPLACED AND ALL LOOSE FASTENERS WILL BE RETIGHTENED TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Notes:
CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

Source: NHTSA