Nissan has recalled a total of 152,554 vehicles after reports of defective airbag inflators causing injury and death. The airbag inflators may rupture: exploding and shooting metal fragments into the cabin of the car; potentially causing substantial harm.
This defect is susceptible to rupturing for a number of reasons:
- Propellant degradation;
- Long term exposure to absolutely humidity;
- Exposure to temperature cycling (quickly going from one temperature extreme to the other).
The cars being recalled are part of the wider Takata airbag recall. Recently, Takata was set to plead guilty for knowingly producing dangerously defective airbags with unstable propellants. It’s suspected that Takata used a volatile substance for the chemically induced inflators because it was cheaper. As part of Takata’s plea agreement, they may have to pay around $1 billion in compensation and fines.
As one of the world’s biggest airbag supplier, many well-known car manufacturers use Takata airbags in their vehicles, such as:
- BMW
- Mercedes Benz (Daimler)
- Ferrari
- Fiat Chrysler Automobiles
- Ford
- GM
- Honda
- Jaguar Land Rover
- Fisker (Karma)
- Mazda
- McLaren
- Mitsubishi
- Subaru
- Tesla
- Toyota
- VW Group
New Nissan vehicles caught up in the Takata recall
Certain Nissan vehicles were already part of the recall, but a few additions were added in May last year for the passenger airbags. The Nissan vehicles being recalled include:
- 2012 Nissan Versa hatchback (recently added to the recall list)
- 2006-2010 Infiniti M35 and M45
- 2005-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45
- 2007-2009 Nissan Versa sedans
The recall repair will either involve fixing the inflator or replacing the entire airbag assembly, depending on the model.
16 deaths so far…
On a larger scale, Takata airbags have already been reported to have killed 16 people and caused over 100 injuries. Labelled as the one of the largest safety recalls in history, the financial backlash is likely to bankrupt the Japanese auto parts maker.
During investigations it was revealed that Takata executives were aware of the defects but decided to cover it up rather than addressing it. The three men at the top of the company allegedly discussed the defect before deciding to fabricate evidence to hide what was really going on. This dangerous decision has now reportedly claimed the lives of 16 innocent people and put many more at risk.
Simply unforgivable.
Additional Nissan Altima recall for window / door defect
The Nissan Altima has also been recalled amidst reports that rolling down the windows may open the vehicle door too. Some 363,000 of these cars are being recalled to fix this issue following reports that the latch and lock system was not properly implemented during the manufacturing process.
Thankfully, there are no known reports of injuries or fatalities caused as a result.
International Nissan recalls
There’s more: Russia also reportedly recalled 33,000 Nissan Qashqai vehicles after Russia’s standards agency, Rosstandart, announced the recalls due to a high risk of brake liquid leaks.