NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
53 reports19,576 miles · Sep 13, 2011
Wheels
HEARD SOME SQUEAKING FROM FRONT LEFT TIRE. I INSPECTED THE CHROME WHEEL AND FOUND ALL 5 SPOKES HAD CRACKS IN THEM ALL THE WAY THROUGH. I HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED AND FOUND ALL 4 CHROME WHEELS HAD CRACKS AND WAS ADVISED TO PARK VEHICLE AS IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. I CONTACTED THE SERVICE MANAGER AT MY DEALERSHIP AND HE ADVISED …
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HEARD SOME SQUEAKING FROM FRONT LEFT TIRE. I INSPECTED THE CHROME WHEEL AND FOUND ALL 5 SPOKES HAD CRACKS IN THEM ALL THE WAY THROUGH. I HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED AND FOUND ALL 4 CHROME WHEELS HAD CRACKS AND WAS ADVISED TO PARK VEHICLE AS IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. I CONTACTED THE SERVICE MANAGER AT MY DEALERSHIP AND HE ADVISED THAT THE RIMS ON MY VEHICLE WERE SENT OUT TO BE CHROMED BY SOMEONE ELSE OTHER THAN NISSAN CAUSING NISSAN NOT TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE CRACKED RIMS. THIS VEHICLE, A TOURING ROADSTER 350Z WAS BOUGHT NEW FROM A NISSAN DEALERSHIP WITH THESE CHROME RIMS ALREADY ON THEM, THIS OTHER DEALERSHIP ALSO HAPPENS TO BE OWNED BY THE CURRENT DEALERSHIP I GO TO. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THE DEALERSHIP ALSO WOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE BECAUSE THEY ONLY WARRANTY THIS FOR 3YEARS/36,000. MY VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 19,600 MILES ON IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10425274
59,000 miles · Apr 8, 2011
Power TrainFire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN 350Z. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CLUTCH PEDAL STUCK TO THE FLOOR. HE MENTIONED THAT WHEN THE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE ANY POWER AND WHEN IT WAS HALF WAY UP AS A RESULT A BURNING SMELL CAME THROUGH THE VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE CLUTCH WAS DE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN 350Z. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CLUTCH PEDAL STUCK TO THE FLOOR. HE MENTIONED THAT WHEN THE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE ANY POWER AND WHEN IT WAS HALF WAY UP AS A RESULT A BURNING SMELL CAME THROUGH THE VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE CLUTCH WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TRANSMISSION, THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE SLAVE CYLINDER WERE ALSO REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000.
NHTSA ODI #10395252
87,056 miles · Dec 28, 2010
Visibility
WHILE DRIVING IN A HEAVY RAIN, WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON A MEDIUM SPEED, THE WIPERS STOPPED. BY TURNING OFF AND ON THE WIPERS, I COULD NOT GET THEM TO RESTART. WHILE TRYING TO GET TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD, THE WIPERS BEGAN WORKING AGAIN ON THEIR OWN. THEY WERE OFF FOR APPROXIMATELY 45 SECONDS. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN, AP…
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WHILE DRIVING IN A HEAVY RAIN, WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON A MEDIUM SPEED, THE WIPERS STOPPED. BY TURNING OFF AND ON THE WIPERS, I COULD NOT GET THEM TO RESTART. WHILE TRYING TO GET TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD, THE WIPERS BEGAN WORKING AGAIN ON THEIR OWN. THEY WERE OFF FOR APPROXIMATELY 45 SECONDS. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN, APPROXIMATELY 1 MONTH LATER. IN A 45 MINUTE DRIVE HOME, IN HEAVY RAIN, THE WIPERS QUIT ON 3 OCCASIONS. EACH STOPPAGE SEEM TO LAST FOR 30-45 SECONDS. THEY WOULD RESTART ON THEIR OWN, THERE DIDN'T SEEM TO BE ANYTHING THAT I COULD DO TO START THEM. I TOOK THE CAR TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP TO FIX. THEY SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM AND TO BRING IT BACK WHEN IT WAS HAPPENING ALL THE TIME. I TOLD THEM THAT IT WAS TOO DANGEROUS AND I DID NOT WANT TO DRIVE IT IN THE RAIN AS IT WAS TOO HAZARDOUS. THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO AS THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH NISSAN CORPORATE, THEY HAD THEIR TECH DEPARTMENT TRY AND TROUBLESHOOT WITH THE DEALERSHIP. THEY FOUND NOTHING. I NOW HAVE A VEHICLE WHICH I FEEL IS EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS IN INCLEMENT WEATHER AND HAVE HAD NO SUPPORT FROM THE MANUFACTURER IN RESOLVING IT.
NHTSA ODI #10374134
16,184 miles · Oct 19, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
ON 10/6/2010 I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND EVALUATION OF PROBLEM IN SHIFTING MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION HAD PROBLEM WITH 1-2 AND 4-3 SHIFTS WITH GRINDING AND DIFFICULTY SHIFTING. THE CAR WAS FOUND TO HAVE A FAULTY TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO FOUND TO HAVE, AS STATED BY THE TECH, NO VISIBLE OIL…
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ON 10/6/2010 I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND EVALUATION OF PROBLEM IN SHIFTING MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION HAD PROBLEM WITH 1-2 AND 4-3 SHIFTS WITH GRINDING AND DIFFICULTY SHIFTING. THE CAR WAS FOUND TO HAVE A FAULTY TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO FOUND TO HAVE, AS STATED BY THE TECH, NO VISIBLE OIL IN THE ENGINE. THIS INDICATES A CONSUMPTION OF 5+ QUARTS WITHIN 6500 MILES. A TSB BY NISSAN: NTB07-088 DATES BACK TO 2007 OF HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION. THE NEWEST TSB (NTB07-088D) ONLY REPLACES THE SHORT-BLOCK OF THE ENGINE AS WAS DONE BY THE DEALER. THIS HAS NOT ADDRESSED THE DAMAGE OF THE ENGINE DUE TO OIL STARVATION, AS THE TSB COVERS ONLY PARTIAL OIL CONSUMPTION, NOT NEAR TOTAL AS IN THIS CASE. AS OF THE REPAIR, THE ENGINE HAS A ROUGHER IDLE AND THE NEW TRANSMISSION IS STILL DIFFICULT TO SHIFT FROM NOW 1-2 AND 5-6. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10361141
Mileage unknown · Jun 16, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
I PURCHASED A 2006 NISSAN 350 Z IN 2009 WITH A CLEAN TITLE AND WAS EXCITED ABOUT THE PURCHASE INITIALLY HOWEVER, TO MY DISMAY I BEGAN NOTICING THE CAR WAS CONSUMING OIL AT AN UNUSUAL RATE. THIS FIRST SYMPTOM I OBSERVED WAS A RATTLING NOISE ORIGINATING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I THEN CHECKED ALL MY FLUIDS AND NOTICED THAT THE MOTOR O…
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I PURCHASED A 2006 NISSAN 350 Z IN 2009 WITH A CLEAN TITLE AND WAS EXCITED ABOUT THE PURCHASE INITIALLY HOWEVER, TO MY DISMAY I BEGAN NOTICING THE CAR WAS CONSUMING OIL AT AN UNUSUAL RATE. THIS FIRST SYMPTOM I OBSERVED WAS A RATTLING NOISE ORIGINATING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I THEN CHECKED ALL MY FLUIDS AND NOTICED THAT THE MOTOR OIL DIPSTICK WAS NOT REGISTERING OIL, I THEN PROCEEDED TO CORRECT THE OIL LEVEL. I NOTICED THAT ABOUT THREE (3) MONTHS LATER THE RATTLING NOISE RETURN AND UPON CHECKING THE CAR WAS WITHOUT OIL AGAIN. I HAVE NOTICED THAT IT HAS BECAME NECESSARY FOR ME TO REFILL THE ENGINE WITH MOTOR OIL ROUGHLY EVERY THREE (3) MONTHS. I CONDUCTED SOME RESEARCH ONLINE WHEREBY IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT 2006 NISSAN 350 Z'S WHERE SYNONYMOUS WITH MYSTERIOUSLY CONSUMING OIL. I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN OF NORTH AMERICA WHERE I WAS GIVING THE RUN AROUND. I AM ASKING NHTSA TO ASSIST IN WHATEVER WAY POSSIBLE TO HAVE THE OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE WITH 2006 NISSAN 350 Z'S REMEDIED, THANKS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10336581
45,000 miles · Jun 8, 2010
Air BagsElectrical System
I OWN A 2006 NISSAN 350Z ROADSTER. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON BLINKING NONE STOP. THE SYMPTOM IS SIMILAR TO THE NISSAN 2007 AND 2008 MODEL DESCRIBED IN THE NHTSA RECALL BULLETIN. I WANT TO KNOW IF THE RECALL CAN BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE OLDER MODELS? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10335333
Mileage unknown · May 30, 2010
Tires
I AM THE OWNER OF A 2006 NISSAN 350Z COUPE. MY CAR CAME STOCK WITH BRIDGESTONE POTENZA RE050A TIRES, WHICH HAVE A TREADWEAR RATING OF 140. THESE STOCK TIRES LASTED 22,000 MILES, WHICH IS IN LINE WITH MY EXPECTATIONS. I REPLACED THEM WITH THE HIGHER TREADWEAR RE-11 TIRES, WHICH HAVE A TREADWEAR RATING OF 180. THESE TIRES HAVE…
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I AM THE OWNER OF A 2006 NISSAN 350Z COUPE. MY CAR CAME STOCK WITH BRIDGESTONE POTENZA RE050A TIRES, WHICH HAVE A TREADWEAR RATING OF 140. THESE STOCK TIRES LASTED 22,000 MILES, WHICH IS IN LINE WITH MY EXPECTATIONS. I REPLACED THEM WITH THE HIGHER TREADWEAR RE-11 TIRES, WHICH HAVE A TREADWEAR RATING OF 180. THESE TIRES HAVE COMPLETELY WORN OUT AFTER ONLY 5,500 MILES. I FEEL BRIDGESTONE HAS A FAULTY RUBBER MIXTURE OR ELSE THERE IS FRAUD IN THEIR TREADWEAR METHODOLOGY. I HAVE NOT CHANGED MY DRIVING HABITS OR EVER GONE RACING IN ANY MANNER WITH THESE NEW TIRES. THE RE-11S NEED TO BE INVESTIGATED FOR ACCURATE TREADWEAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10333872
35,788 miles · May 27, 2010
Wheels
ON MAY 11,2010 I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALER ON MAUI. THE WHEELS ON OUR CAR STARTED TO DISINTEGRATE AND BREAK UP CAUSING US TO SWERVE AND STOP ON THE ROAD. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT BECAUSE THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY I WOULD HAVE TO PURCHASE NEW WHEELS FOR $5550. THE FACTORY REP JOHN HOOKANO, MY WIFE AND I M…
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ON MAY 11,2010 I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALER ON MAUI. THE WHEELS ON OUR CAR STARTED TO DISINTEGRATE AND BREAK UP CAUSING US TO SWERVE AND STOP ON THE ROAD. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT BECAUSE THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY I WOULD HAVE TO PURCHASE NEW WHEELS FOR $5550. THE FACTORY REP JOHN HOOKANO, MY WIFE AND I MET AFTER TWO WEEKS OF THE CAR SITTING AT JIM FAULK NISSAN WITH NO FOLLOW UP CALL. HE SHOWED US THAT THE ORIGINAL WHEELS WERE ALUMINUM ALLOY, AND NOT CHROMED AND STATED THEY MUST BE AFTERMARKET OR CHROMED WITHOUT FACTORY AUTHORIZATION, HE THEN SHOWED US A BULLETIN ISSUED FROM NISSAN 2008, STATING THEIR POSITION NOT TO CHROME THE WHEELS. WE PURCHASED A 2006 350Z GRAND TOURING SPECIAL EDITION WHICH INCLUDED NAVIGATION SYSTEM, BREMBO BRAKES, BASICALLY EVERY OPTION INCLUDING CONVERTIBLE. WHEN I EXPLAINED I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW FROM THE DEALER IN ARIZONA AND THEY DID A DEALER TRADE FOR IT. WHEN IT ARRIVED FROM PEORIA ARIZONA'S NISSAN DEALER THE CHROMED WHEELS WERE ON IT. WE TOOK DELIVERY AT LAMB NISSAN IN PRESCOTT ARIZONA, AS IS, WE CHANGED NOTHING. WHEN I SHOWED THE FACTORY REP A SERVICE REPAIR ORDER FROM WHEN THE WARRANTY WAS IN EFFECT, WHICH MADE REFERENCE TO THE CLICKING WHEELS AND THAT WE HAVE CONTINUED TO HAVE ISSUES WITH THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM HE IGNORED MY COMMENT. THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 36,000 MILES AND YES THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. I DID PURCHASE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY IN WHICH I WAS TOLD DOES NOT COVER WHEELS. HOWEVER I BELIEVE IF THE NHTSA INSPECTOR LOOKED INTO THIS FAULT WOULD BE FOUND WITH EITHER THE MANUFACTURER OR THE DEALER. I CONTACTED LAMB NISSAN AND THE GENERAL MANAGER ED WALSH FOUND THE RECORDS THAT INDICATE I PURCHASED THE CAR WITH THE WHEELS ON IT FROM THE ORIGINAL DEALER WHO TOOK DELIVERY OF THE CAR, AND THAT IT DID IN FACT ARRIVE WITH CHROME NISSAN WHEELS. HE SAID I WILL CREDIT $1000 TO A NEW SET. WE EMAILED NISSAN EARLY ON AND GOT A RESPONSE WE WILL BE CONTACTED VANESSA FIORELLO CONSUMER AFFAIRS NEVER RETURNS MY EMAIL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10332444
8,000 miles · Jan 7, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
OIL CONSUMPTION, 350Z ENGINE BLOWN, IN LESS THEN A YEAR. WHILE GOING TO WORK ON A COMPLETE STOP AT A RED LIGHT, ENGINE BLOWS AND CAR GETS ON FIRE UNDERNEATH, LUCKY THERE WAS A GAS-STATION NEXT TO ME TO BORROW AN EXTINGUISHER... POLICE CAME TO HELP A LITTLE LATER, AND SAID I COULDN'T FILE A REPORT. CALLED INSURANCE, AND SAID THE…
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OIL CONSUMPTION, 350Z ENGINE BLOWN, IN LESS THEN A YEAR. WHILE GOING TO WORK ON A COMPLETE STOP AT A RED LIGHT, ENGINE BLOWS AND CAR GETS ON FIRE UNDERNEATH, LUCKY THERE WAS A GAS-STATION NEXT TO ME TO BORROW AN EXTINGUISHER... POLICE CAME TO HELP A LITTLE LATER, AND SAID I COULDN'T FILE A REPORT. CALLED INSURANCE, AND SAID THEY WOULD NOT COVER IT, CALLED NISSAN AND THEY DIDN'T EVEN COVER MY RENTAL WHILE THEY INSPECTED THE CAR FOR OVER 3 MONTHS... THEY WANTED 6K FOR NEW ENGINE, AFTER BLAMING ME, TELLING ME "THIS CAR WAS NOT BUILD TO BE PUSHED, YOU DRIVE IT SLOW"... THIS FORCED ME TO LET THE CAR INTO VOLUNTARY REPOSSESION AND DAMAGE MY CREDIT, UNTIL THIS DAY THEY ARE STILL CHARGING ME FOR THE LEFTOVER FEES... LATER I FOUND OUT THAT THIS WAS A REALLY COMMON PROBLEM AND THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT STILL HAVE NOT GOTTEN THIS RESOLVED...BEWARE. MY 3RD NISSAN, AND WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT, WE'VE HAD ABOUT 10 NISSANS IN THE FAMILY, BUT NO MORE NISSANS FOR US. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10298606
26,000 miles · Sep 28, 2009
Wheels
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN 350Z. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER FACTORY RIMS WERE CUSTOMIZED AND DIPPED IN A CHROME SUBSTANCE BEFORE THEY WERE PURCHASED. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE CHROME RIM SEPARATED. AS CONSEQUENCE HER RISK OF VEHICLE CRASH WAS INCREASED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND SHE RECEIVED A REPLACEMENT SET OF …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN 350Z. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER FACTORY RIMS WERE CUSTOMIZED AND DIPPED IN A CHROME SUBSTANCE BEFORE THEY WERE PURCHASED. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE CHROME RIM SEPARATED. AS CONSEQUENCE HER RISK OF VEHICLE CRASH WAS INCREASED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND SHE RECEIVED A REPLACEMENT SET OF RIMS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WITH THIS MODEL TYPE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 26,000.
NHTSA ODI #10285528
NHTSA investigations
2EA07005 · Wheel Separation Due To Spoke Fracture
Opened Apr 3, 2007 · Closed Aug 4, 2008
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Wheels; Wheels:rim
ALL OF THE WHEEL SEPARATION INCIDENTS IDENTIFIED IN EA07-005 HAVE INVOLVED WHEELS SUBJECTED TO AFTERMARKET CHROMING IN CALIFORNIA.METALLURGICAL ANALYSIS OF AFTERMARKET CHROMED WHEELS OBTAINED FROM INCIDENT VEHICLES SHOWED SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN MATERIAL PROPERTIES THAT CAN INCREASE THE CHANCE OF STRUCTURAL FAILURE.NISSAN HAS ISSUED SEVERAL COMMUNICATIONS TO DEALERS, BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER ODI'S INVESTIGATION BEGAN WITH PE06-050, WARNING AGAINST THE PRACTICE OF CHROMING WHEELS.NISSAN HAS ADVISED ODI THAT IT WILL BE SENDING ANOTHER COMMUNICATION THIS YEAR THAT REPEATS THE WARNINGS AGAINST AFTERMARKET CHROMING. NO DEFECT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT NISSAN WHEELS.THERE HAVE BEEN NO WHEEL SEPARATION INCIDENTS INVOLVING THOSE WHEELS AND THEY PASSED THE SAE RADIAL FATIGUE, CORNERING AND SIDE IMPACT TESTS CONDUCTED BY VRTC.WHILE THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW COMPLAINTS, WARRANTY CLAIMS AND SURVEY RESPONSES INDICATING CRACKS IN ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT WHEELS, THEY ARE FEW IN NUMBER, OFTEN EXHIBIT EVIDENCE OF IMPACT DAMAGE AND MAY SOMETIMES INVOLVE CRACKS IN DIFFERENT LOCATIONS OF THE WHEEL.AT THIS TIME, IN VIEW OF THE LIMITED INCIDENCE OF THE CRACKS AND THE FACT THAT THE CRACKS DO NOT APPEAR TO HAVE PROGRESSED, FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES ON THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE WHEELS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS CLOSING RESUME.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Wheels
ALL OF THE WHEEL SEPARATION INCIDENTS IDENTIFIED IN EA07-005 HAVE INVOLVED WHEELS SUBJECTED TO AFTERMARKET CHROMING IN CALIFORNIA.METALLURGICAL ANALYSIS OF AFTERMARKET CHROMED WHEELS OBTAINED FROM INCIDENT VEHICLES SHOWED SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN MATERIAL PROPERTIES THAT CAN INCREASE THE CHANCE OF STRUCTURAL FAILURE.NISSAN HAS ISSUED SEVERAL COMMUNICATIONS TO DEALERS, BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER ODI'S INVESTIGATION BEGAN WITH PE06-050, WARNING AGAINST THE PRACTICE OF CHROMING WHEELS.NISSAN HAS ADVISED ODI THAT IT WILL BE SENDING ANOTHER COMMUNICATION THIS YEAR THAT REPEATS THE WARNINGS AGAINST AFTERMARKET CHROMING. NO DEFECT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT NISSAN WHEELS.THERE HAVE BEEN NO WHEEL SEPARATION INCIDENTS INVOLVING THOSE WHEELS AND THEY PASSED THE SAE RADIAL FATIGUE, CORNERING AND SIDE IMPACT TESTS CONDUCTED BY VRTC.WHILE THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW COMPLAINTS, WARRANTY CLAIMS AND SURVEY RESPONSES INDICATING CRACKS IN ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT WHEELS, THEY ARE FEW IN NUMBER, OFTEN EXHIBIT EVIDENCE OF IMPACT DAMAGE AND MAY SOMETIMES INVOLVE CRACKS IN DIFFERENT LOCATIONS OF THE WHEEL.AT THIS TIME, IN VIEW OF THE LIMITED INCIDENCE OF THE CRACKS AND THE FACT THAT THE CRACKS DO NOT APPEAR TO HAVE PROGRESSED, FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES ON THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE WHEELS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS CLOSING RESUME.
Wheels:rim
ALL OF THE WHEEL SEPARATION INCIDENTS IDENTIFIED IN EA07-005 HAVE INVOLVED WHEELS SUBJECTED TO AFTERMARKET CHROMING IN CALIFORNIA.METALLURGICAL ANALYSIS OF AFTERMARKET CHROMED WHEELS OBTAINED FROM INCIDENT VEHICLES SHOWED SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN MATERIAL PROPERTIES THAT CAN INCREASE THE CHANCE OF STRUCTURAL FAILURE.NISSAN HAS ISSUED SEVERAL COMMUNICATIONS TO DEALERS, BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER ODI'S INVESTIGATION BEGAN WITH PE06-050, WARNING AGAINST THE PRACTICE OF CHROMING WHEELS.NISSAN HAS ADVISED ODI THAT IT WILL BE SENDING ANOTHER COMMUNICATION THIS YEAR THAT REPEATS THE WARNINGS AGAINST AFTERMARKET CHROMING. NO DEFECT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT NISSAN WHEELS.THERE HAVE BEEN NO WHEEL SEPARATION INCIDENTS INVOLVING THOSE WHEELS AND THEY PASSED THE SAE RADIAL FATIGUE, CORNERING AND SIDE IMPACT TESTS CONDUCTED BY VRTC.WHILE THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW COMPLAINTS, WARRANTY CLAIMS AND SURVEY RESPONSES INDICATING CRACKS IN ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT WHEELS, THEY ARE FEW IN NUMBER, OFTEN EXHIBIT EVIDENCE OF IMPACT DAMAGE AND MAY SOMETIMES INVOLVE CRACKS IN DIFFERENT LOCATIONS OF THE WHEEL.AT THIS TIME, IN VIEW OF THE LIMITED INCIDENCE OF THE CRACKS AND THE FACT THAT THE CRACKS DO NOT APPEAR TO HAVE PROGRESSED, FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES ON THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE WHEELS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS CLOSING RESUME.
PE06050 · Wheel Failure
Opened Nov 9, 2006 · Closed Apr 9, 2007
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Wheels; Wheels:hubcap/cover; Wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs; Wheels:rim
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED PE06-050 BASED ON TWO CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING INCIDENTS OF WHEEL SEPARATION WHILE DRIVING DUE TO SPOKE FRACTURE.ONE OF THE INCIDENTS RESULTED IN A CRASH AND SERIOUS INJURY WHEN THE SEPARATED WHEEL STRUCK A CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL OFFICER ON A MOTORCYCLE ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY. DURING PE06-050, ODI DETERMINED THAT BOTH INCIDENTS OF WHEEL SEPARATION INVOLVED NISSAN WHEELS THAT WERE SUBJECTED TO AN AFTERMARKET RE-CHROMING PROCESS.BOTH INCIDENTS OCCURRED IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.INFORMATION PROVIDED BY NISSAN SHOWED THAT PROBLEMS WITH RE-CHROMED WHEELS WERE CONCENTRATED ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY IN CALIFORNIA.NISSAN HAS ISSUED DEALER BULLETINS, MOST RECENTLY IN AUGUST 2006, WARNING AGAINST RE-CHROMING WHEELS BECAUSE THE PROCESS MAY DAMAGE WHEELS.NISSAN ALSO SUBMITTED COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS CONCERNING CRACKED SPOKES IN ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT NISSAN ALLOY WHEELS.THESE CLAIMS AND COMPLAINTS WERE NOT CONCENTRATED IN ANY PARTICULAR GEOGRAPHIC REGION, BUT WERE FEW IN NUMBER.ACCORDING TO NISSAN, MOST OE ALLOY WHEELS WITH CRACKED SPOKES CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO IMPACT DAMAGE. THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA07-005) TO FURTHER ASSESS THE CAUSES OF SPOKE CRACKING IN ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT NISSAN WHEELS AND IN WHEELS SUBJECTED TO RE-CHROMING AND TO ASSESS THE RISK OF ADDITIONAL WHEEL SEPARATIONS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.
Additional source detail variants (4)
Wheels:hubcap/cover
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED PE06-050 BASED ON TWO CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING INCIDENTS OF WHEEL SEPARATION WHILE DRIVING DUE TO SPOKE FRACTURE.ONE OF THE INCIDENTS RESULTED IN A CRASH AND SERIOUS INJURY WHEN THE SEPARATED WHEEL STRUCK A CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL OFFICER ON A MOTORCYCLE ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY. DURING PE06-050, ODI DETERMINED THAT BOTH INCIDENTS OF WHEEL SEPARATION INVOLVED NISSAN WHEELS THAT WERE SUBJECTED TO AN AFTERMARKET RE-CHROMING PROCESS.BOTH INCIDENTS OCCURRED IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.INFORMATION PROVIDED BY NISSAN SHOWED THAT PROBLEMS WITH RE-CHROMED WHEELS WERE CONCENTRATED ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY IN CALIFORNIA.NISSAN HAS ISSUED DEALER BULLETINS, MOST RECENTLY IN AUGUST 2006, WARNING AGAINST RE-CHROMING WHEELS BECAUSE THE PROCESS MAY DAMAGE WHEELS.NISSAN ALSO SUBMITTED COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS CONCERNING CRACKED SPOKES IN ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT NISSAN ALLOY WHEELS.THESE CLAIMS AND COMPLAINTS WERE NOT CONCENTRATED IN ANY PARTICULAR GEOGRAPHIC REGION, BUT WERE FEW IN NUMBER.ACCORDING TO NISSAN, MOST OE ALLOY WHEELS WITH CRACKED SPOKES CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO IMPACT DAMAGE. THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA07-005) TO FURTHER ASSESS THE CAUSES OF SPOKE CRACKING IN ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT NISSAN WHEELS AND IN WHEELS SUBJECTED TO RE-CHROMING AND TO ASSESS THE RISK OF ADDITIONAL WHEEL SEPARATIONS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.
Wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED PE06-050 BASED ON TWO CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING INCIDENTS OF WHEEL SEPARATION WHILE DRIVING DUE TO SPOKE FRACTURE.ONE OF THE INCIDENTS RESULTED IN A CRASH AND SERIOUS INJURY WHEN THE SEPARATED WHEEL STRUCK A CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL OFFICER ON A MOTORCYCLE ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY. DURING PE06-050, ODI DETERMINED THAT BOTH INCIDENTS OF WHEEL SEPARATION INVOLVED NISSAN WHEELS THAT WERE SUBJECTED TO AN AFTERMARKET RE-CHROMING PROCESS.BOTH INCIDENTS OCCURRED IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.INFORMATION PROVIDED BY NISSAN SHOWED THAT PROBLEMS WITH RE-CHROMED WHEELS WERE CONCENTRATED ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY IN CALIFORNIA.NISSAN HAS ISSUED DEALER BULLETINS, MOST RECENTLY IN AUGUST 2006, WARNING AGAINST RE-CHROMING WHEELS BECAUSE THE PROCESS MAY DAMAGE WHEELS.NISSAN ALSO SUBMITTED COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS CONCERNING CRACKED SPOKES IN ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT NISSAN ALLOY WHEELS.THESE CLAIMS AND COMPLAINTS WERE NOT CONCENTRATED IN ANY PARTICULAR GEOGRAPHIC REGION, BUT WERE FEW IN NUMBER.ACCORDING TO NISSAN, MOST OE ALLOY WHEELS WITH CRACKED SPOKES CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO IMPACT DAMAGE. THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA07-005) TO FURTHER ASSESS THE CAUSES OF SPOKE CRACKING IN ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT NISSAN WHEELS AND IN WHEELS SUBJECTED TO RE-CHROMING AND TO ASSESS THE RISK OF ADDITIONAL WHEEL SEPARATIONS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.
Wheels
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED PE06-050 BASED ON TWO CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING INCIDENTS OF WHEEL SEPARATION WHILE DRIVING DUE TO SPOKE FRACTURE.ONE OF THE INCIDENTS RESULTED IN A CRASH AND SERIOUS INJURY WHEN THE SEPARATED WHEEL STRUCK A CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL OFFICER ON A MOTORCYCLE ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY. DURING PE06-050, ODI DETERMINED THAT BOTH INCIDENTS OF WHEEL SEPARATION INVOLVED NISSAN WHEELS THAT WERE SUBJECTED TO AN AFTERMARKET RE-CHROMING PROCESS.BOTH INCIDENTS OCCURRED IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.INFORMATION PROVIDED BY NISSAN SHOWED THAT PROBLEMS WITH RE-CHROMED WHEELS WERE CONCENTRATED ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY IN CALIFORNIA.NISSAN HAS ISSUED DEALER BULLETINS, MOST RECENTLY IN AUGUST 2006, WARNING AGAINST RE-CHROMING WHEELS BECAUSE THE PROCESS MAY DAMAGE WHEELS.NISSAN ALSO SUBMITTED COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS CONCERNING CRACKED SPOKES IN ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT NISSAN ALLOY WHEELS.THESE CLAIMS AND COMPLAINTS WERE NOT CONCENTRATED IN ANY PARTICULAR GEOGRAPHIC REGION, BUT WERE FEW IN NUMBER.ACCORDING TO NISSAN, MOST OE ALLOY WHEELS WITH CRACKED SPOKES CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO IMPACT DAMAGE. THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA07-005) TO FURTHER ASSESS THE CAUSES OF SPOKE CRACKING IN ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT NISSAN WHEELS AND IN WHEELS SUBJECTED TO RE-CHROMING AND TO ASSESS THE RISK OF ADDITIONAL WHEEL SEPARATIONS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.
Wheels:rim
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED PE06-050 BASED ON TWO CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING INCIDENTS OF WHEEL SEPARATION WHILE DRIVING DUE TO SPOKE FRACTURE.ONE OF THE INCIDENTS RESULTED IN A CRASH AND SERIOUS INJURY WHEN THE SEPARATED WHEEL STRUCK A CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL OFFICER ON A MOTORCYCLE ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY. DURING PE06-050, ODI DETERMINED THAT BOTH INCIDENTS OF WHEEL SEPARATION INVOLVED NISSAN WHEELS THAT WERE SUBJECTED TO AN AFTERMARKET RE-CHROMING PROCESS.BOTH INCIDENTS OCCURRED IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.INFORMATION PROVIDED BY NISSAN SHOWED THAT PROBLEMS WITH RE-CHROMED WHEELS WERE CONCENTRATED ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY IN CALIFORNIA.NISSAN HAS ISSUED DEALER BULLETINS, MOST RECENTLY IN AUGUST 2006, WARNING AGAINST RE-CHROMING WHEELS BECAUSE THE PROCESS MAY DAMAGE WHEELS.NISSAN ALSO SUBMITTED COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS CONCERNING CRACKED SPOKES IN ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT NISSAN ALLOY WHEELS.THESE CLAIMS AND COMPLAINTS WERE NOT CONCENTRATED IN ANY PARTICULAR GEOGRAPHIC REGION, BUT WERE FEW IN NUMBER.ACCORDING TO NISSAN, MOST OE ALLOY WHEELS WITH CRACKED SPOKES CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO IMPACT DAMAGE. THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA07-005) TO FURTHER ASSESS THE CAUSES OF SPOKE CRACKING IN ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT NISSAN WHEELS AND IN WHEELS SUBJECTED TO RE-CHROMING AND TO ASSESS THE RISK OF ADDITIONAL WHEEL SEPARATIONS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.
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