NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
53 reports30,000 miles · Jan 11, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
I BOUGHT A 2006 NISSAN 350Z. ONE MORNING AFTER ABOUT 4,000 MILES OF MOSTLY HIGHWAY DRIVING, I HEARD A STRANGE SOUND COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD THAT SOUNDED LIKE VALVE TAPPING. IT GOT LOUDER AND LOUDER AS THE ENGINE GOT WARMER. I RECOGNIZED THE SOUND FROM AN OLD WORK VAN THAT I USED TO HAVE BEFORE THE ENGINE BLEW DUE TO IT HAVING…
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I BOUGHT A 2006 NISSAN 350Z. ONE MORNING AFTER ABOUT 4,000 MILES OF MOSTLY HIGHWAY DRIVING, I HEARD A STRANGE SOUND COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD THAT SOUNDED LIKE VALVE TAPPING. IT GOT LOUDER AND LOUDER AS THE ENGINE GOT WARMER. I RECOGNIZED THE SOUND FROM AN OLD WORK VAN THAT I USED TO HAVE BEFORE THE ENGINE BLEW DUE TO IT HAVING NO OIL. SURE ENOUGH, THE CRANKCASE WAS EMPTY. THERE WAS NO OIL AND THE ENGINE TOOK A FULL 5 QUARTS OF OIL. THERE ARE NO EXTERNAL OIL LEAKS ON THE ENGINE. I FOUND OUT THAT THE NISSAN "REVUP" ENGINES IN THE 2006 350Z HAVE AN OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM. I TOOK THE CAR TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP, WHERE, AFTER AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST, INFORMED ME THAT BURNING 1 QUART OF OIL PER 1,000 MILES IS NORMAL. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND HAS ISSUED A TSB. THEY NEED TO DO A RECALL, AN ENGINE SEIZING CAN LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT AND KILL PEOPLE. THANKS FOR LISTENING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10214511
7,000 miles · Jan 6, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
I CURRENTLY OWN A 2006 NISSAN 350Z W/ MANUAL TRANSMISSION, THAT HAS A MAJOR OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE. THE ORIGINAL ENGINE WAS LOSING OIL AT A RATE OF 1 QUART PER 1,000 MILES. NISSAN CORP. AGREED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE, WITH WHAT THEY SAID WAS THE COUNTER MEASURE FIX TO THE ISSUE. NOW, THE NEW REPLACEMENT ENGINE IS EXPERIENCING TH…
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I CURRENTLY OWN A 2006 NISSAN 350Z W/ MANUAL TRANSMISSION, THAT HAS A MAJOR OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE. THE ORIGINAL ENGINE WAS LOSING OIL AT A RATE OF 1 QUART PER 1,000 MILES. NISSAN CORP. AGREED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE, WITH WHAT THEY SAID WAS THE COUNTER MEASURE FIX TO THE ISSUE. NOW, THE NEW REPLACEMENT ENGINE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE. I HAVE LESS THAN 4K MILES ON THE NEW ENGINE, AND THE DEALERSHIP (JOHN ELWAY NISSAN IN RIVERSIDE), CONFIRMED THE ENGINE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME OIL LOSS PROBLEM. NISSAN CORP. HAS RELEASED A TSB ON THIS ISSUE, HOWEVER THE RESOLUTION THEY PROVIDE (REPLACE WITH COUNTER MEASURE ENGINE), IS NOT A FIX. THOUSANDS HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THIS MATTER, AND NISSAN CORP. SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR DECEIT. THIS ISSUE ALSO AFFECTS OTHER YEARS AND MODELS (I.E. INFINITY G35 COUPE), WITH THE SAME ENGINE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10213973
21,000 miles · Nov 25, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
I NOTICED MY 2006 350Z WAS USING SMALL AMOUNTS OF OIL BETWEEN OIL CHANGES. AROUND 21,000 MILES I SAW A DRAMATIC INCREASE IN OIL USAGE. MORE THAN 1 QUART LOW AT ONLY 1900 MILES INTO MY OIL CHANGE. I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH DEALER TO SHOW OIL CONSUMPTION AND IT HAS INCREASED AS TIME HAS GONE ON. THIS WILL RESULT IN DECREASED VALU…
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I NOTICED MY 2006 350Z WAS USING SMALL AMOUNTS OF OIL BETWEEN OIL CHANGES. AROUND 21,000 MILES I SAW A DRAMATIC INCREASE IN OIL USAGE. MORE THAN 1 QUART LOW AT ONLY 1900 MILES INTO MY OIL CHANGE. I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH DEALER TO SHOW OIL CONSUMPTION AND IT HAS INCREASED AS TIME HAS GONE ON. THIS WILL RESULT IN DECREASED VALUE OF MY CAR AS THE WORD GETS OUT TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET A FAIR TRADE IN VALUE OR EVEN SALE MY AUTO ONCE THE KNOWLEDGE OF OIL USAGE IS PUBLIC. THE DEALER KEEPS TELLING ME THAT THEY WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE, BUT HAS FAILED TO DO SO OR EVEN GIVE ME A DATE FOR THE REPLACEMENT. I FEEL THEY ARE DOWNPLAYING MY SITUATION IN THE HOPES THAT I WILL JUST GO AWAY. NISSAN WAS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE IN MID 2005. I PURCHASED MY CAR IN MID 2006. I FEEL THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO ME AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10209844
15,421 miles · Nov 21, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
I PURCHASED A 2006 NISSAN 350Z MANUAL 6 SPEED. AFTER SEVERAL THOUSAND MILES, THE CAR STARTED TO BURN AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS NORMAL. I STATED THAT THIS WAS A NEW CAR AND NEW CARS DO NOT BURN OIL. NISSAN CONSUMER RELATIONS WAS CONTACTED AND AFTER ALMOST A YEAR AND WITH MANY THREATS TO HIRE AN ATTO…
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I PURCHASED A 2006 NISSAN 350Z MANUAL 6 SPEED. AFTER SEVERAL THOUSAND MILES, THE CAR STARTED TO BURN AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS NORMAL. I STATED THAT THIS WAS A NEW CAR AND NEW CARS DO NOT BURN OIL. NISSAN CONSUMER RELATIONS WAS CONTACTED AND AFTER ALMOST A YEAR AND WITH MANY THREATS TO HIRE AN ATTORNEY AND SUE FOR CONSUMER FRAUD, NISSAN FINALLY AGREED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. I HAVE 3,000 MILES ON THE NEW ENGINE, AND EVEN THOUGH IT IS NOT CONSUMING OIL AS BEFORE, IT IS STILL BURNING SOME, WHICH IS NOT NORMAL. THIS HAS CREATED A SITUATION WHERE I NEED TO CARRY OIL WITH ME CONSTANTLY IN CASE THE OIL LEVEL GOES LOW AND I HAVE TO REPLACE BURNED OIL. THIS COULD RESULT IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION IF I NEED TO STOP ON A FREEWAY OR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10209651
24,000 miles · Oct 25, 2007
Wheels
I OWN A 2006 NISSAN 350Z WITH CHROME WHEELS. THREE OF THE WHEELS ARE CRACKED AND THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THROUGH THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO GET NISSAN TO REPLACE THE WHEELS, I LEARNED THAT THE WHEELS ON THE CAR ARE AFTER-MARKET RE-CHROMED WHEELS. NISSAN IS NOT BEING HELPFUL IN GETTING THE PROBLEM RESOLVED BY REPLACING THE WHEE…
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I OWN A 2006 NISSAN 350Z WITH CHROME WHEELS. THREE OF THE WHEELS ARE CRACKED AND THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THROUGH THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO GET NISSAN TO REPLACE THE WHEELS, I LEARNED THAT THE WHEELS ON THE CAR ARE AFTER-MARKET RE-CHROMED WHEELS. NISSAN IS NOT BEING HELPFUL IN GETTING THE PROBLEM RESOLVED BY REPLACING THE WHEELS. I AM REFERENCING NHTSA DEFECT ACTION NUMBER PE06050 AND ENGINEERING ANALYSIS EA07005. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10206910
9,900 miles · Oct 15, 2007
EquipmentSuspensionTiresInjury
SOMETIMES DRIVING, I HEAR LIGHT CRACKLING NOISE COMES AND GOES. FOR 9 MONTHS CHECKUP, I MENTIONED IT TO DEALER. HE SAID THEY TEST DROVE IT AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE. ON SAT EVENING, 8-25, THE FRONT RT SIDE OF RIM CRACKED & CAME OUT BOUNCING OFF FREEWAY! SCARY & DANGEROUS! WE JUST LET THE CAR SLIDE AND SCRAPE ON THREE WHEELS OFF TH…
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SOMETIMES DRIVING, I HEAR LIGHT CRACKLING NOISE COMES AND GOES. FOR 9 MONTHS CHECKUP, I MENTIONED IT TO DEALER. HE SAID THEY TEST DROVE IT AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE. ON SAT EVENING, 8-25, THE FRONT RT SIDE OF RIM CRACKED & CAME OUT BOUNCING OFF FREEWAY! SCARY & DANGEROUS! WE JUST LET THE CAR SLIDE AND SCRAPE ON THREE WHEELS OFF THE NEXT EXIT. I HAD SPARE TIRE PUT ON & SLOWLY GOT THE CAR BACK HOME, IN SHOCK! MONDAY I HAD CAR TOWED TO NEAREST DEALER & THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO FIX MY CAR BECAUSE OF THE WHEELS. I DIDN'T KNOW WHY....BUT MANAGER THERE CALLED FOR MY PERMISSION TO HAVE IT TOWED BACK TO MY DEALER WITH ALL CHARGES PAID BY DEALER. I WAS DISAPPOINTED, DISRESPECTED, MISTREATED,& LIED TO. BOUGHT CAR IN GOOD FAITH & THEY LIED TO ME SOME MORE! I CALLED NIS MANUF CONSUMER AFFAIRS & FOUND OUT THAT THOSE RIMS WERE DIPPED CHROME! DEALER HAD NERVE TO GIVE ME SAME RIMS & TRY TO RETURN CAR BACK WITH DAMAGE BREAKING THE DISCS & LOWER ARM. ALSO REPAINTED THE SCRAPED BUMPER. HAVE PICS OF SLOPPY WORK WITH CAMERA PHONE. I EXPLAINED TO THEM I WANT IT FIXED BRAND NEW LIKE WHEN I FIRST DROVE OFF THAT LOT WITH IT AND I THOUGHT THEY UNDERSTOOD. I STILL NEED PRO TO THOROUGHLY INSPECT CAR. ALTHOUGH REPAIRS MADE, I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING CAR ANYMORE. I SAID FIX CAR LIKE WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT IT- BEFORE THE DEFECTIVE WHEEL CAME OFF WITH REAL RIMS. HE ORDERED & PLACED IT ON MY CAR. SAT NIGHT, DEALER CALLED TO PICK CAR UP. I ASKED FOR INVOICE AND PAPERS. THEY SAID COME BACK MON. ASKED THEM TO HAND WRITE THAT THE RIMS ARE STOCKED & EVERYTHING NEW LIKE WANTED SO I CAN DRIVE OFF FEELING SAFE. THEY SAID CAN'T. AGAIN I LEFT DISAPPOINTED. NOTICED HEADLIGHTS DIMMER THAN BEFORE & ONE SIDE HIGHER THAN THE OTHER. MON, TOLD SERVICE MANAGER ABOUT LIGHTS. RESPONSE, "WE'RE SUPPOSED TO JUST REPLACE WHEELS." DON'T KNOW IF I HAVE RIGHT WHEELS OR NOT. I NEED A NEW CAR .DEALER NOT CONCERNED WITH PUBLIC SAFETY, ONLY PROFITS. I HURT EMOTIONALLY & PHYSICALLY! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10205643
Mileage unknown · May 22, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
MY HUSBAND AND I PURCHASED A NEW NISSAN 350Z IN MAY 2006, AND HAD SINCE THEN MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE CONSUMING OIL. AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS FOR REPAIR AND NO SOLUTION WE SOUGHT THE ADVISE OF A LEMON LAW ATTORNEY. SINCE THIS TIME WE HAVE ENCOUNTERED ISSUES WITH THE ATTORNEY MAKING CONTACT WITH NISSAN'S ATTORNEY THER…
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MY HUSBAND AND I PURCHASED A NEW NISSAN 350Z IN MAY 2006, AND HAD SINCE THEN MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE CONSUMING OIL. AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS FOR REPAIR AND NO SOLUTION WE SOUGHT THE ADVISE OF A LEMON LAW ATTORNEY. SINCE THIS TIME WE HAVE ENCOUNTERED ISSUES WITH THE ATTORNEY MAKING CONTACT WITH NISSAN'S ATTORNEY THERE SEEMED TO BE A PROBLEM WITH PEOPLE RETURNING PHONE CALLS, AND NOTHING GOT RESOLVED . DO YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTION ON HOW TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10191446
100 miles · May 17, 2007
Air Bags
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN 350Z. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATES. HE HAS TAKEN HIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS AND THEY HAVE FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. DURING SEVERAL TELEPHONE CALLS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE AND U…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN 350Z. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATES. HE HAS TAKEN HIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS AND THEY HAVE FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. DURING SEVERAL TELEPHONE CALLS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE AND UNABLE TO BE ACQUIRED. THE AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUES TO ILLUMINATE. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 2,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100. UPDATED 06/08/07. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10191061
1,800 miles · Feb 18, 2007
Air BagsCrash
DRIVING HOME ONLY 1/8 MILE FROM MY HOUSE, I COLLIDED HEAD ON WITH A SMALL PICK-UP TRUCK. MY NISSAN 350 CAR SPUN SEVERAL TIMES AND CAME TO REST. MOST OF THE DAMAGE WAS TO THE DRIVER SIDE AND FRONT END. FRONT BUMPER COMPLETELY GONE. DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT COMPLETELY GONE, PASSENGER SIDE INTACT. DRIVER SIDE DOOR CAN ONLY OPEN A F…
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DRIVING HOME ONLY 1/8 MILE FROM MY HOUSE, I COLLIDED HEAD ON WITH A SMALL PICK-UP TRUCK. MY NISSAN 350 CAR SPUN SEVERAL TIMES AND CAME TO REST. MOST OF THE DAMAGE WAS TO THE DRIVER SIDE AND FRONT END. FRONT BUMPER COMPLETELY GONE. DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT COMPLETELY GONE, PASSENGER SIDE INTACT. DRIVER SIDE DOOR CAN ONLY OPEN A FEW INCHES, PASSENGER SIDE-FINE. DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD CRACKED DUE TO HOOD BEING PUSHED BACK INTO CAR, PASSENGER SIDE-FINE. MY CONCERN AND MAJOR COMPLAINT IS THAT WHILE MY PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, THE DRIVER SIDE NOR THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. HAD I BEEN TRAVELING AT HIGHER SPEEDS OR NOT WEARING MY SEAT BELT AND MY AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, I COULD HAVE SERIOUSLY BEEN HURT DUE TO THIS, WHAT I FEEL TO BE A, MALFUNCTION. TO ADD, I HAD A 2004 NISSAN 350Z PREVIOUSLY IN WHICH I HAD GENTLY HIT A CURB, FRONT, DRIVER SIDE AND MY SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED IMMEDIATELY. FOR THE ACCIDENT AND THE SIGNIFICANT MORE DAMAGE THAT JUST OCCURRED, THERE IS NO WAY THAT THE AIR BAGS SHOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED. I SEE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS RESEARCHING THIS AND I AM GREATLY CONCERNED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10182925
10,285 miles · Jan 22, 2007
Power TrainUnknown Or Other
2006 NISSAN 350Z WITH DEFECTIVE ASSY SYSTEM-CLUTCH PROBLEMS**NAR**CC THE MANUAL GEAR SHIFT COULD NOT BE SHIFTED. AFTER A FEW TRIES THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL, BUT COULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF NEUTRAL INTO ANY OTHER GEAR. OVER A THREE DAY PERIOD THE CONSUMER TRIED VARIES THINGS TO GET THE GEAR SHIFT TO…
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2006 NISSAN 350Z WITH DEFECTIVE ASSY SYSTEM-CLUTCH PROBLEMS**NAR**CC THE MANUAL GEAR SHIFT COULD NOT BE SHIFTED. AFTER A FEW TRIES THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL, BUT COULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF NEUTRAL INTO ANY OTHER GEAR. OVER A THREE DAY PERIOD THE CONSUMER TRIED VARIES THINGS TO GET THE GEAR SHIFT TO MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FLOOR MAT WAS STUCK UP UNDERNEATH THE CLUTCH PEDAL. ONCE THE DEALER PULLED THE MAT OUT THEY TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND EVERYTHING SEEMED OK. THE CONSUMER WAS CHARGED $350.11 FOR THAT SERVICE. THE CONSUMER IS REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR SERVICES RENDERED. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10179570
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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