BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY HEARD A SNAP GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND FOUND A PIECE OF THE COIL SPRING HAD BROKEN OFF NEAR THE BASE OF THE SPRING. *TR
2008 Nissan Versa
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Versa years
Owner complaints for the 2008 Nissan Versa are substantially higher than the model-year median of 95.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Versa years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
214 reports with mileage · 167 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Air Bags. Review the 171 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 70 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Suspension complaints
70 reportsWHILE REVERSING OUT OF MY PARKING SPACE AT HOME THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE DROPPED AND I HEARD A LOUD NOISE. AFTER INSPECTION I FOUND A PIECE OF COIL SPRING ON THE GROUND WHERE I HAD BEEN PARKED. THE PIECE THAT BROKE WAS ABOUT 4" LONG AND IT APPEARS TO HAVE BROKEN BEFORE AS BOTH ENDS WERE JAGGED ONE BREAK RUSTY AND THE OTHER BREAK…
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WHILE REVERSING OUT OF MY PARKING SPACE AT HOME THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE DROPPED AND I HEARD A LOUD NOISE. AFTER INSPECTION I FOUND A PIECE OF COIL SPRING ON THE GROUND WHERE I HAD BEEN PARKED. THE PIECE THAT BROKE WAS ABOUT 4" LONG AND IT APPEARS TO HAVE BROKEN BEFORE AS BOTH ENDS WERE JAGGED ONE BREAK RUSTY AND THE OTHER BREAK WAS CLEAN. CHECKING ONLINE THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AND OFTEN SHREDS THE WHEEL WHEN IT HAPPENS. IF THIS HAPPENS AT SPEED IT COULD BE A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR
COIL SPRING ON FRONT DRIVER SIDE, SNAPPED WHILE DRIVING. MADE A LOUD BANG NOISE. COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT IF THE SPRING HAD SLIPPED OFF AND STABBED THE TIRE. LUCKILY THE SPRING STAYED ON. IT WAS A CLEAN BREAK NO RUST PRESENT. METAL SEEMS VERY BRITTLE. *TR
I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT AND I HEARD A LOUD SNAPPING NOISE FROM THE FRONT LEFT OF THE CAR. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME AS NOTHING APPEARED TO BE BROKEN. WHEN I TOOK THE WHEEL OFF I NOTICED THE SPRING HAD SNAPPED AND WAS RUBBING AGAINST MY TIRE. I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE MY TIRE BECAUSE IT RUBBED OFF A SIGNIFICANT A…
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I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT AND I HEARD A LOUD SNAPPING NOISE FROM THE FRONT LEFT OF THE CAR. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME AS NOTHING APPEARED TO BE BROKEN. WHEN I TOOK THE WHEEL OFF I NOTICED THE SPRING HAD SNAPPED AND WAS RUBBING AGAINST MY TIRE. I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE MY TIRE BECAUSE IT RUBBED OFF A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF RUBBER. I AM LUCKY THE TIRE DIDN'T BLOW WHILE I WAS DRIVING. *TR
MY DAUGHTER PUT KEY IN IGNITION. STARTED THE CAR. PLACED IT IN REVERSE. SHE MOVED BACKWARD ABOUT ONE INCH. MY WIFE, MY DAUGHTER AND MYSELF HEARD A LOUD SNAP. WE SAW NOTHING WRONG. SHE DROVE AWAY AND CAME BACK AFTER DRIVING 1/2 MILE. SHE HAD THE BROKEN PIECE FROM THE COIL SPRING. I KNEW INSTANTLY WHAT IT WAS. I LOOKED BEHIN…
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MY DAUGHTER PUT KEY IN IGNITION. STARTED THE CAR. PLACED IT IN REVERSE. SHE MOVED BACKWARD ABOUT ONE INCH. MY WIFE, MY DAUGHTER AND MYSELF HEARD A LOUD SNAP. WE SAW NOTHING WRONG. SHE DROVE AWAY AND CAME BACK AFTER DRIVING 1/2 MILE. SHE HAD THE BROKEN PIECE FROM THE COIL SPRING. I KNEW INSTANTLY WHAT IT WAS. I LOOKED BEHIND THE FRONT WHEEL AND SURE ENOUGH. I'M AN OLD FARM BOY, NOW 57. I GUARANTEE YOU THIS IS A FAULTY PART. SHE COULD HAVE BEEN HURT BADLY WHILE DRIVING ROAD SPEED. YOU NEED TO DEAL WITH THIS. I WILL KEEP THE BROKEN PART AS PROOF. IT WAS A CLEAN BREAK WHILE SITTING STILL. THIS FAULTY PART IS COSTING UPWARDS OF $900 TO REPAIR!!!:(:( NOT TO MENTION PUTTING PEOPLE AT VERY HIGH RISK. OTHERS ALL ACROSS THE USA AND CANADA ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE. CHECK OUT THE FORUMS. CONCERNED AND DISGUSTED FATHER. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN VERSA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH AND BEGAN TO SMELL SMOKE ACCOMPANIED BY A LOUD THUD. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE COIL SPRING FAILED, D…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN VERSA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH AND BEGAN TO SMELL SMOKE ACCOMPANIED BY A LOUD THUD. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE COIL SPRING FAILED, DAMAGING THE RIM AND PUNCTURING THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000. UPDATED 11/19/13*LJ UPDATED 11/26/2013 *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN VERSA. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE IN ADDITION TO A BURNING ODOR. ALSO, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE FELL TO THE GROUND AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN VERSA. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE IN ADDITION TO A BURNING ODOR. ALSO, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE FELL TO THE GROUND AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE COIL SPRING FAILED AND PUNCTURED THE PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 26,000.
WHILE PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY THE OTHER DAY, I HEARD A VERY LOUD "METAL ON METAL" SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT OF MY CAR, FOLLOWED BY A NOTICEABLE LOWERING OF THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND FOUND A PIECE OF METAL ON THE DRIVEWAY IN THE SHAPE OF SEMI-CIRCLE AND SNAPPED ON ONE END. AFTERWARDS I NOTICED THE …
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WHILE PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY THE OTHER DAY, I HEARD A VERY LOUD "METAL ON METAL" SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT OF MY CAR, FOLLOWED BY A NOTICEABLE LOWERING OF THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND FOUND A PIECE OF METAL ON THE DRIVEWAY IN THE SHAPE OF SEMI-CIRCLE AND SNAPPED ON ONE END. AFTERWARDS I NOTICED THE CAR WOULD BOTTOM OUT ON ENTERING/EXITING DRIVEWAYS AND TAKING MINOR ROAD IMPERFECTIONS AND POTHOLES VERY HARD. WENT TO MY MECHANIC, SHOWED HIM THE PIECE OF METAL I FOUND AND EXPLAINED WHAT HAD BEEN HAPPENING SINCE THEN, AND HE SAID YOUR SPRING COIL BROKE. UPON READING ALL THE SUSPENSION COMPLAINTS FOR THE VERSA FOR SIMILAR MODEL YEARS, THIS HAS TO BE EITHER A DEFECTIVE PART OR DESIGN ON NISSAN'S PART. I HAVE NEVER HAD A CAR THAT EXPERIENCED A BROKEN SPRING COIL. I WOULD NOT EXPECT A CAR SLIGHTLY OVER 5 YEARS OLD TO HAVE THIS HAPPEN. DOES NISSAN INTEND ON ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE? *TR
WHILE SITTING IN THE YARD WE HEARD A METAL CLANG SOUND COMING FROM ONE OF THE CARS. WE LOOKED BUT COULD NOT TELL WHICH CAR IT CAME FROM. LATER WHEN I STARTED TO DRIVE THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE SHREDDED. THIS WAS DUE TO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SPRING BEING BROKEN. WE LATER FOUND THE BROKEN PIECE WHERE THE C…
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WHILE SITTING IN THE YARD WE HEARD A METAL CLANG SOUND COMING FROM ONE OF THE CARS. WE LOOKED BUT COULD NOT TELL WHICH CAR IT CAME FROM. LATER WHEN I STARTED TO DRIVE THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE SHREDDED. THIS WAS DUE TO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SPRING BEING BROKEN. WE LATER FOUND THE BROKEN PIECE WHERE THE CAR WAS PARKED. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 48,684 MOSTLY HIGHWAY MILES ON IT. *TR
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WE HEARD A LOUD BANG, THEN THE CAR DARTED HARD TO THE LEFT. COULDN'T GO OVER 15 MPH WITHOUT LOUD SCRAPE AND HARD PULL TO LEFT. GARAGE SAID COIL SPRING BROKE IN HALF AND ALMOST PUNCTURED TIRE. NO RUST ON THE SPRING, MECHANIC SAID IT WAS A DEFECTIVE PART. *TR
Official recalls
720V008000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Jan 9, 2020
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback, 2001-2004 Infiniti I30 and I35, 2002-2003 Inifiniti QX4, 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 and 2006-2010 M35 and M45 vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated, frontal passenger air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators with alternate desiccated inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 888-737-9511 or Infiniti customer service at 888-810-3715.
18V452000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Jul 6, 2018
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2007-2008 Nissan Versa sedan and Versa hatchback vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The passenger air bag inflators may explode due to propellant degradation due to exposure to humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If an inflator were to explode it may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began July 25, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Note: The vehicles covered by this recall are in addition to those covered by recall 16V-349.
17V449000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
Jul 17, 2017
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and 2007-2012 Versa Hatchback vehicles. The affected vehicles have a driver frontal air bag inflator that may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to moderate absolute humidity, temperatures, and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the subject inflator with a new one manufactured by a different supplier, free of charge. The recall began on March 9, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
17V028000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Jan 10, 2017
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2012 Nissan Versa hatchbacks originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan) and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A". Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" above, Nissan is recalling certain 2009-2010 Infiniti M35 and M45 and 2009 Nissan Versa sedans and hatchbacks originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B". Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Nissan is recalling certain 2005-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45, 2006-2010 Infiniti M35 and M45, and 2007-2008 Nissan Versa vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began on June 8, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
16V349000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
May 24, 2016
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45, 2003-2004 Infiniti I35, 2006-2010 Infiniti M35 and M45, and 2007-2011 Nissan Versa vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Nissan is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45, 2003-2004 Infiniti I35, 2006-2008 Infiniti M35 and M45, and 2007-2008 Nissan Versa vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Nissan is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Infiniti I35 vehicles originally sold, or registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began December 21, 2017. All owners should receive a second notice by May 15, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
15V573000 · Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs
Sep 14, 2015
Nissan (Nissan North America, Inc.) is recalling certain model year 2007-2012 Nissan Versa vehicles manufactured May 8, 2006, to November 12, 2012, that were sold or ever registered in the District of Columbia, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Road salt may corrode the front coil springs, possibly resulting in the coil springs fracturing.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If a front coil spring fractures, it may contact the tire, possibly puncturing it, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front coil springs, free of charge. The recall began on February 2, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
10V401000 · Equipment:electrical:navigational System(global Positioning System)
Sep 10, 2010
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH A GARMIN NUVI MODEL 750 NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THE BATTERIES CONTAINED IN THE AFFECTED GPS UNITS CAN OVERHEAT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY GARMIN TECHNICIANS BY REPLACING THE BATTERY AND INSERTING A SPACER ON TOP OF THE BATTERY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN DIRECTLY AT 1-866-957-1981 OR NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2EA21002 · Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Opened Sep 17, 2021 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
PE15019 · Front Coil Spring Fracture
Opened May 13, 2015 · Closed Oct 2, 2015
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs
In a letter dated September 10,2015, Nissan North America,Inc. (Nissan) notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a safety defect that may result in coil spring fracture in approximately 218,019 model year (MY) 2007 through 2012 Nissan Versa vehiclesproduced from May 8, 2006 through November12, 2012 and originally sold or ever registered in the following 22 states and the District of Columbia: Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington D.C., West Virginia and Wisconsin (NHTSA Recall 15V-573).Nissan indicated that the recalled vehicles may contain front coil springs that received inadequate phosphorous coating, have low residual stress, or a combination of both.Surface imperfections resulting from coil-to-coil contact when the spring is compressed may lead to crack initiation.Exposure of the surface imperfections to road salts, in regions with heavy use of road salts for snow and ice control, may promote crack propagation in the spring that could result in spring fracture.If the coil spring fractures it may puncture the front tire and possibly the brake line while driving, which may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.ODI's analysis of complaints it has received from the public (VOQ's) and Nissan complaint data submitted in response to the information request letter for PE15-019 identified a total of 468 non-duplicative reports alleging coil spring fractures in the subject vehicles, including 142 VOQ's and 367 Nissan complaints (41 of the incidents reported to ODI were also reported to Nissan).While the recall region accounts for approximately 43 percent of vehicle sales, the analysis found that 94 percent of the complaints involved vehicles sold or operated in those states.Approximately 27 percent of the VOQ's reporting coil spring failures in the recalled states indicated that the failure resulted in a punctured tire.ODI also identified one complaint that alleged brake line damage from a failed spring.Nissan's recall will replace both coil springs free of charge.Based on Nissan's safety recall, this investigation is closed.The 142 VOQ's referenced in this resume are: 10236143, 10405369, 10443746, 10452956, 10491553, 10497737, 10503060, 10504557, 10512390, 10512975, 10514582, 10516024, 10516085, 10521216, 10522261, 10526334, 10533856, 10537404, 10537407, 10548678, 10552124, 10559853, 10562485, 10565283, 10572591, 10578519, 10583059, 10583154, 10583496, 10583673, 10584979, 10585327, 10585377, 10585751, 10586397, 10586444, 10587798, 10588347, 10588427, 10592366, 10592498, 10592780, 10593373, 10593621, 10595215, 10596802, 10598404, 10598877, 10606859, 10606998, 10610082, 10618059, 10640845, 10644269, 10645075, 10649515, 10653189, 10659632, 10662158, 10663102, 10667071, 10667845, 10669949, 10670829, 10671894, 10676522, 10680544, 10680740, 10682397, 10691419, 10692629, 10693347, 10694156, 10694420, 10701250, 10702765, 10703126, 10704658, 10705882, 10706351, 10711805, 10712045, 10712922, 10714243, 10715041, 10715175, 10716106, 10717254, 10717320, 10717403, 10717412, 10717489, 10717563, 10720958, 10721782, 10721824, 10722113, 10722459, 10722915, 10723873, 10723972, 10723973, 10724158, 10724899, 10725002, 10725328, 10725377, 10725542, 10726251, 10726736, 10726741, 10730138, 10730154, 10730342, 10731050, 10731692, 10731799, 10731901, 10732054, 10732062, 10733059, 10733144, 10733309, 10733349, 10733607, 10733781, 10733854, 10735347, 10735353, 10735606, 10736199, 10736227, 10743474, 10743634, 10743790, 10744
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