TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL NISSAN REFUSES TO PROVIDE LOANER VEHICLE WHILE "WAITING ON PARTS". I HAVE CALLED THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER SEVERAL TIMES WITH NO ACTION BEING TAKEN ON THEIR PART. CORPORATE BLAMES THE DEALERS WHILE THE DEALERS SAY ITS A CORPORATE PROBLEM
2011 Nissan Versa
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Versa years
Owner complaints for the 2011 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
146 reports with mileage · 123 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 152 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 46 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Unknown Or Other complaints
21 reportsVEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AFTER REPAIR AT A NISSAN DEALER
SEPTEMBER 26, 2017, I WAS DRIVING DOWN MY STREET GOING APPROXIMATELY 25MPH WHEN MY CAR JUST STOPPED NEAR THE END OF THE ROAD. I NOTICED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON WHEN I STEPPED ON THE GAS, BUT THE CAR WOULDN'T MOVE. I COULDN'T EVEN STEER. IT SCARED ME! I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND WAITED A MINUTE AND TURNED THE KEY. IT STARTED BUT …
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SEPTEMBER 26, 2017, I WAS DRIVING DOWN MY STREET GOING APPROXIMATELY 25MPH WHEN MY CAR JUST STOPPED NEAR THE END OF THE ROAD. I NOTICED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON WHEN I STEPPED ON THE GAS, BUT THE CAR WOULDN'T MOVE. I COULDN'T EVEN STEER. IT SCARED ME! I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND WAITED A MINUTE AND TURNED THE KEY. IT STARTED BUT I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE IT TO WORK SO I WENT BACK HOME. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC TO SEE IF HE COULD FIND THE PROBLEM. IT WAS THE GAS PEDAL ASSEMBLY: P2138. I WAS TOLD IT HAD THE WRONG APP SENSOR RATIONALITY SIGNAL. THE MECHANIC WAS ADVISED BY THE NISSAN DEALER TO TELL ME NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL THE PART WAS REPLACED AS THE CAR COULD SHUT DOWN ANYTIME, ANYPLACE WITHOUT WARNING AND COULD CAUSE A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL. I DID AS I WAS TOLD AND LEFT MY CAR AT THE SHOP UNTIL MY PART CAME IN AND WAS REPLACED.
WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT ,WHEN A PERSON DIMS THEIR HEADLIGHTS THE DIMMER WILL CAUSE HEADLIGHTS TO TURN COMPLETELY OFF . POSING A DANGER TO EVERYONE IN THE CAR!! THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE SINCE PURCHASING THE CAR IN 2012 AND IS CONTINUING.
MY VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 42,000 MILES. ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE ENGINE ROARS AND SOUNDS LIKE A HELICOPTER. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THAT THE MUFFLER AND EXHAUST SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THEY ATTRIBUTE IT TO ROCK SALT. HOWEVER, THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS CAR. THE MATERIAL USED BY THIS MANUFACTURER AND/OR THEI…
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MY VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 42,000 MILES. ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE ENGINE ROARS AND SOUNDS LIKE A HELICOPTER. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THAT THE MUFFLER AND EXHAUST SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THEY ATTRIBUTE IT TO ROCK SALT. HOWEVER, THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS CAR. THE MATERIAL USED BY THIS MANUFACTURER AND/OR THEIR VENDOR IS NOT OF GOOD QUALITY. IF NOT ADDRESSED, THIS COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT AND IT MUST BE RECALLED. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AGAINST NISSAN REGARDING THIS ISSUE TO NO AVAIL.
I HAVE 42000 MILES ON MY CAR, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN YESTERDAY MY MUFFLER STARTED RATTLING AND BEING EXTREMELY LOUD. I PARKED MY CAR AND IT WAS FINE, BUT WHEN I STARTED IT UP TO LEAVE WHERE I WAS IT WAS NOISY - VERY SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED. HAD SOMEONE LOOK AT IT, AND IT APPEARS THAT THE FLANGE BETWEEN MY MUFFLER AND THE MANIFOLD C…
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I HAVE 42000 MILES ON MY CAR, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN YESTERDAY MY MUFFLER STARTED RATTLING AND BEING EXTREMELY LOUD. I PARKED MY CAR AND IT WAS FINE, BUT WHEN I STARTED IT UP TO LEAVE WHERE I WAS IT WAS NOISY - VERY SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED. HAD SOMEONE LOOK AT IT, AND IT APPEARS THAT THE FLANGE BETWEEN MY MUFFLER AND THE MANIFOLD CRACKED CLEAN APART. NOT DUE TO RUST OR CORROSION AS IT IS A CLEAN BREAK. HE SAID IT APPEARED TO HIM THAT IT MUST NOT HAVE BEEN A VERY GOOD WELD TO BEGIN WITH.
DUE TO POOR WELDING AT THE FLANGE MY EXHAUST PIPE HAS BECOME SEVERED AT THE FLANGE EVEN THOUGH THERE IS NOT TO MUCH RUST PRESENT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO EXHAUST NOT GOING OUT THE TAIL PIPE
EXHAUST SYSTEM, REAR MUFFLER, POOR WELD AT FLANGE: VIRTUALLY NO RUST OR CORROSION BUT WELD BEAD SEPARATED FROM FLANGE CAUSING MUFFLER TO SHAKE AND MOVE AROUND AND COULD POSSIBLY SEPARATE AND FALL OFF VEHICLE. ALSO, THE LOOSE JOINT CAUSES EXHAUST FUMES TO NOT ALL GO OUT THE TAILPIPE TIP; WHICH COULD BE DANGEROUS.
I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK ONE MORNING AT 430AM I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE. I FELT A PULL IN MY STEERING WHEEL AND HEARD A BIG POPPING NOISE AND PULLED OVER TO CHECK ON IT AND EVERYTHING TO ME AT THAT TIME LOOKED OK. I KEEP DRIVING 5 MORE MINS OR SO AND I HEARD THE NOISE AGAIN AND AT THAT TIME MY PASSENGER TIRE WAS FLAT, I HAD TO CALL…
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I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK ONE MORNING AT 430AM I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE. I FELT A PULL IN MY STEERING WHEEL AND HEARD A BIG POPPING NOISE AND PULLED OVER TO CHECK ON IT AND EVERYTHING TO ME AT THAT TIME LOOKED OK. I KEEP DRIVING 5 MORE MINS OR SO AND I HEARD THE NOISE AGAIN AND AT THAT TIME MY PASSENGER TIRE WAS FLAT, I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK WHICH COSTED ME 160$. I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A REGULAR TIRE BLOW OUT TILL MY I TAKE IT TO GET FIXED AND MY SUSPENSION HAD BUSTED. I HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT BUMPER (GET IT PAINTED EXTRA 135$), PASSENGER SIDE FENDER WINDSHIELD WIPER BOX,PASSENGER FENDER WELL, ABS SENOR CABLE, GET THE SUSPENSION FIXED AND THE PLASTIC PIECE THAT GOES ALONG UNDER THE DOORS.(THE LONG PIECE ALONG THE BOTTOM) A TOTAL OF 670$ OUT OF MY POCKET
EXHAUST SYSTEM CORRODING EARLY AFTER NORMAL USE. NEED TO REPLACE MIDPIPE AND SPRINGS HOLDING PARTS OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM IN PLACE. I AM HAVING THEM REPLACED BEFORE IT CAUSES AN INCIDENT, BUT IF NOT FIXED IT COULD HAVE LEAD TO PIECES OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM FALLING OFF DURING DRIVING AND CAUSING A ROAD HAZARD
Official recalls
620V008000 · 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.
18V401000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Jun 15, 2018
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2011 Nissan Versa sedan vehicles and 2011-2012 Nissan Versa hatchback vehicles ever registered in the states of 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. Nissan is also recalling 2010-2011 Nissan Versa sedan vehicles and 2010-2012 Nissan Versa hatchback vehicles ever registered in the states of ever registered in the states of 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. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and 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 inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began July 5, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
18V044000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Jan 10, 2018
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Versa Hatchback, and 2009-2011 Versa Sedan vehicles ever registered in the states of 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, Nissan is recalling certain 2009-2010 Versa Hatchback, and Versa Sedan vehicles ever registered in the states of 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." Nissan is also recalling certain 2009 Versa Hatchback and Versa Sedan vehicles ever registered in the states of 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 or "Zone C." In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and 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 passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
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.
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.
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
Illustration