NEWS:    Nissan recalls vehicles over air bag concerns

WASHINGTON -- (AP) -- October 15, 2008 -- Nissan Motor Co. said Wednesday it was recalling more than 200,000 vehicles in the U.S. and overseas to fix a sensor system that could affect the car's passenger side air bag.

Nissan said the recall includes 140,000 Nissan Altima cars from the 2007-2008 model years. It also involves 2007-2008 model years of the Infiniti EX35, G35 Sedan, G37 and the Nissan 350Z, Murano and Rogue.

Nissan spokesman Colin Price said there have been no injuries or crashes, and the company discovered the problem during internal testing. Most of the recalled vehicles are in the United States; others are in Mexico, Canada, Puerto Rico and the Persian Gulf.

Nissan said the recall affects vehicles equipped with Continental Automotive Systems' Occupant Classification System control units. An electronic component in the control unit located in the passenger seat cushion may have been made out of specification.

The Japanese automaker said that could interrupt a signal in the sensor system and prevent the passenger air bag from deploying under certain conditions.

The recall is expected to begin in early November

MORE RECALL INFO:  

• Nissan Altima

• Nissan 350Z

• Nissan Murano

• Nissan Rogue

• Infiniti EX35

• Infiniti G35

• Infiniti G37

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OCTOBER 2008 -- Nissan is recalling 204,361 MY 2007-2008 Altima, Altima Coupe, 350Z, Murano, Rogue; and Infiniti G35 Sedan, G37 Coupe and EX35 passenger vehicles equipped with Continental Automotive Systems’ occupant classification system (OCS) control units. A varistor in the OCS control unit located in the passenger seat cushion may have been manufactured out of specification. Under certain conditions, this could cause an interruption of signal between the OCS and the air bag control unit (ACU). This could result in the passenger air bag being suppressed which could fail to provide adequate protection in the event of a crash. Dealers will test the signal between the OCS and ACU systems using a special tool to check that it is functioning as designed. If necessary, the seat cushion (containing OCS hardware) will be replaced with a new one manufactured to specification. The recall is expected to begin during November 3, 2008.  08V521

FEBRUARY 2008 -- Nissan is recalling 16,365 MY 2008 Infiniti EX35 and MY 2009 Nissan Murano vehicles. Due to incorrect software programming, the air bag control unit (ACU) may cause the passenger air bag not to operate as designed if the vehicle battery becomes significantly discharged. This could result in the passenger air bag not inflating in a crash in which it was designed to do so, increasing the risk of injury. Dealers will reprogram the ACU in affected vehicles. The recall began on February 19, 2008.  08V066

NEWS:   Nissan and Infiniti Recall 16,000 SUVs

ConsumerAffairs.com -- February 19, 2008 -- Nissan is recalling 16,365 Murano and Infiniti EX 35 SUVs to fix a software program that may cause passenger air bags to fail.

The recall affects 11,511 Muranos from model year 2009 and 4,854 Infiniti EX35s from 2008, according to a February 12 letter from Nissan to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

NHTSA reported on its web site that the software problem “could result in the passenger air bag not inflating in a crash increasing the risk of injury” if the vehicle battery is significantly discharged.
Nissan dealers will reprogram the air bag control unit when the recall begins