Aussie Nissans in massive global recall

VEHICLE recalls have continued to hit the headlines in recent days, with Nissan Motor Company announcing the third-largest recall in its history, involving an estimated 2.14 million vehicles worldwide.

Three popular Australian-market models are included in the recall – the D40 Navara one-tonne utility, its R51 Pathfinder SUV cousin and the C11 Tiida small car.

Left: Nissan D40 Navara. Below: Nissan R51 Pathfinder.

The recall is for vehicles built between 30 March 2004 and 28 June 2006, meaning it only affects the early Spanish-built versions of the current-shape Pathfinder and Navara launched in Australia from July and December 2005 respectively, as well as the Japanese-built Tiida that was released in this country in January 2006.

In total this applies to 6539 Tiidas, 526 Navaras and just 79 Pathfinders in Australia.

According to a statement released by the Australian Consumer and Competition Commission, in extreme cases a poor electrical contact “can result in engine stalling and failure to restart the vehicle”.

“A concern affecting the intelligent power distribution module (IPDM) relay has been identified,” said the ACCC. “There is a possibility that the ignition relay contacts in the IPDM may become contaminated with a build-up of silicon oxide due to silicon evaporating from the relay diode. This can lead to poor conduction at the relay contacts.” Nissan Australia advises that all owners of the affected vehicles should contact their authorised dealers for the free corrective action to take place.

Globally, the Nissan recall extends to vehicles built from August 2003, affecting 835,000 units in Japan and 762,000 units in the US and Canada.