Nissan and Infiniti Recall 140,000 Vehicles for Flats

Ignore the light and a sudden flat could occur.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today announced that Nissan and Infiniti are recalling vehicles for corrosion problems that could lead to sudden flat tires.

It is a partial recall covering only vehicles originally sold or registered in the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington D.C., West Virginia And Wisconsin.

Nissan told NHTSA that the material in the nut used to secure the sensor-transmitter of the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) may corrode and potentially crack in areas with heavy concentrations of road salt. If this occurs, the nut may come out of the sensor-transmitter and a warning lamp will illuminate.

If the TPMS lamp is ignored by the driver and the vehicle continues to be driven in this condition, the tire will quickly lose air pressure, resulting in a flat tire increasing the risk of a crash.

The dealer will replace the TPMS nut with a new, more robust nut. This service will be performed free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on or before November 9, 2009. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261 and Infiniti at 1-800-662-6200.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or go to http://www.safercar.gov.