Japan’s second-largest automaker, Nissan, is recalling 2.14 million vehicles worldwide due to an ignition switch problem that could lead to engine stalling.
The third-largest recall ever for the Yokohama-based maker, the service action involves a broad swath of the company’s line-up, from the March minicar up to the massive Infiniti QX56 luxury SUV. The breadth of the problem underscores the downside manufacturers face as they communize parts across their product range in an effort to cut costs.
Nissan says it has no reports of any accidents caused by the defect. In some situations, however, the defect can lead to stalling and the inability to restart the vehicle.
The recall involves vehicles produced in a variety of Nissan plants worldwide, including those in Japan, the U.S., Canada, Spain and Great Britain. About a third of the vehicles involved, 762,000 in all, were sold in North America, but Japan accounts for the largest number, 835,000.
The recall covers vehicles produced between August 2003 and July 2006.
For U.S. motorists, that involves 2004 through 2006 model-year Nissan Armadas, Titans and Infiniti QX56s; and 2005 – 2006 Nissan Frontiers, Pathfinders and Xterras.
A Nissan official noted that the problem involves a specific relay used in the ignition switch module. “It’s basically like replacing a fuse and only takes a couple moments to fix,” he told TheDetroitBureau.com.
Notices will shortly go out to owners of affected vehicles and repairs will be made free of charge.
The Nissan recalls follows a spate of safety and emissions-related actions by a wide range of manufacturers, including Toyota, Honda and BMW. Industry insiders suggest they’re being more aggressive in moving on potential quality, emissions and safety-related problems in light of the crisis faced by Toyota over the last year.
The maker has recalled more than 10 million vehicles since October 2009, the majority of those for issues related to so-called sudden acceleration. That has led to a slump in sales and share, at least when compared to key rivals. The maker also paid a record $16.4 million fine to the U.S. government for failing to react promptly after learning about a problem with sticky accelerator assemblies.
Federal regulators, taking fire for the extent of the Toyota problems, have also indicated plans to ramp up enforcement of potential recall-related problems going forward.