2009 Infiniti FX45 problems

What is wrong

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2008 Infiniti EX35 vehicles equipped with the power tilt/telescope option included in the premium package, manufactured June 29, 2007, to April 25, 2008, 2009 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 vehicles manufactured October 31, 2007, to April 16, 2008, and 2009 Nissan GT-R vehicles manufactured March 14, 2007, to April 25, 2008. The steering column outer tube may not be round, resulting in extra stress being applied to the upper steering bearing. This stress may cause the bearing retainer to fracture, creating extra play in the steering wheel or a possible loss of steering.

Risk

Extra play in the steering wheel or a loss of steering may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering shaft on the Infiniti EX35, FX35, and FX45 vehicles, and will replace the steering column assembly on the Nissan GT-R vehicles, free of charge. The recall began on March 9, 2015. Infiniti owners may contact customer service at 1‑800‑662‑6200. Nissan owners may contact the GT-R hotline at 1‑866‑668‑1487.

Recall number 15V054000 · Recall details

In a January 28, 2015 letter to the federal safety agency, Nissan identified a safety defect in the steering column assemblies used in certain model year (MY) 2008 and 2009 Infiniti EX35, Infiniti FX35/45 and Nissan GT-R vehicles equipped with power tilt/telescope steering columns supplied by Fuji Kiko Co., Ltd (the federal safety agency Recall No. 15V‑054, Nissan R1501/R1502).The recall covers a total of 16,973 vehicles, including 15,647 MY 2008 Infiniti EX35 vehicles manufactured from June 29, 2007 (SOP) to April 25, 2008; 1,100 MY 2009 Infiniti FX35/45 vehicles manufactured from October 31, 2007 (SOP) to April 16, 2008; and 226 MY 2009 Nissan GT-R vehicles manufactured from March 14, 2007 (SOP) to April 25, 2008.The affected vehicles may have been manufactured with a steering column outer tube that is out of specification (out of round), which may result in stress at the upper bearing.According to Nissan, in rare instances, the condition caused the bearing retainer to fracture creating excessive play in the steering wheel.In this condition, if excessive axial force is applied to the steering wheel, the column may separate and cause a loss of steering control.Nissan's remedy instructs dealers to replace the steering shaft on the Infiniti EX35 and FX35/45 vehicles and to replace the entire steering column assembly on the Nissan GT-R vehicles.ODI's analysis of complaint and warranty data related to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles identified a total of 5 incidents in which steering column separation appears to have occurred, including one alleging that a crash resulted.Sixteen (16) additional incidents of loose steering were identified in Nissan complaints (1) and warranty claims (15).The 5 separation incidents identified by ODI involved vehicles built from November 7, 2007 to February 5, 2008, including 3 vehicles built from February 2 to February 5, 2008.The 16 incidents of loose steering involved vehicles built from January 19, 2008 to April 3, 2008, including 9 vehicles built from February 1 to February 11, 2008.None of the incidents involved the approximately 1,800 MY 2008 EX35 vehicles that are not included in the recall, which either were not equipped with the Fuji Kiko power adjustable steering columns (the manual adjustable steering columns were made by a different supplier) or were built after April 25, 2008.This investigation is closed based on Nissan's safety recall.The VOQs associated with this investigation are: 10350255 and 10605536.

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