It has been a rough 12 months for Nissan after a second recall has been announced over a power steering failure. This year, Nissan issued a recall that affects around 12,000 Kicks SUVs and Versa sedans over a defective component affecting the electronic power steering system. The manufacturer has communicated that specific 2021 Kicks and Versa models may experience a loss of assistance from the EPS system.
If the situation occurs, a warning light associated with power steering will illuminate on the dashboard panel, and the power steering function will cease to operate. Despite the continued functionality of manual steering, this issue still presents a significant safety concern.
What Causes the Nissan Power Steering Issue?
The issue stems from a manufacturing defect found in a specific part of the power steering system known as the “torque sensor”. Affected vehicles may experience electrical connection problems within the power steering torque sensor, leading to the failure of the power steering system. Nissan’s dealerships are committed to addressing the issue at no cost, providing necessary replacements for the faulty torque sensors and the entire steering column assembly.
According to documentation submitted to the NHTSA, Nissan initiated its investigation in response to reports of power steering failures from assembly location in the U.S and in Aguascalientes, Mexico that were manufactured between July 19, 2021, and September 27, 2021. Nissan stated that there have been no reports of accidents or injuries linked to this issue.
How Do I Know if My Nissan Kicks or Versa Is Affected by the Recall?
If you own a Nissan Kicks SUV or Versa Sedan produced between July 19, 2021, and Sep. 21, 2021, you should look deeper into the matter. Current owners of the affected should receive a recall notice in the mail if their vehicle is affected by the recall.
Owners can also contact Nissan at 800-867-7669 to get a status update on the current recall. To check for open recalls on your vehicles, use the NHTSA website and enter your 17-digit VIN, and remember to check back regularly, as recalls often have status updates. The NHTSA campaign number is 22V693.
What Should I Do if I’m Experiencing Problems with My Nissan Vehicle?
If you are currently facing issues related to the power steering vehicle recall, Nissan has strongly encouraged owners to take their vehicles to an authorized service center for a detailed inspection. If an issue is found, Nissan will replace the defective sensor to eliminate any power steering failures in the future. All costs will be taken care of at the manufacturers’ expense.
Here are some steps that you should take if your vehicle is affected by the recall:
- Confirm Your Vehicle Is Affected: You can check this by putting in the 17-digit VIN on The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) webpage for recalls.
- Contact the Manufacturer: Get in Touch with Nissans customer service at 800-867-7669 to obtain more information and next steps on how to address the issue.
- Schedule Repairs: If your car is included, schedule an appointment for repair work to be completed with the dealership. In most cases, the manufacturer covers all costs.
- Prepare for the Repair: Before arriving at your appointment, make sure to have all the necessary documents to expedite the process.
- Complete the Repair: Attend the scheduled repair appointment and keep all documentation including service summaries and receipts.
- Follow Up: After the repairs have been finished, stay in contact with the service center to confirm that all recall-related repairs have been successfully carried out.
- Stay Informed: Keep an eye on the manufacturer’s communication for additional updates or instructions related to the recall
I Still Have Trouble with my Nissan. What Should I Do?
If you have completed all the steps on getting your vehicle repaired and the issue still remains unresolved, you may be driving a lemon. The California Lemon Law is a consumer protection law for new and used vehicles with significant defects.
If a vehicle cannot be repaired after a reasonable number of attempts, the law will presume it as a “lemon” and consumer may be eligible for a refund, replacement vehicle, or cash compensation. If you believe that you may have a lemon, give the Lemon Law Experts a call!
The Lemon Law Experts have been effectively advocating for California consumers with automotive lemon law claims against leading auto manufacturers like Nissan since 2009. If you have experienced reoccurring vehicle issues after numerous repair attempts, you should explore your options. Reach out to our team today to see how we can help you!