Investigations
Non-deployment of Side Thorax Air Bags
NHTSA Engineering Analysis EA09005 - closed, opened 2009-04-01 and involving the NISSAN NISSAN.
NHTSA investigation EA09005 is a Engineering Analysis opened on 2009-04-01 and currently closed. The subject of record is NISSAN NISSAN, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for NISSAN. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2012-04-03 - NHTSA updates that field whenever an Information Request goes out, a supplement is filed, or a status change is recorded in the public docket.
An Engineering Analysis like EA09005 is the deeper technical phase that follows a PE. NHTSA requests design, warranty, and field-failure data from the manufacturer, conducts its own testing when needed, and determines whether the evidence supports a safety defect finding that would compel a recall.
Investigators summarized the matter as follows: "The subject vehicles are equipped with seat-mounted, side thorax air bags for the driver and front passenger. This investigation revealed that faulty side air bag module electrical connectors located under the driver and..." Investigations are the early-warning layer of the federal auto-safety system, sitting upstream of formal recalls and defect orders. Whether this one closes without action or escalates into an Engineering Analysis, the full history stays in the ODI archive so researchers, litigators, and buyers can pull the paper trail at any time. Related NISSAN files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
The subject vehicles are equipped with seat-mounted, side thorax air bags for the driver and front passenger. This investigation revealed that faulty side air bag module electrical connectors located under the driver and front passenger seats can cause an interruption in the electrical circuit that will drop the input voltage below the specified range. As a result, the air bag warning lamp illuminates on the instrument panel and the affected side air bag becomes deactivated. In June 2009, Nissan conducted a service campaign to repair the defective air bag electrical connectors in the subject vehicles (both Infiniti Q45 and M45 models). In June 2010, Nissan sent a second notification concerning the 2009 campaign to owners of vehicles that have not been remedied. Nissan is now conducting a safety recall of the Q45 vehicles not remedied under the service campaign (approximately 1,349 vehicles; see NHTSA Safety Recall No. 12V-079 for further details). The M45 vehicles are not included in the recall; however, Nissan is re-notifying owners of M45 vehicles that were not remedied under the previous service campaign. See attached report for more information. A safety-related defect trend has not been identified in the Infiniti M45 vehicles at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted. Accordingly, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists. The agency will monitor the issue and reserves the right to take future action if warranted by the circumstances. The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed online at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers: 10327196 and 10402282
About This Investigation Type
An Engineering Analysis (EA) is the in-depth phase following a Preliminary Evaluation. NHTSA engineers conduct testing, collect data from manufacturers, and perform detailed technical analysis to determine whether a safety defect exists. An EA may lead to a voluntary recall by the manufacturer or, in rare cases, a mandatory recall order.
Other NISSAN Investigations
Driver Airbag Inflator Rupture
Inner Tie Rod Failures
Side curtain air bags may deploy inadvertently
Reduced Power After Engine Stall
Loss of motive power due to broken crankshaft with no ability to restart.
Data from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Cross-references: NHTSA recall campaign API and NHTSA FARS where fatality records overlap. PlainCars does not rate or recommend vehicles. about how PlainCars sources NHTSA data.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.