Investigations
POWER-SLIDING DOOR OPENING
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE04027 - closed, opened 2004-03-15 and involving the NISSAN NISSAN.
NHTSA investigation PE04027 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2004-03-15 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 2004-06-02 - NHTSA updates that field whenever an Information Request goes out, a supplement is filed, or a status change is recorded in the public docket.
A Preliminary Evaluation like PE04027 is the entry point of the federal defect-investigation process. NHTSA engineers scan complaint databases, field reports, and manufacturer data to decide whether an Engineering Analysis is warranted, whether a voluntary recall is already sufficient, or whether the pattern does not rise to a defect finding.
Investigators summarized the matter as follows: "IN JANUARY 2004, NISSAN RECEIVED REPORTS OF POWER SLIDING DOORS COMING OPEN WHILE DRIVING. NISSAN DETERMINED THAT AT TEMPERATURES BELOW 40 DEGREE F, AN OUT-OF-SPEC DOOR ACTUATOR COULD BIND AND PREVENT THE DOOR LATCHES FR..." 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
IN JANUARY 2004, NISSAN RECEIVED REPORTS OF POWER SLIDING DOORS COMING OPEN WHILE DRIVING. NISSAN DETERMINED THAT AT TEMPERATURES BELOW 40 DEGREE F, AN OUT-OF-SPEC DOOR ACTUATOR COULD BIND AND PREVENT THE DOOR LATCHES FROM FULLY ENGAGING. THIS CAN LEAD TO THE DOOR COMING OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY. NISSAN NOTIFIED NHTSA BY LETTER DATED APRIL 1, 2004, THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN (NHTSA NO. 04V186) ON MY 2004 NISSAN QUEST VEHICLES WITH POWER-SLIDING DOORS PRODUCED FROM MARCH 26, 2003 TO DECEMBER 17, 2003. NISSAN MODIFIED THE ACUTATOR DOOR MOTOR ON VEHICLES BUILT AFTER DECEMBER 17, 2003 FOR REASONS NOT RELATED TO THE INADVERTENT DOOR OPENING ISSUE. NISSAN REPORTS THAT VEHICLES BUILT AFTER DECEMBER 17, 2003 ARE NOT SUBJECT TO THE FAILURE MODE THAT CAUSES INADVERTENT OPENING. ODI'S REVIEW OF THE ODI OWNER REPORTS WITH KNOWN BUILD DATES (7 OF 9 REPORTS, PLUS ONE REPORT RECEIVED PRIOR TO DEC 17 BUT WITH UNKNOWN BUILD DATE) INDICATES THAT COMPLAINT VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED BEFORE THE DOOR ACTUATOR IMPROVEMENT DATE (DEC 17). ALSO, NISSAN REPORTS NO COMPLAINT VEHICLES WITH BUILD DATES AFTER DECEMBER 17. NISSAN'S ACTION ADDRESSES THE CONCERNS OF ODI. THEREFORE, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
About This Investigation Type
A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first phase of NHTSA's investigation process. It is opened when the agency identifies a potential safety defect pattern, usually triggered by consumer complaints, manufacturer reports, or field monitoring. During a PE, NHTSA gathers information to determine whether a formal engineering analysis is warranted.
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.