Investigations
Steering column separation
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE14034 — closed, opened 2014-11-04 and involving the INFINITI INFINITI.
NHTSA investigation PE14034 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2014-11-04 and currently closed. The subject of record is INFINITI INFINITI, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for INFINITI. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2015-02-27 — 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 PE14034 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 a January 28, 2015 letter to NHTSA, 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 w..." 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 INFINITI files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
In a January 28, 2015 letter to NHTSA, 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 (NHTSA 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 F
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 INFINITI Investigations
Complete loss of motive power due to engine failure
Occupant Classification System Failure
Improper Frontal Air Bag Deployment
Collision Mitigation System Malfunction
Fuel level gauge system failure
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. Learn more.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.