Investigations
Improper Frontal Air Bag Deployment
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE15001 — closed, opened 2015-01-12 and involving the INFINITI INFINITI.
NHTSA investigation PE15001 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2015-01-12 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 2016-10-29 — 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 PE15001 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: "The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) reviewed its complaint data and Nissan's design, test and field data on the model year 2013 Nissan Rogue vehicles (subject vehicles) and other model year Rogue vehicles. ODI also..." 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
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) reviewed its complaint data and Nissan's design, test and field data on the model year 2013 Nissan Rogue vehicles (subject vehicles) and other model year Rogue vehicles. ODI also reviewed its complaint data and Nissan's field data on several other Nissan and Infiniti models that use the same driver air bag inflator design used in the subject vehicles. In addition, NHTSA conducted testing and analysis of a sample of driver air bag inflator units taken out of the subject vehicles and reviewed a NHTSA crash database and crash test results on the Rogue vehicles. A safety-related defect trend has not been identified 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. See attached report for additional information. The ODI complaints cited above can be viewed at www.safercar.gov under the following ODI identification numbers: 10566667, 10644946 and 10862615.
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
Steering column separation
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.