Nissan recalls 54,000 vehicles over airbags that could deploy if doors are slammed

It is understood that the problems with the airbags of the recalled vehicles are different from the previous explosion problems of Takata's airbags.

Nissan is recalling 54,000 2012 Versa sedans due to airbag problems. The recall covers 54,000 Nissan Versa 2012 models. It is understood that the airbags in these vehicles will suddenly and unexpectedly deploy when the doors are slammed shut.

In October 2016, some Nissan Versa 2012 owners complained to regulators that their vehicle's curtain and seat side airbags would accidentally deploy when the door was slammed shut. This included the airbags in the driver's seat and front passenger seat. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration immediately began investigating the issue.

Several other owners of 2012 Nissan Versa vehicles reported similar incidents, prompting the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to take the issue to heart. After a five-month investigation, Nissan is now formally recalling the affected vehicles.

Reasons for sudden deployment of airbags

According to Nissan's investigation, the airbag connector straps on the side of the seats of the Nissan Versa 2012 model use an incorrect combination of metals, which makes the pins of the connector strap control unit very susceptible to oxidation. The oxidation problem of the pins can cause a short-term loss of communication between the airbag control unit and the satellite sensor.

Once the signal is lost, the curtain and seat side airbag systems will enter a backup mode, which is normally activated in the event of a crash. However, due to the change in backup mode, the request for airbag activation will also appear immediately. The simplest example occurred in the Nissan Versa 2012 model, when its door was slammed shut, it was able to activate the system and deploy the airbags.

Nissan also pointed out that usually, the external force required for the airbag to be deployed in the faulty state comes from the passenger slamming the door outside the Nissan Versa 2012 model. However, if the driver and passengers are inside the car, the sudden deployment of the airbag may cause personal injury.

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