PC997 – Loose Bolts May Cause A Loss of Steering Control – 2024 Nissan Altima

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NISSAN
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December 21, 2023
Dr. Cem Hatipoglu
Acting Associate Administrator for Enforcement
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Attn: Recall Management Division (NVS-215)
Room W48-302
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, D.C. 20590
Dear Dr. Hatipoglu:
Nissan North America, Inc.
One Nissan Way
Franklin, TN 37067
Mailing Address:
PO Box 685001
Franklin, TN 37068
We are transmitting the enclosed Defect Information Report in accordance with 49 CFR Part
573. A voluntary recall campaign will be initiated and your office provided with the notices.
Very truly,
Will Swindell
Manager,
Technical Compliance
Encl.
DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT
1. Manufacturer:
Nissan North America, Inc., Canton plant
2. Vehicles Potentially Involved:
Certain Model Year 2024 Nissan Altima vehicles equipped with the subject steering gear
and manufactured from September 26, 2023 to September 28, 2023 at the Canton, MS
plant.
Based on supplier production records, Nissan confirmed the issue (as described in Section
5 below) occurred on a limited number of steering gear assemblies that were installed on
certain Model Year 2024 Nissan Altima vehicles during the specified production range. No
other Nissan or INFINITI vehicles are affected.
The name, description and part number of the subject components are below:
Part Name Part Descri~tion
Steering Gear Steering Gear Assembly
Steering Gear Steering Gear Assembly
The name and address of the steering gear supplier is:
JTEl 56 Excellence Way
Vonore, TN 37885
Mike Connolly
(423) 884-9181
Email: mike.connolly@jtekt.com
3. Total Number of Vehicles Potentially Involved:
Five (5) MY 2024 Nissan Altima vehicles total.
4. Percentage of Vehicles Estimated to Actually Contain the Defect:
100%
Part Number
490016SA5A
490016SA6A
5. Description of the Defect:
On affected Altima vehicles, one or more of the bolts connecting the Electronic Power
Steering (EPS) unit to the steering rack may not have been tightened according to
specifications. As a result, repeated vibrations caused by turning the steering wheel may
cause the bolts to loosen, which could affect the connection between the EPS unit and the
steering rack. If the connection between the EPS unit and steering rack becomes loose,
this could lead to the steering gear locking up and a loss of steering control, increasing the
risk of a crash.
6. Chronology of Principal Events:
On November 8, 2023, Nissan received notification from the supplier (JTEKT) about an
incident involving another OEM vehicle regarding a steering gear assembly. The supplier
indicated that the subject steering gear assembly is also supplied to Nissan.
November 2023 through December 2023 – Nissan began an internal investigation into the
issue together with the supplier. Based on supplier provided data, a suspect window was
identified concerning the tool that produced the potentially affected subject steering gear
assemblies. Within this window, 6 units were identified out of 1,213 parts produced using the
suspect tool. Nissan matched the 6 units to VINs based on serial number. One (1) vehicle
produced for Dubai market was captured with a Nissan port modification activity.
December 14, 2023 – Based on the foregoing, Nissan decided to conduct a safety recall
campaign to remedy the remaining 5 affected vehicles in the U.S. market.
Nissan is not aware of any warranty claims, accident or injuries related to the subject
condition.
7. Description of Corrective Action:
Nissan will notify the owners of the potentially affected vehicles beginning on February 9,
2024, to bring their Altima to a Nissan dealer for repair. Dealers will be notified on
December 22, 2023. Dealers will be instructed to replace the steering gear assembly. All
repairs will be performed free of charge for parts and labor and may take up to three (3)
hours to complete.
Nissan will not include a statement in the Part 577 owner notification concerning
reimbursement for the cost of obtaining a pre-notification remedy since the subject
vehicles are under warranty.
8. Copy of Notices:
Copies of all notices will be provided to NHTSA as they become available.

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OMB Control No.: 2127-0004
Part 573 Safety Recall Report 23V-882
The information contained in this report was submitted pursuant to 49 CFR §573
Manufacturer Name : Submission Date :
Nissan North America, Inc. DEC 21, 2023 NHTSA Recall No. : 23V-882 Manufacturer Recall No. : PC997 Manufacturer Information :
Manufacturer Name : Nissan North America, Inc.
Address : P. O. BOX 685001
Franklin TN 37068-5009 Company phone : 800-647-7261
Population :
Number of potentially involved : 5
Estimated percentage with defect : 100 %
Vehicle Information : Vehicle 1 : 2024-2024 Nissan Altima Vehicle Type : LIGHT VEHICLES Body Style : 4-DOOR Power Train : GAS
Descriptive Information : Based on supplier production records, Nissan confirmed the issue occurred on a limited number of steering gear assemblies that were installed on certain Model Year 2024 Nissan Altima vehicles during the specified production range. No other Nissan or INFINITI vehicles are affected.
Production Dates : SEP 26, 2023 – SEP 28, 2023
VIN Range 1 : Begin : NR End : NR Not sequential Description of Defect :
Description of the Defect : On affected Altima vehicles, one or more of the bolts connecting the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) unit to the steering rack may not have been tightened according to specifications. As a result, repeated vibrations caused by turning the steering wheel may cause the bolts to loosen, which could affect the connection between the EPS unit and the steering rack.
FMVSS 1 : NR FMVSS 2 : NR
Description of the Safety Risk : If the connection between the EPS unit and steering rack becomes loose, this could lead to the steering gear locking up and a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Description of the Cause : NR Identification of Any Warning
that can Occur : The driver may notice noise and/or vibration due to this condition. Part 573 Safety Recall Report 23V-882 Page 2 Involved Components : Component Name 1 : Steering Gear Component Description : Steering Gear Assembly Component Part Number : 49001 6SA5A Component Name 2 : Steering Gear Component Description : Steering Gear Assembly Component Part Number : 49001 6SA6A Supplier Identification : Component Manufacturer
Name : JTEKT Automotive Address : 56 Excellence Way
Vonore Tennessee 37885
Country : United States Chronology :
On November 8, 2023, Nissan received notification from the supplier (JTEKT) about an incident involving another OEM vehicle regarding a steering gear assembly. The supplier indicated that the subject steering gear assembly is also supplied to Nissan. November 2023 through December 2023 – Nissan began an internal investigation into the issue together with the supplier. Based on supplier provided data, a suspect window was identified concerning the tool that produced the potentially affected subject steering gear assemblies. Within this window, 6 units were identified out of 1,213 parts produced using the suspect tool. Nissan matched the 6 units to VINs based on serial number. One (1) vehicle produced for Dubai market was captured with a Nissan port modification activity. December 14, 2023 – Based on the foregoing, Nissan decided to conduct a safety recall campaign to remedy the remaining 5 affected vehicles in the U.S. market. Nissan is not aware of any warranty claims, accident or injuries related to the subject condition. The information contained in this report was submitted pursuant to 49 CFR §573 Part 573 Safety Recall Report 23V-882
Page 3
The information contained in this report was submitted pursuant to 49 CFR §573
Description of Remedy :
Description of Remedy Program : Dealers will be instructed to replace the steering gear assembly. All
repairs will be performed free of charge for parts and labor and may take up to three (3) hours to complete.
Nissan will not include a statement in the Part 577 owner notification concerning reimbursement for the cost of obtaining a pre-notification remedy since the subject vehicles are under warranty.
How Remedy Component Differs NR from Recalled Component :
Identify How/When Recall Condition NR was Corrected in Production :
Recall Schedule :
Description of Recall Schedule : Nissan will notify the owners of the potentially affected vehicles
beginning on February 9, 2024, to bring their Altima to a Nissan dealer for repair. Dealers will be notified on December 22, 2023.
Planned Dealer Notification Date : DEC 22, 2023 – NR Planned Owner Notification Date : FEB 09, 2024 – NR
* NR – Not Reported

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