PC786 – Brake Light Switch Relay may Stick – 2013-2015 Nissan Pathfinder

oemdtc January 28, 2021 No Comments

January 20, 2021 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V020000

Continual illumination of the brake lights can prevent other drivers from realizing the vehicle is actually slowing down, increasing the risk of a crash. With the brake override activated, the driver will not be accelerate normally, increasing the risk of a crash. The driver can shift the vehicle out of the “PARK” position without depressing the brake, allowing the vehicle to rollaway, increasing the risk of injury.

NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V020

Manufacturer Nissan North America, Inc.

Components EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Potential Number of Units Affected 267,276

Summary

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Nissan Pathfinder vehicles. The location of the brake light switch may cause the brake light switch relay to repeatedly open and close. Overtime, this can cause the relay to stick in the “ON” position, with the brake lights remaining illuminated even when the brakes are not applied. Additionally, this may interfere with the brake-shift interlock, allowing the driver to shift the vehicle out of the “Park” position, without depressing the brake pedal.

Remedy

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, either re-install the brake light switch or swap positions with the Automatic Speed Control Device (ASCD) switch; depending on your model year vehicle. In addition, the brake light relay will be replaced with a new one. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 1, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan’s number for this recall PC786. Note: this recall supersedes 16V-380.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Check if your Nissan has a Recall

January 20, 2021
Mr. Jeff Giuseppe
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 Mr. Giuseppe:
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,
Derek Latta
Manager,
Technical Compliance
Encl.
Nissan North America, Inc.
One Nissan Way
Franklin, TN 37067
Mailing Address:
PO Box 685001
Franklin, TN 37068
DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT
1. Manufacturer:
Nissan North America, Inc., Smyrna Plant
2. Vehicles Potentially Involved:
Certain 2013-2015 Model Year Nissan Pathfinder vehicles manufactured in the
Smyrna, TN plant from June 20, 2012 (start of production) to January 27, 2016 (end
of production).
All vehicles subject to Recall 16V-380 are included in this recall population;
including both those that did and did not receive the recall repair. As such, this
recall will supersede recall 16V-380.
In addition, the subject vehicle range is expanded to include additional Model Year
2014 and 2015 Pathfinder vehicles that contain the subject stop lamp relay.
This issue is unique to Model Year 2013-2015 Nissan Pathfinder vehicles that
contain the subject stop lamp relay. A combination of stop lamp switch
positioning and pedal ratio can affect the ON/OFF performance of the stop lamp
relay. This issue does not affect any other Nissan or INFINITI vehicles.
The name, description and part number of the recalled component is below:
Part Name Part Description Part Number(s)
RELAY Brake Relay 25230 79917
3. Total Number of Vehicles Potentially Involved:
Approximately 267,276 vehicles may be affected as shown in the table below:
Model Year / Model Number of Vehicles
MY 2013 Nissan Pathfinder 79,826
MY 2014 Nissan Pathfinder 96,389
MY 2015 Nissan Pathfinder 91,061
4. Percentage of Vehicles Estimated to Actually Contain the Defect:
Approximately 1%1
5. Description of the Defect:
Due to the location of the stop lamp switch on the brake pedal, a chattering
condition may occur in the stop lamp relay. Under certain driving conditions, such
as frequent stop-and-go driving with repeated brake pedal input, the chattering
can degrade the relay contact service life. Over time, this may lead to the stop
lamp relay sticking in the ON position.
As a result of this condition, customers may experience one or more of the
following symptoms: limited engine power (brake override), continuous stop lamp
illumination, the ability to shift the vehicle out of park without depressing the
brake pedal, and/or the engine starting without depressing the brake pedal.
These symptoms could potentially increase the risk of a crash or rollaway.
6. Chronology of Principal Events:
Nissan will supplement the chronology.
7. Description of Corrective Action:
Owners of all potentially affected vehicles will be notified beginning on March 1,
2021 to take their vehicle to a Nissan dealer where the dealer will inspect the
vehicle to determine if the stop lamp relay has been deleted under the applicable
TSB: NTB15-112, NTB15-112b or NTB16-039a. If the relay has been deleted, no
further action is necessary. Dealers will be notified on January 21, 2020.
If the relay has not been deleted, the dealer will inspect the stop lamp switch and
take one of the following actions:
Early Model Year 2013 vehicles (produced prior to November 9, 2012)
1. If the stop lamp switch positioning is incorrect, it will be re-installed
correctly to required specification.
2. Replace the stop lamp relay with a new one.
Late Model Year 2013-2015 vehicles (produced November 9, 2012 and after)
1 The estimated percentage of vehicles involved with defect is 1.17%. However, 1% is used on NHTSA’s safety portal
because it will not allow decimal values.
1. Swap the stop lamp switch with the Automatic Speed Control Device
(ASCD) switch location on the brake pedal.
2. Replace the stop lamp relay with a new one.
Nissan will include a statement in the Part 577 owner notification concerning
reimbursement for the cost of obtaining a pre-notification remedy for the subject
vehicles because they are no longer under warranty.
8. Copy of Notices:
Copies of all notices will be provided to NHTSA as they become available.