Voluntary Recall Campaign R21A4 – Steering Knuckle and Rear Axle Housing – 2020 Nissan Murano & 2021 Nissan GT-R

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May 27, 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
Nissan North America Inc., Canton plant
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Tochigi plant
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Cooperation Manufacturing Plant Aguascalientes (COMPAS)
2. Vehicles Potentially Involved:
Certain Nissan and INFINITI vehicles shown in the table below:
Model Year/Model Dates of Manufacture Manufacturing
Plant
MY 2020 Nissan Murano August 31, 2020-September 16, 2020 Canton, MS
MY 2021 Nissan GT-R August 24, 2020-October 13, 2020 Tochigi, Japan
MY 2021 INFINITI Q50 August 20, 2020-October 23, 2020 Tochigi, Japan
MY 2021 INFINITI QX50 August 31, 2020-October 31, 2020 Compas, Mexico
MY 2020 INFINITI QX60 September 22, 2020-October 29, 2020 Smyrna, TN
The defect (described in Section 5 below) is unique to parts manufactured in the
Number 3 furnace at the Yokohama plant that were subsequently shipped to other
plant locations. These parts are identifiable by specific production date ranges
shown above and contain a unique casting stamp. No other Nissan or INFINITI
vehicles are affected.
The name, description and part number(s) of the recalled component(s) are below.
Part Name Part Description Part Number Applicable Model
SPINDLE-KNUCKLE Front steering knuckle 40014/5-4GA0A Infiniti Q50
SPINDLE-KNUCKLE Front steering knuckle 40014/5-JF00A Nissan GT-R
KNUCKLE SPINDLE Front steering knuckle
Spindle
40014/5-5NA0A INFINITI QX50
HOUSING ASSY-REAR
AXLE
Rear Axle Housing
Assembly
43018/9-5NA0A INFINITI QX50
HOUSING-REAR AXLE Rear Axle Housing 43018/9-1AA0A INFINITI QX60
HOUSING-REAR AXLE Rear Axle Housing 43018/9-1AA0A Nissan Murano
3. Total Number of Vehicles Potentially Involved:
Approximately 14,276 vehicles total.
Model Volume of Production
MY 2020 Nissan Murano 4,774
MY 2021 Nissan GT-R 20
MY 2021 INFINITI Q50 4,142
MY 2021 INFINITI QX50 4,697
MY 2020 INFINITI QX60 643
4. Percentage of Vehicles Estimated to Actually Contain the Defect:
The estimated percentage of vehicles with the defect is unknown. Because
submission within NHTSA’s safety portal will not allow a non-numeric value, 1% is
used here.
5. Description of the Defect:
During the heat-treating process for the subject components, a gap in the furnace
door caused the temperature to decrease in a specific area of the furnace. Those
axle components located in the low temperature area of the furnace experienced
an insufficient amount of heat, resulting in poor hardness. The specific components
affected are installed on certain vehicles as the front steering knuckle and/or rear
axle housing.
If the front steering knuckle or rear axle housing receives a strong impact (such as
hitting a curb), the steering knuckle or rear axle housing may deform due to low
hardness. As a result, the steering wheel may become off-center, impairing the
customer’s ability to steer the vehicle or, in the case of rear axle housing, cause
wheel mis-alignment. If the deformation is not detected and the vehicle continues
to be operated, the damaged steering knuckle or rear axle housing may cause
wheel separation from the vehicle, thus increasing the risk of a crash.
6. Chronology of Principal Events:
October 2020 – Nissan became aware of an issue in certain front steering knuckles
and rear axle housings manufactured at the Yokohama, Japan Plant. The subject
steering knuckles and axle housings were determined to be out-of-specification for
hardness. All of the subject parts were produced in the same furnace.
Nissan conducted a plant audit and performed recreation testing, which
determined that an issue with a gap in a particular furnace’s door caused a low
temperature condition that produced low hardness in certain axle components that
were heat treated.
November 2020 through January 2021 – Nissan began an investigation to determine
if the issue affected vehicles sold in the U.S. In addition, Nissan conducted durability
testing on the subject axle components on certain INFINITI Q50 vehicles to
determine the extent of the issue.
The initial testing as it relates to part failure was inconclusive. Nissan decided to
expand the durability testing to other potentially affected models that utilized the
same axle components.
February 2021 through April 2021 – As part of the expanded investigation, Nissan
increased the severity of the testing to determine the safety risk of a potential
failure, allowing for structural and size differences for various models. The extensive
testing included five (5) different Nissan and INFINTI models.
May 20, 2021 – Based on the testing results, Nissan decided to conduct a safety
recall campaign to remedy affected vehicles.
Nissan is not aware of any incidents related to the subject condition in the U.S.
market.
7. Description of Corrective Action:
Owners of all affected vehicles will be notified to take their vehicle to a Nissan dealer
(or INFINITI retailer). The dealer (or retailer) will inspect the casting stamp of the
front steering knuckle and/or rear axle housing for production date. If any of the
components are affected, the dealer will replace the affected parts. This repair will
be performed free of charge for the customer.
Dealers will be notified on June 8, 2021. Nissan will begin notifying all affected
vehicle owners by first class mail beginning July 23, 2021. Your office will be
provided with the final Part 577 owner notification. We will not include a statement
in the Part 577 owner notification concerning reimbursement for the cost of
obtaining a pre-notification remedy as the subject vehicles are still under warranty.
8. Copy of Notices:
Copies of all notices will be provided to NHTSA as they become available.

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OWNER NOTIFICATION NHTSA RECALL 21V-402
NOTIFICACIÓN PROPRIETARIO
Dear Nissan GT-R Owner:
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety
Act. Nissan has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in some 2021 Model Year
Nissan GT-R vehicles. Our records indicate that you own or lease the Nissan vehicle identified by the VIN on the
inside of this notice.
Reason for Recall
Motivo del Retiro
Due to a manufacturing issue, the front steering knuckles on certain GT-R vehicles may not meet design
specification. In this condition, if the front steering knuckle receives a strong impact (such as when hitting a
curb), the steering knuckle may deform. As a result, the steering wheel may become off-center, impairing the
driver’s ability to steer the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. In the worst-case condition, the damaged
steering knuckle may cause wheel separation from the vehicle, also increasing the risk of a crash.
What Nissan Will Do
Qué Hará Nissan
Once parts are available beginning in September 2021, GT-R customers should take their vehicle to a certified
Nissan GT-R dealership. The GT-R dealer will inspect the casting stamp of the front steering knuckles. If any of
the components are affected, the dealer will replace the affected parts. This service, which is conducted at no
charge to you for parts and labor, could take up to approximately eight (8) hours to complete if parts
replacement is required. However, your Nissan dealer may require your vehicle for a longer period of time based
upon their work schedule.
What You Should Do
Qué Debes Hacer
Beginning in September 2021, contact any certified Nissan GT-R dealer to schedule an
appointment to have your vehicle remedied. Please bring this notice with you when
you keep your service appointment. For more information about the recall, please
visit https://nna.secure.force.com/recall?camp=R21A4.
Para reparar tu vehículo, comunícate con cualquier concesionario Nissan GT-R a la
mayor brevedad a partir de septiembre 2021. Se requiere que traigas esta notificación
el día de tu cita. Para obtener más información sobre el retiro, visite
https://nna.secure.force.com/recall?camp=R21A4.
If the dealer fails to, or is unable to make the necessary repairs free of charge, you may contact the National
Consumer Affairs Department, Nissan North America, Inc. P.O. Box 685003, Franklin, TN 37068-5003. The toll free
number is 1-800-867-7669.
Si el concesionario no cumple, o no le es posible realizar las reparaciones necesarias sin cargos, puedes
contactar al Departamento Nacional de Asuntos del Consumidor a: National Consumer Affairs Department,
Nissan North America, Inc. P.O. Box 685003, Franklin, TN 37068-5003. El número libre de cargos es 1-800-867-
7669.
You may also submit a complaint to the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590; or call the toll-free Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-
800-424-9153); or go to https://www.safercar.gov.
Federal law requires that any vehicle lessor receiving this recall notice must forward a copy of this notice
to the lessee within ten days.
Thank you for your cooperation. We appreciate your Nissan ownership and apologize for any inconvenience
this may cause you.
Gracias por tu cooperación. Agradecemos tu patrocinio como dueño de un Nissan y te ofrecemos nuestras
disculpas por cualquier inconveniente que esto pueda ocasionar.

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CAMPAIGN
BULLETIN
Steering Knuckle and Rear Axle Housing
Voluntary Safety Recall Campaign
Reference: R21A4
Date: September 10, 2021
Attention: Dealer Principal, Sales, Service & Parts Managers
SAFETY RECALL
CAMPAIGN ID: R21A4 | REVISION 2
IMPORTANT: It is a violation of Federal law for dealers to sell or deliver vehicles in their inventory covered by this notification until the campaign action is performed.
Affected Models/Years:
Affected Population:
Dealer Inventory:
SERVICE COMM Activation date:
Stop Sale
In Effect
MY2020 Murano (Z52)
4,774
73
June 8, 2021
YES
MY2021 GT-R® (R35)
20
2
***** Campaign Summary *****
Nissan has notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that it is issuing a Voluntary Safety Recall Campaign on certain MY2020 Murano (Z52) and MY2021 GT-R® (R35) vehicles identified in Service Comm, to inspect the casting stamp of the front steering knuckles and/or rear axle housings and replace, as necessary, any affected components.
Due to a manufacturing issue that has since been corrected, the steering knuckle and/or rear axle housing may not meet design specification. In this condition, if the front steering knuckle or rear axle housing receives a strong impact (such as hitting a curb) the steering knuckle or rear axle housing may deform. As a result, the steering wheel may become off-center, impairing the customer’s ability to steer the vehicle or in the case of rear axle housing cause wheel mis-alignment. In the worst case condition, the damaged steering knuckle or rear axle housing may cause wheel separation from the vehicle; increasing the risk of a crash.
Affected vehicles are subject to stop sale and are either currently in dealer inventory or assigned and in transit to the dealer.
UPDATE September 10, 2021
Please discard earlier versions of this bulletin.
The announcement from July 7, 2021 has been revised to include the following:
o The parts restriction will be removed and dealers can order parts, as needed, via normal ordering process beginning September 17, 2021.
 Parts on order in DBS will be fulfilled.
CAMPAIGN ID: R21A4 | REVISION 2
***** What Dealers Should Do****
1. Verify campaign applicability using Service Comm or DBS National Service History – Open Campaign I.D. R21A4.
• New vehicles in dealer inventory can also be identified using DBS (Sales-> Vehicle Inventory, and filter by Open Campaign).
 Refer to NPSB 15-460 for additional information
• Please continue to check newly arriving inventory for campaign applicability.
2. Dealers must not sell, lease trade, rent or loan any vehicles in dealer inventory subject to this recall campaign until after the vehicle has been remedied.
3. Dealers should use the appropriate campaign bulletin (see repair section below) to inspect the casting stamp and, if necessary, remedy any vehicles subject to this campaign.
4. Once remedied, dealers should submit the claim using the claims coding provided, and release the vehicle.
***** Release Schedule *****
Parts
If inspection results indicate that parts replacement is needed, parts may be ordered via normal ordering process beginning September 17, 2021.
 Parts currently on order in DBS will be fulfilled.
Parts replaced under this activity will be placed on parts collection. Parts requested are VIN and repair order specific. It is important for dealers to return parts applicable to the VIN and repair order identified.
Special Tools
CONSULT III+
Repair
• NTB21-059 – Murano
• NTB21-061 – GT-R®
Owner Notification
Nissan began sending notifications to owners of all potentially affected vehicles in late July 2021 via U.S. Mail.
***** Dealer Responsibility *****
It is the dealer’s responsibility to check Service Comm or DBS National Service History Open Campaign using the appropriate Campaign I.D. for the campaign status on each vehicle falling within the range of this voluntary safety recall campaign, which for any reason enters the service department. This includes vehicles purchased from private parties or presented by transient (tourist) owners and vehicles in dealer inventory. If a VIN subject to this recall campaign was part of a dealer trade, the letter associated with that VIN should be forwarded to the appropriate dealer for service completion.
NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Aftersales DIVISION
CAMPAIGN ID: R21A4 | REVISION 2
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
Q. Is this a Stop Sale?
A. Yes.
Q. What is the reason for this safety recall?
A. Due to a manufacturing issue that has since been corrected, the steering knuckles and/or rear axle housings on certain affected vehicles might not meet design specification. In this condition, if the front steering knuckle or rear axle housing receives a strong impact (such as hitting a curb) the steering knuckle or rear axle housing may deform.
Q. What is the possible effect of the condition?
A. If the front steering knuckle or rear axle housing receives a strong impact (such as hitting a curb) the steering knuckle or rear axle housing may deform. As a result, the steering wheel may become off-center, impairing the customer’s ability to steer the vehicle or in the case of rear axle housing cause wheel mis-alignment. In the worst case condition, the damaged steering knuckle or rear axle housing may cause wheel separation from the vehicle; increasing the risk of a crash.
Q. What will be the corrective action?
A. Dealers will inspect the casting stamp of the front steering knuckles and/or rear axle housings. If any of the components are affected, the dealer will replace the affected parts.
Q. How long will the corrective action take?
A. This service, which is conducted at no charge to you for parts and labor, could take up to approximately five (5) hours to complete if parts replacement is required. However, your Nissan dealer may require your vehicle for a longer period of time based upon their work schedule.
Q. When will vehicle owners be notified?
A. Nissan began sending notifications to owners of all potentially affected vehicles in late July 2021 via U.S. Mail.
Q. Is my vehicle safe to drive?
A. If your vehicle is subject to this campaign, you will receive an Owner Notification letter from Nissan, which will provide instructions on how to remedy your vehicle. Affected owners are encouraged to have their vehicles inspected, and, if necessary, repaired as soon as possible upon notification.
CAMPAIGN ID: R21A4 | REVISION 2
Q. Is there anything owners can do to mitigate this condition?
A. No.
Q. Are parts readily available?
A. Yes.
Q. Will a rental vehicle be provided while parts are unavailable?
A. Please consult your dealer for alternate transportation availability while your vehicle is being serviced. If inspection results indicate that parts replacement is needed, rental is available while parts are on order.
EXPENSE CODE
DESCRIPTION
AMOUNT
502
Rental Expense
$156 (Max)
Contact the Warranty claims call center 1-800-258-7008 Option 7, if additional expense is required. Please refer to the Goodwill Rental Guidelines in the APRM for detailed information regarding application of rental reimbursement.
Q. Is there any charge for this repair?
A. No. The remedy, will be performed for the customer free of charge for parts and labor.
Q. Will I have to take my vehicle back to the selling dealer to have the service performed?
A. GT-R customers should take their vehicle to a certified GT-R dealership. Murano customers can take their vehicle to any authorized Nissan dealer to perform the recall campaign.
Q. I have lost confidence in the vehicle. Will Nissan replace or repurchase the vehicle?
A. The remedy, will fully correct this condition. As the condition will be corrected, there is no basis for repurchasing or replacing your vehicle.
Q. What model year vehicles are involved?
A. Certain Model Year 2020 Nissan Murano vehicles manufactured from August 31, 2020 to September 16, 2020 at the Canton, MS plant and certain Model Year 2021 Nissan GT-R® vehicle manufactured from August 24, 2020 to October 13, 2020 at the Tochigi, Japan plant are affected.
CAMPAIGN ID: R21A4 | REVISION 2
Revision History:
Date
Announcement
Purpose
June 7, 2021
Voluntary Safety Recall Campaign
New campaign announcement
July 7, 2021
REVISION 1
Parts ordering and repair information now available.
September 10, 2021
REVISION 2
Update to remove parts restriction

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