2003 INFINITI QX4

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

In their Defect Information Report (DIR) of April 20, 2011, Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) notified NHTSA that it would conduct a safety recall of certain 1996-2004 Nissan Pathfinder and 1997-2003 Infinity QX4 vehicles to repair corrosion damage to the driver's side front strut tower.The vehicles included in the recall are those that were originally sold, or are currently registered in salt belt states including Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.The DIR states in part, ...the strut housing may crack and pull away from the inner hood ledge assembly.This could lead to the strut housing panel separating and contacting the steering column lower shaft.Contact with the steering column lower shaft can cause steering difficulties and may require an increase in steering effort by the driver.If the steering column lower shaft completely fractured it would result in a total loss of steering control.In some cases, the strut housing panel can contact or affect adjacent brake system components.Complainants reported experiencing either steering or brake system issues, and in some cases, both.Nissan dealer's will inspect the strut housing and, based on the level of corrosion found, make an assessment as to how to remedy the vehicle (see defect information report for additional details). Brake system components adjacent to, and in the area of, the strut tower (i.e., brake master cylinder, left front brake line, ABS wire harness, etc.) will also be inspected.

I KEEP GETTING NOTICES ABOUT THIS AIRBAG RECALL, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS DONATED TO HUDSON HIGH SCHOOL AND BROKEN DOWN FOR PARTS. THIS VEHICLE HASN'T BEEN ON THE ROAD FOR OVER 3 YEARS. PLEASE TAKE THIS OFF THE RECALL LIST.

NHTSA ID

11240866

Incident

Jun 1, 2016

BOUGHT A USED CAR FROM A USED CAR DEALER WITH 1 PREVIOUS OWNER. IN 2011 A RECALL WAS SUPPOSEDLY DONE BY INDICATING "INSPECTED!" WHY WASN'T THE PARTS REPLACED?

NHTSA ID

11102757

Incident

May 21, 2018

Mileage

204,000 mi

2003 INFINITI QX4. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE FRONT STRUT TOWER SEVERE RUSTS AND CRACKS RECALL ISSUES. *SMD *TR

NHTSA ID

10933508

Incident

Nov 16, 2016

THIS CONCERN IS INVOLVING THE R1109 RECALL ISSUED BY INFINITI. THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED SIX YEARS AGO, HOWEVER RUST, AND HOLES IN THE METAL ARE NOW VISIBLE. I WAS TOLD THAT BECAUSE THE RECALL WAS ALREADY PERFORMED, THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO ASSIST ME. THIS VEHICLE WILL SOON BE UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

NHTSA ID

11080382

Incident

Mar 19, 2018

Mileage

188,000 mi

THE CONTROL ARM IS COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY AS THE PATHFINDERS THAT THEY RECALLED AND IS DOING EXACTLY AS THEY HAVE DONE...BUT THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE INFINITI I WAS WONDERING WHY THOSE AND NOT THE INFINITI AS WE LIVE IN MASSACHUSETTS AND THE SALT DOES THE SAME ON THIS CAR NOW WE HAVE THE DEATH WOMBLE ON THIS CAR

NHTSA ID

10955597

Incident

Feb 2, 2017

Mileage

200,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 INFINITI QX4. WHILE DRIVING OVER 45 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND VIBRATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE WAS CRACKED DUE TO RUSTING AND CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA ID

10861726

Incident

Mar 15, 2016

Mileage

200,000 mi

FUEL FILLER NECK HAS CORRODED CAUSING GAS TO LEAK ON TO TIRE AND BRAKES WHILE FILLING GAS TANK. RECALL OF PREVIOUS MODEL. *JS

NHTSA ID

10662039

Incident

Nov 26, 2014

Mileage

95,000 mi

RUNNING BOARDS ARE COMPLETELY RUSTED, THEY WILL EITHER FALL OFF WHILE DRIVING AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR AN UNSUSPECTING PERSON COULD BE RELYING ON THEM TO ENTER THE SUV AND HURT THEM SELVES. THE SUV WAS WELL TAKEN CARE OF, 1 OWNER, AND THE FRAME RAILS AND CHASSIS ARE CONSIDERABLY RUST FREE. HOW COME THESE ARE IN SUCH BAD CONDITION? WHY DON'T INFINITI HAVE REPLACEMENTS FOR THEM ALONE AND NOT THE WHOLE RUNNING BOARD FOR OVER $1300 PER SIDE! THAT'S INSANE AND NO ONE IS GOING TO PAY THAT FOR A 11+ YEAR OLD SUV! *TR

NHTSA ID

10630249

Incident

Aug 30, 2014

Mileage

98,050 mi

CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “Certification Label” or “VIN Plate/Label” may be needed. HINT: Certification Label = FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) label. These items may be available from Infiniti by request if certain criteria are met. This bulletin lists the criteria and provides an application form for such replacements. · The “VIN Plate/Label” (metal plate or vinyl label) is attached to the instrument panel or body on the driver side at the base of the windshield (see Figure 1). · The “Certification Label” (vinyl adhesive label) is located on the lower area of the driver side B-Pillar (see Figure 1).

INTELLIGENT KEY NOT DETECTED / ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

REMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

WINDOW GLASS WARRANTY INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

WINDSHIELD CRACKING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

REMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.