2013 Nissan Cube

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.

I WENT OVER A SET OF RAILROAD TRACKS IN CARY, NC WHICH SEEMED PARTICULARLY CHALLENGING FOR THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE AT, I ESTIMATE, 10-20 MPH. THE VEHICLE FELT TO US LIKE IT WAS BREAKING APART. AFTER THIS THE VEHICLE SEEMED SEVERELY MALALIGNED. I BROUGHT IT FOR AN ALIGNMENT AND THE TECHNICIAN TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NO WAY TO ALIGN THE REAR AND THAT THE AXLE HAD BEEN BENT. SUBSEQUENTLY NISSAN HAS BEEN TELLING ME THAT THERE IS NO WAY FOR THIS DAMAGE TO HAVE OCCURRED GOING OVER TRACKS AND THAT I MUST HAVE HIT SOMETHING. I ASKED A CERTIFIED NISSAN MECHANIC ABOUT THIS AND HE ASKED IF THERE WAS ANY VISIBLE DAMAGE TO THE AXLE HOUSING (WHICH WOULD BE INDICATIVE OF THE VEHICLE HITTING SOMETHING). BOTH THE ORIGINAL ALIGNMENT TECHNICIAN, AS WELL AS ANOTHER CERTIFIED MECHANIC HAVE STATED THAT THEY SAW NO SUCH DAMAGE WHATSOEVER, WITH ONE SAYING THAT THE AXLE HOUSING LOOKED LIKE IT CAME STRAIGHT FROM THE FACTORY.

NHTSA ID

10760711

Incident

Jul 28, 2015

Mileage

32,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 NISSAN CUBE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SLID ON ICE, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED, AND THE TRACTION AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO A GUARDRAIL. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,500.

NHTSA ID

10682073

Incident

Jan 8, 2015

Mileage

24,500 mi

FOR THE 2ND TIME IN A MONTH SUDDENLY THE VDC LIGHT (VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL) WAS ON FOLLOWED BY THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON. THE FIRST TIME WAS AROUND 8000 MILES, THE 2ND TIME WAS 9500 MILES (11 MONTHS AFTER IT WAS PURCHASED NEW). THE DEALER (WALSER NISSAN IN BURNSVILLE, MN) COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. THE SYMPTOM WAS THE SAME, THE ENGINE LOST POWER, COULDN'T GO BEYOND 30 MPH, AS IF IT WENT INTO LIMP-HOME MODEL. WHEN I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF, LOCKED IT AND CAME BACK IN A FEW MINUTES LATER, IT RESET ITSELF. THE ENGINE RAN FINE, IT WAS AS IF THERE WAS COMPUTER OR SENSOR GLITCH. BUT THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT REMAINED ON UNTIL THE DEALER RESET IT. THIS CAN BE A SAFETY ISSUE, WHAT IF I WERE DRIVING IN A BUSY HIGHWAY AND THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SLOWED DOWN 30 MPH ? *TR

NHTSA ID

10641562

Incident

Oct 5, 2014

Mileage

8,500 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 Nissan 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).

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 Nissan 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).

DTC B00A0-00 STORED This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin. IF YOU CONFIRM DTC B00A0-00 (OCCUPANT DETECTION SENSOR UNIT) is stored, AND OCS zero point reset cannot be performed, (continued on the next page)

CAN COMMUNICATION CODES – DIAGNOSTIC TIPS AND GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

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

CAN COMMUNICATION – NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.