Back in September 2021, Nissan Mexicosafety specialists were informed of a defect in a Kicks model that was suddenly left without power steering. Two months later, the Japanese automaker became aware of a second EPS failure involving Versa vehicles in the US market.
Given these incidents, Nissan strong>has launched an investigation with JTEKT Automotive Mexico, a company that manufactures steering column units, steering racks and EPSfor both models. The automaker was able to collect seven parts for in-depth analysis. Initial inspection of the assembled Styrofoam parts indicated a potential problem with the torque sensor.
The supplier conducted its own investigation which confirmed poor penetration of the weld on the terminal inside the torque sensor. This condition can lead to separation of the terminal welds.
Nissanannounced a recall in September 2022, sending 20,040 units Kicks and Versa 2021 back to service model year. But in May 2023, Nissan was informed by a supplier that some batch codes were not included in the initial safety recall.
In other words, JTEKT let Nissan down for the second time in less than a year. The automaker concluded that an additional 11,824 vehicles would require an additional recall. The vehicles in question were manufactured between July 19, 2021 and September 27, 2021 by Nissan Mexicana at the Aguascalientes Assembly Plant.