Photo: Nissan / edited
Back in September 2021, the safety boffins at Nissan Mexico were informed of a Kicks which experienced a sudden loss of electric power steering assistance. Two months later, the Japanese automaker became aware of a second EPS failure involving a Versa in the US market.
Given these incidents, Nissan launched an investigation together with JTEKT Automotive Mexico, the company that produces the steering column units, rack units, and EPS for both nameplates. The automaker managed to collect seven parts for in-depth analysis. Initial examination of collected EPS assemblies pointed to a potential issue with the torque sensor, an issue that would be confirmed by the peeps at JTEKT.
The supplier conducted its own investigation, which confirmed poor weld penetration at the terminal within the torque sensor. This condition may result in the disconnection of the terminal welds, therefore leading to a sudden loss of EPS.
Nissan issued a recall in September 2022, calling back 20,040 examples of the 2021 model year Kicks and Versa. But come May 2023, the supplier informed Nissan that certain lot codes were not provided at the time of the original safety recall.
In other words, JTEKT let down Nissan a second time in the span of less than a year. After reviewing the missing lot codes, the automaker concluded that 11,824 more vehicles were left out of the original safety recall. Only 1% are believed to be prone to EPS failure due to the aforementioned condition. The vehicles in question were manufactured in the period between July 19, 2021 and September 27, 2021 by Nissan Mexicana at the Aguascalientes assembly plant.
Dealers will be informed of the second recall on July 26, with service techs instructed to inspect the steering column's torque sensor lot code. If necessary, the steering column assembly will be replaced in its entirety at no charge to the owner.
The assembly bears part number 48810-5EE0A, as per Nissan's NHTSA report attached below. Even in the event of an EPS failure, mechanical linkage between the steering wheel and front wheels is maintained. Be that as it may, the loss of electric power steering will require more steering effort.
The Kicks and Versa are best described as two peas in a pod, for both of them are built around the antiquated V platform. The successor to the B platform rolled out with the 2010 Nissan Micra.
Developed with the Brazilian market in mind, the Kicks is available from $20,590 at press time. Excluding destination charge, the Versa carries a sticker price of $15,980 in the United States of America. Both are equipped with a 1.6-liter NA four-cylinder engine that belts out 122 horsepower at 6,300 revolutions per minute. The Versa may be had with a manual, but the Kicks comes exclusively with the dreaded Xtronic CVT.
The supplier conducted its own investigation, which confirmed poor weld penetration at the terminal within the torque sensor. This condition may result in the disconnection of the terminal welds, therefore leading to a sudden loss of EPS.
Nissan issued a recall in September 2022, calling back 20,040 examples of the 2021 model year Kicks and Versa. But come May 2023, the supplier informed Nissan that certain lot codes were not provided at the time of the original safety recall.
In other words, JTEKT let down Nissan a second time in the span of less than a year. After reviewing the missing lot codes, the automaker concluded that 11,824 more vehicles were left out of the original safety recall. Only 1% are believed to be prone to EPS failure due to the aforementioned condition. The vehicles in question were manufactured in the period between July 19, 2021 and September 27, 2021 by Nissan Mexicana at the Aguascalientes assembly plant.
Dealers will be informed of the second recall on July 26, with service techs instructed to inspect the steering column's torque sensor lot code. If necessary, the steering column assembly will be replaced in its entirety at no charge to the owner.
The assembly bears part number 48810-5EE0A, as per Nissan's NHTSA report attached below. Even in the event of an EPS failure, mechanical linkage between the steering wheel and front wheels is maintained. Be that as it may, the loss of electric power steering will require more steering effort.
The Kicks and Versa are best described as two peas in a pod, for both of them are built around the antiquated V platform. The successor to the B platform rolled out with the 2010 Nissan Micra.
Developed with the Brazilian market in mind, the Kicks is available from $20,590 at press time. Excluding destination charge, the Versa carries a sticker price of $15,980 in the United States of America. Both are equipped with a 1.6-liter NA four-cylinder engine that belts out 122 horsepower at 6,300 revolutions per minute. The Versa may be had with a manual, but the Kicks comes exclusively with the dreaded Xtronic CVT.
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