Nissan Pathfinder recalled due to possible fire due to brake failure

Nissan Australia is recalling about 6000 Pathfinder SUVs due to a potentially faulty oil seal.

Nissan is recalling nearly 400,000 vehicles worldwide, including more than 6000 Pathfinder SUVs in Australia, due to brake failure that could set the vehicles on fire.

In a letter to the US National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, Nissan indicated that 394,025 vehicles need to be recalled due to a faulty oil seal that could potentially cause a brake fluid leak.

“Due to manufacturing variations, the vehicles in question may have an oil seal with inadequate sealing capacity,” the filing says.

“In particular, temperature fluctuations, combined with poor oil seal tension and high vehicle ambient temperatures, can adversely affect the hardness of the oil seal. These conditions can lead to premature oil seal wear and eventually brake fluid leakage. In this case, the ABS warning lamp will be permanently lit on the instrument panel to alert the driver. However, if the warning is ignored and the vehicle continues to be driven in this condition, a brake fluid leak could potentially cause a short circuit in the drive circuit, which in rare cases could lead to a fire.

Nissan Australia said Cars Guide that the recall does not affect the 2016-2018 Maxima, 2015-2018 Murano or 2017-2019 Infiniti QX60 as it does in the United States, but it does affect the locally sold 2016-2018 Pathfinder, which is 6076 vehicles.

Nissan is running a Pathfinder recall campaign to replace the anti-lock braking system (ABS) actuator.

"Nissan is committed to the safety, security and satisfaction of our customers and their passengers," the statement said.

“Nissan is conducting a voluntary recall campaign for certain 2016-2018 Nissan Pathfinder vehicles to replace the anti-lock brake system (ABS) actuator.

“It is detected by a permanently lit (10 seconds or more) ABS indicator lamp.

“Customers are advised that if the ABS warning light is on continuously (10 seconds or longer), they should park their vehicle outside and contact Nissan Roadside Assistance to have the vehicle towed to an authorized dealer as soon as possible.

“Once parts availability has been confirmed, owners will receive a notification email instructing them to take their vehicle to an authorized Nissan dealer to have repairs done without the cost of parts or labor.”

Nissan Roadside Assistance phone number: 1800 035 035.