Nissan Motor Co. and Honda Motor Co. announced recalls for the second time this month as quality issues continue to plague some Japanese automakers. Nissan is recalling more than 123,300 2013 Altimas while Honda is doing the same with 2012 and 2013 Fit Sports. For Honda, it’s the fourth recall this year.
This latest recall marks the second time this month Nissan and Honda have issued recalls although the earlier notice was for a supplier-related issue. The two makers joined Toyota and Mazda to recall 3.4 million vehicles for defective airbag systems manufactured by Takata Corp., because they could catch fire or inadvertently inflate injuring passengers.
Due to a manufacturing defect in the propellant for the inflator, the airbag for the front passenger seat may not inflate correctly. The systems were manufactured at Takata’s factory in Mexico.
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Now Nissan is recalling Altimas to fix a problem with the air pressure on the vehicle’s spare tire. The tires may have been over- or under-inflated and as a result the tires could fail without warning. Dealers will inspect the tires and make the necessary air-pressure adjustment.
The maker blames equipment, which has since been replaced, at its assembly plant in Canton, Miss. for the problem. Owners will be contacted starting May 3 or customers can contact Nissan at 800-647-726.
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More than 43,700 Honda Fit Sports have been recalled because of issues with the vehicle’s electronic stability control (ESC) units. The company said the units on the affected vehicles “may allow excessive yaw rates at high steering angles with certain tires,” which can increase the risk of a crash.
Honda dealers will handle the software fix and will start making the fixes on May 17. Owners may contact Honda at 800-999-1009.
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In March, Honda recalled 250,000 vehicles worldwide due to potential brake problems. More than 180,000 of the vehicles involved that recall were sold in the United States through the flagship Honda, as well as its luxury arm, Acura.
In January, the Japanese maker ordered the recall of 748,000 Pilot crossovers and Odyssey minivans due to missing rivets that could cause airbags to improperly deploy in an accident. That figure covered the U.S. market, with another 29,000 of the vehicles recalled in Canada.
