Nissan recalls 52,000 vehicles for faulty air bags

Nissan announced Saturday that it is recalling more than 52,000 vehicles for passenger air bags that can explode with too much force and send shards of metal into the passenger compartment. The vehicles have air bag systems made by troubled Japanese supplier Takata Corp. The Nissan recalls are among nearly 8 million others made by 10 automakers, mainly in Southern high-humidity states, over the Takata air bags. The recall affects, among others, the Infiniti FX35 and FX45 from 2003 to 2005, Infiniti I35 from 2003 and 2004 and Infiniti M35 and M45 from 2006.

There’s no alternative inflator producer with enough idle capacity to replace Takata quickly. Over the shorter term, no automaker would be able to do that without causing huge disruptions in production.

An industry source

In total, 52,738 vehicles are involved. The newly recalled vehicles were sold or registered in 12 high-humidity states and territories. The humidity can cause the air bag propellant to burn too fast and potentially blow apart the metal canisters. The problem has been linked to four deaths.The Tokyo-based Nissan Motor Co. says it will notify owners and replace the air bag inflator for free.

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