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Recall on DAS for 23 Q50 vehicles
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well about time.
The gradual replacement of mechanical components in automobiles with electronic systems brings with it definite advantages, but also poses certain potential dangers. Just think of the inevitable problems you've encountered with the computer on which you're reading these words and you'll know what we mean. But a computer crashing isn't as problematic as your car going on the fritz when its electronic systems fail.
That's what Infiniti is being reminded of with its new drive-by-wire electronic steering system. The Japanese automaker developed and installed the Direct Adaptive Steering System in its new Q50 sedan, but a small number of those cars on the road are now being recalled due to that system.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, on a small number of examples, the Q50's optional by-wire system may fail if the temperature in the engine compartment drops below freezing. There's a backup mechanical setup in place should the electronic system fail, but NHTSA says that the backup system may also fail to engage in time to avoid a crash.
Since the problem only seems to affect a specific version of the software that governs the steering system, just 23 vehicles are being recalled for this issue, which is a very small recall in the face of other campaigns that often affect thousands, tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands or even millions of vehicles. But the particular nature of this problem makes it rather unique. See the full announcement below for details.
PRESS RELEASE:
RECALL Subject : Software may Disable Steering in Cold Temperatures
Report Receipt Date: NOV 20, 2013
NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V588000
Component(s): STEERING
Potential Number of Units Affected: 23
Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
SUMMARY:
Nissan North America, Inc.'s (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2014 Infiniti Q50 vehicles equipped with Direct Adaptive Steering. The affected vehicles received a power steering software version that, should the engine compartment reach freezing temperatures, the power steering software may disable the electric steering system and also may delay the engagement of the mechanical steering backup system.
CONSEQUENCE:
The disablement of the steering systems could result in a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
REMEDY:
Nissan notified owners and arranged to have vehicles towed to the nearest Infiniti retailer. Customers were instructed not to drive their vehicles until they were repaired. Infiniti retailers provided affected customers with loaner vehicles, while the software update remedy was applied. These services were provided at no cost to the customer. Owners may contact Infiniti at 1-800-662-6200.
NOTES:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to Home | Safercar -- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The gradual replacement of mechanical components in automobiles with electronic systems brings with it definite advantages, but also poses certain potential dangers. Just think of the inevitable problems you've encountered with the computer on which you're reading these words and you'll know what we mean. But a computer crashing isn't as problematic as your car going on the fritz when its electronic systems fail.
That's what Infiniti is being reminded of with its new drive-by-wire electronic steering system. The Japanese automaker developed and installed the Direct Adaptive Steering System in its new Q50 sedan, but a small number of those cars on the road are now being recalled due to that system.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, on a small number of examples, the Q50's optional by-wire system may fail if the temperature in the engine compartment drops below freezing. There's a backup mechanical setup in place should the electronic system fail, but NHTSA says that the backup system may also fail to engage in time to avoid a crash.
Since the problem only seems to affect a specific version of the software that governs the steering system, just 23 vehicles are being recalled for this issue, which is a very small recall in the face of other campaigns that often affect thousands, tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands or even millions of vehicles. But the particular nature of this problem makes it rather unique. See the full announcement below for details.
PRESS RELEASE:
RECALL Subject : Software may Disable Steering in Cold Temperatures
Report Receipt Date: NOV 20, 2013
NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V588000
Component(s): STEERING
Potential Number of Units Affected: 23
Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
SUMMARY:
Nissan North America, Inc.'s (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2014 Infiniti Q50 vehicles equipped with Direct Adaptive Steering. The affected vehicles received a power steering software version that, should the engine compartment reach freezing temperatures, the power steering software may disable the electric steering system and also may delay the engagement of the mechanical steering backup system.
CONSEQUENCE:
The disablement of the steering systems could result in a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
REMEDY:
Nissan notified owners and arranged to have vehicles towed to the nearest Infiniti retailer. Customers were instructed not to drive their vehicles until they were repaired. Infiniti retailers provided affected customers with loaner vehicles, while the software update remedy was applied. These services were provided at no cost to the customer. Owners may contact Infiniti at 1-800-662-6200.
NOTES:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to Home | Safercar -- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
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I'm sure that you'll be sent a notice. I had one recall about 8 years ago on my Altima for the rear subframe which could rust. I received the notice in the mail.
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As I posted on another thread, after reading the five documents that are linked at that site,
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchResults.action
I still have concerns. According to the November 19th(!) document, the 23 cars that were supposedly affected had already been identified, and Nissan said they had contacted those affected owners by phone. Since that date, there have been many posts on this forum about this problem, which sounds like a lot more people are affected by this issue, and have NOT been contacted. It could be that Canada has its own version of the NHTSA, and those people should contact them. I strongly advise those who have had problems, and have not been contacted by Nissan to have the problem fixed, to read those five documents and make the appropriate phone calls.
Also, according to the explanation in those documents, the fault was in an error in the software update that was performed(probably in October??). So I wonder how many people affected by the issue did NOT have that update. As I said, I still have concerns about this issue, and since Nissan is aware of it and has supposedly found a fix for it, anyone who still has that issue needs to take action. Good luck.
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchResults.action
I still have concerns. According to the November 19th(!) document, the 23 cars that were supposedly affected had already been identified, and Nissan said they had contacted those affected owners by phone. Since that date, there have been many posts on this forum about this problem, which sounds like a lot more people are affected by this issue, and have NOT been contacted. It could be that Canada has its own version of the NHTSA, and those people should contact them. I strongly advise those who have had problems, and have not been contacted by Nissan to have the problem fixed, to read those five documents and make the appropriate phone calls.
Also, according to the explanation in those documents, the fault was in an error in the software update that was performed(probably in October??). So I wonder how many people affected by the issue did NOT have that update. As I said, I still have concerns about this issue, and since Nissan is aware of it and has supposedly found a fix for it, anyone who still has that issue needs to take action. Good luck.
The owners have been notified.
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I know one of the members here had mentioned being effected by this recall. He said the Infiniti CA contacted him directly and told him they were coming to get his car. I am sure one of the trusty folk here will be able to find this post. 
I do suspect this issue is separate from the more commonly observed complaint. I think the very small number of effected vehicle were isolated quickly as part of a fault somewhere in the system that is slightly different that a boot problem...although that is nothing more than speculation.
I do suspect this issue is separate from the more commonly observed complaint. I think the very small number of effected vehicle were isolated quickly as part of a fault somewhere in the system that is slightly different that a boot problem...although that is nothing more than speculation.
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Bah! Everyone knows that only Lexus is perfect!
![]()
See! It says so right in the ads!
Pursuit of perfection doesn't mean it's perfect...
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Gee, really? I guess some people can't understand facetiousness.
Pursuit of perfection doesn't mean it's perfect...
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Their pursuit of perfection is perfect. Their achievement of perfection is imperfect.
Pursuit of perfection doesn't mean it's perfect...
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I think I would actually enjoy DAS but my budget didn't allow for me to get that option. With that being said, I'm glad to have the piece of mind knowing it is one less thing to potentially fail.
Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App
Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App
Have there been any actual accidents or injuries caused by this fault in the Q50? It doesn't sound like the best scenario to have your steering system malfunction. That's just asking to get into an accident.
Do you guys think there are more than 23 vehicles affected. That seems like an awfully low amount of units to be affected by a recall.
Do you guys think there are more than 23 vehicles affected. That seems like an awfully low amount of units to be affected by a recall.
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Small number recalls are not that unusual.
The Top 10 Smallest Recalls of 2013 - KickingTires
And imagine that...there was even a Ford and Toyora steering recall on cars that don't even offer DAS....hmmmm
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Thank you, good sir!
Toyota and Honda initiate way more recalls than the average person is aware of. Sometimes, if the fault is not severe enough, they don't even bother. Yet people act like Nissan is the devil and such a POS compared to the other two when they issue one.
Gotta love propaganda!
Q50 recall
After the second 'chassis control error' in a week, we took it in. Service advisor mentioned a recall for a software update. They had it overnight and pronounced it fixed. The next day there was another chassis control error and loss of normal steering. My wife drove it right to the dealer. The steering wheel was over 90 degrees off center. They guys at the dealer were shocked by what they saw. The next day they called and said they were going to replace three computers but did not know how long it would take. My wife told them to give her a new car. 1600 miles and we have not even made the first payment. They said no.
We have not heard anything from anybody in over a week. The car doesn't appear to have been moved. At least the dealer gave us another Q for a loaner. We never received a recall notice either.
We have purchased several Nissans over the years and have always been happy with them. We expected our Infiniti experience to be even better but this is disappointing. My wife is not sure she can even trust this car again.
After the second 'chassis control error' in a week, we took it in. Service advisor mentioned a recall for a software update. They had it overnight and pronounced it fixed. The next day there was another chassis control error and loss of normal steering. My wife drove it right to the dealer. The steering wheel was over 90 degrees off center. They guys at the dealer were shocked by what they saw. The next day they called and said they were going to replace three computers but did not know how long it would take. My wife told them to give her a new car. 1600 miles and we have not even made the first payment. They said no.
We have not heard anything from anybody in over a week. The car doesn't appear to have been moved. At least the dealer gave us another Q for a loaner. We never received a recall notice either.
We have purchased several Nissans over the years and have always been happy with them. We expected our Infiniti experience to be even better but this is disappointing. My wife is not sure she can even trust this car again.
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