Nissan Canada appears to have broken a sort of record for tardiness in implementing a fix after issuing a recall. In 2022, Nissan announced a recall of 2013-2016 Pathfinder sport-utility vehicles for a defect affecting the secondary hood latch, which could stick open due to a build-up of corrosion. If this were to happen, and the primary hood latch is released, the hood could open suddenly and increase the risk of a crash.
In its notice to Transport Canada, Nissan stated that the corrective repair was not yet available. Later, Nissan told Transport Canada that they planned to replace the hood latch with a redesigned part, and that owners would be notified when parts became available.
According to Transport Canada:
“In August of 2022, Nissan notified vehicle owners about the issue and stated that parts to correct the defect would be available in the first quarter of 2023.
In May of 2023, Nissan notified owners again and told them that parts wouldn’t be available until summer of 2024.
In July of 2024, Nissan told Transport Canada that the recall launch was being delayed to January 2025 and that they planned to notify owners again, and give them the updated timeline.
In November of 2024, Nissan notified owners again and told them that parts wouldn’t be available until March 2025 (!!!)…”
According to Transport Canada, “the time it takes to design, develop, test and build solutions (fixes) to correct safety defects can vary a lot. Many factors affect a company’s ability to develop, validate and implement a solution. This includes:
- how complex the defect is
- how challenging it is to come up with a fix
- the time it takes to design and make parts or software
Taking over two years to develop the fix for this relatively simple recall is unprecedented, to the APA’s knowledge, and points to some sort of breakdown at Nissan. It’s very unusual for Transport Canada to express its displeasure in this public a fashion. The government is inviting the public to comment on the situation. If you are the owner of one of the affected Pathfinders, or a vehicle owner with a general interest in timely recalls, you may want to weigh in. Here’s how to do it, from Transport Canada’s website:
The public and the company can submit feedback to the Minister in order to help reach a final decision as to whether or not it is necessary to order the company to correct the defect identified by Nissan’s notice of defect R22A2 under section 10.5 of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act. The deadline is January 20, 2025.
For the full text of Transport Canada’s Preliminary Determination of a defect: