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Recall: Nissan Pathfinder, Xterra, Frontier for Faulty Wheel Hubs

Certain 2012 models with 2-wheel-drive may be difficult to control if a hub breaks.

By Clifford Atiyeh Oct 3, 2012 7:15AM

2012 Nissan Pathfinder (c) NissanNissan is recalling 2,417 Pathfinder, Xterra and Frontier models for front wheel hubs that may crack and lead to a loss of steering or control of the vehicle, according to filings with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Only 2012 model-year vehicles with 2-wheel drive built from June 19 through July 12 are affected. Nearly three-quarters of the vehicles being recalled are Frontier pickups.

 

Four-wheel-drive models are not included. Nissan said some front wheel hubs were built below a certain "hardness specification," which could cause them to wear out quicker and then fail prematurely. Timken Automotive, a supplier in North Carolina, first noticed a manufacturing problem with the hubs in June. No accidents or injuries have been reported, Nissan said.

Nissan dealers will begin the recall Oct. 8 and will replace both left and right hubs. Owners can call Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

In December 2011, the 2012 Frontier, Pathfinder and Xterra were recalled among 15,000 Nissan and Infiniti models for weak bolts attached to the oil filter that could cause an oil leak.

[Source: NHTSA]


105Comments
Oct 3, 2012 12:13PM
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All my Nissans were built in this country by American workers.  None of them were imported from Japan
Oct 3, 2012 12:28PM
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Let's see I bought my Nissan here in the US, from a US dealership, sold to me by a US citizen. When I take it in for servicing, the mechanics are US citizens.

Seems I support the US economy when I buy Nissan!!!
Oct 3, 2012 11:00AM
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As a service director for Nissan, Chrysler, Jeep, Ram, Dodge, Ford, Chevy and GMC you should be aware that ALL vehicle makes have recalls. Almost every model that each manufacturers produces has a recall at some point. You can't expect the manufacturers to know that a supplier is producing faulty components. The parts are produced by a outside vendor and sold to the vehicle manufacturers, when they determine there is a issue a recall is opened for that component. Also I might add have a choice after 15 years in the business to drive from 10 different makes. I drive Nissan's that should tell you something.
Oct 3, 2012 11:49AM
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I own a 2006 Murano, by far the best auto that we have ever had. I owned three other Nisson's dated back to when they called them Datson's...all of my previous Nission's had well over 165,000 miles on them when I traded them in.

None gave me any problems at all, but then we take very good care of our cars which pays off when the time comes to trade for new models. We currently have 56,000 on the Murano, and odn't drive near as much as we sued to, and still no sqeaks, no oil problems, no dents and still get very good gas mileage.

Love the car, lover Korum dealership and have not one bad word to say about this car, or any of the other three that we have owned...including the Datson.

 

DS

Oct 3, 2012 11:49AM
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I have owned  many Nissans .  My first was an 83 Nissam Maxima which i would still have today if my husband hadn't insisted i get rid of it when it hit year 14 and 185,000 miles.  the next was a 86 hardbody pickup. Dandy little truck but it sat for 6 minths at a time and developed an oil leak.  The next was another Maxima which i drove til, again, my husband isisted i get a newer car.  By that time i was a horse owner and needed a vehicle i could use to tow a horse trailer.  My 2004 Titan is now a member of the family.  it pulls my 3 horse gooseneck horse trailer like a champ.  Only problem is its a little hard on the gas bill.  But you can't expect to pull a  9,000 pound load with an economy vehicle. 

i love my nissans.  They are good solid work horses.  Proper maintenance is key with any vehicle's long useful life.  I take very good care of my vehicles and they take care of me.  I would not hesitate to load up my Appaloosa's and drive a thousand miles in my 2004 Nissan Titan.

Oct 3, 2012 1:24PM
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Had a 96 Ford F-150 it had 186,000 miles on it in 2008 when a tornado destroyed it and our house, never did anything except routine maintainence. To replace it I bought a 2006 F-150 with 30,000 miles, now at 105,000, nothing but routine maintainence. Have had nothing but Fords, cars and trucks, they build a great product. My job is changing so will trade current truck for an F-350 with new Powerstroke diesel-400hp and 800ft/lbs of torque.
Oct 3, 2012 10:55AM
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What about all of the 2002 & 03 Altimas with the misaligned oil journal holes in the crankshaft that caused the engines to blow like popcorn. Cheap catalytic convertors too close to the exhaust header that shed catalyst into the cylinder bore damaging the oil control ring and the paper-thin cylinder bores. This was a disposable car that was poorly engineered, over priced and most didn't make it  much past 60,000 miles. If one made it to 100,000 miles it was a miracle. Check and see how many are still on the road today. Why was there no recall on these? The design of the car was great, but design won't get you to the grocery store. What is even worse is that all of these cars had identical problems and Nissan acted as nothing was wrong with the car. Ask any competent mechanic.

 

It is also widely know that most Nissan truck brakes are undersized anyway. Most probably couldn't stop a loaded truck safely. All of these so-called "weak bolts" and cracked hubs are the result of cost cutting and these parts are not properly engineered because in my opinion Nissan is cutting every manufacturing process know to man in an effort to save money. I agree with saving money, but not to the point of sacrificing safety and cheating the customer. Buyer beware! Do your research before you buy any Nissan product. I feel the quality is poor at best.

Oct 3, 2012 10:36AM
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I'll ask this question again, whatever happened to quality control?
Oct 3, 2012 10:08AM
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Another parts manufacture that has bad product quality control. Timken makes a lot of wheel bearing and hub assemblies. No doubt this make cross over to other makers of vehicles as well.

Oct 3, 2012 12:41PM
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Nisssan Muranos AWD have had trouble with transfer cases.
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