Nissan Recalls 768,000 SUVs For Fire Risks, Flying Hood Issues

Nissan Motor Co. issued two separate recalls this week that cover more than 768,000 SUVs and crossover vehicles in North America because no one wants to drive a car that can catch fire or that has a hood that could unexpectedly fly up while driving down the road. 

According to a notice [PDF] from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Nissan’s first recall covers 486,815 model year 2008 to 2014 Rogue crossover vehicles that may experience electrical shorts and fires when moisture is present.

Nissan says that the vehicles, which were produced between March 2007 and July 2014, may experience an electrical short in the harness connector due to moisture of snow or water and salt seeping through the carpet on the driver side floor.

Owners of the affected Rogue vehicles will be notified and dealers will inspect the panel wiring harness connector. If necessary, a new harness connector and waterproof seal will be installed.

The second recall for Nissan this week concerns 170,665 model year 2013 to 2014 Pathfinder and model year 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles because a secondary latch on the cars’ hood could fail, sending the cover flying up impairing the driver’s view of the road, according to a notice [PDF] from NHTSA.

Officials with Nissan say the recall was initiated after the company became aware of problems in rental vehicles when drivers unintentionally dislodged the secondary hood latch. The secondary latch is designed to catch the hood from flying up if the primary hood latch is disengaged.

In several instances, the dislodged secondary latch resulted in the hood flying up, causing damage to the vehicles. However, Nissan says there have been no reports of crashes or injuries related to the issue.

To remedy the issue, dealers will modify the angle of the hood release mechanism to provide additional length to the release cable.

In addition to the vehicles recalled in the U.S., Nissan says 52,312 Rouge crossovers, and 15,972 Pathfinders and JX35 SUVs will be recalled in Canada.

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