NHTSA probing 400,000 Infiniti, Honda vehicles over steering faults

Tue, 11 Nov 2014

As many as 391,000 vehicles from Infiniti and Honda may eventually need to be recalled as a result of two, separately announced Preliminary Evaluations from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to ascertain the scope of the potential safety hazards.

The larger investigation has NHTSA looking into the 2013 Honda Accord because of 24 reports from drivers alleging total loss of power steering or a sudden increase in necessary effort to turn the vehicle. In four cases, the problem is reportedly linked to crashes, with all of them occurring at less than 30 miles per hour. According to the claims, 13 people also reported seeing a warning message during the failure. Turning off the car and restarting it would fix the issue in some cases. If a recall is necessary, it could affect an estimated 374,000 Accords.

The second investigation is much smaller in scope. The safety agency is investigating the 2008 Infiniti EX35 after two complaints of the steering wheel shaft separating, and the vehicle losing the ability to steer. Both reports allege that the steering became loose when driving and then completely failed once the vehicle was stopped. A recall for the problem would affect an estimated 17,000 vehicles. Scroll down to read NHTSA's reports on both Preliminary Evaluations.

INVESTIGATION Subject : Steering shaft failure

Date Investigation Opened: NOV 04, 2014
Date Investigation Closed: Open
NHTSA Action Number: PE14034
Component(s): STEERING
All Products Associated with this Investigation
Vehicle Make Model Model Year(s)
INFINITI EX35 2008

Details
Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.

SUMMARY:

The Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) has received two complaints (VOQs) alleging steering wheel shaft separations in model year 2008 Infiniti EX35 vehicles. The first complaint (VOQ 10350255) reported a failure that occurred at 19,087 miles of service. The driver alleged experiencing play in the steering while driving 40 miles per hour. After slowing to a stop, the driver reported a complete loss of steering with the steering wheel rotating 360 degrees without turning the wheels. The vehicle was towed to a dealer and repaired, but the owner was not able to provide copies of repair records. The second complaint (VOQ 10605536) reported a failure that occurred at 75,312 miles. The driver reported that the steering became loose while driving home and completely separated after stopping in his driveway. A service invoice provided by the owner indicates that the dealer replaced the steering column and shaft assembly after finding a failed steering shaft bearing. A Preliminary Evaluation has been opened to assess the scope and frequency of the alleged defect.

The VOQs associated with this investigation are: 10350255 and 10605536.

INVESTIGATION Subject : Electric Power Steering Failure

Date Investigation Opened: NOV 04, 2014
Date Investigation Closed: Open
NHTSA Action Number: PE14033
Component(s): STEERING
All Products Associated with this Investigation
Vehicle Make Model Model Year(s)
HONDA ACCORD 2013-2014

Details
Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

SUMMARY:
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has identified 24 unique VIN complaints (VOQs) alleging loss of power steering and/or sudden increase in steering effort in model year (MY) 2013 Honda Accord vehicles. Four complaints allege that the failures resulted in crashes, which all occurred at speeds less than 30 mph. ODI has also identified related information in Early Warning Reporting field report data submitted by Honda. Just over half (13) of the VOQs indicated observing a power steering warning message as the failure occurred. Some VOQs reported that the condition was corrected by turning the vehicle off and restarting. However, several indicate the condition returned again after restart. A Preliminary Evaluation has been opened to assess the scope, frequency and safety consequences of the alleged defect.

The VOQs associated with this resume are, including duplicates which are shown in parentheses next to original complaint: 10648623, 10644762, 10643217, 10640012, 10639543, 10630852, 10629629, 10627926, 10627922, 10626999, 10622418, 10608752, 10605909, 10595068, 10588425, 10583855, 10563724, 10553641 (10553779), 10547436, 10545177 (10566479), 10542360, 10537336, 10519960, 10515618 (10515696)

By Chris Bruce