Nissan Sentra Under Recall for Steering Issues

Late last week, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued a letter to Nissan requesting they recall a batch of Sentra sedans thanks to tie rods that may bend and cause steering issues. A total of 236,238 units may be affected, ranging from the 2020 – 2022 model year.

According to the feds, these vehicles may suffer a bent tie rod on the left or right side. This could put stress on the part and cause it to break, leading to a potential loss of steering control. The NHTSA says owners are advised to contact their dealer for transport assistance if their car exhibits an off-center steering wheel or vibration in the wheel.

As an interim repair, dealers are instructed to inspect and replace any bent or broken tie rods, a decree which seems rather obvious. Here’s the rub: Customers will still have to bring their rigs back to the dealer for a final repair once newly designed parts are available – whenever that happens. It seems Nissan will be on the hook not just for replacing tie rods in these things but also building a better mousetrap to install, one which fixes the problem for good. 

Those of you with sharp memories may recall Nissan has been dealing with this issue for a spell, dating back to 2021 when the NHTSA demanded 2020 – 2021 Sentras be hauled into dealers for the same problem. Back then, the recall stated dealers were to inspect both tie rods and replace them if either was bent. One could consider this an, um, escalation of that first recall. At the time, Nissan said the problem had roots in “material handling and assembly process issues.” Cynics will suggest their processes didn’t seem to change now the recall encompasses a new model year. 

For anyone keeping a scorecard at home, this new recall (R23B3) replaces and expands on the old one (21V-461). Interim letters are expected to be mailed to owners starting in October. A second letter will hit inboxes once the final remedy is available. Nissan’s customer service number is 1-800-867-7669 for owners who wish to have more detail.

[Images: Nissan]

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