Reference:
Date:
NTB10-071
June 23, 2010
VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN
EQUIPMENT / SERVICE PARTS
SUSPENSION LOWER LINK
CAMPAIGN ID #:
NHTSA #
PC049
10E-019
APPLIED VEHICLES: 2004 - 2010 Armada (TA60)
2004 - 2010 Titan (A60)
2005 - 2010 Frontier (D40)
2005 - 2010 Pathfinder (R51)
2005 - 2010 Xterra (N50)
INTRODUCTION
Nissan is conducting a voluntary safety recall campaign for suspension lower link service
parts that fit MY 2004 through 2010 Armada and Titan and MY 2005 through 2010 Xterra,
Pathfinder, and Frontier vehicles. A small number of suspension lower link service parts
sold between November 25, 2009 and May 14, 2010 may have welds that are out of
specification.
Applied vehicle owners will be asked to take their vehicle to the dealer if a lower link on
their vehicle was replaced between November 25, 2009 and May 14, 2010 or if they do not
know whether a lower link was replaced during that time.
DEALER RESPONSIBILITY
If a vehicle owner believes his or her vehicle may have received affected suspension lower
link service parts, it is the dealer’s responsibility to inspect and, if necessary, replace the
lower links pursuant to the instructions on this bulletin.
Applied Vehicles with the original factory installed lower links are not subject to this service
parts recall campaign; however, some 2010 MY Applied Vehicles may be subject to the
Suspension Lower Link vehicle recall campaign (PC047). Please review Service Comm to
confirm campaign eligibility.
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
Nissan has assigned identification number PC049 to this campaign. This number must
appear on all communications and documentation of any nature dealing with this campaign.
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Repair Overview
Inspect suspension lower links (write down the Lot Numbers).
Compare Lot Numbers to the examples on page 3.
No Lot Number match
Lot Number Z, Y, or A match
Replace each lower link that
has a Lot Number match.
End
No further action required
Perform wheel alignment:
Titan, Frontier and Xterra: 2 wheel.
Armada and Pathfinder: 4 wheel.
End
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NTB10-071
SERVICE PROCEDURE
Lower Link Inspection
1. Raise the vehicle.
2. Locate and write down the “Lot Number” stamped on the bottom side of the suspension
lower links.
•
Refer to the Lot Number Locations below.
•
Armada and Pathfinder: Inspect front and rear (all 4) lower links.
•
Frontier, Titan, and Xterra: Inspect both front lower links.
3. Compare the Lot Number of each lower link to the Lot Number examples on the next
page.
Lot Number Locations
Front: Armada and Titan
Front: Xterra, Frontier, and Pathfinder
Example of actual Lot Number
Rear: Pathfinder and Armada
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NTB10-071
Compare the Lot Number of each lower link to these Lot Number examples.
Lot Number Examples:
If Z, Y, or A is in any of the first
three positions the link is NG
and needs to be replaced.
•
These numbers are not used
for the OK / NG criteria
9
Z
1
9
1
9
Y
2
0
2
0
A
2
6
3
Z, Y, or A is one of the first three: NG, replace only that link
¾ Compare the Lot Number from each link.
¾ Replace only the link(s) with Z, Y, or A in one of the first three positions.
•
Not readable or missing Lot Number: NG, replace only that link
¾ Compare the Lot Number from each link.
¾ Replace link if the Lot Number is not readable or missing.
•
Z, Y, or A is not one of the first three: OK, do not replace link
¾ Compare the Lot Number from each link.
¾ Do not replace link if Z, Y, or A is not one of the first three positions.
•
All links check OK: No further action needed.
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NTB10-071
LINK REPLACEMENT
Frontier, Xterra, and Pathfinder Front Suspension Lower Link Replacement
NOTE: See procedure steps on page 9.
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NTB10-071
Titan and Armada Front Suspension Lower Link Replacement
NOTE: See procedure steps on page 9.
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NTB10-071
Pathfinder Rear Suspension Lower Link Replacement
NOTE: See procedure steps on page 9.
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NTB10-071
Armada Rear Suspension Lower Link Replacement
NOTE: See procedure steps on page 9.
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1. For front lower link(s) identified as needing replacement:
Use the appropriate illustration in this bulletin and the appropriate Service Manual,
section FSU, for link replacement information.
•
Make sure to replace the ball joint securing nut with a new one. New nut is listed in
the Parts Information.
•
Make sure to replace both lower link nuts with new ones. New nuts are listed in the
Parts Information.
NOTE: The original (factory installed) bolts for the front lower links are self centering
and should not need replacement. The vehicle should need toe adjustment only.
•
Follow torque specifications in the illustrations.
2. For rear lower link(s) identified as needing replacement:
Use the appropriate illustration in this bulletin and the appropriate Service Manual,
section RSU, for link replacement information.
•
Make sure to replace the ball joint securing nut with a new one. New nut is listed in
the Parts Information.
•
Make sure to replace both lower link nuts with new ones. New nuts are listed in the
Parts Information.
•
Follow torque specifications in the illustrations.
3. Perform a wheel alignment.
•
For Frontier, Xterra, and Titan: Perform a 2 wheel alignment (refer to Section FSU in
the appropriate Service Manual for alignment specifications and adjustment points).
•
For Pathfinder and Armada: Perform a 4 wheel alignment. (Refer to sections FSU
and RSU in the appropriate Service Manual for alignment specifications and
adjustment points.)
NOTE: The original (factory installed) bolts for the front lower links are self centering
and should not need replacement. The vehicle should need toe adjustment only.
4. Grind a large X (about 1/16 inch deep)
on the bottom side of the old link so it
can be identified as a non-usable part.
NOTE: Make sure to use suitable hand
and eye protection.
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NTB10-071
PARTS INFORMATION
FRONTIER and XTERRA
DESCRIPTION
Front Link Lower, RH
Front Link Lower, LH
Nut-Link
(Lower link nut)
Nut-Knuckle Spindle
(Ball joint securing nut)
PART #
54500-EA00A
54501-EA00A
08918-6441A
01223-N004U
PATHFINDER
DESCRIPTION
Front Link Lower, RH
Front Link Lower, LH
Rear Link Lower, RH
Rear Link Lower, LH
Nut-Link
(Lower link nut, front or rear)
Nut-Knuckle Spindle
(Ball joint securing nut-front or rear)
PART #
54500-EA00A
54501-EA00A
551A0-EA500
551A1-EA500
08918-6441A
01223-N004U
QTY
1
1
2 per link
(max 4)
1 per link
(max 2)
QTY
1
1
1
1
2 per link
(max 8)
1 per link
(max 4)
TITAN
DESCRIPTION
Front Link Lower, RH
Front Link Lower, LH
Nut-Link
(Lower link nut)
Nut-Knuckle Spindle
(Ball joint securing)
PART #
54500-ZR00A
54501-ZR00A
DESCRIPTION
Front Link Lower, RH
Front Link Lower, LH
Rear Link Lower, RH
Rear Link Lower, LH
Nut-Link
(Lower link nut, front or rear)
Nut-Knuckle Spindle
(Ball joint securing nut-front or rear)
PART #
54500-ZQ00A
54501-ZQ00A
551A0-ZQ00A
551A1-ZQ00A
08918-6441A
40262-7S100
QTY
1
1
2 per link
(max 4)
1 per link
(max 2)
ARMADA
08918-6441A
40262-7S100
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QTY
1
1
1
1
2 per link
(max 8)
1 per link
(max 4)
NTB10-071
CLAIMS INFORMATION
Submit a CM line claim using the following claims coding:
“CM” I.D.: PC049
OP CODE
PC0490
PC0491
PC0492
PC0493
PC0494
PC0495
PC0496
PC0497
PC0498
DESCRIPTION
Inspect - OK
Replace 1 Front and 0 Rear
Replace 2 Front and 0 Rear
Replace 1 Front and 1 Rear
Replace 2 Front and 1 Rear
Replace 0 Front and 1 Rear
Replace 0 Front and 2 Rear
Replace 1 Front and 2 Rear
Replace 2 Front and 2 Rear
2WD FRT
0.3 hr.
1.6 hr.
1.9 hr.
2.2 hr.
2.5 hr.
2.0 hr.
2.6 hr.
2.8 hr.
3.1 hr.
OP CODE
PC0490
PC0499
PC049A
PC049B
PC049C
PC049D
PC049E
PC049F
PC049G
DESCRIPTION
Inspect - OK
Replace 1 Front and 0 Rear
Replace 2 Front and 0 Rear
Replace 1 Front and 1 Rear
Replace 2 Front and 1 Rear
Replace 0 Front and 1 Rear
Replace 0 Front and 2 Rear
Replace 1 Front and 2 Rear
Replace 2 Front and 2 Rear
4WD FRT
0.3 hr.
2.1 hr.
2.9 hr.
2.6 hr.
3.3 hr.
2.0 hr.
2.6 hr.
3.2 hr.
3.9 hr.
EXPENSE CODES
EXPENSE
Car Rental
EXPENSE CODE
502
11/12
MAXIMUM AMOUNT
$200.00
NTB10-071
OWNER’S LETTER (example of typical owner’s letter)
Dear Nissan Frontier Owner:
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor
Vehicle Safety Act. Nissan has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in
a limited number of lower control link service parts for MY2005-2010 Nissan Frontier vehicles. Our
records indicate that you own or lease the Nissan vehicle identified by the VIN on the cover of this
notice.
If the lower control link on your vehicle was replaced between November 25, 2009 and May
14, 2010, your vehicle may have one of the affected lower control links included in this
campaign.
Reason for Recall
Your vehicle suspension contains lower control links that attach to the chassis mounting points.
The lower control links installed when your vehicle was produced are not affected by this concern.
A limited number of replacement service parts for the lower control links may have been
manufactured out of specification and may contain welds that do not meet the proper strength
specifications. If one of these welds separates, the lower control link can slip from its mounting bolt
potentially changing the wheel camber. If this occurs, the handling characteristics of your vehicle
may deteriorate and increase the risk of a crash.
What You Should Do
1. If you know that the lower control links in your vehicle were not replaced between November 25,
2009 and May 14, 2010, no further action is required on your part.
2. If you did have a lower control link on your vehicle replaced between November 25, 2009
and May 14, 2010 or you do not know if one was replaced, please contact your Nissan
dealer at your earliest convenience in order to arrange an appointment to have your vehicle
inspected, and if necessary, repaired.
What Nissan Will Do
Your Nissan dealer will determine whether the lower control links in your vehicle are affected. If
they are, the dealer will replace them if necessary, free of charge for parts and labor. Depending on
the number of links that need to be replaced, this repair may take up to four hours to complete, but
your Nissan dealer may require your vehicle for a longer period of time based upon their work
schedule.
To minimize your inconvenience, it is important that you have an appointment before bringing your
vehicle to the dealer for repairs. Please bring this notice with you when you keep your service
appointment. Instructions have been sent to your Nissan dealer.
Please contact the National Consumer Affairs Department for instructions. National Consumer
Affairs Department, Nissan North America, Inc., P.O. Box 685003, Franklin, TN 37068-5003. The
toll free number is 1-800-NISSAN1 (1-800-647-7261).
If you feel that Nissan failed to remedy your vehicle free of charge or within a reasonable amount of
time, you may submit a complaint to the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590; or call the toll-free Vehicle
Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.safercar.gov.
Federal law requires that any vehicle lessor receiving this recall notice must forward a copy of this
notice to the lessee within ten days.
Thank you for your cooperation. We are indeed sorry for any inconvenience this may cause you.
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