Nissan Recalls 130,000 Vehicles For Ignition Key Defect

Nissan Motor Co. has started recalling more than 130,000 vehicles around the globe for the reported ignition key defect. This figure includes 80,000 vehicles in North America. This information was divulged by the company last Thursday.

Vehicles included in the recall are X-Trail and Murano and sport utility vehicles. "In Japan, Nissan is recalling 50,962 X-Trail and Murano SUVs, which are manufactured from August 2004 to July 2006," says Madoka Soma, Nissan's spokesperson. "Overseas, the Tokyo-based manufacturer is recalling about 70,000 Muranos in North America, 300 in Taiwan and 800 in Singapore." No X-Trails were sold overseas.

Nissan North America, on one hand, has reported same defect. In view thereof, it is recalling about 10,000 Maxima sedans. However, according to the Transport Ministry there have been no reports associated with said defect.

"Some of the rods connecting the ignition part with parts that start the engine are too long, so the cars sometimes don't start properly," the company explained. "Occasionally, the engines start even when the ignition is turned off and the driver moves the steering wheel."

The recalls include Nissan cars that possess the so-called "intelligent keys". The latter has integrated circuit chips within. These intelligent keys were once part of power Nissan auto parts. This feature allows the driver to open the vehicle even without inserting any key. By just pressing on the handle, the door will be opened. Additionally, the car can also start without inserting the intelligent key. Hence, accessible driving can be had with the key somewhere in close proximity.

Ignition key defect which was announced by the automaker last Thursday is not in any way related to the integrated circuit chip, which is included in the genuine Nissan parts. Said defect was traced to belong to the regular ignition part of the key.

The automaker's shares fell 1.54 percent, which is equivalent to 21 yen to 1,346 yen on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. The sales slide is attributed in part to the reported ignition key defect that prompted the recall. However, Nissan is now aimed at making their ignition key more efficient than before so it entertains several concepts and modern technologies.