Recall Alert: 1997-2003 Infiniti QX4, 1996-2004 Nissan Pathfinder

Nissan is recalling 195,991 SUVs sold in cold-weather states because long-term corrosion could cause the steering column to break, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

In the vehicles affected by the recall, which covers the 1997-2003 Infiniti QX4 and 1996-2004 Nissan Pathfinder, road salt may enter an assembly location hole, causing a mix of salt and water to collect at the mating surface of the strut housing panel and inner hood ledge assembly. As a result, drivers may notice grinding noises and increased steering effort. The corrosion may also cause the steering column to break, resulting in a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash.

The recall affects vehicles originally sold in Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Washington, D.C.

Nissan will notify owners on or before May 16. Dealers will inspect the strut housing and repair the vehicle if necessary at no charge. For more info, call Nissan at 800-647-7261 or NHTSA’s vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236.