No accidents have been reported that are suspected of being
caused by the defect, according to Yokohama-based Nissan Motor Co. The recall
affects cars in the United States, Europe and Japan.
A problem was found in an ignition-system part called the
relay for vehicles produced from August 2003 through July 2006, including small
cars like the March, Cube and Note, and about a dozen other models, such as the
Tiida sedan, Titan pickup and Infiniti QX56 luxury model.
In extreme cases, the engine will stall and won’t be able to
start, said Nissan spokesman Mitsuru Yonekawa.
Of the recalled vehicles, nearly 835,000 were produced in
Japan, 762,000 in North America, and 354,000 in Europe.
Nissan, which is allied with Renault SA of France, did not
disclose a cost for the recall, but it may be relatively cheap requiring just a
half hour to fix.
The cars were produced in Japan, the US, Great Britain,
Spain, China and Taiwan.
The massive numbers involved in recent recalls are linked to
cost-cutting strategies that result in the same parts being used in many models.
Toyota Motor Corp., the world’s biggest automaker, has
suffered a spate of recalls over the last year, totaling more than 10 million
vehicles worldwide for sticky gas pedals, floor mats that can trap
accelerators, brake fluid leaks and other problems.
