Vehicles Affected: More than 226,000 model-year 2002-03 Nissan Maxima sedans and Pathfinder SUVs, and Infiniti I35 sedans and QX4 SUVs, as well as 2002-04 Nissan Sentra sedans and 2003 Infiniti FX crossovers

The Problem: A defect in the passenger-side front airbag could produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to rupture upon deployment; this could result in metal fragments striking and seriously injuring occupants. This expansion of an earlier action involving a massive recall of vehicles from multiple automakers using airbags manufactured by Japan’s Takata Corp. addresses both the passenger-side front airbags that were originally installed in the vehicles, as well as replacement airbags that may have been installed as replacement service parts. For example, a replacement airbag may have been installed if a vehicle had been in a crash necessitating the replacement of the passenger-side front airbag.

The Fix: Nissan will begin notifying owners Aug. 11, and dealers will replace airbags on all vehicles in which defective airbags may have been installed either as original equipment or as a replacement; repairs will be made for free.

What Owners Should Do: Owners can call Nissan at 800-647-7261 or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s vehicle-safety hotline at 888-327-4236, or go to www.safercar.gov, for more info.

Need to Find a Dealer for Service? Go to Service & Repair to find your local dealer.

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