Nissan issues 'do-not-drive' warning on Sentra, Pathfinder

The automaker is one of several trying to repair older models still equipped with defective Takata airbags

Published May 29, 2024 • Last updated May 29, 2024 • 2 minute read

2002 Nissan Sentra EX Photo by Nissan

Nissan is recalling almost 84,000 vehicles in the U.S. and roughly 48,000 in Canada and sticking all of them with a “do-not-drive” warning over concerns their defective airbags could seriously harm or even kill occupants when they activate during a collision. The campaign is the latest of several launched by numerous different automakers still trying to repair older models equipped with Takata-brand airbags, which may eject shrapnel when they deploy.

Story continues below

Affected models include 2002 and 2003 Infiniti QX4 SUVs; 2002 through 2004 Nissan Pathfinder SUVs; and 2002 through 2006 Nissan Sentra sedans. Nissan is one of several automakers that launched recalls on its Takata-airbag-equipped vehicles in summer 2017 but that has yet to replace the defective part in all models affected.

Owners of these models are encouraged to verify whether their vehicle has had its airbag replaced; and to stop driving the car if it hasn’t. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says “Nissan and Infiniti are offering free towing, mobile repair, and in select locations, loaner vehicles,” as part of their efforts to make the repair simpler and safer, and the automaker’s Canadian arm told CTVNews that generally applies on this side of the border, too.

Story continues below

The defect has to do with the inflators in Takata airbags degrading over time, and possibly rupturing when deployed, sending shrapnel into the cabin. Nissan Canada has no record of inflators rupturing in this country, but in the U.S., there have been 58 deaths and at least one death tied to the issue since 2015, reports CTVNews. Among all automakers with models fitted with Takata airbags, some 400 injuries and 27 deaths have allegedly been caused by the defect Stateside.

Owners of vehicles covered by the campaign can verify whether their vehicle is affected by entering their cars’ Vehicle Identification Numbers on the Nissan Canada service website.

Sign up for our newsletter Blind-Spot Monitor and follow our social channels on Instagram ,Facebook and X to stay up to date on the latest automotive news, reviews, car culture, and vehicle shopping advice.

Nicholas Maronese

Nicholas has been part of the Driving.ca team since 2018, and writes specifically about classic cars – like his first and currently only car, his 1971 Plymouth Valiant Scamp – whenever possible, though he also enjoys exploring vehicular history, automotive design, and car culture. His specific areas of focus include American cars of the 1930s, ’60s, and ’70s.

Summary

Driving.ca News and Features editor; and a Driving.ca contributor since 2018 Professional writer and editor for over 10 years, seeing publication in some of the most widely read outlets in Canada and the U.S. Specialties include classic-car profiles, automotive history, and stories exploring obscure Canadian car culture

Education

Nicholas graduated from York University with a Bachelor’s in Professional Writing, and a minor in Philosophy. He also holds a Canadian Private Pilot’s Licence (PPL); and has been training to be a concours judge.

Experience

Nicholas started out writing news for Sympatico Autos (later renamed Autofocus) before eventually becoming that website’s chief editor. In 2018, he joined Driving.ca, and was not long after made the News and Features Editor. Nicholas has also contributed to the Toronto Star’s Wheels section; to Hagerty’s editorial efforts; and to an assortment of other publications. Nicholas has owned and maintained a 1971 Plymouth Valiant Scamp since 2012; and previously tinkered on a 1929 Ford Model A. He is a regular volunteer with the Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance in Owen Sound, Ontario; and a frequent participant in Classic Car Adventures’ Maple Mille event in southern Ontario.

Major works by the author

Nicholas loves exploring overlooked corners of Canadian car culture. For Sympatico Autos, he put together a deep-dive look at General Motors’ disastrous introduction of its European Firenza to the Canadian market; drafted an authoritative history of the built-in-Canada MCV CH4 supercar; and arranged the first wind-tunnel test of a 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona “aero warrior” available online. For Driving.ca, he’s profiled Chris Hadfield’s passion for first-generation Ford Thunderbirds; proven that pre-war cars, excepting the Chrysler Airflow, were more aerodynamic backwards than forwards; and unearthed the story of the Ferguson Super Sport, a one-off roadster built in Toronto in the 1960s.

Learn more about Author

You must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments.

Create an Account

Join the Conversation

Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.