Nissan NV200 Reliability Problems

Certain Nissan vehicles are shutting themselves off while driving

thanks to busted ball springs in the ignition switch, with a hearty assist from heavy keychains.

In August 2017, the ignition switch supplier (Alpha Technology Corp.) told Nissan a problem occurred during manufacturing of the ignition switch ball springs. New tests were created for the ignition switches and how they would function on rough roads during vibrations of the vehicles.

Tests concluded that those ball springs are giving out way too early. And without springs to support the weight of heavy key chains bouncing around on bumpy roads, the ignition is slipping itself from the “on” to “accessory” position.

To make sure drivers don’t suddenly find themselves cruising down the highway with their radios on and their engines off, Nissan is recalling over 150,000 vehicles.

If this all sounds familiar you might be thinking of Chevrolet’s long nightmare with faulty ignition switches. In fact, maybe now is a good time to mention the Chevrolet City Express has found its way into an otherwise all Nissan lineup of recalled vehicles. Seems like more than a coincidence.

The one key difference is that Nissan’s airbag systems have an electrical capacity reserve, which means they should still stay on even with the ignition in the “accessory” position. Chevy owners weren’t so lucky.

Anyone else getting the feeling there's a major issue with Nissan's Occupant Classification System (OCS)?

For roughly the 103rd time – ok, 4th – Nissan is recalling their defective OCS. And this one is a doozy at 3.8 million vehicles.

"Nissan says the occupant classification systems in the front passenger seats can turn off because the systems classify an adult as a child or classify a seat as empty even if an adult is in the seat."

That will disable the airbags for someone who really needs it.

"Nissan says in the case of a child classification, the system is designed to illuminate the airbag light indicating the airbag is turned off. However, if the initial classification is “empty seat,” the light will not illuminate and there is no indication that the airbag is suppressed."

Does any part of this thing work?

Nissan has been accused of covering up the OCS issue and issuing repairs that didn't work in a lawsuit.

Nissan's Occupant Classification System (OCS) has been the subject of two recalls in the past couple years, but a lawsuit says the fixes aren't working.

Plaintiff Matthew Senci filed the proposed class-action lawsuit that alleges the vehicles have occupant classification system software that can incorrectly classify a front passenger seat as empty when it's occupied by an adult passenger.

The error can cause the airbag to deactivate and fail to deploy in a crash and the lawsuit alleges Nissan has known about the problem since at least 2012 due to complaints and warranty claims.

The first "limited" recall was in February 2013, but the fix was ineffective. A second, larger recall was announced in March 2014, but once again the lawsuit says the fix didn't do diddly.

The lawsuit, Matthew Senci v. Nissan North America, Inc., accuses the automaker of unfair and deceptive acts and seeks damages for the decreased value of the cars.

Nissan is recalling 1 million vehicles because a defective Occupant Classification System (OCS) might stop the passenger-side frontal airbags from working.

If that sounds familiar, it's because they issued the same – albeit smaller – recall last year. But now Nissan admits the problem is more widespread than they anticipated and their previous fix didn't work.

The OCS is supposed to turn on the airbag when there's an adult in the front passenger seat. but it's malfunctioning.

"Nissan says a combination of factors could cause the problem, such as high engine vibration at idle when the seat is initially empty and then becomes occupied. Even the posture of the passenger could cause the air bag to deactivate."

The recalled cars include the 2013-2014 Altima, LEAF, Pathfinder, Sentra, the 2013 NV200, plus additional Infiniti vehicles. It is expected to begin in April 2014.