NHTSA Complaint #10421315 — 2006 NISSAN MURANO

2006 NISSAN MURANO WITH APPROXIMATELY 57,000 MILES ON IT. VERY DIFFICULT TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I NOTICED THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR WAS LOW AND REFILLED IT. LEAKAGE IDENTIFIED BY STAIN ON PARKING. DEALER DETERMINED THAT CAUSE OF THE LEAK IS A FAILURE OF THE HIGH PRESSURE LINE FOR THE POWER STEERING PUMP. SERVICE ADVISOR AT THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THIS IS A VERY COMMON CASE. DEALER CHARGED $550 TO INSTALL A NEW HOSE. NISSAN REFUSE TO REIMBURSE IT. NUMEROUS FAILURES OF THIS PART ARE DOCUMENTED ON WEB FORUMS, NHTSA SITE, AS WELL AS BEING COMMON KNOWLEDGE AMONG THE MECHANICS NETWORK. I WONDER IF IT IS NOT A MANUFACTURING/MATERIAL PROBLEM OF THE PART. CONCERN IS THAT TOTAL FAILURE CAN CAUSE A SURPRISE LOSS OF STEERING RESULTING IN A CRASH AND/ OR CAUSE A FIRE CAUSE IS VERY CLOSE TO THE ENGINE. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE ASAP. *TR