NHTSA Complaint #10551397 — 2004 NISSAN FRONTIER

THIS VEHICLE HAS A STEERING COLUMN RECALL THAT I WAS NOT NOTIFIED ABOUT UNTIL I PURCHASED IT IN 2012. I CONTACTED NISSAN TO SCHEDULE THE REPAIR BUT THEY INFORMED ME THAT I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE 250 MILES TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP. I EXPLAINED THAT WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DO THAT SINCE I LIVE ON AN ISLAND IN A REMOTE PART OF ALASKA. I ASKED IF A LOCAL CERTIFIED MECHANIC WOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE THE REPAIRS AND THEY TOLD ME NO, IT ONLY CAN BE DONE BY A CERTIFIED NISSAN DEALERSHIP. FAILURE TO MAKE THIS REPAIR CAN CAUSE THE STEERING COLUMN TO CORRODE AND BREAK AT SLOW SPEEDS INCREASING THE RISK OF LOSS OF CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT. I AM NOW UNABLE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE SAFELY WITHOUT THE RISK OF DAMAGE OR INJURY. MY ONLY OPTION IS TO PAY OUT OF POCKET TO MAKE THE REPAIRS AND HOPE NISSAN WILL REFUND ME THE EXPENSE. *TR