NHTSA Complaint #11047940 — 2013 NISSAN PATHFINDER

THE PLASTIC DOOR HANDLE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE IS PRONE TO BREAKING, WHICH MEANS ONE CANNOT QUICKLY EXIT THE VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY. MINE BROKE AND, FOR A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF TIME I WASN'T SURE HOW I COULD GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. IF THE CAR IS NOT RUNNING, OR THE BATTERY IS INOPERATIVE, ONE CANNOT ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW TO GET OUT THAT WAY. THE CONSOLE MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT, IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE, FOR THE DRIVER TO EXIT THROUGH THE PASSENGER DOOR. THE ASSUMPTION IS THAT YOU CAN ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW, OR THAT YOU ARE PHYSICALLY ABLE TO CLIMB OVER THE CONSOLE AND EXIT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE A RECALL AND REPLACE ISSUE. THE PLASTIC DOOR HANDLE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED WITH A HANDLE THAT WILL ALWAYS OPEN THE DOOR. OBVIOUSLY, THE CAR WAS STATIONARY WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE PART NUMBER FOR THE REPLACEMENT HANDLE IS: 80671-3TAOD. IF NEEDED, I CAN PROVIDE A PHOTOGRAPH OF THE BROKEN PLASTIC DOOR HANDLE AND THE REPAIR INVOICE. I AM REQUESTING THAT NISSAN COVER THE CHARGES FOR THE REPAIR, BUT MY GREATER CONCERN IS THAT SOMEONE WILL BE TRAPPED IN A BURNING CAR, OR SOME EMERGENCY SITUATION.