NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Wheels complaints
14 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Nov 2, 2014
Air BagsWheels
I RECENTLY BOUGHT A USED VEHICLE AT NORFOLK MOTORSPORTS IN NORFOLK VA. THEY HAD BOUGHT THE VEHICLE THRU INSPECTION AND IT DID NOT PASS IT, ACCORDING TO THE MANAGER, IT WAS MISSING THE AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER AND THEY WAS GOING TO BUY THE WHOLE COMPONENT FOR IT INSTEAD. I HAD A MEETING WITH THE OWNER OF THE COMPANY ALONG WITH…
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I RECENTLY BOUGHT A USED VEHICLE AT NORFOLK MOTORSPORTS IN NORFOLK VA. THEY HAD BOUGHT THE VEHICLE THRU INSPECTION AND IT DID NOT PASS IT, ACCORDING TO THE MANAGER, IT WAS MISSING THE AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER AND THEY WAS GOING TO BUY THE WHOLE COMPONENT FOR IT INSTEAD. I HAD A MEETING WITH THE OWNER OF THE COMPANY ALONG WITH THE MANAGER, SALESPERSON; THE OWNER HAD STATED TO ME AND MY FIANC AT THE TIME THAT HE COULD HAVE EASILY CLIPPED THE WIRE TO THE SEAT AND IT WOULD PASS INSPECTION. ABOUT TWO WEEKS LATER I FINALLY RECEIVED THE VEHICLE AND NOW THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT IS SHOWING THAT ITS ON "OFF", TO ME, THIS INDICATES THAT THEY TRIPPED THE WIRE TO LET IT PASS INSPECTION. I ALSO BELIEVE THAT THEY TRIPPED THE WIRES FOR THE TIRES LIGHTS ON IT. I HAD ASKED FOR MONEY BACK BUT WOULD NOT GIVE IT TO ME SINCE IT IS CONSIDERED A "LEMON". THEY ARE ONLY WILLING TO GIVE ME A TRADE-IN INSTEAD. TILL THIS DAY I STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE TITLE BECAUSE AT THE TIME OF SALE THEY TOLD ME I HAD TO CALL THE DAY BEFORE AND THEIR ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL WOULD GIVE IT TO ME. THEY HAVE BEEN GIVING THE RUN-AROUND ON THIS VEHICLE THAT I HAVE PAID IN CASH FOR. THEY NOW WANT TO ME TO PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT IS THE" ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT", ALONG WITH ANOTHER LIGHT ABOUT THE TIRES. I AM AFRAID THEY WILL ALSO TRIP THE WIRES ON THAT VEHICLE SO IT WILL PASS INSPECTION. THEY TRYING TO FORCE MY HAND INTO SOMETHING THAT I DO NOT WANT INSTEAD OF GIVING MY CASH BACK THAT I GAVE TO THEM FROM THE BANK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10651941
34,500 miles · Jul 8, 2013
Wheels
ON FRIDAY JULY 5TH 2013 JUST AFTER GETTING OFF THE EXPRESSWAY I HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR. JUST AS I PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY MY WHEEL (RIM) BROKE OFF. WOW, THANK THE GOOD LORD I WASN'T ON THE FREEWAY. THE WHEEL HUB WAS STILL ATTACHED TO THE BOLTS, AND THE RIM BROKE, UPON FURTHER INSPECTION THE OTHER FRONT W…
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ON FRIDAY JULY 5TH 2013 JUST AFTER GETTING OFF THE EXPRESSWAY I HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR. JUST AS I PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY MY WHEEL (RIM) BROKE OFF. WOW, THANK THE GOOD LORD I WASN'T ON THE FREEWAY. THE WHEEL HUB WAS STILL ATTACHED TO THE BOLTS, AND THE RIM BROKE, UPON FURTHER INSPECTION THE OTHER FRONT WHEEL HAS CRACKS ON ALL FIVE SPOKES. THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, HAD IT TOWED TO THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP IN OCEANSIDE, CALIFORNIA. WHY HAS THERE BEEN NO RECALLS. IT SEEMS THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM. STILL AWAITING A RESPONSE FROM MOSSY NISSAN IN OCEANSIDE, CA. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10523729
101,000 miles · Jan 2, 2013
Wheels
WHILE DRIVING TO VISIT MY GRANDSONS ON CHRISTMAS EVE, THE REAR DRIVE WHEEL BROKE. THE WHEEL BROKE FROM THE CAR AND TRAVEL DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN AND GET IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I COULD ONLY SIT HELPLESS AS I WATCH THE BROKEN WHEEL BOUNCE DOWN THE HIGHWAY. THE WHEE…
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WHILE DRIVING TO VISIT MY GRANDSONS ON CHRISTMAS EVE, THE REAR DRIVE WHEEL BROKE. THE WHEEL BROKE FROM THE CAR AND TRAVEL DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN AND GET IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I COULD ONLY SIT HELPLESS AS I WATCH THE BROKEN WHEEL BOUNCE DOWN THE HIGHWAY. THE WHEEL CAME TO A STOP MORE THAN 400 YARDS. A QUOTE FROM THE CHP OFFICER, "IT NEVER HAPPENS THIS WAY. USUALLY THE WHEEL LANDS ON SOMEONE ELSE'S CAR CAUSING A ACCIDENT." THIS IS THE SECOND WHEEL THAT HAS BROKE ON MY CAR. SUMMER 2011 I HAD TO REPLACE A CRACKED WHEEL WHEN GETTING NEW TIRES. THE REMAINING TWO WHEELS ON THE CAR HAVE BEEN LOOKED AT AND CRACKS HAVE BEEN FOUND. SINCE MY INSURANCE WILL NOT COVER THE COST OF NEW WHEELS, I'M FORCED TO REPLACE THEM MYSELF. WHILE DOING SOME INVESTIGATIVE WORK, I HAVE FOUND MORE THAN A DOZEN CASES JUST LIKE MINE. THE TIRE SHOP I VISITED TODAY SAID THEY HAVE HAD 3 OTHER NISSAN 350Z - 2006 WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. HOW MANY CASES HAVE NOT BEEN REPORTED? NISSAN WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND RECALL THEIR BAD BATCH OF WHEELS FROM 2006. WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO MAKE NISSAN RESPONSIBLE AND RECALL THESE WHEELS? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10490806
75,000 miles · Dec 28, 2011
Wheels
TL - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN 350Z. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL RIM DEVELOPED A CRACKED, WHICH CAUSED THE WHEEL TO LOOSE AIR PRESSURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO VERIFIED THE FAILURE AND STATED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…
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TL - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN 350Z. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL RIM DEVELOPED A CRACKED, WHICH CAUSED THE WHEEL TO LOOSE AIR PRESSURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO VERIFIED THE FAILURE AND STATED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO OFFERED TO COVER FIFTY PERCENT OF THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000. KMJ
NHTSA ODI #10441533
19,576 miles · Sep 13, 2011
Wheels
HEARD SOME SQUEAKING FROM FRONT LEFT TIRE. I INSPECTED THE CHROME WHEEL AND FOUND ALL 5 SPOKES HAD CRACKS IN THEM ALL THE WAY THROUGH. I HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED AND FOUND ALL 4 CHROME WHEELS HAD CRACKS AND WAS ADVISED TO PARK VEHICLE AS IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. I CONTACTED THE SERVICE MANAGER AT MY DEALERSHIP AND HE ADVISED …
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HEARD SOME SQUEAKING FROM FRONT LEFT TIRE. I INSPECTED THE CHROME WHEEL AND FOUND ALL 5 SPOKES HAD CRACKS IN THEM ALL THE WAY THROUGH. I HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED AND FOUND ALL 4 CHROME WHEELS HAD CRACKS AND WAS ADVISED TO PARK VEHICLE AS IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. I CONTACTED THE SERVICE MANAGER AT MY DEALERSHIP AND HE ADVISED THAT THE RIMS ON MY VEHICLE WERE SENT OUT TO BE CHROMED BY SOMEONE ELSE OTHER THAN NISSAN CAUSING NISSAN NOT TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE CRACKED RIMS. THIS VEHICLE, A TOURING ROADSTER 350Z WAS BOUGHT NEW FROM A NISSAN DEALERSHIP WITH THESE CHROME RIMS ALREADY ON THEM, THIS OTHER DEALERSHIP ALSO HAPPENS TO BE OWNED BY THE CURRENT DEALERSHIP I GO TO. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THE DEALERSHIP ALSO WOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE BECAUSE THEY ONLY WARRANTY THIS FOR 3YEARS/36,000. MY VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 19,600 MILES ON IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10425274
35,788 miles · May 27, 2010
Wheels
ON MAY 11,2010 I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALER ON MAUI. THE WHEELS ON OUR CAR STARTED TO DISINTEGRATE AND BREAK UP CAUSING US TO SWERVE AND STOP ON THE ROAD. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT BECAUSE THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY I WOULD HAVE TO PURCHASE NEW WHEELS FOR $5550. THE FACTORY REP JOHN HOOKANO, MY WIFE AND I M…
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ON MAY 11,2010 I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALER ON MAUI. THE WHEELS ON OUR CAR STARTED TO DISINTEGRATE AND BREAK UP CAUSING US TO SWERVE AND STOP ON THE ROAD. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT BECAUSE THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY I WOULD HAVE TO PURCHASE NEW WHEELS FOR $5550. THE FACTORY REP JOHN HOOKANO, MY WIFE AND I MET AFTER TWO WEEKS OF THE CAR SITTING AT JIM FAULK NISSAN WITH NO FOLLOW UP CALL. HE SHOWED US THAT THE ORIGINAL WHEELS WERE ALUMINUM ALLOY, AND NOT CHROMED AND STATED THEY MUST BE AFTERMARKET OR CHROMED WITHOUT FACTORY AUTHORIZATION, HE THEN SHOWED US A BULLETIN ISSUED FROM NISSAN 2008, STATING THEIR POSITION NOT TO CHROME THE WHEELS. WE PURCHASED A 2006 350Z GRAND TOURING SPECIAL EDITION WHICH INCLUDED NAVIGATION SYSTEM, BREMBO BRAKES, BASICALLY EVERY OPTION INCLUDING CONVERTIBLE. WHEN I EXPLAINED I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW FROM THE DEALER IN ARIZONA AND THEY DID A DEALER TRADE FOR IT. WHEN IT ARRIVED FROM PEORIA ARIZONA'S NISSAN DEALER THE CHROMED WHEELS WERE ON IT. WE TOOK DELIVERY AT LAMB NISSAN IN PRESCOTT ARIZONA, AS IS, WE CHANGED NOTHING. WHEN I SHOWED THE FACTORY REP A SERVICE REPAIR ORDER FROM WHEN THE WARRANTY WAS IN EFFECT, WHICH MADE REFERENCE TO THE CLICKING WHEELS AND THAT WE HAVE CONTINUED TO HAVE ISSUES WITH THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM HE IGNORED MY COMMENT. THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 36,000 MILES AND YES THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. I DID PURCHASE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY IN WHICH I WAS TOLD DOES NOT COVER WHEELS. HOWEVER I BELIEVE IF THE NHTSA INSPECTOR LOOKED INTO THIS FAULT WOULD BE FOUND WITH EITHER THE MANUFACTURER OR THE DEALER. I CONTACTED LAMB NISSAN AND THE GENERAL MANAGER ED WALSH FOUND THE RECORDS THAT INDICATE I PURCHASED THE CAR WITH THE WHEELS ON IT FROM THE ORIGINAL DEALER WHO TOOK DELIVERY OF THE CAR, AND THAT IT DID IN FACT ARRIVE WITH CHROME NISSAN WHEELS. HE SAID I WILL CREDIT $1000 TO A NEW SET. WE EMAILED NISSAN EARLY ON AND GOT A RESPONSE WE WILL BE CONTACTED VANESSA FIORELLO CONSUMER AFFAIRS NEVER RETURNS MY EMAIL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10332444
26,000 miles · Sep 28, 2009
Wheels
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN 350Z. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER FACTORY RIMS WERE CUSTOMIZED AND DIPPED IN A CHROME SUBSTANCE BEFORE THEY WERE PURCHASED. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE CHROME RIM SEPARATED. AS CONSEQUENCE HER RISK OF VEHICLE CRASH WAS INCREASED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND SHE RECEIVED A REPLACEMENT SET OF …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN 350Z. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER FACTORY RIMS WERE CUSTOMIZED AND DIPPED IN A CHROME SUBSTANCE BEFORE THEY WERE PURCHASED. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE CHROME RIM SEPARATED. AS CONSEQUENCE HER RISK OF VEHICLE CRASH WAS INCREASED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND SHE RECEIVED A REPLACEMENT SET OF RIMS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WITH THIS MODEL TYPE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 26,000.
NHTSA ODI #10285528
31,000 miles · Sep 25, 2009
Wheels
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN 350Z. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS MAKING A LEFT TURN, THERE WAS A LOUD SOUND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE HAD FALLEN ON THE GROUND AND THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL DISENGAGED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED T…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN 350Z. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS MAKING A LEFT TURN, THERE WAS A LOUD SOUND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE HAD FALLEN ON THE GROUND AND THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL DISENGAGED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO A DEFECTIVE RIM. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAS CONCERNS OF THE SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 31,000.
NHTSA ODI #10285275
13,000 miles · Dec 9, 2008
Wheels
WAS HEARING NOISE AND TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT I HAVE 4 CRACKED RIMS AND SHOULD BUY NEW ONES FOR 3067.00. I WAS TOLD THAT YES THE DEALERSHIP DOES SEND THERE RIMS TO BE CHROMED BUT OF COURSE THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T DO MINE. I TOLD THEM I DIDN'T DO IT. NOTHING WAS DONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM, WAS OFFERED A FREE TOW CAUS…
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WAS HEARING NOISE AND TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT I HAVE 4 CRACKED RIMS AND SHOULD BUY NEW ONES FOR 3067.00. I WAS TOLD THAT YES THE DEALERSHIP DOES SEND THERE RIMS TO BE CHROMED BUT OF COURSE THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T DO MINE. I TOLD THEM I DIDN'T DO IT. NOTHING WAS DONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM, WAS OFFERED A FREE TOW CAUSE WAS TOLD CAR WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. SO I AM OUT OF POCKET ALMOST 1900.00. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IF I WASN'T WILLING TO PAY THE 3067.00 DOLLARS FOR NEW RIMS THAT I SHOULD START BY LOOKING AT THE JUNK YARD. I HAVE 2 NISSAN BULLETINS REFERENCE # NTB92-123A AND NTB92-123C WHICH CLEARLY DISCOURAGES WHAT NISSAN IS DOING REGARDING THE CHROMING OF RIMS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10251184
13,000 miles · Jul 7, 2008
Wheels
I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN 350Z CONVERTIBLE. I HAD THE 06 WHEELS AFTERMARKET POWERCOATED IN MAY 2007. ROUGHLY A MONTH LATER, I FOUND THAT ONE OF THE WHEELS HAD CRACKED. I BOUGHT A REPLACEMENT WHEEL, HAD THE WHEEL POWERCOATED TO MATCH THE OTHER THREE. ROUGHLY 4 MONTHS LATER, I DISCOVERED TWO MORE WHEELS HAD CRACKED. RESEARCHING THE CAU…
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I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN 350Z CONVERTIBLE. I HAD THE 06 WHEELS AFTERMARKET POWERCOATED IN MAY 2007. ROUGHLY A MONTH LATER, I FOUND THAT ONE OF THE WHEELS HAD CRACKED. I BOUGHT A REPLACEMENT WHEEL, HAD THE WHEEL POWERCOATED TO MATCH THE OTHER THREE. ROUGHLY 4 MONTHS LATER, I DISCOVERED TWO MORE WHEELS HAD CRACKED. RESEARCHING THE CAUSE OF THE CRACKS LED ME TO THE COMPLAINTS FILED EARLIER ON THE SAME WHEEL BEING AFFECTED BY THE CHROMING PROCESS. MY BIGGEST FEAR IS AS WE ALTER THE WHEELS, WE ARE IN ESSENCE AGING THE WHEEL AND DISCOVERING IT TO BE OF SUBSTANDARD QUALITY TO BEGIN WITH. I KNOW OF THREE OTHERS WHO HAVE HAD ATLEAST ONE WHEEL CRACK AFTER POWDER COATING. 4/9 WHEELS LOCAL TO ME HAVE CRACKED AND 1/4 IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10233389
NHTSA investigations
2EA07005 · Wheel Separation Due To Spoke Fracture
Opened Apr 3, 2007 · Closed Aug 4, 2008
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Wheels; Wheels:rim
ALL OF THE WHEEL SEPARATION INCIDENTS IDENTIFIED IN EA07-005 HAVE INVOLVED WHEELS SUBJECTED TO AFTERMARKET CHROMING IN CALIFORNIA.METALLURGICAL ANALYSIS OF AFTERMARKET CHROMED WHEELS OBTAINED FROM INCIDENT VEHICLES SHOWED SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN MATERIAL PROPERTIES THAT CAN INCREASE THE CHANCE OF STRUCTURAL FAILURE.NISSAN HAS ISSUED SEVERAL COMMUNICATIONS TO DEALERS, BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER ODI'S INVESTIGATION BEGAN WITH PE06-050, WARNING AGAINST THE PRACTICE OF CHROMING WHEELS.NISSAN HAS ADVISED ODI THAT IT WILL BE SENDING ANOTHER COMMUNICATION THIS YEAR THAT REPEATS THE WARNINGS AGAINST AFTERMARKET CHROMING. NO DEFECT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT NISSAN WHEELS.THERE HAVE BEEN NO WHEEL SEPARATION INCIDENTS INVOLVING THOSE WHEELS AND THEY PASSED THE SAE RADIAL FATIGUE, CORNERING AND SIDE IMPACT TESTS CONDUCTED BY VRTC.WHILE THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW COMPLAINTS, WARRANTY CLAIMS AND SURVEY RESPONSES INDICATING CRACKS IN ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT WHEELS, THEY ARE FEW IN NUMBER, OFTEN EXHIBIT EVIDENCE OF IMPACT DAMAGE AND MAY SOMETIMES INVOLVE CRACKS IN DIFFERENT LOCATIONS OF THE WHEEL.AT THIS TIME, IN VIEW OF THE LIMITED INCIDENCE OF THE CRACKS AND THE FACT THAT THE CRACKS DO NOT APPEAR TO HAVE PROGRESSED, FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES ON THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE WHEELS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS CLOSING RESUME.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Wheels
ALL OF THE WHEEL SEPARATION INCIDENTS IDENTIFIED IN EA07-005 HAVE INVOLVED WHEELS SUBJECTED TO AFTERMARKET CHROMING IN CALIFORNIA.METALLURGICAL ANALYSIS OF AFTERMARKET CHROMED WHEELS OBTAINED FROM INCIDENT VEHICLES SHOWED SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN MATERIAL PROPERTIES THAT CAN INCREASE THE CHANCE OF STRUCTURAL FAILURE.NISSAN HAS ISSUED SEVERAL COMMUNICATIONS TO DEALERS, BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER ODI'S INVESTIGATION BEGAN WITH PE06-050, WARNING AGAINST THE PRACTICE OF CHROMING WHEELS.NISSAN HAS ADVISED ODI THAT IT WILL BE SENDING ANOTHER COMMUNICATION THIS YEAR THAT REPEATS THE WARNINGS AGAINST AFTERMARKET CHROMING. NO DEFECT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT NISSAN WHEELS.THERE HAVE BEEN NO WHEEL SEPARATION INCIDENTS INVOLVING THOSE WHEELS AND THEY PASSED THE SAE RADIAL FATIGUE, CORNERING AND SIDE IMPACT TESTS CONDUCTED BY VRTC.WHILE THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW COMPLAINTS, WARRANTY CLAIMS AND SURVEY RESPONSES INDICATING CRACKS IN ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT WHEELS, THEY ARE FEW IN NUMBER, OFTEN EXHIBIT EVIDENCE OF IMPACT DAMAGE AND MAY SOMETIMES INVOLVE CRACKS IN DIFFERENT LOCATIONS OF THE WHEEL.AT THIS TIME, IN VIEW OF THE LIMITED INCIDENCE OF THE CRACKS AND THE FACT THAT THE CRACKS DO NOT APPEAR TO HAVE PROGRESSED, FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES ON THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE WHEELS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS CLOSING RESUME.
Wheels:rim
ALL OF THE WHEEL SEPARATION INCIDENTS IDENTIFIED IN EA07-005 HAVE INVOLVED WHEELS SUBJECTED TO AFTERMARKET CHROMING IN CALIFORNIA.METALLURGICAL ANALYSIS OF AFTERMARKET CHROMED WHEELS OBTAINED FROM INCIDENT VEHICLES SHOWED SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN MATERIAL PROPERTIES THAT CAN INCREASE THE CHANCE OF STRUCTURAL FAILURE.NISSAN HAS ISSUED SEVERAL COMMUNICATIONS TO DEALERS, BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER ODI'S INVESTIGATION BEGAN WITH PE06-050, WARNING AGAINST THE PRACTICE OF CHROMING WHEELS.NISSAN HAS ADVISED ODI THAT IT WILL BE SENDING ANOTHER COMMUNICATION THIS YEAR THAT REPEATS THE WARNINGS AGAINST AFTERMARKET CHROMING. NO DEFECT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT NISSAN WHEELS.THERE HAVE BEEN NO WHEEL SEPARATION INCIDENTS INVOLVING THOSE WHEELS AND THEY PASSED THE SAE RADIAL FATIGUE, CORNERING AND SIDE IMPACT TESTS CONDUCTED BY VRTC.WHILE THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW COMPLAINTS, WARRANTY CLAIMS AND SURVEY RESPONSES INDICATING CRACKS IN ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT WHEELS, THEY ARE FEW IN NUMBER, OFTEN EXHIBIT EVIDENCE OF IMPACT DAMAGE AND MAY SOMETIMES INVOLVE CRACKS IN DIFFERENT LOCATIONS OF THE WHEEL.AT THIS TIME, IN VIEW OF THE LIMITED INCIDENCE OF THE CRACKS AND THE FACT THAT THE CRACKS DO NOT APPEAR TO HAVE PROGRESSED, FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES ON THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE WHEELS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS CLOSING RESUME.
PE06050 · Wheel Failure
Opened Nov 9, 2006 · Closed Apr 9, 2007
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Wheels; Wheels:hubcap/cover; Wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs; Wheels:rim
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED PE06-050 BASED ON TWO CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING INCIDENTS OF WHEEL SEPARATION WHILE DRIVING DUE TO SPOKE FRACTURE.ONE OF THE INCIDENTS RESULTED IN A CRASH AND SERIOUS INJURY WHEN THE SEPARATED WHEEL STRUCK A CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL OFFICER ON A MOTORCYCLE ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY. DURING PE06-050, ODI DETERMINED THAT BOTH INCIDENTS OF WHEEL SEPARATION INVOLVED NISSAN WHEELS THAT WERE SUBJECTED TO AN AFTERMARKET RE-CHROMING PROCESS.BOTH INCIDENTS OCCURRED IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.INFORMATION PROVIDED BY NISSAN SHOWED THAT PROBLEMS WITH RE-CHROMED WHEELS WERE CONCENTRATED ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY IN CALIFORNIA.NISSAN HAS ISSUED DEALER BULLETINS, MOST RECENTLY IN AUGUST 2006, WARNING AGAINST RE-CHROMING WHEELS BECAUSE THE PROCESS MAY DAMAGE WHEELS.NISSAN ALSO SUBMITTED COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS CONCERNING CRACKED SPOKES IN ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT NISSAN ALLOY WHEELS.THESE CLAIMS AND COMPLAINTS WERE NOT CONCENTRATED IN ANY PARTICULAR GEOGRAPHIC REGION, BUT WERE FEW IN NUMBER.ACCORDING TO NISSAN, MOST OE ALLOY WHEELS WITH CRACKED SPOKES CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO IMPACT DAMAGE. THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA07-005) TO FURTHER ASSESS THE CAUSES OF SPOKE CRACKING IN ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT NISSAN WHEELS AND IN WHEELS SUBJECTED TO RE-CHROMING AND TO ASSESS THE RISK OF ADDITIONAL WHEEL SEPARATIONS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.
Additional source detail variants (4)
Wheels:hubcap/cover
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED PE06-050 BASED ON TWO CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING INCIDENTS OF WHEEL SEPARATION WHILE DRIVING DUE TO SPOKE FRACTURE.ONE OF THE INCIDENTS RESULTED IN A CRASH AND SERIOUS INJURY WHEN THE SEPARATED WHEEL STRUCK A CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL OFFICER ON A MOTORCYCLE ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY. DURING PE06-050, ODI DETERMINED THAT BOTH INCIDENTS OF WHEEL SEPARATION INVOLVED NISSAN WHEELS THAT WERE SUBJECTED TO AN AFTERMARKET RE-CHROMING PROCESS.BOTH INCIDENTS OCCURRED IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.INFORMATION PROVIDED BY NISSAN SHOWED THAT PROBLEMS WITH RE-CHROMED WHEELS WERE CONCENTRATED ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY IN CALIFORNIA.NISSAN HAS ISSUED DEALER BULLETINS, MOST RECENTLY IN AUGUST 2006, WARNING AGAINST RE-CHROMING WHEELS BECAUSE THE PROCESS MAY DAMAGE WHEELS.NISSAN ALSO SUBMITTED COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS CONCERNING CRACKED SPOKES IN ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT NISSAN ALLOY WHEELS.THESE CLAIMS AND COMPLAINTS WERE NOT CONCENTRATED IN ANY PARTICULAR GEOGRAPHIC REGION, BUT WERE FEW IN NUMBER.ACCORDING TO NISSAN, MOST OE ALLOY WHEELS WITH CRACKED SPOKES CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO IMPACT DAMAGE. THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA07-005) TO FURTHER ASSESS THE CAUSES OF SPOKE CRACKING IN ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT NISSAN WHEELS AND IN WHEELS SUBJECTED TO RE-CHROMING AND TO ASSESS THE RISK OF ADDITIONAL WHEEL SEPARATIONS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.
Wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED PE06-050 BASED ON TWO CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING INCIDENTS OF WHEEL SEPARATION WHILE DRIVING DUE TO SPOKE FRACTURE.ONE OF THE INCIDENTS RESULTED IN A CRASH AND SERIOUS INJURY WHEN THE SEPARATED WHEEL STRUCK A CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL OFFICER ON A MOTORCYCLE ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY. DURING PE06-050, ODI DETERMINED THAT BOTH INCIDENTS OF WHEEL SEPARATION INVOLVED NISSAN WHEELS THAT WERE SUBJECTED TO AN AFTERMARKET RE-CHROMING PROCESS.BOTH INCIDENTS OCCURRED IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.INFORMATION PROVIDED BY NISSAN SHOWED THAT PROBLEMS WITH RE-CHROMED WHEELS WERE CONCENTRATED ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY IN CALIFORNIA.NISSAN HAS ISSUED DEALER BULLETINS, MOST RECENTLY IN AUGUST 2006, WARNING AGAINST RE-CHROMING WHEELS BECAUSE THE PROCESS MAY DAMAGE WHEELS.NISSAN ALSO SUBMITTED COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS CONCERNING CRACKED SPOKES IN ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT NISSAN ALLOY WHEELS.THESE CLAIMS AND COMPLAINTS WERE NOT CONCENTRATED IN ANY PARTICULAR GEOGRAPHIC REGION, BUT WERE FEW IN NUMBER.ACCORDING TO NISSAN, MOST OE ALLOY WHEELS WITH CRACKED SPOKES CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO IMPACT DAMAGE. THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA07-005) TO FURTHER ASSESS THE CAUSES OF SPOKE CRACKING IN ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT NISSAN WHEELS AND IN WHEELS SUBJECTED TO RE-CHROMING AND TO ASSESS THE RISK OF ADDITIONAL WHEEL SEPARATIONS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.
Wheels
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED PE06-050 BASED ON TWO CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING INCIDENTS OF WHEEL SEPARATION WHILE DRIVING DUE TO SPOKE FRACTURE.ONE OF THE INCIDENTS RESULTED IN A CRASH AND SERIOUS INJURY WHEN THE SEPARATED WHEEL STRUCK A CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL OFFICER ON A MOTORCYCLE ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY. DURING PE06-050, ODI DETERMINED THAT BOTH INCIDENTS OF WHEEL SEPARATION INVOLVED NISSAN WHEELS THAT WERE SUBJECTED TO AN AFTERMARKET RE-CHROMING PROCESS.BOTH INCIDENTS OCCURRED IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.INFORMATION PROVIDED BY NISSAN SHOWED THAT PROBLEMS WITH RE-CHROMED WHEELS WERE CONCENTRATED ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY IN CALIFORNIA.NISSAN HAS ISSUED DEALER BULLETINS, MOST RECENTLY IN AUGUST 2006, WARNING AGAINST RE-CHROMING WHEELS BECAUSE THE PROCESS MAY DAMAGE WHEELS.NISSAN ALSO SUBMITTED COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS CONCERNING CRACKED SPOKES IN ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT NISSAN ALLOY WHEELS.THESE CLAIMS AND COMPLAINTS WERE NOT CONCENTRATED IN ANY PARTICULAR GEOGRAPHIC REGION, BUT WERE FEW IN NUMBER.ACCORDING TO NISSAN, MOST OE ALLOY WHEELS WITH CRACKED SPOKES CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO IMPACT DAMAGE. THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA07-005) TO FURTHER ASSESS THE CAUSES OF SPOKE CRACKING IN ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT NISSAN WHEELS AND IN WHEELS SUBJECTED TO RE-CHROMING AND TO ASSESS THE RISK OF ADDITIONAL WHEEL SEPARATIONS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.
Wheels:rim
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED PE06-050 BASED ON TWO CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING INCIDENTS OF WHEEL SEPARATION WHILE DRIVING DUE TO SPOKE FRACTURE.ONE OF THE INCIDENTS RESULTED IN A CRASH AND SERIOUS INJURY WHEN THE SEPARATED WHEEL STRUCK A CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL OFFICER ON A MOTORCYCLE ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY. DURING PE06-050, ODI DETERMINED THAT BOTH INCIDENTS OF WHEEL SEPARATION INVOLVED NISSAN WHEELS THAT WERE SUBJECTED TO AN AFTERMARKET RE-CHROMING PROCESS.BOTH INCIDENTS OCCURRED IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.INFORMATION PROVIDED BY NISSAN SHOWED THAT PROBLEMS WITH RE-CHROMED WHEELS WERE CONCENTRATED ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY IN CALIFORNIA.NISSAN HAS ISSUED DEALER BULLETINS, MOST RECENTLY IN AUGUST 2006, WARNING AGAINST RE-CHROMING WHEELS BECAUSE THE PROCESS MAY DAMAGE WHEELS.NISSAN ALSO SUBMITTED COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS CONCERNING CRACKED SPOKES IN ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT NISSAN ALLOY WHEELS.THESE CLAIMS AND COMPLAINTS WERE NOT CONCENTRATED IN ANY PARTICULAR GEOGRAPHIC REGION, BUT WERE FEW IN NUMBER.ACCORDING TO NISSAN, MOST OE ALLOY WHEELS WITH CRACKED SPOKES CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO IMPACT DAMAGE. THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA07-005) TO FURTHER ASSESS THE CAUSES OF SPOKE CRACKING IN ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT NISSAN WHEELS AND IN WHEELS SUBJECTED TO RE-CHROMING AND TO ASSESS THE RISK OF ADDITIONAL WHEEL SEPARATIONS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.