Nissan is recalling 267,276 units of the Pathfinder SUV over reports of problematic brake light switch relays. The recall is scheduled on March 1, as per documents released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The affected Pathfinder SUVs are from the 2013 through 2015 model years. Nissan clarified that no other models from both the Nissan and Infiniti brands are affected.
The issue, according to the report, is most likely to occur under “frequent stop-and-go driving with repeated brake pedal input.” It can cause “chattering” in the light’s relay, which could eventually prompt the brake light to become stuck in the “on” position.
As it is, “always-on” brake lights are considered a safety problem as they could result in serious consequences such as interference with the brake-shift interlock. If this happens, there is a possibility for limited engine power (brake override), which, according to a statement from Nissan, is “the ability to shift the vehicle out of park without depressing the brake pedal, and/or the engine starting without depressing the brake pedal.”
To fix the issue, Nissan has instructed dealers to reinstall the faulty relay in a better position or replace it entirely. Owners can expect recall notifications next month.
Back in 2016, Nissan also recalled 2013 and 2014 Pathfinder SUVs for the same problem.
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