Nissan Recalls More Than 854K Cars Over Brake Light Malfunction

Nissan is recalling more than 854,000 cars in the United States and Canada after discovering an issue that could cause the brake lights to fail when the driver presses the pedal.

There is a risk of a rear-end crash if the brake lights don’t illuminate when the pedal is pressed, according to The Associated Press. However, the Japanese car manufacturer said it was not aware of any crashes or injuries caused by the problem.

Nissan does not currently face legal action over the faulty brake lights, but Top Class Actions tracks recalls because they sometimes end in class action lawsuits.

The recall includes certain Sentra compacts and sedans from 2016 through 2019, with 807,376 of the recalled cars coming from the United States, the AP reported.

The issue is caused by silicon contamination from grease used in nearby components, Nissan said. Over time, the contamination can cause oxidation, making the stop-lamp switch near the brake pedal malfunction.

If that happens, the stop-lamps may not light up, and the engine may not start, the AP reported. 

The Nissan brake light problem can develop without the car owner being aware of it. Owners may see a malfunction indicator light on the dashboard if the issue is happening, but they will not necessarily know the reason for it.

To fix the problem, owners of the cars under recall will need to schedule a service appointment for the faulty parts to be replaced. Owners will receive an interim repair letter in April that will tell them to schedule a service appointment if they experience the problem, the AP reported.

When enough parts are available in the fall, a second letter will be sent telling all owners to make a service appointment. Dealers will replace the switch and add a protective grommet.

In the meantime, owners can check if their car is under recall using the Nissan USA recall tool.

This is not the first time Nissan has had an issue with brake lights. In January, safety regulators issued a recall on more than 354,000 Nissan Pathfinders, some for the second time, over a faulty brake light that stays on.

In that case, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) said 267,276 Nissan Pathfinders built between 2013 and 2015 had a stop lamp relay that can get stuck in the on position, limiting engine power and causing the SUV to start or roll away unexpectedly in some instances.

Do you own a Nissan? Have you noticed any issues with your brake lights? Let us know in the comments! 

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