Nissan Calls Back 10,000 Ariyas Whose Motors Could Short Circuit

Japanese automaker Nissan is calling back some 10,000 Ariya electric sport utility vehicles in the U.S. over motor concerns.

The SUVs’ motors could short-circuit and stall unexpectedly, Nissan recently told federal vehicle safety regulators. Specifically, conductive fibrous shavings from the slip ring end of the motor could spark, forcing the car into fail-safe mode.

“If this issue occurs, the torque to the driven wheels will be cut off until the fail-safe mode is released following a vehicle power off and restart,” Nissan said in a letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “An unexpected loss of motive power while driving at high speed may increase the risk of a crash.”

The recall covers certain 2023 Ariya SUVs produced between June 2022 and May 2023. 

Nissan said it is “not aware of accidents or injuries” stemming from the defect. The company first became aware of the problem in January during a production trial.

The automaker says a software update will fix the problem.

The company said it planned to notify owners of recalled cars via mail beginning October 20. Nissan wants owners to bring their vehicles to authorized local dealers for inspection and the software fix.

This is not the only safety issue for Nissan and anyone who drives its cars.

The recall comes less than a month after Nissan said it was calling back some 150,000  Sentra and Altima vehicles whose rearview camera harnesses may become damaged, according to the company.

Nissan also recently recalled roughly 236,000 compact Sentras. The vehicles' front suspension tie rods can bend and break, which could cause drivers to lose control of the steering wheel and crash, the company told NHTSA at the time of the recall.

How the California Lemon Law Works

The sad truth is that Nissan and other major car manufacturers call back millions of vehicles every year, citing a wide range of defects that increase safety risks for everyone on the road. These recalls typically come long after cars have left factory floors and dealership lots and sold to unsuspecting buyers.

The good news is that California car owners and lessors have some valuable rights and protections under the state’s lemon law.

The lemon law generally requires car manufacturers to perform a variety of repairs on vehicles while they are under warranty. It also forces them to buy back covered vehicles that they are either unable or are simply not willing to fix. 

There is no set number of repair requests or attempts that must be made before the buyback or replacement obligation kicks in. An experienced California lemon law attorney can help you understand your rights and explore your options.

Talk with a California Lemon Law Attorney

If you have been stuck with a defective or malfunctioning vehicle, a California lemon law attorney at Bickel Sannipoli APC can help you fight back.  

Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law attorney.