Nissan Versa And Micra Pedal Interference Problem Upgraded To Recall, Includes 300,000 Cars

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A photo provided by NHTSA shows the area in which drivers’ feet have become stuck. The arrow shows the actuator flap that interferes with the movement between the accelerator and brake.

Nissan plans to recall 300,000 vehicles in the United States from its Versa and Micra models due to problem with a console panel. That sounds harmless enough until you learn that the problem is that the driver’s shoe may catch on the panel, trapping that foot on the gas pedal and potentially causing an accident.

The actual phrasing is “potentially impede smooth pedal operation,” but as the National Highway Safety and Traffic Administration points out in its recall report, “A delay in the application of the brake pedal would lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increase the risk of a crash.” Yes. The console issue has already been blamed for one accident that resulted in an injury.

This is the same problem that was subject to an engineering analysis back in April, when investigators said that there were eleven reports of the pedal problem. The NHTSA has been researching this specific issue since June 2014. Now the analysis has been upgraded to a full recall.

Affected models are:

Versa sedan, model years 2012 through 2015
Versa Note, model years 2014 and 2015
Micra, 2014 and 2015

Drivers will receive a recall notice sometime in October, and a Nissan dealership will fix the panel. Nissan didn’t specify what type of shoe, if any, might be more likely to catch on the console panel, so drive carefully if you own one of the affected models.

Nissan to recall about 300,000 vehicles in U.S. to fix console panel [Reuters]

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NHTSA Advances Investigation Into Pedal Interference In Nissan Versa & Note, Adds Model Years

by Laura Northrup via Consumerist