Defective breaks have prompted Nissan to recall 86,265 Murano SUV's from model year 2009, according to Consumer Reports. The problem is a "potentially faulty part" in the antilock brake system. If this part fails, the brake pedal may move closer to the floor than usual and more quickly than a driver might expect.
It might feel to drivers that the brakes are malfunctioning on the 2009 Nissan Murano SUVs even though the brakes are engaging, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The defective brakes on 2009 Nissan Murano SUVs may force stopping distances to increase because of the extra time it takes for the pedal to travel to the floor.
Fourteen crashes and three non-life-threatening injuries were factors in the NHTSA investigating the defective brakes on 2009 Nissan Murano SUVs in April 2018.
The risk
A coating of zinc on the braking system may react with brake fluids to form a gelatinous substance that causes valves in the system "to stick open." That may lead to fluid build-up within the system that causes additional brake-pedal travel. The result could be drivers experiencing the pedal moving more quickly and further to the floor than they expect.
The recall in relation to defective brakes on 2009 Nissan Murano SUVs impacts those manufactured from July 9, 2007 - Aug. 29, 2009.
Repairs will be done at no cost to owners of the 2009 Nissan Murano SUVs with defective breaks. Dealerships will inspect the antilock brake system and make necessary replacements.
Nissan began notifying potentially impacted customers on Feb. 4, 2019. Owners of these vehicles also can call Nissan customer service at 800-867-7669.
In a letter to owners about the defective brakes on the 2009 Nissan Murano SUVs, Nissan stated:
"Dear Nissan Murano Owner:
"Nissan is committed to providing the highest levels of product safety, quality and customer satisfaction. With that in mind, we want to bring to your attention an important Service Campaign that applies to your vehicle.
"On some of the affected vehicles, an owner may experience increased brake pedal travel or low pedal feel because of brake fluid-pressure fluctuation."
The NHTSA's campaign number for this recall is 18V916.
What you can do
Vehicle owners can visit the recall page on the NHTSA's website for information. Owners will need to enter the vehicle identification number (VIN) from their car or truck to learn if a specific vehicle needs to be repaired as part of a recall. The VIN consists of 17 numbers and letters and can be found on the lower left of a vehicle's windshield, on the vehicle's state-issued registration document or an insurance card.
You must enter your vehicle's 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN) into NHTSA's website to find out if there is currently an open recall.
The recall page on the NHTSA's website said that what the VIN search covers are recalls that are incomplete, recalls done over the past 15 years, and recalls done by major light auto makers and motorcycle manufacturers.
What the VIN search on the recall page of the NHTSA's website doesn't cover are:
- Information about completed safety recalls
- Information about a manufacturer's customer service or other non-safety recall information
- International vehicles
- "Very recently announced" safety recalls for which not all VINs have been identified
- Recalls over 15 years old
- Recalls done by small vehicle manufacturers such as "ultra-luxury" brands
For help with accidents related to defective brakes on 2009 Nissan Murano SUVs or other personal injury cases in Connecticut contact the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone & Morelli today.