Recall - Alloy Wheel Replacement: Overview

Reference:
ITB03-024

Date:
April 23, 2003

VOLUNTARY RECALL CAMPAIGN 2000-01 Q45 ALLOY WHEEL

CAMPAIGN I.D. # / NHTSA #: R3006 / 03V-098

APPLIED VEHICLE:
2000-01 Q45 (FY33) - (Touring/Anniversary model with 17" alloy wheels ONLY)

APPLIED VINs:
Vehicles built between:
JNKBY31A*1M100002-101879
JNKBY31A*YM300015-302786
JNKBY31A*YM701255-701280

INTRODUCTION

Infiniti has determined that some 2000-2001 model year Infiniti Q45 vehicles may have a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety. The alloy wheels used on these vehicles may have a casting defect that could cause cracks to develop as the vehicle is being driven. If a sufficient number of cracks develop, the wheel could fail and separate from the mounting hub, resulting in loss of control and a crash. The spare tire steel wheel is not affected.

IDENTIFICATION NUMBER

Nissan has assigned identification number R3006 to this campaign. This number must appear on all communications and documentation of any nature dealing with this campaign.

NUMBER OF VEHICLES POTENTIALLY AFFECTED

The number of vehicles potentially affected is approximately 3,600.

DEALER RESPONSIBILITY

It is the retailer's responsibility to check Infiniti Net for the campaign status on each vehicle falling within the range of this voluntary safety recall which for any reason enters the service department. This includes vehicles purchased from private parties or presented by transient (tourist) owners and vehicles in a dealer's inventory. Federal law requires that new vehicles in dealer inventory which are the subject of a safety recall must be corrected prior to sale. Failure to do so can result in civil penalties by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. While federal law applies only to new vehicles, Infiniti strongly encourages dealers to correct any used vehicles in their inventory before they are retailed.

SPECIAL CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE FEATURES

On some vehicles affected by this campaign, one or more of the 17 inch alloy wheels may have already been replaced. If the wheel was replaced as a Warranty Repair, no further action is required. However, if the customer paid to have one or more of the 17 inch alloy wheels replaced, the customer may be eligible for reimbursement of the related expense. Please inform the customer that they can request reimbursement by contacting Infiniti Consumer Affairs at 1-800-662-6200.

If one or more of the 17 inch alloy wheels was replaced at your dealership, please provide a copy of the repair order/invoice, if available, to the customer.

If the repair was completed at a location other than your dealership, please inform the customer that they will need to provide proof of the repair and proof of payment when they contact Infiniti Consumer Affairs.

SERVICE PROCEDURE

NOTES:
^ The spare tire steel wheel is NOT included in this campaign.

^ Only the factory alloy wheels will be replaced as part of this campaign, NOT the tires.

Determine Wheel Type

A. If the vehicle is equipped with non-factory alloy wheels, the vehicle is NOT part of this campaign. Refer to the Claims Information section of this bulletin.

B. If the vehicle is equipped with the factory alloy wheels, proceed with "Wheel Replacement" below.

Wheel Replacement

Replace all four wheels as follows:

1. Raise the vehicle on a hoist.

2. Remove all four wheel/tire assemblies.

3. Use appropriate equipment to:

^ Remove the existing tires from the old wheels

^ Install the existing tires on the new wheels

^ Balance each tire/wheel assembly

4. Install the tire/wheel assemblies on the vehicle. Tighten the wheel nuts in a cross pattern to 98 - 118 N-m (10 - 12 kg-m, 72 - 87 ft-lbs).

5. Proceed with "Old Wheel Destruction Procedure".

Old Wheel Destruction Procedure

CAUTION:
Use suitable eye and hand protection when performing the following procedure.

^ Render all the old wheels useless:





^ Use a suitable cutting tool to cut a V-Notch (about 1 inch deep) in the wheel bead across from the valve stem (see Figure 1).

NOTE:
^ Wheels affected by this campaign may have been used to mount snow tires or used as spare tires or, in some cases, mounted on vehicles other than those identified as part of this campaign.

^ If you encounter such a situation, the wheels may be eligible for replacement as part of this campaign. However, pre-approval from the Infiniti Claim Call Center is required PRIOR TO replacing the wheels.

^ Use the following Parts Information and the Claims Information ONLY when replacing 4 wheels on a vehicle with a VIN that is part of this campaign OR inspecting & releasing a vehicle that has non-OEM wheels installed.





PARTS INFORMATION

CLAIMS INFORMATION





Submit a "Campaign" (CM) line claim using the claims coding information table.