Investigation PE06050: 2006 Nissan 350Z

Status

CLOSED

Opened

Nov 9, 2006

Closed

Apr 9, 2007

Model years

2006

Subject

WHEEL FAILURE

Component: Wheels › Hubcap/cover

Summary

The office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe06-050 based on two consumer complaints alleging incidents of wheel separation while driving due to spoke fracture.one of the incidents resulted in a crash and serious injury when the separated wheel struck a california highway patrol officer on a motorcycle on the opposite side of the freeway. During pe06-050, odi determined that both incidents of wheel separation involved nissan wheels that were subjected to an aftermarket re-chroming process.both incidents occurred in southern california.information provided by nissan showed that problems with re-chromed wheels were concentrated almost exclusively in california.nissan has issued dealer bulletins, most recently in august 2006, warning against re-chroming wheels because the process may damage wheels.nissan also submitted complaints and warranty claims concerning cracked spokes in original equipment nissan alloy wheels.these claims and complaints were not concentrated in any particular geographic region, but were few in number.according to nissan, most oe alloy wheels with cracked spokes can be attributed to impact damage. This investigation has been upgraded to an engineering analysis (ea07-005) to further assess the causes of spoke cracking in original equipment nissan wheels and in wheels subjected to re-chroming and to assess the risk of additional wheel separations in the subject vehicles.

An NHTSA investigation looks into whether a safety defect exists. Opening one is not a finding. Outcomes can include a recall, closure without action, or further inquiry.

Model years covered

• 2006 Nissan 350Z53 complaints