Nissan has initiated a voluntary safety recall for certain 2023 Nissan Ariya EVs that underwent a recent port modification activity to replace the steering wheel due to a quality issue. The modification required the replacement of the vehicle’s steering wheel, which could have led to an inadvertent application of incorrect torque settings to the steering wheel bolt by the technician. In certain cases, the steering wheel bolt may not have been installed, causing the steering wheel to experience some play or potentially separate from the steering column if pulled toward the driver. This can increase the risk of a crash. Owners are advised to contact their dealer immediately for transport and repair if they notice excessive play or looseness in the steering wheel.

Nissan first became aware of the issue in January 2023, following a report from one of their dealers about a loose steering wheel found on a 2023 Ariya vehicle. An investigation found the steering wheel center bolt was completely missing. After receiving a second report of a loose steering wheel and missing steering wheel bolt on another 2023 Ariya vehicle in February, Nissan opened an investigation and identified that both vehicles had been serviced by the same technician during the port modification activity.

In response, Nissan launched a dealer quality action to inspect the steering wheels on 418 Ariya vehicles in dealer inventory that was previously repaired as part of the port modification activity. One additional Ariya vehicle with a loose steering wheel was identified during the audit, and an investigation found that the incorrect torque had been applied to the affected steering wheel bolt during the port modification activity. Out of an abundance of caution, Nissan decided to conduct a voluntary safety recall to remedy all vehicles included in the port modification activity.

To address the issue, dealers will replace the steering wheel bolt, and Nissan’s recall number for this issue is PC956, while the NHTSA campaign number is 23V-131.