Recall Roundup: Nissan Recalls a Quarter Million Pathfinder SUVs, Sentra Sedans to Fix Air Bags

During the past week, Nissan North America recalled more than 260,000 Pathfinder SUVs and Sentra sedans from the 2004-2006 model years, while Ford Motor Company recalled some 2015 Lincoln MKZ vehicles and Ford F-150 pickup trucks. The Nissan recall concerns the passenger-side front air bag, while the Ford recalls are due to headlights and steering shaft issues. Details for each recall are below, in alphabetical order by vehicle brand.

2015 Ford F-150

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling 8,963 model-year 2015 Ford F-150 trucks manufactured March 19, 2015, to March 30, 2015. The affected vehicles may have been built with a steering upper intermediate shaft that was improperly riveted. This shaft could separate from the intermediate shaft flex coupling, resulting in a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the intermediate shaft and replace it, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in May 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S17; owners may also refer to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) campaign number 15V279000.

2015 Lincoln MKZ

Ford is recalling 21,435 model-year 2015 Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured February 17, 2014, to March 19, 2015, and equipped with daytime running lights (DRL). In the affected vehicles, the parking lights do not reduce their light output from a DRL level when used in conjunction with the headlights. As such, the light output may exceed the permissible amount allowed by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108: Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment. If the light output is excessive, oncoming traffic may be temporarily blinded, increasing the risk of a crash.

Ford has notified owners, and dealers will update the lighting control software free of charge. The recall began on May 8, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for the recall is 15C02; owners may also refer to NHTSA campaign number 15V248000.

2004 Nissan Pathfinder

2004-2006 Nissan Sentra

Nissan North America (Nissan) is recalling 263,692 model-year 2004 Pathfinder vehicles manufactured January 6, 2004, to July 19, 2004, and 2004-2006 Sentra vehicles manufactured January 7, 2004, to August 26, 2006. Upon deployment of the passenger-side front air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger-side frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking and injuring vehicle occupants.

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on June 15, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261, and may refer to NHTSA campaign number 15V287000. Note: This recall addresses vehicles that were not included in the regional recalls of 14V-701 and 15V-226. Those two recall campaigns address vehicles sold or ever registered in certain areas of high absolute humidity. This recall addresses the remainder of the vehicles sold or registered in the remainder of the U.S. and its territories.