Nissan Frontier and Titan Trucks Recalled for Rollaway Risk

Over 200,000 Nissan Frontier and Nissan Titan pickup trucks have been recalled by the manufacturer due to a risk that they could roll away when parked. While the initial recall issued in June covered vehicles from the 2020 to 2022 model years, it was expanded in September to include additional vehicles from the 2022-2023 model year. The manufacturer has advised owners they should engage the emergency park brake while it is working to find a fix in connection with the rollaway risk recall.

What Defect Caused the Nissan Recall?

The Nissan recall stems from an issue impacting the 9-speed automatic transmission with which the affected vehicles are equipped. Specifically, the problem has to do with a defective parking pawl inside the transmission that does not engage when the vehicle is shifted into park. As a result, the trucks can slip out of “park” and roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.

The Nissan rollaway risk recall covers vehicles from model years 2020-2023, including the following:

• Nissan Frontier pickup trucks built between June 10, 2020 and June 25, 2021
• Nissan Frontier pickup trucks built between July 13, 2021 and August 25, 2022
• Nissan Titan pickup trucks built between December 13, 2019 and August 25, 2022

Other Nissan and Infiniti vehicles equipped with 9-speed automatic transmissions may also be affected. While no injuries have been related to the issue leading to the recall, Nissan is working to finalize a remedy.

What Can You Do if Your Nissan Frontier or Titan Truck Was Recalled?

You might be concerned if you learn that your vehicle is part of a safety recall. However, it’s essential to understand that the manufacturer is required to make any necessary repairs free of charge — and within a reasonable time frame. Importantly, owners of Nissan Frontier and Titan trucks affected by the rollaway risk recall should receive a notice in the mail from the manufacturer when a remedy has been identified.

If you’re uncertain whether your vehicle is part of the recall, you can confirm on Nissan’s website by entering your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Your 17-character VIN can be found on your car’s windshield or on your vehicle’s registration card. You can also contact the manufacturer with any questions related to safety recalls by calling (800) NISSAN-1. Once you have determined that your vehicle is affected by the rollaway risk recall, you should contact your local dealership to make an appointment to have it repaired.

In addition, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers a search option on its website that reveals all vehicles subject to an open recall. By entering your VIN, you can also find out whether your vehicle has been part of any other recalls within the last 15 years that have not been repaired.

Does the Nissan Recall Mean Your Vehicle is a Lemon?

Even if your Nissan Frontier or Nissan Titan truck is part of the rollaway risk recall, it doesn’t automatically mean it is a lemon. A recalled vehicle can be a hassle and an inconvenience, but the issue can usually be repaired with one trip to the dealership after a fix has been identified. In order for a vehicle to be a lemon, it must have a defect that cannot be repaired — which substantially impacts the value or safety of the vehicle.

There are strict criteria under California’s Lemon Law that determine when a new or used vehicle can qualify as a lemon, and whether a consumer can obtain a refund or replacement. Significantly, a vehicle must still be under the original manufacturer’s warranty at the time the defect arose. The nonconformity must also be one that is not repairable after several trips to the dealership. Although four repair attempts are generally sufficient to establish a lemon law claim, only two are needed if the problem with the vehicle could pose a serious safety risk.

A vehicle might be considered a lemon under the law if it remained in the repair shop for a total of 30 days or more and repairs were not successfully made. California law also presumes that a vehicle is a lemon if the nonconformity arose within 18 months of delivery of the vehicle or within the first 18,000 miles it was driven. This legal presumption can often make it easier for an owner to prove their lemon law claim since the burden of proof is not placed on the consumer, but rather on the manufacturer, who must establish that the vehicle is not a lemon.

Contact an Experienced Southern California Lemon Law Attorney

If you bought a Nissan Frontier or Nissan Titan truck that turned out to be a lemon, you might be entitled to pursue legal action against the manufacturer. It’s best to speak with a knowledgeable lemon law attorney who can evaluate your claim and discuss your options. The attorneys at the Ledbetter Law Firm are dedicated to providing clients with high-quality counsel and skillful representation to help ensure they secure the compensation they deserve for their lemon vehicles.

The Ledbetter Law Firm represents clients throughout Southern California who have purchased lemon vehicles and assists them with obtaining a replacement or refund from the manufacturer. With offices conveniently located in Torrance and San Diego, California, telephone and video conferencing options are also available. Call (310) 878-0067 to schedule a consultation with a California Lemon Law attorney today.