Nissan recalls 51,000 vehicles

Nissan has issued a recall on its Qashqai and Qashqai+2 SUV models for “precautionary checks” after it was feared there could be a fault with the car’s steering wheels.

3,000 2012 Model Year NV200 vehicles have also been affected by the recall, while a total of 48,000 Qashqai and Qashqai+2 models – again 2012 Model Year – are being brought in for checks.

On Bing: see images of the Nissan Qashqai

First Drive: Nissan Qashqai 1.6 dCi (2012 onwards)

It is thought around 7,000 vehicles were bought in the UK, while other products built at the firm’s Sunderland plant were shipped around the world.

Approximately 600 steering wheels will have to be replaced following a complaint from a customer in Finland that the steering wheel was loose.

The Japanese manufacturer has highlighted the problem is due to a weakened joint in an isolated batch of steering wheels, which connects the wheel itself to the steering column.

Nissan says the fault occurred after a supplier had initiated a tooling change on the machine which fabricated the part.

Over one million Qashqais have been built at the Sunderland factory since the car’s introduction in 2006 and facelift in 2010, although around 80% of production is exported globally.

Nissan has said it is “working with dealers to promptly address this issue” and is urging owners to contact their dealer to confirm whether their vehicle has been affected.

Find out how much a Nissan Qashqai costs on Auto Trader

On Bing: see images of the Nissan Qashqai

First Drive: Nissan Qashqai 1.6 dCi (2012 onwards)