The problem
2000 Nissan xterra vehicles manufactured between october 15, 1999, and february 29, 2000. The alloy wheels used on these vehicles may not have been properly manufactured and could develop cracks in the wheel spokes.
The risk
If a sufficient number of spoke cracks develop, the wheel could fail and separate from the mounting hub, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without prior warning.
The fix
Nissan will notify its customers and replace the four alloy wheels with xterra se model bright alloy wheels free of charge. The spare tire steel wheel is not affected. Owner notification began on september 15, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261. Information can also be obtained through nissan's web site at www.Nissanusa.Com.
Contacts
Also, customers can contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
What to do
- Check your VIN. Enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls - it shows whether this recall applies to your vehicle and whether the repair has been done.
- Call a dealer. Any authorized Nissan dealer will do the repair free, whether or not you bought the vehicle there. Quote campaign 03V307000.
- Ask about parts and a loaner. If parts aren't available yet, ask what to do in the meantime.
- Keep your paperwork. If you paid for this repair before the recall, you may be able to get reimbursed - here's how.