Service Campaign- m45 y34-- Seat Air bag

[DRIPS]

I received a notice today that my y34 m45 is being recalled for a defective seat mounted air bag switch.

APparently they will replace and fix free of charge and labor.

I figure its a good opportunity to also have them diagnos my cruise control so I can get the right parts and fix that.

[SteveTheTech]

Sorry I edited your title.

I saw this new TSB out this morning but I don't think it is a recall. I don't have a bulletin number but I will update this first thing in the morning. I knew I forgot to do something.

If it is indeed a recall I will fix your title, I just didn't want to cause an uproar for something that is only performed if the light is flashing.

The fix for this is funny and something I have been doing for a while. If the light is on for a drivers seat related dtc (SIDE MODULE LH/RH OPEN) the fix is to apply apoxy to the back side of the connector under the front of the effected seat. The procedure actually goes one step further and has the technician modify the lower section of the front trim panel. More importantly it stresses properly routing the side airbags harness correctly.

If you can scan the codes or manually retrieve them you can fix this in the driveway fairly easily.

A members whos username escapes at this moment, has had his car in for the same issue. Over the past few years I have seen intermittent seat airbag concerns. Following the diagnostic procedure in the book they strongly advise against testing the circuits.

I will get the procedure for you guys and cut the useless stuff out. You all may want to think about doing this as a little preventative measure against any future problems. This is a very simple procedure and those of you with light colored interiors may want to do this yourself if you are not the trusting sort.

[Manok]

I got that notice too.

[SteveTheTech]

Now I am slightly more confused. I don't see why this would be a recall. This has been like it was designed in many cars for 5 years at least.

I will get to the bottom of this.

[candymanfb]

Is there a national database for recalls / service bulletins?

I haven't received this yet ... and my airbag light has been on for the past two weeks. I'm hoping that it's related.

[Double E]

I got mine.... No light on. I'll take it in when I have them do the brake rotors...

[szh]

I got my notice on Monday ... will have the Dealer look at it when I am next in there.

Is there a national database for recalls / service bulletins?

I haven't received this yet ... and my airbag light has been on for the past two weeks. I'm hoping that it's related.

Are you the first owner? If not, and if the previous owner(s) did not note the sale into the Nissan databases, they will send the notice to whoever is the last owner of record ...

You can call Infiniti Consumer Affairs and ask them to send you the info, or simply take the car to the dealer anyway. Even if out of warranty, I am pretty sure that the air bag falls into a special category where they will check/fix it for free.

Z

[peter_rabbit]

i got mine also last night. Also got a coupon for a $30 Synthetic oil change. WOOHOO feels like Christmas all over again. Will be taking it in next week.

[The00Dustin]

So the original poster's signature says 2003, but nowhere else in the thread do I see a year mentioned. SteveTheTech mentions that this has been the design for years, but his post doesn't necessarily indicate which years. Does anyone know which years this applies to? I recently purchased a 2006 that will be out of warranty at the end of September if I don't rack up the 60,000 miles before then, which isn't impossible for me to do, in either scenario my warranty would likely be up long before I would get the notice, if it even applies to the newer model. I understand that if it becomes a recall, that won't matter, but since seat airbags aren't required and this issue shouldn't directly cause injury, I don't expect a recall, and it's hard telling how the bulletin will otherwise be treated from dealer to dealer (obviously they want paid, some worse than others, so unless corporate is financing the fix, there will probably be dealers that will want to charge customers for it once vehicles are out of warranty even if it only costs them $5).

[SteveTheTech]

I would like to start off by eating my words. I wanted to stay on the safe side as a recall on a car of this age is very unusual. I did go back and unedit the title to reflect the actual case. Since wording is very similar between a recall and a technical service bulletin.

Here is a small fragment of the information contained in the Service Campaign notice.

ITB09-023 July 21

VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN

2003 - 2005 INFINITI Q45, 2003 - 2004 INFINITI M45

FRONT SEAT SIDE AIR BAG HARNESS CONNECTOR

CAMPAIGN ID#:P9218

APPLIED VEHICLES:2003 – 2005 Q45 (F50)

2003 – 2004 M45 (Y34)

NOTE: Use Service Comm to confirm campaign eligibility.INTRODUCTIONSome Model Year 2003-2005 Q45 and 2003-2004 M45 vehicles may develop increased electrical resistance in the connector for the seat-mounted side air bag due to movement of the connector. If this occurs, the seat-mounted air bag may deactivate and the red air bag warning lamp will illuminate on the dash to warn the driver.

To remedy this potential condition, Infiniti is conducting this Voluntary Service Campaign to provide additional stability for the seat-mounted side air bag connector at no charge for parts or labor.IDENTIFICATION NUMBERInfiniti has assigned identification number P9218 to this campaign. This number must appear on all communications and documentation of any nature dealing with this campaign.DEALER RESPONSIBILITYDealers are to correct each vehicle falling within the range of this campaign that enters the service department. This includes vehicles purchased from private parties or presented by transient (tourist) owners and vehicles in a dealer’s inventory.OWNER’S LETTERSDear Infiniti Q45 Owner:

Infiniti is committed to providing the highest levels of product safety, quality, and customer satisfaction. With that in mind, we want to bring to your attention important information about the seat-mounted side air bags in your Q45.REASON FOR CAMPAIGNYour Q45 is equipped with seat-mounted side air bags. On some Model Year 2003-2005 Q45 vehicles, the seat-mounted side air bags could stop working due to a connector issue. If this occurs, a red air bag warning lamp would illuminate on the dash to warn the drive. If the lamp is ignored, the seat-mounted side air bags may not inflate in a crash.WHAT INFINITI WILL DOTo assure your continued satisfaction and confidence in your Q45, Infiniti will inspect the seat-mounted side air bags in your vehicle and relocate and secure the connector. This service, free for parts and labor, should take 1 hour to complete, but your Infiniti retailer may require your vehicle for a longer period of time based upon their work schedule.Please contact your Infiniti retailer to perform this important service.WHAT YOU SHOULD DOWe strongly recommend that you have this service performed as soon as possible (even if the air bag warning lamp in your vehicle is not illuminated).Contact your Infiniti retailer at your earliest convenience in order to arrange an appointment to have your vehicle repaired at no charge to you for parts and labor. Please bring this notice with you when you keep your service appointment. Instructions have been sent to your Infiniti retailer.

If you have paid to have your side air bag wire harness replaced prior to this service campaign, you may be eligible for reimbursement

of the related expense. If you have additional questions you may contact the National Consumer Affairs Department, Infiniti Division,

Nissan North America, Inc., P.O. Box 685003, Franklin, TN 37068-5003. The toll free number is 1-800-662-6200.

Thank you for your cooperation. We are indeed sorry for any inconvenience this may cause you.

Dear Infiniti M45 Owner:

Infiniti is committed to providing the highest levels of product safety, quality and customer satisfaction. With that in mind, we want to

bring to your attention important information about the seat-mounted side air bag in your M45.REASON FOR CAMPAIGNYour M45 is equipped with seat-mounted side air bags. On some Model Year 2003-2004 M45 vehicles, the driver’s side seat-mounted side air bag could stop working due to a connector issue.If this occurs, a red air bag warning lamp would illuminate on the dash to warn the driver. If the lamp is ignored, the driver’s side seat-mounted side air bag may not inflate in a crashWHAT INFINITI WILL DOTo assure your continued satisfaction and confidence in your M45, Infiniti will inspect the seat-mounted side air bag in your vehicle and relocate and secure the connector. This service, free for parts and labor, should take 1 hour to complete, but your Infiniti retailer may require your vehicle for a longer period of time based upon their work schedule. Please contact your Infiniti retailer to perform this important service.WHAT YOU SHOULD DOWe strongly recommend that you have this service performed as soon as possible (even if the air bag warning lamp in your vehicle is not illuminated).

Contact your Infiniti retailer at your earliest convenience in order to arrange an appointment to have your vehicle repaired at no charge to you for parts and labor. Please bring this notice with you when you keep your service appointment. Instructions have been sent to your Infiniti retailer.

If you have paid to have your side air bag wire harness replaced prior to this service campaign, you may be eligible for reimbursement of the related expense. If you have additional questions you may contact the National Consumer Affairs Department, Infiniti Division, Nissan North America, Inc., P.O. Box 685003, Franklin, TN 37068-5003. The toll free number is 1-800-662-6200.

Thank you for your cooperation. We are indeed sorry for any inconvenience this may cause you.

19/19 ITB09-023

[dmeak]

My service writer was very happy this evening when I dropped off my car for some unrelated maintenance; mine was the first in since he had seen the notice. He mentioned it was very much a surprise as they normally receive some sort of heads up before something like this is sent out. I will update tomorrow if they actually needed to do anything.

[SteveTheTech]

One of the good things about this campaign is that there are no "parts" that need to get replaced other than a few additional cable ties. The epoxy is a shop supply and I know my dealer ordered a case as soon as they found out about it. It is not like some of the previous campaigns that involved part replacement.

There is also no inspection for this and since there is no VIN range instead the entire model line is being modified.

I am sure there is a back story behind this we will never hear about but I think we can all sort of guess.