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Nissan and several rivals have recalled millions of cars
globally because of a defect making Takata-made inflators
explode and spray shrapnel. Regulators have been unable to
determine the cause but have linked the defect to eight deaths.
The latest case involved the passenger-side inflator in an
X-Trail sports utility vehicle made in August 2001 and recalled
in April 2013, a Nissan spokesman said.
Takata said it made the inflator at its U.S. plant in Moses
Lake, Washington. A spokeswoman said the manufacturer had
received a report on the case from Nissan and was investigating.
The Nissan spokesman said the car, carrying only the driver, was
hit on the driver side. The inflator on the passenger side
exploded, smashing the passenger-side window and sending
high-temperature fragments into the dashboard, causing a fire.
The driver's left cheek was lightly burned though it was unclear
if the injury was caused by the inflator exploding, the
spokesman said. In Japan, the driving seat is on the right-hand
side of the car.
The case is Nissan's first known abnormal deployment of a Takata
inflator in Japan, and the fifth confirmed case in the country
across automakers. Nissan said there have been nine similar
cases involving its cars in the United States.
Nissan has globally recalled 4.4 million cars equipped with
Takata inflators. Of those, it recalled 813,000 in Japan and has
so far serviced 85 percent. In the latest case, the recall
notice did not reach the driver, the Nissan spokesman said.
The automaker issued its latest Takata-related recall last
month, when it expanded globally a recall in North America
involving passenger-side airbags.
Shares in Nissan closed 6.6 percent lower on Wednesday, compared
with a 3.4 percent fall in the broader market.
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