The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced on its web site on Monday, October 12, 2009 that approximately 143,000 Nissan cars would be recalled to replace a fault in their tire-pressure monitoring system.

A nut in the system has proven to be susceptible to corrosion in areas where road salt tends to build up on the part. If the nut cracks, it can fall out of the sensor-transmitter it was designed to secure. If that occurs and if the driver does not respond to the subsequent monitoring-system light warning, flat tires and accidents could result.

On October 1, Nissan sent a letter to the NHTSA citing a "very low incident rate," but drivers in 20 states, including those in New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, may be affected by the recall.

Dealers will be notified of the necessary procedures on November 6 and notification of owners will begin on November 9. Drivers will be asked to bring their vehicles to Nissan or Infiniti dealerships where the part will be replaced at no cost. Drivers in other states who are apprehensive about potential failure of the system can also request a replacement at no charge.

Models included in the recall may include the 2008 Nissan Rogue, the 2009 Murano, 2009 Cube, and the 2008-10 Infiniti M35s and M45s.