Nissan recalls 195,000 vehicles

WASHINGTON, April 25 (UPI) -- Nissan North America is recalling 195,991 Infiniti QX4 and Pathfinder vehicles due to corrosion that could interfere with steering, regulators said.

The recall is limited to northern states that use road salt in the winter months.

"In areas of the country in which heavy concentration of road salt are used, a mixture of snow/water and salt may enter an assembly location hole in the upper strut housing," the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in a statement. This could, "over time ... result in corrosion of the strut tower housing," the NHTSA said.

Eventually, this could result in "grinding noise, increased steering effort, and possibly [cause] the steering column to break," the regulator said.

The recall involves 1996-2004 Pathfinders and model year 1997-2003 Infiniti QX4 vehicles sold or registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, D.C., West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Nissan said it would inspect and repair the vehicles, as necessary, free of charge.

Consumers can call 800-647-7261 for information.