October 21, 2006
Nissan Motor Co. is recalling approximately 132,000 vehicles around the world including 80,000 in the U.S. because of an ignition key defect.
Nissan is recalling about 70,000 Muranos and 10,000 Maxima sedans in North America, according to a company spokesperson.
The car sometimes will not start properly and occasionally the engines start even when the ignition is turned off and the driver moves the steering wheel, according to Nissan.
Nissan will replace several parts between the ignition switch and starter motor.
The recalls involve only models using Nissan's "intelligent key" system with integrated circuit chip which allows drivers to open their car doors with their keys still inside their pockets by just pressing on the handle.
Drivers don't need to insert the intelligent key to get the car to start and can keep the key anywhere nearby.
Nissan says the problem is not with the key or its chip but with ignition connections inside the vehicle.
