Dongfeng Motor recalls 51,812 vehicles over steering problem

Oct. 16, 2009 (China Knowledge) - Dongfeng Motor Co, Nissan Motor Corp's Chinese venture with China's Dongfeng Motor Group Co<0489>, is recalling 51,813 vehicles in China due to a steering problem, China's quality watchdog recently said on its website.

The vehicles to be recalled include 18,146 X-Trail sport utility vehicles produced in the period from Mar. 31, 2008 to Aug. 26, 2009 and 33,667 Qashqai vehicles produced in the period from Feb. 18, 2008 to May 22, 2009, said China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.

Problems with the steering mechanism result in noises and turns that are not smooth, and in extreme cases could make it difficult for the driver to control the vehicle's direction.

Dongfeng said its franchised dealers will inform their customers through the mail or by phone.

Dongfeng Motor recently raised this year's sales target to 500,000 vehicles from the original 388,000 units as the Chinese government's tax-cut policy has successfully boosted the country's demand for small cars, said Dongfeng Motor President Kimiyasu Nakamura, China Knowledge reported earlier.