Nissan  has contacted NHTSA to announce the recall of 4,038 2010 Frontier, Xterra and Pathfinder vehicles due to potentially loose fasteners securing both the front passenger airbag and steering column. The two issues each crate their own unique problem, but both stem from an improper torque specification being applied during manufacturing.

Nissan has announced that 2010 model year Frontiers, Xterras and Pathfinders built between February 22, 2010, and March 13, 2010, may have fasteners that require additional tightening.

“The fasteners securing the passenger front air bag module, and also the fasteners securing the steering shaft positioning bracket may not have been tightened to the proper torque specification,” said NHTSA.

NHTSA went on to describe the potential problems that may occur as a result of the improperly secured fasteners, including the possibility of a loss of steering or normal airbag function. “In the event of a crash, the passenger front air bag deployment trajectory might be affected. The fasteners could possibly come out of the steering column positioning bracket increasing the risk of a crash, ” explained NHTSA.

Nissan plans to inspect vehicles through its dealer network and replace or tighten all missing or loose fasteners.