Nissan has recalled almost a quarter of a million cars worldwide to deal with a loose sensor that could cause fuel leaks in the worst cases.
According to Nissan SA, the problem is that the cars' fuel-pressure sensors weren't tightened sufficiently on to the fuel rail, with the result that they can, over time, work loose due to heat and vibration, to the point where petrol leaks out while the engine is running.
It would seem that Nissan has caught it in time; so far there have been no accidents or engine fires reported due to this problem.
Seven models - a total of 249 522 cars - are affected worldwide, nearly 100 000 of them in Japan, including the Juke crossover, the Japanese-market Serena, the Patrol, Infiniti M and Infiniti QX, the Chinese-made Tiida, and the Micra.
Nissan SA, however, says the Juke - launched locally in October 2011 with an 86kW naturally aspirated 1.6-litre petrol engine and a 140kW, 1.6-litre turbo four - is the only model in its South African line-up affected by the recall.
ONGOING RECALL
At the same time, there's an ongoing recall on turboJukes built during 2010 and 2011. There have been 83 incidents reported worldwide - although none yet in South Africa - where the weld holding the turbocharger boost-sensor bracket on to the air-intake tube breaks off.
As a result, the boost pressure is measured incorrectly, and the engine warning lamp usually comes on. But if the sensor falls off altogether - and this has happened - the engine can stall at low revs and, if it does, it won't start again.
There are 1178 turboJukes in South Africa affected by both recalls, says Nissan SA, and it is busy contacting their owners to inform them of the fixes it has implemented.
In the meantime, Nissan has asked its supplier to change the machining process on the air-inlet tube and, from now on, the welding holding the bracket on each and every tube will be individually tested for strength - if it's going to break, it will break at the factory, not on your car.