Bad storytelling about product recalls

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I recently read about a product recall involving steering in some recent Nissan Sentra compact cars. One article at AP on August 19, 2023 is titled Nissan recalling more than 236,000 cars to fix a problem that can cause loss of steering control. It contains the following description:

 

“Nissan is recalling more than 236,000 small cars in the U.S. because the tire rods in front suspension can bend and break, possibly causing drivers to lose steering control. The recall covers certain Sentra compact cars from the 2020 through 2022 model years. Tie rods help vehicles move the wheels for steering. Nissan says in documents posted Saturday by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that if tie rods become bent, they can break and affect the steering, increasing the risk of a crash.”

 

As is shown above via a schematic (revised from one at Wikimedia Commons), inner tie rods connect between the steering wheel and vehicle front wheels. They don’t just ‘help’ move them. Another article by Keith Barry at Consumer Reports on August 21, 2023 titled Nissan Sentra sedans recalled again to fix steering issues also talks about tie rods just helping:

 

“Nissan is recalling over 236,000 Sentra sedans from the 2020 through 2022 model years because of a faulty part that could make it more difficult to steer. In serious cases, the driver may lose control of the vehicle…

 

The problem has to do with the vehicle’s tie rod, which is a part that helps connect a vehicle’s steering system to its drive wheels. On the recalled Sentras, the tie rod can bend too easily after experiencing a high-impact force such as hitting a curb, which can cause vibration and an off-center steering wheel. If the tie rod breaks, the driver could lose some steering control.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission on July 6, 2023 there is a recall notice titled Husqvarna Recalls Residential 300 Series Snow Blowers Due to Injury Hazard. These snow blowers are self-propelled and the description for Incidents/Injuries says:

 

“The firm has received 22 reports where the auger pulley bolt loosened and the drive unexpectedly became engaged. No injuries have been reported.”

 

And it also says:

 

“Hazard: The recalled 300 series snow blowers can unexpectedly go into drive mode and collide with a consumer, posing an injury hazard.”

 

I assembled the cartoon shown above from Openclipart images of a snow blower and a running man, showing him being chased through the snow. If he fell, then it could turn into a version of the infamous wood chipper scene from Fargo.