According to the reports, certain 2017 and newer Nissan model vehicles, equipped with special AES/FCW systems are malfunctioning, leading to the vehicles stopping and braking unexpectedly for no plausible reasons. AES/FCW, which stands for Automatic Emergency Braking and Forward Collision Warning systems are safety features designed to detect obstacles and prevent collisions and accidents by applying the brakes automatically in case the collision becomes imminent. The system works by automatically engaging the brakes, stopping the car should the driver fail to brake in time before the collision.
This radar system, originally meant to assist drivers and increase safety, has experienced defects that are compromising its ability to function properly.
Which Nissan Vehicles are Affected by the Defective Brake System?
This defect affects the following 2017 – current Nissan models that are equipped with the AEB/FCW system:
• Nissan Altima
• Nissan Armada
• Nissan Leaf
• Nissan Maxima
• Nissan Murano
• Nissan Pathfinder
• Nissan Rogue
• Nisan Rogue Sport
• Nissan Sentra
There are strong indications to believe Nissan Kicks and Nissan Versa are also affected, experiencing the defect in their radar systems, which reportedly aim to detect any possible collisions with vehicles and pedestrians and apply the emergency brake automatically if a collision is imminent.
Beginning with model year 2018, this feature was made standard in Nissan’s Rogue, Rogue Sport, Murano, Altima, Maxima, Armada, Pathfinder, Leaf and Sentra vehicles.
The Radar System’s Issues
The AEB/FCW systems are meant to prevent collisions. The vehicles are equipped with a series of sensors, radar systems, and cameras supporting the FCW system to issue audio/visual alerts should an obstacle appear up ahead. If a collision is imminent, the AEB system will engage and activate the brakes automatically.
The flawed radar module allegedly makes the system frequently activate itself and suddenly stop the vehicles for no reason. The radar modules are apparently creating false-positives and stopping the cars at random and unnecessary times. Drivers are caught off guard by the sudden and automatic actions of the defective system that have caused approximately at least 14 crashes and 5 injuries that are known to date.
The system is also flawed in that it frequently deactivates itself and a warning message flashes on the dashboard “front radar unavailable due to obstruction.” As a result, the radar system stops working resulting in the unavailability of both AEB and cruise control. More than 1,500 complaints have been filed to date regarding the AEB malfunctions.
What can you do if you have experienced an issue with your Nissan AEB or FCW system?
Your vehicle is considered a lemon if the defects substantially affect its use, safety or value and an authorized Nissan repair facility cannot fix the issues within a reasonably number of repair attempts. Under the California Lemon Law, you may be entitled to a refund, replacement, or cash compensation for your vehicle. If you own or lease one of the affected vehicles and have experienced issues with the AEB or FCW system, you may have a lemon and you have rights! Our California Lemon Law Experts are here to help. If you have questions about the Nissan faulty radar system or your California lemon law rights, call us today for a free case evaluation.