"...2013 Nissan Xterra: Like the Pathfinder, the Xterra is based on a version of the F-Alpha truck platform that underpins the Frontier and Titan pickups. With major redesigns of those trucks currently underway, the Xterra will most likely undergo minor updates until a full redesign is ready in 2013."

Nissan is recalling 4,038 2010 Frontier, Pathfinder and Xterra vehicles because improperly tightened fasteners could affect the steering column and front passenger airbag deployment, said the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The vehicles were built from February 22 to March 13, 2010.

A plastic molds supplier to Visteon Corp. must pay one of its own component makers more than $8.2 million in a supply chain lawsuit over parts for the Nissan Pathfinder and Xterra compact SUVs.

The Michigan Court of Appeals this week upheld that 2008 judgment in favor of Belleville-based Atek Thermoforming Inc. against Portage-based Summit Polymers Inc., which in turn was a Visteon supplier for the Nissan vehicles.

At issue was an arrangement between Summit and Atek to supply parts for a Nissan components program, due to launch in 2004.

Nissan today announced changes in leadership at Nissan Design America and Nissan Design Europe. Alfonso Albaisa, currently vice president, Design, Nissan Design Europe, will return to NDA as vice president.

Albaisa succeeds Bruce Campbell, vice president, Design, NDA, and Victor Nacif, vice president, Design Business Aspect, NDA.

Campbell, a 30-year veteran with Nissan, will retire from NDA and become an advisor to Nissan's Global Design Division. Nacif will become vice president, Nissan Design Europe, succeeding Albaisa.

All changes are effective April 1, 2010.

Not to be outdone by Toyota and GM, Nissan is recalling 540,000 vehicles worldwide to fix faulty brake pedal pins and inaccurate fuel gauges.

The Japanese automaker's North American division said no accidents or injuries have been reported, but the company is initiating the recalls based on three reports of brake pedal pins partially disengaging, hindering braking ability.

A separate, unrelated fuel-gauge issue can lead to inaccurate fuel readings in certain trucks and minivans. The gauge may show gas left when the tank is actually empty.

Note: Nissan Canada’s “voluntary service campaign” to inspect for possible cracks in the front propeller shafts of about 650 four-wheel-drive vehicles begins March 1, 2010. The information here from a Ford product specialist that the front propeller shaft provides torque to the rear wheels of the Nissan products is incorrect. In fact, Nissan says the component provides torque only to the front wheels.