Nissan Recalls 118,000 Minivans Over Seat Problems

WASHINGTON – Nissan Motor Co. (NSANY) said Monday it will recall more than 100,000 minivans because of problems with a seat adjustment mechanism that could cause a finger injury.

The automaker said the recall affects about 118,000 Quest minivans from the 2004-2006 model years in the United States and Canada. Someone adjusting the second row seat in an unusual manner, such as standing outside the vehicle, could have their finger pinched when moving the metal mechanism, Nissan said.

The automaker said there have been 10 reported injuries, causing cuts and scrapes.

Nissan, in a report to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (search), said it found that some owners were trying to fold the second row seats flat and "by using the wrong handle to fold the seat, there is a potential to pinch a finger in the moving seat adjustment mechanism."

About 35,000 of the vehicles from the 2004-05 model years will be subject to a second recall involving brackets in the third row seat. The company said there was a possibility that the brackets could become detached, increasing the risk of injury in some crashes.

There have been no reported injuries linked to the third row seat, spokesman Dean Case said.

The recalls are expected to begin in December. Dealers will fix the problem at no expense to owners.

The Quest has made strides in quality rankings. Research firm J.D. Power and Associates (search), in a survey of 2005 models, reported this year the Quest was the most improved vehicle model in quality.

J.D. Power said the Quest had 139 problems per 100 vehicles this year, an improvement from 243 problems per 100 vehicles in 2004.

The 2006 model has a base price of $24,000, according to the automaker's Web site.