— More than 17,500 Infiniti QX30 SUVs are recalled to fix driver's side airbags that can suddenly deploy while driving, no crash needed.
The 2017-2018 Infiniti QX30s have the same problems that caused Mercedes-Benz to recall 495,000 vehicles in the U.S. and about 1 million worldwide.
The airbag problem isn't related to the Takata airbag recalls but can still cause drivers issues if smacked in the face by a deployed airbag.
The airbags can deploy without a crash because of a combination of an electrostatic discharge to a broken steering column module clock spring and an insufficient grounding of the steering column.
Infiniti learned of the problem from Mercedes in September and opened an investigation that found no incidents related to the problem had been reported on Infiniti QX30 vehicles. However, the airbag problem is a possibility and Nissan didn't want to take any chances.
A driver should see a red warning light on the instrument panel if the steering column module clock spring breaks.
Infiniti is trying to find the needed parts to complete the recall that will begin December 18, 2017, but the automaker knows dealers will need to install commutator rings to ground the steering columns.
If you own a recalled 2017-2018 Infiniti QX30 and want to learn more, contact Infiniti at 800-622-6200.