Feds Probe Effectiveness of Nissan Airbag Recall

The U.S. is investigating complaints that last year's recall of 989,700 Nissan Motor Co. vehicles may have failed to fix a flaw that switches off the passenger airbag system when an adult occupies the seat.

The system is supposed to disable the passenger-side airbags only when the seat is empty or occupied by a child who could be harmed by their deployment.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration cites 124 owner complaints that the passenger airbag status lamp, which indicates the airbag system is turned off, remains on even after repeated software updates. Nissan insists the recall has been effective.

The original campaign covered 2013 model Infiniti JX35 crossovers and NV 200 vans and taxi variants; 2013-2014 model Altima midsize sedans, Pathfinder SUVs, Sentra small cars and Leaf electric sedans; and 2014 model Infiniti QX60 crossovers and Q50 sport sedans.