The U.S. road safety regulator is investigating a potential defect in front passenger seats in Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.'s 2011 Leaf vehicles that could cause improper deployment of airbag during a crash.
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it opened the preliminary evaluation into the possible failure of the front passenger occupant classification system sensor in about 10,000 vehicles.
The OCS disables the front passenger airbag if it senses that a small-statured person, or a child, is occupying the first passenger seat. In such a scenario, OCS disables the front passenger airbag to reduce injury risks.
According to a complainant, the repair for a failed OCS mat consists of the replacement of the front passenger seat.
The preliminary evaluation will determine whether a recall notice should be issued.
