New Nissan Pulsars being called back to dealers

More than 9000 brand-new Nissan Pulsars are being discreetly repaired because their engines can conk out without warning -- but, inexplicably, Australian safety authorities are yet to issue a recall.

The latest engine stalling drama is eerily similar to the problems plaguing Volkswagen cars but Nissan has not been forced to issue an official safety bulletin. Instead, Nissan is contacting customers by mail rather than advertising a public notice about the known fault.

Under the headlines “defect” and “hazard” the Nissan letter to customers says in part: “It has been established that the current engine control module (ECM) software version may cause the vehicle’s engine to stall under certain conditions. There is a possibility of the vehicle’s engine stalling when driven between 10km/h and 60km/h where there is no accelerator input.”

Nissan says customers can fix the problem by switching the ignition off and on again. But it has requested customers to bring their cars in for repair.

Nissan says 9272 Pulsars are affected, adding that “this fault does not warrant a safety recall”. The Nissan Pulsar stalling issue has once again shone a spotlight on the lack of action from Federal authorities that oversee vehicle safety recalls.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission facilitates recalls but only after the Department of Transport and Infrastructure deems it necessary.

News Limited has asked the DoT why a known engine stalling fault should not be viewed as a safety hazard and is awaiting a reply.

Concerned Nissan Pulsar owners can contact the company’s customer service division on 1800 035 035.

This reporter is on Twitter: @JoshuaDowling