Recall Alert: 143,223 Nissan and Infiniti Vehicles

Nissan has issued a recall for 143,223 vehicles, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The vehicles include the 2009 Nissan Cube and Murano, the 2008 Nissan Rogue, the 2008-2010 Infiniti M35, and 2008-2010 Infiniti M45.

The recall is focused on certain vehicles from the 2008-2010 model years originally sold or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington D.C., West Virginia and Wisconsin.

These vehicles have a nut securing the sensor-transmitter of the tire pressure monitoring system that may corrode and possibly crack when exposed to road salt. The nut may fall out of the sensor-transmitter, which will cause the monitoring light to illuminate.

If the driver ignores the light and continues to drive the car in this condition, the tire could lose air pressure, resulting in a flat that could potentially cause an accident.

Nissan dealers will replace the TPMS nut with a “new, more robust nut” free of charge. Owners may contact Nissan at 800-647-7261, Infiniti at 800-662-6200 or the NHTSA vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236.

Nissan Updates Incentives for Cash for Clunkers

Now that Cash for Clunkers has a fresh round of funding, automakers who didn’t see huge sales the first time around are making sure their own incentives will lure in shoppers. Nissan launched a new sale called the Bottom Line event. There are significant cash-back offers on a number of models including $3,000 off a 2009 Nissan Quest and $2,000 cash back on a 2009 Nissan Sentra.

The program runs through Aug. 31; a detailed list of incentives is below.

Cars.com Compares Midsize Crossovers

Drivers who need the space and utility of an SUV to accommodate their families but who prefer the handling and better mileage of a car have made midsize crossovers a popular option. In our last look at the midsize crossover category, the Honda Pilot came away from our panel of reviewers triumphant. Now we stack the 2009 Pilot against the 2009 Nissan Murano and Ford Edge Sport. Find out which vehicle excels in which categories, and which took the overall prize.

Cars.comparison: Midsize Crossovers

Recall Alert: Nissan Murano

Nissan has issued a recall for 362,891 Murano vehicles from the 2003-07 model years, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In some vehicles, the intake air ducts may separate from the intermediate resonator in the air intake system.

The separation is due to premature aging of the duct material, and engine movement exacerbates it. This may even cause the engine to stall while driving, increasing the risk of an accident.

Dealers will inspect and replace the necessary components for free. Owners can call Nissan at 800-647-7261 or NHTSA at 888-327-4236.

2009 Nissan Murano: She Said, She Said

Nissan may have found two new advocates for its recently redesigned Murano. Beth and Amanda discuss living with it daily in the city and on a weekend road trip, along with their surprising love — or lack thereof — of the SUV/crossover segment as a whole. Yes, you read that right.

Beth: The Nissan Murano is great at what it does. It’s a midsize crossover with five seats and a generous cargo area, just the right amount of power, a comfortable ride and enough amenities to be practical without crossing the line into indulgent. If I had a couple of small children, an interest in antiques or the need to make frequent home-improvement-store runs, I’m fairly sure I’d be head-over-heels in love with it. For a single girl who lives in the city, though, it just strikes me as too much car.

Amanda: I can always count on the two of us having opposing views on the SUVs we drive. I didn’t think the Murano was too big at all. If anything, I was surprised by how much more compact it was from what I pictured. We often get cars I fall in love with (like the adorable Volvo C30), but that I can’t ever see myself buying because they don’t ultimately suit my needs or budget. The Murano, however, is a car I could actually picture myself buying whenever my ’99 Ford Explorer calls it quits. I really don’t have much to complain about with this car. And don’t underestimate the fun that can be had at Home Depot on a Saturday morning!