The problem can be fixed by reprogramming the ECU.
Infiniti will recall 60,000 2014-2016 HTML50 worldwide due to a possible problem with the Direct Adaptive Steering System’s ECU. This total includes 28,100 vehicles in the United States, and 3,800 in Canada. Reuters reports that there are 6,894 affected cars in China, which includes both long- and standard-wheelbase versions.
Infiniti spokesperson Kyle Bazemore stated that in rare cases, the Direct Adaptive steering system’s ECU could cause a loss of steering responsiveness or a change in turning radius. This issue could have caused accidents, injuries or even fatalities, but he didn’t know the details.
Infiniti will notify customers in the U.S. in June and July. To fix the problem, dealers will reprogram the ECU.
Direct Adaptive steering eliminates the direct link between the steering wheel, the road and the vehicle. Instead, the system uses actuators and sensors to interpret driver inputs and control front wheels. Infiniti claimed that the technology offered a more luxurious ride because it eliminated vibrations through the steering wheel. However, critics complained about the setup as feeling artificial. The automaker upgraded it for the 2016 model years to feel more like a traditional setup.