2021-2023 Nissan Steering Wheel Off-Center and Vehicle Pull TSB

Symptoms of Vehicle Pull or Steering Wheel Off-Center

Owners of 2021-2023 Nissan vehicles may experience their car consistently drifting to one side while driving straight, a condition referred to as "vehicle pulls." Another common complaint is a "steering wheel off-center," where the steering wheel spokes are tilted to the left or right even when the vehicle is moving in a straight line on a flat road.

A vehicle is considered to "pull" if it changes lanes in less than 7 seconds at 60 MPH without driver steering correction on a road with less than 1.5 degrees road crown slope. The "steering wheel off-center" condition is defined by the steering wheel spokes being tilted more than 2 mm (or 4 mm for NV1500, 2500, 3500, and Titan XD models) when driving straight on a flat road at 30 MPH.

Important Warnings for Owners

Nissan advises owners and technicians of specific conditions that may influence diagnosis:

• Road Crown: "This bulletin does not address road crown issues because they are not vehicle related." Many roads are built with a "crown" for drainage, which can cause a natural tendency for vehicles to drift. This is not a vehicle fault.
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS): If the "TPMS warning light comes ON" during diagnostic procedures involving tire changes, "ignore it for now." The focus should remain on diagnosing the pull or off-center condition.
• Tire Condition: Before diagnosis, ensure tires are of the correct size, have no significant wear differences, and are free from damage. Tire pressures must be set correctly when cold.

Diagnostic Process

Diagnosing a "vehicle pulls" or "steering wheel off-center" condition involves a systematic approach, beginning with a road test and progressing through specific procedures.

Road Test

A crucial first step is a road test to confirm the customer's concern. This should be performed on a flat road at approximately 60 mph for vehicle pull and 30 mph for steering wheel off-center. Technicians use specialized tools like the Steering Wheel Offset Gauge (Centering Tape) and the Road Crown Gauge (Tilt Indicator) to measure the extent of the issue. During the road test, it's important to ensure the vehicle is pointing straight, regardless of the steering wheel position. Crosswinds can affect results, making diagnosis impossible under such conditions.

Diagnostic Flow Chart Summary

The TSB outlines a detailed Diagnostic Flow Chart (Figure 4 in the original document) to guide technicians:

1. Initial Checks: Verify tire condition and air pressure.
2. Road Test Results:
   • Vehicle pulls: If a pull is present, especially if combined with an off-center steering wheel, the pull should be addressed first.
   • Steering wheel is off-center: If the steering wheel is off-center more than allowable, repair any pull conditions first, as this may resolve the off-center issue.
   • No pull and steering wheel not off-center: If neither condition is present, the diagnosis is complete after re-initializing the TPMS if necessary.

Procedure A: Determine if Tire Pull

This procedure focuses on identifying if a tire is causing the vehicle to pull. It involves:

• Torquing wheel lug nuts to specification.
• Setting correct tire pressure.
• Swapping front tires side-to-side, then rear tires side-to-side.
• Road testing the vehicle after each swap.
• For vehicles with "directional" tires or different front/rear tire sizes, all four tires may need to be swapped with known good tires from another vehicle.

Procedure B: Identify Which Tire is Causing the Pull

If Procedure A indicates a tire pull, Procedure B helps pinpoint the specific tire. This involves:

• Returning all tires to their original positions.
• For vehicles with different front/rear tire sizes or directional tires, individually swapping one tire at a time with a known good tire and road testing until the pull is reduced or eliminated.
• For other vehicles, specific tire rotation patterns (e.g., rotating tires 2 and 4 on the passenger side, then 1 and 3 on the driver side) are used, followed by road tests to determine which tire, if replaced, resolves the pull.

Procedure C: Check/Adjust Wheel Alignment

If tire-related issues are ruled out or corrected, the next step is to check and adjust the vehicle's four-wheel alignment.

1. Alignment Check: Use calibrated computerized alignment equipment. Technicians must have a copy of the yearly alignment machine calibration certification on file.
2. Inspection: If alignment measurements are out of specification, inspect the suspension and chassis for damage and repair as needed.
3. Adjustment: Adjust any front and/or rear adjustable alignment components. Rear adjustments should always be performed first. The steering wheel must be straight when adjusting front wheel toe. The Steering Wheel Offset Gauge can assist in centering the steering wheel.
4. Steering Angle Sensor: If necessary, use CONSULT software (C-III plus or C4) to adjust the Steering Angle Sensor.

Adjusting Steering Wheel Off-Center

If the primary issue is a "steering wheel off-center" condition, the following steps are taken:

1. Front Toe Alignment Check: Verify the vehicle's front toe alignment using calibrated equipment.
2. Inspection: Inspect suspension and chassis for damage if alignment is out of specification.
3. Alignment Adjustment: Adjust alignment to correct the off-center condition, ensuring the steering wheel is straight.
4. Road Test: Confirm the steering wheel is straight (not off-center by more than 2 mm).
5. Steering Angle Sensor Adjustment: If required, use CONSULT software (C-III plus or C4) to adjust the Steering Angle Sensor.

Required Tools or Parts

Nissan technicians will utilize specialized tools for accurate diagnosis and repair:

• Steering Wheel Offset Gauge (Centering Tape): Tool # J-49286-3 (new part number NI-49286-3). This is a set of one-time use stickers attached to the steering wheel and column cover to measure steering wheel offset in millimeters.
• Road Crown Gauge (Tilt Indicator): Tool # J-49286-2 (new part number NI-49286-2). This gauge measures the amount of road crown in degrees and attaches to the dash with a suction cup.
• CONSULT Software: Specifically C-III plus or C4, used for adjusting the Steering Angle Sensor if necessary.
• Hunter GSP9700: For an alternative procedure (StraightTrack®) if available at the dealership.

Warranty Information

Vehicle alignment is covered under the adjustment Warranty for 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first, from the vehicle's in-service date. Warranty application is limited to correcting a problem reported by the customer. If an alignment adjustment is performed, the alignment data must be printed and stored by the dealer to support any warranty claims.

Claims Information

Technicians will use specific operation codes for warranty claims related to these procedures:

• Procedure A (Tire Swap): PX35AA
• Procedure B (Identify Pulling Tire): PX36AA (for general vehicles), or PX37AA, PX38AA, PX39AA, PX40AA depending on the number of tires swapped for vehicles with different sized or directional tires.
• Alternative Procedure A and B (Wheel Balance): WD52AA
• Procedure C (Adjust Wheel Alignment): Reference the WD-Chassis Adjustment section in the Nissan Warranty Flat Rate Manual.
• Steering Wheel Off-Center – Adjust: WD34AA