2022 Nissan Sentra Cowl Seam Seal Quality Action PMA11

Important Warnings for Dealers and Owners

This quality action primarily affects vehicles currently in dealer inventory or in transit. Nissan has issued a strict directive regarding these vehicles:

• "Please do not drive, loan, sell or trade the specific vehicles in dealer inventory subject to this quality action."
• A "Stop Sale In Effect" status is active for affected vehicles, meaning they cannot be delivered to customers until the repair is completed.
• Some vehicles may still be in transit to dealerships; dealers are advised to continue checking newly arriving inventory for applicability.

Symptoms

For the 2022 Nissan Sentra cowl seam seal issue, the primary symptom is a missing or improperly applied seal. This condition is not typically visible to the owner without inspection, as it is located behind the left front strut tower in the cowl area of the engine room.

Diagnosis

This quality action applies to specific 2022 Nissan Sentra (B18) vehicles identified by Nissan. Dealers can determine if a vehicle is affected by checking Service Comm or DBS National Service History – Open Campaigns using Campaign I.D. PMA11. New vehicles in dealer inventory can also be identified by filtering for Open Campaigns.

Repair Procedure Summary

The repair for the Nissan Sentra cowl seam seal involves applying sealant to the affected area. The process requires several steps:

1. Preparation: Technicians first mark the location of the wiper blades on the windshield, open and secure the hood, and install fender protection. This ensures proper reassembly and prevents damage.
2. Disassembly: The wiper arm assemblies are removed, followed by the cowl top side trim covers (left and right) and the entire cowl top assembly. The wiper motor connector is then disconnected, and the wiper drive assembly is removed.
3. Cowl Area Preparation: The driver's side (left side) cowl joint seams, specifically behind the left front strut tower, are located. This area is thoroughly cleaned with a lint-free cloth and warm soapy water, then dried using compressed air to ensure proper adhesion of the new sealant.
4. Seam Sealer Application: The chosen seam sealer (LORD Fusor 800DTM or 3M Urethane Seam Sealer #08368) is prepared and applied to a flat brush. The sealer is then carefully brushed into the identified joint seams at a 30-45 degree angle to smooth the application.
5. Drying and Reassembly: After the seam sealer application is complete, it is allowed to dry for 30 minutes. The vehicle is then reassembled in reverse order, including the wiper drive assembly (torqued to 71 in-lb), wiper motor connector, cowl top assembly, cowl top side trim covers, and wiper arm assemblies (torqued to 17 ft-lb).
6. Final Verification: The fender protection is removed, the hood is closed, and the operation of the wiper blades is verified to ensure they function correctly.

Required Tools or Parts

To perform the Nissan Sentra cowl seam seal repair, specific materials are required:

• Seam Sealer: Either LORD Fusor 800DTM or 3M Urethane Seam Sealer #08368. The LORD Fusor product is available through Nissan Maintenance Advantage with part number 999MP9G000P. Both sealers can also be purchased from bodyshop supply retailers or auto parts suppliers.
• Flat Brush: A 1-inch size or #10 flat brush is needed for application. These can be sourced from dollar stores, large retail chains, or craft stores.

What Owners Should Do

If you own a 2022 Nissan Sentra, it is recommended to contact your local Nissan dealership to inquire if your vehicle is affected by Quality Action PMA11. While this bulletin primarily targets vehicles in dealer inventory, ensuring your vehicle has the proper cowl seam seal can prevent potential future issues related to water intrusion.

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Source: NHTSA ID 10222876