Hood Flaw and Fire Risk Prompt Nissan to Recall 768,000 Vehicles

Nissan Motor Co., the second-biggest Japanese carmaker, said it will recall about 768,000 vehicles worldwide in two separate actions to fix a fire risk and hood that may open during driving.

Nissan will call back 552,135 Rogue sport utility vehicles globally because a mixture of snow or water and salt may seep through the carpet on the driver side floor and result in an electrical short, according to Nissan and its filing on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website.

The automaker will also recall 215,789 vehicles globally, including the 2013-2014 Pathfinder SUV, 2013 Infiniti JX35 and 2014 Infiniti QX60, to fix an assembly flaw that may cause the hood to open during driving and block the driver’s vision.

Carmakers recalled more than 60 million vehicles in the U.S. last year, double the previous record set in 2004, for deadly flaws such as General Motors Co.’s defective ignition switches and Takata Corp. air bags that spewed metal shards at motorists. The U.S. regulator has pledged to further step up scrutiny this year.

Nissan spokesman Chris Keeffe said by phone today that there have been no reports of injuries or deaths related to the two recalls involving fire and hood risks.