Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. Has announced a recall of 271,000 older-model Pathfinder and Infiniti QX4 SUVS.

According to a statement issued by the company, the vehicles were recalled over concerns that road salt and water could collect on the drive shaft and cause a loss of steering. U.S. Safety regulators said the about 225,650 Pathfinders from model years 1996 to 2004 and about 45,330 Infiniti QX4 SUVs from model years 1997 to 2003 are affected in the U.S. and Canada.

Road salt and melted snow can collect in the strut housing and cause corrosion leading to difficulty in steering or even loss of steering completely, regulators said.

The recall only affects vehicles in 20 cold-weather states where road salt is used to keep roads clear of snow and ice.

If you have been injured in an accident caused by an auto defect, please contact the Rhinelander Auto Defect Lawyers of Habush Habush & Rottier, S.C. ® by calling 800-242-2874.