Nissan has announced that it will begin recalling a significant volume of vehicles in the next few months due to a small issue with the backup camera software. You can find all the details on the Transport Canada Website.
The Issue
The problem occurs when you reduce the screen brightness to a shallow level. When you do so, the software "remembers" your preference and uses the same setting each time you set the gear in reverse. But if you go up to the extreme, it will then go blank, and each time you put it in reverse, it will go blank again. I assume the recall software update will focus on, at least, putting it at a low level even if you intentionally went with the blank screen previously.
Basically, it is not a big deal, as most of the times people drive in reverse is under slow-speed conditions, the issue is manually "correctable," but it mainly should not be a problem if you are aware of it. It is when you are not. Still, "Canadian regulations require that the rearview image returns to its original setting each time the camera is turned on," as specified on the vehicle recall details.
Affected Vehicles
Obviously, Nissan uses the same software across most of its models:
- 2018-2019 INFINITI Q50
- 2018-2019 INFINITI Q60
- 2018-2019 INFINITI Q70
- 2018-2019 INFINITI QX30
- 2018-2019 INFINITI QX50
- 2018-2019 INFINITI QX60
- 2018-2019 INFINITI QX80
- 2018-2019 NISSAN ALTIMA
- 2018-2019 NISSAN FRONTIER
- 2018-2019 NISSAN GT-R
- 2018-2019 NISSAN KICKS
- 2018-2019 NISSAN LEAF
- 2018-2019 NISSAN MAXIMA
- 2018-2019 NISSAN MICRA
- 2018-2019 NISSAN MURANO
- 2018-2019 NISSAN NV
- 2018-2019 NISSAN NV200
- 2018-2019 NISSAN PATHFINDER
- 2018-2019 NISSAN QASHQAI
- 2018-2019 NISSAN ROGUE
- 2018-2019 NISSAN SENTRA
- 2018-2019 NISSAN TITAN
- 2018-2019 NISSAN VERSA
- 2018-2019 NISSAN VERSA NOTE
Immediate Action
I may have a different point of view because of my software engineering background. The fact that the software does not "reset" the brightness of the display when the reverse is enabled is a typical setup. We all like to have a single configuration set for each specific feature and that it is always remembered, but in fact, it may actually become a safety risk.
I personally think Nissan is making the right move by addressing safety first (besides Canadian regulations also require it).
Just be aware and drive safe!
