NISSAN has confirmed that about 7,000 Sunderland-made Qashqai vehicles are being recalled in the UK due to a steering wheel fault.

In total, 48,000 vehicles, which includes Qashqai and Qashqai+2 exported from the North-East plant, and Nissan NV200s built at its Barcelona factory are being recalled.

The move comes after a steering wheel of a Qashqai+2 model detached in Finland.

The Japanese car maker has confirmed that the vehicles were produced between February 27 and May 16, this year.

A spokesman said: "Nissan is conducting a Voluntary Recall Campaign on approximately 48,000 Model Year 2012 Nissan Qashqai, Qashqai+2 and 3,000 Model Year 2012 NV200 vehicles in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America & Caribbean, Middle East and Oceania markets to inspect the casting date of the steering wheel armature and where necessary replace the steering wheel.

"Nissan retailers will inspect the casting date of the steering wheel armature and where necessary replace the steering wheel at no cost to the customer. Nissan is committed to a high level of customer safety, service and satisfaction and is working with its dealers to promptly address this issue."

The company has traced the fault to a part that it believes has been fitted to about 600 vehicles, but said that it has announced a widespread recall as a precautionary measure.

Nissan became aware of the fault at the end of August.