Reports from Automotive News suggest that a comprehensive network issue is currently impacting the North American operations of Japanese automaker Nissan. The precise cause of the problem remains uncertain, but it appears to be disrupting multiple critical aspects of dealers’ operations for the past two days. A memo obtained by AN indicates that the outage is affecting internal email services, certain call centers, and various “applications.” However, other sources imply that the impact might be more pervasive.
While a cyberattack is a potential explanation, Nissan has refrained from commenting on this speculation, insisting that it is simply a network disruption. Notably, the issue is hampering the company’s credit application processing and other loan-related services, potentially hindering car sales in the short term. Despite only a few days of interruption, Nissan asserts that it is actively working towards a speedy resolution.
Among other critical functionalities reportedly impacted are parts ordering, rebate processing, recall notifications, and warranty claims. Consequently, dealers are likely to face challenges in providing car servicing during this period.
This is not the first time a substantial network disruption has affected an automotive manufacturer. In 2017, Kia encountered major network complications that obstructed owners from accessing essential information through its in-car UVO system, like weather updates. Both dealer systems and customer information were impacted, and it was later revealed that a ransomware attack was the likely cause. The perpetrators demanded considerable sums in Bitcoin to rectify the issue, but the resolution process remains unclear.
In 2017, Nissan also fell victim to a ransomware attack, fueling speculation that the current situation may not solely be an IT-related disruption.
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