(November 9, 2009) Nissan is recalling more than 10,000 2009 model year Nissan Sentra vehicles because of a defective master cylinder from Robert Bosch. Sentras manufactured from February 23, 2008 through April 18, 2008 are affected.

This latest recall expands a previous one last year covering more than 169,000 Sentra cars from the 2007 and 2008 model years.

Nissan says the internal seal groove in the body of some brake master cylinders may allow for a gap in the groove contact area of the seal. This may result in brake fluid slowly leaking from the master cylinder.

If the amount of brake fluid in the reservoir drops, the Brake Warning Light will illuminate on the dash indicating a low brake fluid level. If the Sentra is driven for an extended period in this condition, the car could experience longer stopping distances than normal, which could result in a crash.

The affected vehicles are equipped with a split circuit diagonal brake system as required by law. If the warning lamp is continuously ignored, one of the brake circuits on the vehicle may not operate as designed.

However, the other circuit will continue to operate as designed. Therefore, Nissan says, the vehicle braking system will continue to function and meet the safety regulations.

Owners of all potentially affected vehicles will be notified in November. The dealer will inspect the master cylinder/brake booster assembly. If brake fluid leakage is detected, the master cylinder will be replaced with a new one.

Nissan says that none of the potentially affected master cylinders were installed in any other Nissan models.