Detroit (MI) - Japanese automaker Nissan is warning customers that cellphones could disable the car keys on two of its sedans. Electrical signals from incoming and outgoing calls could erase the electronic code in Nissan's intelligent keys or 'I-keys'. This would leave motorists stranded by prevnting them from starting or unlocking their cars.

According to Nissan, the cellphone has to be very close, about one inch, to the keys for any damage to occure. The problem affects the Nissan Altima and Infiniti G35 sedans and has happened on a "small percentage" of cars.

Presumably car owners must obtain a replacement key from the dealer because the erased keys cannot be reprogrammed.