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2017 Nissan Altima

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2017 Nissan Altima do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 231.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

165 reports with mileage · 226 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 133 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 73 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

24 crash reports7 fire reports19 injury reports

What owners actually said

391 reports
22,000 miles · Feb 20, 2020
Exterior Lighting

THE LOW BEAMS ARE DANGEROUSLY DIM. I WAS ALMOST IN A ONE CAR ACCIDENT (COULDN'T SEE UPCOMING TRAFFIC CIRCLE) AS A RESULT. I HAVE TO RELY ON HIGH BEAMS FOR VISIBILITY WHENEVER POSSIBLE . THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM FROM WHAT I'VE RESEARCHED. I AM POSITIVE THERE WILL BE ACCIDENTS IF THIS ISSUE IS NOT FIXED.

NHTSA ODI #11310437

65,900 miles · Feb 20, 2020
Steering

WHEN DRIVING ON ROUGH TERRAIN GOING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 TO 35 MPH, MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP FOR ABOUT 3 SECONDS AND THEN RELEASES. WHEN THIS ISSUE HAPPENS I AM UNABLE TO CONTROL MY VEHICLE. THE FIRST 3 TIMES THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS ISSUE HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 4 TIME SINCE I'VE PURCHASED MY VEHI…

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WHEN DRIVING ON ROUGH TERRAIN GOING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 TO 35 MPH, MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP FOR ABOUT 3 SECONDS AND THEN RELEASES. WHEN THIS ISSUE HAPPENS I AM UNABLE TO CONTROL MY VEHICLE. THE FIRST 3 TIMES THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS ISSUE HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 4 TIME SINCE I'VE PURCHASED MY VEHICLE ON 12/31/2019.

NHTSA ODI #11310331

82,000 miles · Feb 10, 2020
Power Train

WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE WILL MAKE A VIBRATION NOISE, LOSES POWER. ABSOLUTELY NO THROTTLE RESPONSE. ALMOST LIKE GETTING NO FUEL, BUT YOU CAN HEAR THE ENGINE REVVING AND VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE. THEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN IT WILL START TO MOVE SLOWLY. THEN IT WILL GO. THIS PROCESS WILL REPEAT OVER AND OVER. UNTIL STOP AND TURN THE CAR …

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WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE WILL MAKE A VIBRATION NOISE, LOSES POWER. ABSOLUTELY NO THROTTLE RESPONSE. ALMOST LIKE GETTING NO FUEL, BUT YOU CAN HEAR THE ENGINE REVVING AND VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE. THEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN IT WILL START TO MOVE SLOWLY. THEN IT WILL GO. THIS PROCESS WILL REPEAT OVER AND OVER. UNTIL STOP AND TURN THE CAR OFF. WHEN YOU COME BACK IT ACTS FINE. THEN STARTS OVER ONCE DRIVEN A WHILE. THIS HAPPEN WHEN CITY DRIVING OR HIGHWAY. I FINALLY GOT A LIGHT TO COME ON AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS OF DRIVING THIS WAY. CHECK ENGINE CODE P0776 PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID. THAT'S IN THE TRANSMISSION. DEALER SAYS ITS NOT COVERED EVEN THOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN COMPLAINTS AND RECALLS ON OTHER NISSAN MODELS WITH CVT TRANSMISSIONS.

NHTSA ODI #11308161

120,000 miles · Feb 5, 2020
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

WHEN VEHICLES PUT IN REVERSE AND THE BACK UP CAMERA IS ENGAGED MOST OF THE TIME THE SCREEN IS VERY DARK YOU HAVE TO PUT THE CAR INTO PARK AND THEN BACK INTO REVERSE AGAIN TO SEE. WHEN VEHICLE IS PUT IN REVERSE AND THE BACK UP CAMERA IS ENGAGED MOST OF THE TIME THE SCREEN IS VERY DARK YOU HAVE TO PUT THE CAR INTO PARK AND THEN BA…

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WHEN VEHICLES PUT IN REVERSE AND THE BACK UP CAMERA IS ENGAGED MOST OF THE TIME THE SCREEN IS VERY DARK YOU HAVE TO PUT THE CAR INTO PARK AND THEN BACK INTO REVERSE AGAIN TO SEE. WHEN VEHICLE IS PUT IN REVERSE AND THE BACK UP CAMERA IS ENGAGED MOST OF THE TIME THE SCREEN IS VERY DARK YOU HAVE TO PUT THE CAR INTO PARK AND THEN BACK INTO REVERSE AGAIN TO SEE. THIS CREATES A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN TRYING TO BACK UP OUT OF TIGHT AREAS AND HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS FOR

NHTSA ODI #11307293

103,000 miles · Feb 5, 2020
Power Train

AS I WAS DRIVING I NOTICED AS I WAS GIVING MY CAR GAS. IT WAS ACTING AS IF IT DIDN'T WANT TO PULL. IT WAS IDLING VERY HIGH AND WOULDN'T GO OVER 30MPH. I BEGAN TO PANIC BECAUSE THIS IS A NEW CAR. I'M LIKE IS IT THE TRANSMISSION. I PULLED OVER CUT THE CAR OFF AND STARTED IT BACK UP. THE CAR BEGAN TO DRIVE BACK NORMAL. IT HAS DONE …

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AS I WAS DRIVING I NOTICED AS I WAS GIVING MY CAR GAS. IT WAS ACTING AS IF IT DIDN'T WANT TO PULL. IT WAS IDLING VERY HIGH AND WOULDN'T GO OVER 30MPH. I BEGAN TO PANIC BECAUSE THIS IS A NEW CAR. I'M LIKE IS IT THE TRANSMISSION. I PULLED OVER CUT THE CAR OFF AND STARTED IT BACK UP. THE CAR BEGAN TO DRIVE BACK NORMAL. IT HAS DONE THIS MANY TIMES BEFORE EVEN WHILE I HAD UBER RIDERS ACTING AS IF IT DOESN'T WANT TO PULL. IT'S WAS IN MOTION EACH TIME IT HAPPENED EVEN ON THE INTERSTATE IN BUSY TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ODI #11307263

55,000 miles · Feb 4, 2020
Power Train

ISSUES WITH CVT ON MY 17 ALTIMA. CURRENTLY AT THE SHOP FOR THE SECOND TIME. AT COMPLETE STOP THE CAR DOES NOT WANT TO ACCELERATE, I PUSH THE PETAL TO THE FLOOR AND THE RPMS RACE WHILE THE CAR BASICALLY CRAWLS. I HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND ON AGAIN TO GET IT TO RUN NORMAL. HAPPENS A LOT.

NHTSA ODI #11307117

Mileage unknown · Jan 26, 2020
Power Train

I HAVE A 2017 NISSAN ALTIMA AND MY TRANSMISSION HAS GONE OUT.I HAVE THE NEW CVT TRANSMISSION AND MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THOSE NEW TRANSMISSIONS ARE HORRIBLE ONCE THEY GO BAD YOU HAVE TO GET A NEW ONE. ALSO THERE ARE TWO CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST THE SIZE FOR THOSE SPECIFIC TRANSMISSION. THE FIRST TIME I NOTICED SOMETHING …

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I HAVE A 2017 NISSAN ALTIMA AND MY TRANSMISSION HAS GONE OUT.I HAVE THE NEW CVT TRANSMISSION AND MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THOSE NEW TRANSMISSIONS ARE HORRIBLE ONCE THEY GO BAD YOU HAVE TO GET A NEW ONE. ALSO THERE ARE TWO CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST THE SIZE FOR THOSE SPECIFIC TRANSMISSION. THE FIRST TIME I NOTICED SOMETHING WAS WRONG MY CAR IS WHEN I WAS HEADED TO MIAMI TO THE DOLPHINS STADIUM FOR MY DAUGHTER'S CHEER PERFORMANCE I WAS ON I 95 SOUTH AND MY CAR STARTED JERKING AS IF IT WANTED TO STOP THERE WAS NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON TO INDICATE THAT'S SOMETHING WAS WRONG. I TOOK MY CAR TO AUTO ZONE FOR A FREE DIAGNOSTIC TEST. I CALL NISSAN AND ASKED HOW MUCH WOULD IT BE TO FIX MY CAR THEY REFUSE TO TAKE THE AUTO ZONE DIAGNOSTIC TEST RESULTS THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME $300 DOLLARS JUST TO LOOK AT MY CAR. THE SECOND TIME MY CAR STOPPED ON ME IT HAPPENED WHEN I WAS HEADED HOME FROM WORK SITTING AT A RED LIGHT ON 441 AND WHEN IT WAS TIME TO GO I PRESS DOWN ON THE GAS IN MY CAR WILL NOT MOVE I WAS SO SCARED I JUST SHUT OFF MY CAR TURNED IT BACK ON AND IT STARTED TO WORK AND THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS ON MY WAY COMING BACK FROM TAKING MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL I'M TAKING MY DAUGHTER AND I WAS BUSY INTERSECTION SOUTHERN BOULEVARD MY CAR JUST STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD I HAD TO PRESS DOWN ON THE GAS SO MANY TIMES IT'S AGO AND WHEN IT DIDN'T SHUT OFF LIKE A ROCKET I WAS SO SCARED.

NHTSA ODI #11302132

Mileage unknown · Jan 19, 2020
Service Brakes

BOTH THE DRIVE SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONT BRAKES ON MY 2017 NISSAN ALTIMA SR SQUEAK ONLY WHEN GOING IN REVERSE. THE NOISE IS VERY PRONOUNCED WHEN THE CAR IS DRIVEN OUT OF THE GARAGE IN THE MORNING IN REVERSE. IT ALSO HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR HAS BEEN PARKED ANYWHERE ELSE FOR A WHILE. THE BOTTOM LINE IS WHEN THE BRAKES ARE COLD…

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BOTH THE DRIVE SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONT BRAKES ON MY 2017 NISSAN ALTIMA SR SQUEAK ONLY WHEN GOING IN REVERSE. THE NOISE IS VERY PRONOUNCED WHEN THE CAR IS DRIVEN OUT OF THE GARAGE IN THE MORNING IN REVERSE. IT ALSO HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR HAS BEEN PARKED ANYWHERE ELSE FOR A WHILE. THE BOTTOM LINE IS WHEN THE BRAKES ARE COLD THEY ALWAYS SQUEAK WHEN THE CAR IS DRIVEN IN REVERSE. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED IN 2017 AND THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN SQUEAKING FOR YEARS.

NHTSA ODI #11300293

60,000 miles · Jan 14, 2020
EngineVehicle Speed Control

MY CAR HAS BEEN HESITATING TO ACCELERATE AND GETS THIS WEIRD MOTION. IT STARTS SOUNDING LIKE THE ENGINE IS GOING FAST BUT IT DOES NOT GO MORE THAN 20 FOR TIMES.

NHTSA ODI #11299259

59,823 miles · Jan 11, 2020
Air Bags

I WAS HEADING SOUTH BOUND ON RT 83. FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT & MY SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THIER WAS NO IMPACT TO THE VEHICLE

NHTSA ODI #11298592

Official recalls

3

20V315000 · Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch

May 28, 2020

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2018 Nissan Altima vehicles. If the primary hood latch is inadvertently released, there is an increased likelihood that the secondary hood latch may corrode over time.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Corrosion to the secondary latch may cause it to bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed. If the primary latch is inadvertently released again and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will install a stronger release spring in the hood release lever, a warning label near the secondary hood latch, and an Owner’s Manual addendum card with instructions on how to lubricate and maintain the secondary hood latch mechanism, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 30, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Note: Recall 16V-029 remains open for any unremedied 2013-2015 Altimas and this recall applies to all vehicles covered by 16V-029 even if those repairs have already been performed.

18V915000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch; Structure:emergency:escape/egress/exit

Dec 19, 2018

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Altima vehicles, previously remedied under recall number 17V-040. The door latch-lock cable may not have been routed properly in the rear door when the remedy was applied. As a result, the cable may interfere with the window regulator causing the rear passenger door to unlatch and inadvertently open without warning when the window is lowered.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the rear passenger door opens while the vehicle is moving, the rear passengers have an increased risk of injury.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will secure the latch-lock cables in the correct position using the new remedy procedure, free of charge. The recall began February 5, 2019. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7669.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Structure:emergency:escape/egress/exit

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Altima vehicles, previously remedied under recall number 17V-040. The door latch-lock cable may not have been routed properly in the rear door when the remedy was applied. As a result, the cable may interfere with the window regulator causing the rear passenger door to unlatch and inadvertently open without warning when the window is lowered.

Consequence: If the rear passenger door opens while the vehicle is moving, the rear passengers have an increased risk of injury.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will secure the latch-lock cables in the correct position using the new remedy procedure, free of charge. The recall began February 5, 2019. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7669.

Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Altima vehicles, previously remedied under recall number 17V-040. The door latch-lock cable may not have been routed properly in the rear door when the remedy was applied. As a result, the cable may interfere with the window regulator causing the rear passenger door to unlatch and inadvertently open without warning when the window is lowered.

Consequence: If the rear passenger door opens while the vehicle is moving, the rear passengers have an increased risk of injury.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will secure the latch-lock cables in the correct position using the new remedy procedure, free of charge. The recall began February 5, 2019. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7669.

17V040000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Jan 18, 2017

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Altima vehicles. The rear door latch/lock cable on the vehicles may have been improperly routed. As a result, lowering a rear window may inadvertently cause that door to unlatch and open.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the rear passenger doors inadvertently open while the vehicle is in motion, it may increase the risk of injury to the rear passengers.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will correct the rear door latch/lock cable routing, free of charge. The recall began on February 16, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

3

EA21002 · Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Opened Sep 17, 2021 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

EA19002 · Rear Suspension Control Arm Failure

Opened Jul 29, 2019 · Closed Jun 16, 2025

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension:rear

On July 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened EA19002 to investigate instances of alleged rear lower control arm failures in 2013-2018 Nissan Altima and 2016-2018 Nissan Maxima vehicles. At the time the investigation was opened ODI had 91 consumer complaints alleging rear lower control arm failures in the subject vehicles.ODI was concerned about these complaints because many of them alleged an increased steering effort or loss of vehicle control.At the time these complaints were received, ODI was also aware of a proactive service campaign addressing 2013 Nissan Altima in salt-belt states for a similar concern. Since opening the investigation, ODI has confirmed, based on consumer complaints, warranty data, and testing conducted by Nissan and ODI, that owners of the subject vehicles are experiencing a corroded bushing at one of three mounting points of the control arm to the rear subframe.ODI has also confirmed that drivers become aware of the problem because of sound and abnormal vibrations. In addition, the failure mileage is typically over 113,000 miles at the time of failure.In conjunction with Nissan and VRTC, ODI participated in testing to assess the potential safety consequence of a bushing failure.It was found the Vehicle Dynamic Control system allows the driver to maintain vehicle control in the event of a bushing failure.With between 7 to 13 years of field exposure, ODI is aware of only one low speed crash allegation describing minor contact with another vehicle’s trailer hitch. Nissan acknowledges that a crack can develop in affected control arms due to stress loading from normal use and that salts commonly used for roadway snow and ice treatment may result in corrosion that exacerbates the progression of the crack.Nissan implemented a design change in January of 2018 to improve the durability of the lower control arm.Affected vehicles have either been repaired with the countermeasure part under a customer satisfaction campaign or been provided a warranty extension from 3 years/36,000 miles to 10 year/unlimited mileage. Through testing and analysis of the information obtained to date, ODI has not identified a defect representing an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety involving corrosion of the subject rear lower control arm at this time.With a declining trend of reports and Nissan’s actions to implement a countermeasure and extended warranty coverage, further investigation of the issue does not appear to be warranted at this time.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov. A detailed discussion of the investigation and related complaint numbers can be viewed in the attached closing report.

PE18013 · Rear Suspension Control Arm Failure

Opened Dec 1, 2018 · Closed Aug 21, 2019

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension:rear

PE18-013 was opened on December 1, 2018, with 4 complaints to ODI alleging incidents of the lower control arm fracturing at a connection point to the vehicle chassis due to corrosion. ODI has received an additional 87 complaints since the PE was opened. During PE18-013, Nissan indicated model years 2013-2018 shared a common rear lower control arm design. Nissan provided complaint and warranty data regarding 48 incidents of the subject failure. The majority of the complaints are from vehicles registered in salt belt states. There have been no crashes, injuries, or fatalities confirmed as of this date. Nissan advised that it has conducted testing to assess safety risk. Nissan states that due to low incident rate, high detectability, and low risk of adverse vehicle dynamics, it does not believe the subject lower control arm failure poses an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety.This preliminary evaluation has been upgraded to Engineering Analysis (EA) 19-002. During the EA, ODI will continue to collect and analyze complaint and field data in its efforts to fully assess the scope and frequency of the alleged defect. More importantly, ODI will also seek additional information and data regarding the potential safety consequences of rear lower control arm failure, both from evidence collected from field failures and through more rigorous and comprehensive vehicle testing to be conducted by either Nissan and/or NHTSA.The ODI reports (VOQs) cited above can be viewed at NHTSA.gov under the following reference numbers: 11234334, 11234232, 11234189, 11233771, 11233234, 11232381, 11231589, 11230323, 11230184, 11229023, 11229003, 11228730, 11228651, 11228631, 11228625, 11223086, 11222602, 11222427, 11222303, 11221802, 11219943, 11217980, 11217542, 11217505, 11217290, 11210699, 11209647, 11208580, 11208274, 11207545, 11206310, 11205711, 11205461, 11203864, 11203005, 11195416, 11193545, 11193020, 11192269, 11192066, 11191270, 11191207, 11191185, 11191042, 11190360, 11190323, 11187334, 11187157, 11186747, 11186195, 11185664, 11185632, 11185589, 11183799, 11183295, 11183198, 11182705,11182528, 11182265, 11182137, 11182088, 11181373, 11181223, 11181155, 11181009, 11180126, 11176565, 11176261, 11176135, 11175821, 11172604, 11172200, 11172065, 11170019, 11169930, 11165194, 11163833, 11163489, 11162559, 11162195, 11161956, 11161497, 11161117, 11157323, 11157234, 11156772, 11141169, 11139516, 11129476, 11122829, 11114374.

Go deeper into Nissan Altima problems