Nissan Has Averted a 2-Million Vehicle Recall | Carscoops

      The NHTSA has concluded its lengthy investigation into suspension failures in Nissan vehicles.

      Over 2 million 2013-2018 Altimas and 2016-2018 Maximas were examined.

      Nissan has already addressed the issue in 47,000 vehicles by replacing them with more robust rear lower control arms.

      This week, financially-strapped Nissan can feel relieved as U.S. regulators have decided to close a prolonged safety inquiry that could have led to a recall of more than 2 million cars in North America.

      The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) initiated the investigation nearly six years ago after reports of rear lower control arm failures in 2013-2018 Nissan Altima and 2016-2018 Maxima sedans surfaced.

      The Issue

      Although the regulators identified a legitimate concern with the suspension components of these vehicles, indicating that failure could impact handling, they ultimately deemed that recalling the 2,038,307 potentially affected vehicles was not warranted.

      Nissan utilized pressed steel for the rear lower arms, which are prone to cracking due to the stresses associated with everyday driving. The situation is particularly problematic in rust-belt areas, where road salt used for melting snow and ice has been found to worsen these cracks.

      At the time of the investigation’s initiation, the ODI had received 91 consumer complaints regarding control arm failures; this number has since risen to 322, while Nissan has recorded 1,035 complaints. Some complaints mentioned increased steering effort or a loss of control.

      However, tests conducted by Nissan and the ODI indicated that drivers would typically receive prior warnings of potential failure through unusual sounds and vibrations. Even in the event of arm failure, the car’s electronic stability program (ESP) was shown to maintain control, preventing severe handling issues.

      Supporting evidence suggests that although some owners reported losing control, only one instance of making contact with another vehicle was recorded, and that involved a minor collision with the tow hitch of a car in front.

      Nissan’s Proactive Measures

      The ODI also acknowledged Nissan's proactive efforts, having already rectified issues in 47,000 Altimas through a service campaign and extended the standard warranty from three years to 12 years without a mileage limitation. Additionally, Nissan redesigned the lower arms in 2018 to enhance their durability. Regulators concluded that the reduction in reported failures, combined with Nissan’s service campaign and warranty extension, indicated that a recall was unnecessary.

      Do you own a 2013-2018 Altima or 2016-2018 Maxima that still has the original lower arms? What are your thoughts on driving with a known suspension issue? Share your thoughts in the comments.