Approximately 1.8 million model-year 2013-18 Nissan Altima sedans are being recalled due to latch hood issues. The secondary hood latch may bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed. If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Nissan said these cars were included in two previous recalls from 2014 and 2015, but the previous fix may not have been performed consistently to remove the safety risk.
Nissan will begin notifying owners on June 22. It will also provide an interim notice instructing owners how to properly maintain the latch and include a reminder to fully close the hood and engage the primary hood latch each time prior to driving. Owners can call Nissan at 800-867-7669 or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s vehicle-safety hotline at 888-327-4236 to learn more.
To fix the problem, dealers will replace the hood latch with a new one.
Vehicle manufacturers are legally required to repair any recalled issues or replace the defective part for free under the Highway Safety Act of 1970. If the dealership refuses to fix the problem or attempts to charge you for the repair, contact the manufacturer immediately.
Lemon Law Group Partners can assist car owners if they encounter any problems during the recall process with the manufacturer. Our attorneys deal directly with the manufacturer on the client’s behalf to quickly resolve the problem. In many cases, the attorneys get paid directly from the manufacturer so the client does not have to pay any attorneys’ fees to obtain legal counsel. For more information and a free consultation call 888-668-8581.
