Nissan is committed to the safety and security of our customers and their passengers. Nissan has notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Transport Canada that it is recalling certain model year 2013-2018 Nissan Altima vehicles to address a hood latch release issue. Under this recall, dealers will provide an additional remedy to previously recalled model year 2013-2015 Nissan Altima vehicles in the US and Canada, and includes model year 2016-2018 Nissan Altima vehicles.
Reason for Recall
If the impacted Altima vehicle is driven with the primary hood latch disengaged and the hood latch partially opened, the secondary hood latch on the vehicle may become contaminated with dirt or corrosion, preventing it from engaging properly. If the primary hood latch is later inadvertently released (such as when refueling the vehicle) and the secondary hood latch is stuck open, the hood may open without warning while driving and could obscure the driver’s vision, increasing the risk of a crash.
What Nissan Will Do
Owners of affected vehicles received an interim notification in July 2020, with reminders for proper hood latch inspection and maintenance as outlined in the owner’s manual and a reminder to ensure the hood is fully closed before driving their vehicle.
Parts are now available to repair impacted vehicles. Nissan dealers will inspect the latch for proper operation, and clean and lube as needed, or replace the secondary latch if it is not fully functional, at no cost to the owner. In addition, dealers will now install a spring and affix a label to any vehicles affected by this voluntary safety recall campaign. Please contact your local Nissan dealer in order to arrange an appointment for repair.
Impacted owners will also receive an owner’s manual addendum card with instructions on how to lubricate and maintain the secondary hood latch mechanism per the owner’s manual general maintenance requirements. The card also includes a reminder to fully close and engage the primary hood latch each time before driving.
Owners will receive a final notification letter instructing them to bring their vehicle to an authorized Nissan dealer to have the final remedy work completed at no cost to the owner beginning late June 2021.
What Owners Should Do
Review the addendum card thoroughly and add it to the owner’s manual of the affected vehicle. Please contact your local Nissan dealer in order to arrange an appointment to have your vehicle repaired as soon as possible.
If you have any questions, you may contact the National Consumer Affairs Department, Nissan North America, Inc. PO box 685003, Franklin, TN 37068-5003. The toll free number is 1-800-867-7669.
Yes.
Over time, build-up caused by driving with the primary hood latch disengaged allows excessive, corrosive contaminants to contact the hood latch assembly. This build-up, combined with a lack of proper inspection and maintenance of the secondary hood latch, can create mechanical binding that could cause the secondary hood latch to remain in the open position after it has been disengaged.
If the driver inadvertently releases the primary hood latch (ex. while refueling) or the hood is not closed properly, the secondary hood latch may not hold the hood closed while the vehicle is in motion. The hood may open without warning and obstruct the driver’s forward view, and may increase the risk of crash.
Owners of affected vehicles received an interim notification in July 2020, with reminders for proper hood latch inspection and maintenance as outlined in the owner’s manual and a reminder to ensure the hood is fully closed before driving their vehicle.
Dealers will inspect the latch for proper operation, and clean and lube as needed, or replace the secondary latch if it is not fully functional, at no cost to the owner. In addition, dealers will now install a spring and affix a label to any vehicles affected by this voluntary safety recall campaign.
Owners of affected vehicles received an interim notification in July 2020, with reminders for proper hood latch inspection and maintenance as outlined in the owner’s manual and a reminder to ensure the hood is fully closed before driving their vehicle.
Dealers will inspect the latch for proper operation, and clean and lube as needed, or replace the secondary latch if it is not fully functional, at no cost to the owner. In addition, dealers will now install a spring and affix a label to any vehicles affected by this voluntary safety recall campaign.
Owners will receive a notification letter, beginning June 23, 2021, instructing them to bring their vehicle to an authorized Nissan dealer to have the remedy work completed at no cost to the owner.
If your vehicle is subject to this campaign, customers received an Owner Notification letter with reminders for proper hood latch inspection and maintenance as outlined in the owner’s manual (shown below). If the secondary latch is stuck open, please ensure your hood is securely closed using the primary latch and bring your vehicle to the nearest dealer for service.
Affected owners are encouraged to have their vehicles repaired as soon as possible upon notification. Nissan recommends drivers use care to avoid releasing the hood when refueling and check to ensure the hood is fully closed and latched before driving their vehicle.
No. The primary hood latch works as designed. The recall condition occurs if you inadvertently open the primary hood latch by pulling the hood release lever. In this condition, the secondary hood latch may not be engaged, which could allow the hood to open while driving.
Please consult your dealer for alternate transportation availability while your vehicle is being serviced.
No, the remedy will be performed for the customer free of charge for parts and labor.
No, any authorized Nissan dealer is able to perform the recall campaign.
For help finding a dealer, please feel free to use our Dealer Locator.
The final remedy will fully correct this condition. As the condition will be corrected, there is no basis for repurchasing or replacing your vehicle.
Model Year 2013-2018 Nissan Altima vehicles manufactured from March 2012 to August 2018 are potentially affected.
If you have had to pay for previous reimbursement for your secondary hood latch, please go to the reimbursement form page on this site for further assistance.
If you need to report injuries or damage to property (other than the vehicle) related to the hood opening while the vehicle was in motion, please contact NNA Consumer Affairs at 1-800-867-7669.
If you previously had to replace your secondary hood latch on your model year 2013-2018 Altima and Nissan did not cover the cost of the repair, please follow the following directions.
You may submit your reimbursement form via email or fax by downloading and completing the following form including submission of the documents listed below:
- Repair order(s)
- Proof of payment [may be on repair order (s)]
- Proof of vehicle ownership if repair is over $1,000
Address:
Nissan Consumer Affairs
PO Box 685003
Franklin, TN 37068-5003
Phone:
1-800-867-7669
Hours of operation:
7am – 8pm (CT) Monday – Friday
7am – 5pm (CT) Saturday