Nissan recalling 26,000+ 2009-2010 Altima and Maxima sedans over faulty struts
2009 Nissan Maxima – Click above for high-res image gallery
Certain 2009 and 2010 Nissan Altima and Maxima models may be fitted with out-of-spec suspension components that may contribute to an accident. As a result, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a recall campaign (ID #09V358000) to correct the problem in up to 26,398 vehicles. The identified issue is isolated to the upper front strut insulators in both models – the inferior insulators may crack, allowing the struts to move out of position. Understandably, the problem could affect vehicle stability and potentially lead to a crash. According to NHTSA, Nissan dealerships will be replacing both left and right side strut insulators at no charge to the customer. While the recall campaign doesn't officially begin until October 5, consumers may contact Nissan at 1-800-NISSAN1 (1-800-647-7261), or the NHTSA's Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153) for further information. Further details are available in the press release after the jump.
Gallery: 2009 Nissan Maxima
[Source: NHTSA]
PRESS RELEASE:
Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s):
NISSAN / ALTIMA 2009-2010
NISSAN / MAXIMA 2009-2010
Manufacturer: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. Mfr's Report Date: SEP 10, 2009
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 09V358000 N/A
NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: SUSPENSION
Potential Number of Units Affected: 26398
Summary:
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 AND 2010 ALTIMA AND MAXIMA PASSENGER CARS. THE UPPER FRONT STRUT INSULATORS MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED OUT OF SPECIFICATION RESULTING IN A POTENTIAL FOR THE STRUT INSULATOR TO CRACK.
Consequence:
IF THE STRUT INSULATOR IS CRACKED, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE STRUT ROD TO COME OUT OF ITS MOUNTING POSITION, WHICH COULD AFFECT VEHICLE STABILITY AND INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy:
NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE FRONT STRUT INSULATORS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT OCTOBER 5, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-NISSAN1 (1-800-647-7261).
Notes:
OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Quantumphysics 9:16AM (9/22/2009)
Front Wheel Drive SUCKS.
Never ever again will I buy one. Its either RWD, 4WD, AWD or nothing.
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Richard 9:53AM (9/22/2009)
I was just thinking how much I like this car when I see it on the road. Too bad it is FWD!
FWD DOES Suck!
TigerMil 10:07AM (9/22/2009)
The real question is where the components were sourced. China, anyone?
The race to the bottom for price and vendors IS causing problems.
D'Oh!
btyler227 10:19AM (9/22/2009)
Some RWD vehicles have strut issues. I recall the BMW Z4 having large quantities of strut problems.
l.i.dave 9:28AM (9/22/2009)
Nissans are garbage. They look nice for a year or two before the interior falls apart and the gaps in the panels widen dramatically. I don't understand how people can trash domestic build quality and no criticize Nissan.
Even Mr.K was blowing them up yesterday, and he has a vested interest in them.
What a joke!
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jv2k 9:53AM (9/22/2009)
That's not true. I have a previous gen sentra with 72k on the odometer. There are no gaps in the interior!
Now the glove box fell off( simple fix really) and the exhaust is rusting somewhere which makes the car much louder than it should be, and the metal plate over the muffler fell off one day, but damnit there are no gaps!
BrianFL 10:42AM (9/22/2009)
@jv2k
Thats exactly what the domestics got a bad reputation for. Interior bits getting loose and falling off, parts rusting, etc. Then at 100k miles water pump, and up keep start to come into play. The domestics got slammed for all of this. But I guess when Japanese cars do this its never an issue with people.
Ligor 10:47AM (9/22/2009)
I disagree
I have an '03 G35 with 100k mile and the only thing i've had to repai was an O2 sensor
and here is Michigan (the rust bucket) i see no issues with rust so far
best car i've ever owned and most reliable as well
I hope next car I buy will be as reliable as this - if I only have to repair one thing in 100k miles that to me that's an awesome car.
I will say that the japonese usually suffer from rust issues more than domestic, as I know my brothers Pathfinder had both struts rusing out at 100k miles - othere than that though he's never touched it. with 170k mile snow rust has showed up in many places, but reliabiity has never been an issue
Farmboy 9:31AM (9/22/2009)
Darn, I was hoping they would recall over the front end being full of fail
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vespid82 11:01AM (9/22/2009)
I lol'd
Avinash machado 9:35AM (9/22/2009)
The big three can never make quality cars. Ooops this is a Nissan recall. An import brand no less.
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Leclerc 9:39AM (9/22/2009)
Relax guy, leave the high horse in the stable for now. Way too quick judge fanboy.
Avinash machado 9:41AM (9/22/2009)
I am not a fanboy. I just like good cars regardless of country.
mact 10:27AM (9/22/2009)
Whenever the big 3 issues a recall everyone's all "well at least they're fixing the problem" But when anyone else issues a recall the company is called garbage. Amazing.
Rick 9:41AM (9/22/2009)
When will they recall the Maxima over faulty design?
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greenz1977 1:54PM (9/22/2009)
At least the Maxima doesn't have teeth in its grill.
Oliver 9:57AM (9/22/2009)
Oh No.......This doesn't do well for the "Return of the 4 Door Sports Car".....LMAO....
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Slizzo 10:18AM (9/22/2009)
4 Door Sports Car my ass. What happened to BMWs? The G8 GT?
Not a sports car if the drivetrain is utter sh*t.
sik59rt 10:24AM (9/22/2009)
my Altima has been holding up great....except when i shut it off or it's idling. the A/C makes a awesome knocking noise...hopefully thats not the strut shifting and making that noise
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Rar 10:52AM (9/22/2009)
Carsumer Advocacy? Nissan refuses to replace GT-R owner's busted transmission
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/13/carsumer-advocacy-nissan-refuses-to-replace-gt-r-owners-busted/
REPORT: Nissan GT-R class action suit over transmission failures settled
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/20/report-nissan-gt-r-class-action-suit-over-transmission-failures/
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