Nissan to Fix Suspension Flaw in 184,300 Cars

Nissan Motor Co. is preparing to repair rear suspension parts that could corrode and crack and break loose in 184,300 cars sold in the U.S. and Canada.

The service campaign covers 2013 model Altima midsize sedans (pictured) in 22 U.S. “salt belt” states and the District of Columbia, and 2013-2014 Altimas sold anywhere in Canada.

The issue involves rear control arms, which help position the rear wheels. They may crack under normal usage and become corroded by salt used to clear snowy roads in winter. Eventually, an arm could detach from the car’s chassis.

Nissan plans to inspect and replace parts as needed under a so-called service action. The company says the problem doesn’t warrant a formal safety recall because a part failure is likely in only 0.003% of the targets cars, is easy to detect by the driver and leaves the vehicle controllable so it can be stopped safely.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began investigating the issue last December. Earlier this week it expanded its probe to cover more than 2 million 2013-2018 model Altimas. Nissan redesigned the control arms in 2018 to make them more durable.

Depending upon its findings, NHTSA could order a broader recall. According to NHTSA’s website, the 2013 Altima has already been recalled 11 times.