Rear lower control arm broke due to corrosion while the car was moving

- Poplar Grove, IL, USA

Driving on city street then highway at normal speed. Noticed traction control light on and felt swaying in rear of car. Heard loud noise and swaying worsened so I pulled over. After having car looked at was told could not be driven as lower right rear control arm had broken right off! car had to be towed on flat bed. Repairs are underway. Very scary situation with sudden loss of control.

- Worcester, MA, USA

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. While driving 20 mph, the rear passenger side wheel detached from the lower control arm. Also, the rear driver side wheel was cracked. The dealer (fuccillo Nissan of latham, 976 new loudon rd, latham, NY 12110, (518) 250-4380) stated that the vehicle was out of warranty. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 120,000.

- Clifton Park, NY, USA

Left work going to the grocery store. Noticed the steering was sloppy with less control. I went through a patched area in the road and the whole car shook and there was a noise in the passenger rear. I called my husband and he met me in the grocery store parking lot so he could drive the car home. He drove about a quarter of a mile and called me to pull into a parking lot. He got under the car and saw that the lower control arm had rusted and broken away from the frame. He also noticed the passenger rear wheel at a strange angle with the top leaning into the wheel well. We took the car 2 blocks to the shop. The shop had to get the parts from Nissan and when they ordered them they were told the part had been redesigned so both sides had to be replaced. They replaced both rear lower control arms, both rear shocks and other suspension parts. I am just lucky the tire didn't fall off while I was driving.

- Johnsonville, NY, USA

The front suspension is very poor. My car fall in a little hole and one of the front wheel was broke, because the suspension was bad job. When I turning star the engine sounds sometimes very rare.

- Mayaguez, PR, USA

While backing my car out of a parking space, I heard a pop and rear of the car dropped. I got out and saw the left rear of the car was lower, top of tire not visible. The dealership where I purchased my car new (Sept. 12, 2012) was only 3 miles away on secondary roads, so I took my car there to be looked at. The dealer called me back the next day and told me the left rear lower control arm had broken and right rear lower control arm was cracking in the same place and needed to be replaced. The service advisor and service manager both said they have never seen anything like this happen before on a six year old car. Consumer stated failure of suspension on both rear passenger side. Updated 12/12/18

- Aliquippa, PA, USA

While driving down the road the rear control arm broke off. The car only has 46,000 miles and is 5 year old yet rusted so badly from the inside out that the arm completely broke off..

- Seneca Falls, NY, USA

The contact leased a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that rust and corrosion caused the rear driver's side wheel to fracture from the frame. The dealer (Nissan of staten island, 222 parkinson ave, staten island, NY 10305, 1-(718) 447-3878) diagnosed that the metal link to the rear wheels and chassis failed. In addition, the rear control arms and the control link fractured. The dealer further inspected the undercarriage, frame, and front and rear suspension. The vehicle had an extended warranty, but the contact did not know if it would cover the repairs. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was not available. Incident date is before purchase date.

- Staten Island, NY, USA

After taking my vehicle to the dealership for a oil change they informed me that my lower control arms needed to be replaced and that it was a common problem amongst 2013 and newer Nissan Altima. There are millions of 2013 and newer Nissan Altima on the road and a common problem amongst these vehicles is the lower control arms. These parts are very important to the steering and suspension on front wheel drive vehicles and these parts should not fail on five year or younger road vehicles. The failure of these parts on surface streets can be potentially deadly and on highways more likely to cause horrific casualties due to the vehicles being uncontrollable during a failure. I would like to bring this issue to the attention of NHTSA and hopefully you can contact the appropriate sources to be proactive and prevent any future accidents that the Nissan Altima might create.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

The control arm on my 2013 Nissan Altima broke while entering the freeway on (7/20) during rush hour, causing me to lose steering in the rear of my vehicle. The equipment failure caused me to be stranded on the highway, forcing me to have my car towed to the nearest auto repair shop, costing me $2,220 in repairs. My vehicle only had 72,720 miles when the malfunction occurred. In reaching out to I-90 Nissan in sheffield Ohio, which is where I purchased my vehicle, the staff was friendly but deferred me to Nissan corporate to file a claim with Consumer Affairs. Consumer Affairs denied my claim because I did not take my vehicle to an 'authorized dealer'. while stranded on the highway, the last place I was thinking about taking me vehicle was to the dealer (15+ miles away) that sold me a car that had a major equipment failure in less than 5 years of owning it. I needed to have my broken control arm replaced, the driver side control arm replaced because it was about to break due to rust and stress fractures. In addition, I needed my stabilizer arms replaced. Attached is a photo of the broken control arm. You can see on the broken control arm there is a hole at the top, which was not welded closed, allowing water and salt to enter, rusting the control arm from both the inside and outside. This excessive rust is what led to the control arm to fail and break.

- Rocky River, OH, USA

Having a shaking wobble at low speed in the front suspension like the front suspensions going to fall off. Was there ever since I bought the car new. I think it must be the mounts or loose support rods, but I feel you need to recall my car to fix it. This seems to be a accident waiting to happen. It gets worst when turning right at very low speeds.

- Columbia, MO, USA

The strut mount problem. I had changed this a year ago. I fixed this problem by warrenty. But, 2 weeks later, it was broken again.

- Pullman, WA, USA

Hi I took my vehicle for regular inspection and have reported a problem with the passenger side wheels making noise. Also reporting car drift side ways while at high speeds. With initial analysis from Nissan service center have mentioned that there is some issue with shifting of a spring on the on the track rods. I raised this to my extended warranty service provider. And they have mentioned that it has to be done under tsb and will not undertake the repair. Hence I am submitting this incident report you you so investigate if it actually falls under tsb or not. And if it is then how I can get it fixed under tsb norms.

- Novi, MI, USA

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 16V244000 (air bags), 16V029000 (latches/locks/linkages), and 15V468000 (suspension). The part was not available within a reasonable time frame to schedule the recall repair. The dealer did not give a specific date for when the part would become available. The manufacturer could not provide an estimated date for when the vehicle would receive the recall repair. The contact was not experiencing a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Needville, TX, USA

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to complete the recall repair for NHTSA campaign number: 16V029000 (latches/locks/linkages). The dealer scheduled an appointment and, when the contact arrived for the repair, they stated that the hood latch was on back order and the dealer was unable to provide a time frame that the part may become available. The contact was also informed that there was a fuel pump recall and the vehicle was repaired. The contact was not aware and the dealer did not mention NHTSA campaign numbers: 15V468000 (suspension) and 16V244000 (air bags). The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

This particular issue was detected definitely around 1 year of ownership of my at then brand new 2013 Altima which was purchased 12/2013, that my rear shocks were leaking. Have not to this date gotten them fixed because it costs too much and I'm told it is not covered under any warranty. Out of all the times I've taken my vehicle in, this problem has only been brought to my attention 2 times. If service was really doing their job it would be noted each time I visit. In any case, another problem with my so-called "new" vehicle. My poor passengers have a very rough ride and is affecting my braking where it delays my stop. I continue fighting with Nissan (both dealer where purchase was made and Corp) and nothing. I didn't get into a sales contract for a new vehicle where I have to have major parts replaced every 6 mo-1 year. My payments are high enough without having the headaches of this vehicle.

- Colton, CA, USA

Note: This car was purchased used with about 30,000 miles on it. When driving at highway speeds, both hands on the wheel, going straight, unexpectedly and without warning the car starts to wander and veer off to the other lane. It is much worse if it is a windy day. You have to be ready immediately to make a steering correction or you run the risk of getting into and accident. On the Nissan forum, many 2013 Altima owners are complaining about this steering and suspension defect. Nissan has not addressed this safety issue but has known about it and has fixed it on the 2016 models. Why haven't they issued a bulletin with a fix or recalled these year model Altima that are affected?

- Amherst, NY, USA

I have been to the dealer several times with the complaint of the car constantly drifting left and right and not being able to control the handling of the vehicle. It often feels like you are driving on three wheels and the stability shifts. I do not feel safe driving the car as I don't have full control, nor do I like having my son in the vehicle and try to avoid freeways but it pretty much drifts at all speeds. I have spoken to the service manager, service director, and regional manager at Nissan North America but they claim to not be able to reproduce the issue. However, every time I get in it I feel vibrations and experience weird whining noises as well as the drifting and bouncing all over the roads. I have also experienced where I'm trying to slow down and it seems like the car speeds up and when trying to speed up the car is sluggish. Nissan really needs to take ownership to fix the issue before someone loses their life!! this is ridiculous to have to deal with these issues for a newer car that people are still paying for!!

- Laveen, AZ, USA

When I test drove and purchased my vehicle, everything seemed great. It was a very short test drive though. Not even 1month after buying the car, I have problems with it. I noticed the suspension and steering to be not as tight or responsive (diminished) and also notice a lot of wander in the font end and understeer/oversteer. Along with the suspension and steering problems came the transmission shutter. At lower speed acceleration (approx. 25-40mph), there is a shutter or jumpy feeling. Took the car to Nissan multiple times to fix the problem and has yet to be done. My service tech has been able to duplicate all the problems, but Nissan tech line refuses to fix anything because "it is up to Nissan standards". in order for them to even begin to replace or work on anything, it has to meet certain circumstances (basically jump through hoops), even though it is a known problem with the car and has been duplicated by one of their own techs. I have contacted the BBB and have started arbitration to get this matter resolved. This entire ordeal has cost me time off work and about a total of 4weeks without my car.

- Commerce City, CO, USA

Within the first week of having the vehicle I noticed the car pulled to the left. Had the alignment fixed. 7 months later I had the car back in the shop because the passenger air bag light said the air bag was not turned on. This occurred with a 128 pound girl in the seat and on another occasion with a 215 pound man in the passenger seat. The dealership stated that there was no problem and that the air bag would deploy if necessary. Less than a month after that I still have the problem and now my elec. Stability did not start working till about 15 min of slipping around on snow while driving home from work. Ever since it finally came on the light now stays on the majority of the time and occasionally goes off but the roads have been both wet and completely dry when this occurs. Also now my steering wheel is tilted about 30 degrees to the left when I have my car driving on a straight away because my alignment has went completely off again but even worse than before.

- Newport News, VA, USA