2020 Nissan Altima Recall: Steering (NHTSA 21V138000)

NHTSA (the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) issued a recall affecting 2020 Nissan Altima vehicles manufactured by Nissan North America, Inc.. Below is the official summary, the risk involved, and the fix available at no cost.

Table of contents
  1. What does the official notice say?
  2. Risk if left unaddressed
  3. Manufacturer's fix (remedy)
  4. Additional notes
  5. How to check if your vehicle is affected
  6. Frequently asked questions

What does the official notice say?

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Nissan Altima vehicles. The tie rod ball joint fastener was not tightened properly, which could result in the tie rod ball joint detaching from the steering knuckle.

Risk if left unaddressed

A detached tie rod ball joint can cause a loss of steering control, and increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer's fix (remedy)

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the left and right-side tie rod ball joint fasteners, or install new fasteners as necessary, free of charge. The began March 31, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7769. Nissan's number for this recall is PC795.

Additional notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

How to check if your vehicle is affected

Enter your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) in the official NHTSA lookup tool at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included in this campaign (number 21V138000).

Frequently asked questions

What is NHTSA recall 21V138000?

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Nissan Altima vehicles. The tie rod ball joint fastener was not tightened properly, which could result in the tie rod ball joint detaching from the steering knuckle.

What happens if this recall isn't fixed?

A detached tie rod ball joint can cause a loss of steering control, and increase the risk of a crash.

Is the repair free, and how do I check my VIN?

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the left and right-side tie rod ball joint fasteners, or install new fasteners as necessary, free of charge. The began March 31, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7769. Nissan's number for this recall is PC795. Enter your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included in campaign 21V138000.

Source: public NHTSA data, campaign 21V138000, reported on 04/03/2021. This content is for informational purposes only, does not constitute legal advice, and was compiled from official data with editorial review prior to publication.

Recall Radar

Recall Radar is the editorial team behind RecallRadar, tracking official NHTSA vehicle recalls and translating them into clear, practical guidance — what's affected, what's the risk, and how to get the free fix. Every post is compiled from public NHTSA data and reviewed before publishing.

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