Nissan issues warranty extension for 2013 Nissan Altima

A Nissan Altima lower control arm replacement program will provide car owners in 22 salt belt states and Canada with free repairs for damage caused by cracks, rust and corrosion.

Nissan says the Altima lower control arm replacement campaign will focus on areas that use road salt in the winter, or what are known as salt belt states.

The replacement program covers the 2013 Nissan Altimas in 22 states.

Per Nissan , the Altima rear lower control arms (suspension links) can crack from normal use of the cars, but corrosion from road salt can make the cracks worse. The potential defect at the heart of this issue is the risk corrosion could cause a suspension part to detach from the frame in states that use salt on icy roads. The rear lower control arms may separate at the areas of the bushing joints. Warning signs of control arm failure include a knocking or rattling noise from the rear of the vehicle.

“Nissan acknowledges that a crack may develop in the lower control arm due to stress and loading from normal use of the vehicle, and that road salts commonly used for snow and ice treatment results in corrosion that exacerbates growth and progression of the crack,” NHTSA documents read. "Once the crack develops, continued use of the vehicle causes the control arm to separate at one of four attachment points that connect it to the vehicle chassis. “Nissan determined the current incident rate was 0.003%.

The campaign is a ‘service campaign’ (similar to a warranty extension) and Nissan owners in those 22 states should receive notice within the next few months.

Customers who want to learn more about the campaign should call Nissan in the U.S. at 800-867-7669 or in Canada at 855-835-3854.