Nissan is recalling more than 26,400 recent model year Altima, Sentra, Frontier and Kicks vehicles because the doors may open suddenly while driving.
The doors may fail to stay closed due to door strikers that were improperly welded during production. The door striker is a metal clip mounted on your vehicle’s door jamb and works with the door latch to keep the car door closed. However, welding issues may leave the striker’s wire loops weak enough to crack and separate from the plate.
Drivers may hear rattling noises if only one side of the wire loop cracks. However, if both sides crack, the doors may open without warning.
The door latch issue makes the affected vehicles noncompliant with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 206, “Door Locks and Door Retention Components.”
Nissan Door Recall: Overview
- NHTSA ID: 26V023000
- Nissan Recall: PD185 and PMA61
- Vehicle Population: 26,432
- Affected Models:
- 2025 Nissan Altima (produced August 4, 2025 – September 8, 2025)
- 2025 Nissan Sentra (produced August 21, 2025 – September 6, 2025)
- 2025–2026 Nissan Frontier (produced August 4, 2025 – September 8, 2025)
- 2026 Nissan Kicks (produced August 23, 2025 – September 26, 2025)
- Vehicle Defect: One or more door strikers may have been improperly welded during the manufacturing process, resulting in a risk of the door opening while the vehicle is in motion or involved in a collision.
- Recall Remedy: Nissan dealers will replace all door strikers free of charge. The remedy is expected to take up to half an hour to complete.
- Notification Schedule: Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 13, 2026.
Nissan Door Striker Defect History
Nissan first became aware of door striker problems in August 2025. A technician performed a door fit and function check on a 2025 Nissan Sentra and noticed a striker wire loop separating from a door striker plate. In response, Nissan put containment measures in place, initiated a yard audit and launched an investigation in cooperation with its parts supplier.
The yard audit took place at Nissan’s plant in Aguascalientes, Mexico. Out of 23,930 model year 2025 Nissan Sentra vehicles, only 12 were identified as having the defect. The faulty door strikers were replaced and sent to the supplier for further analysis.
The supplier’s investigation took place from September to December 2025. Its initial findings revealed that an improper welding process caused partial quench fractures due to an increased cooling rate, followed by cracks growing over time as the door latches repeatedly apply pulling force to the striker loops. During this time, the supplier found that 375,212 door strikers were produced during the suspect time period, and Nissan found that 46,636 vehicles manufactured during this production period may have received defective door striker assemblies.
In January 2026, Nissan determined that the door striker loops may separate when shutting the door, allowing the doors to open while the vehicle is in motion. On January 13, Nissan initiated the recall. No injuries or accidents related to the defect have been reported.
Is My Nissan Affected By This Recall?
You can confirm if this recall affects your vehicle by entering your Vehicle Identification Number into either of the following directories:
- Nissan Safety Recalls and Service Info: An open recall search tool for Nissan vehicles only.
- NHTSA’s Recall Search Tool: A federally-run database of open recalls across all auto manufacturers. Enter your VIN or State license plate number to search for your vehicle.
Who Do I Contact About The Nissan Door Striker Recall?
To schedule an appointment or ask further questions, you may contact the following:
- Nissan Customer Service: 800-647-7261
To inquire about warranties, open recalls, service campaigns or schedule a repair service appointment. - NHTSA Safety Hotline: 888-327-4236
To report additional safety issues or submit complaints to federal authorities.
How Do I Schedule A Repair Service With Nissan?
You may contact Nissan’s customer service directly or locate and call your nearest Nissan dealership to schedule a repair service appointment.
Save any paperwork provided to you during and after your service appointment.
Nissan Door Recall: What Else Should I Know?
While Nissan’s door striker recall affects a limited number of vehicles, vehicle owners should remain vigilant. This defect can create serious safety concerns if left unaddressed. Owners should expect recall notices in their mailboxes around March 13, 2026. Owners and lessees of recent model year Nissan Altima, Sentra, Frontier or Kicks vehicles are encouraged to confirm if their vehicle is included in the recall.
Recall repairs are performed at no cost, and Nissan estimates the repair will take approximately 30 minutes to complete.
References
- (2026, January 21). Improperly Welded Door Strikers/FMVSS 206. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. https://www.nhtsa.gov/?nhtsaId=26V023000
- (2026, January 20). Part 573 Safety Recall Report 26V023. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V023-1627.pdf
