Nissan’s Door Defect: 26,000 Vehicles at Risk of Flying Open in Crashes

Nissan North America Inc. has issued a voluntary recall for 26,432 vehicles over a manufacturing flaw in door strikers that could cause doors to pop open unexpectedly while driving or during a collision, heightening crash risks for drivers and passengers. The affected models—2025 Altima and Sentra sedans, 2025-2026 Frontier pickups, and 2026 Kicks crossovers—suffer from improperly welded strikers, the metal hooks that secure doors to the vehicle’s frame. If the weld fails, doors may unlatch, ejecting occupants or distracting drivers at highway speeds.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) confirmed the recall on January 23, 2026, classifying it as a serious safety defect under federal standards. Dealers will inspect and replace the faulty strikers free of charge, with owner notifications slated to begin in March. No crashes or injuries have been reported yet, but the agency warns of potential ejections in side impacts, echoing past door-latch scandals that led to multimillion-dollar penalties for other automakers.

The Weld That Failed

Manufacturing data reveals the issue stems from a defective welding process at Nissan’s Canton, Mississippi, assembly plant, where robots applied insufficient heat or pressure during striker attachment. Fox Business reported that “Nissan announced a voluntary recall for 26,432 vehicles to fix a door striker issue that could cause the door to unintentionally open while driving or during a crash” (Fox Business). Engineering analyses shared with regulators show the welds cracking under normal stress tests simulating 10 years of use, with failure rates exceeding 5% in high-heat batches produced from July to December 2025.

Industry insiders note this isn’t Nissan’s first rodeo with door hardware; a 2023 recall affected 100,000 Rogues for similar latch corrosion. Supply-chain pressures from post-pandemic chip shortages forced Nissan to accelerate production lines, potentially compromising quality controls. NHTSA documents detail how the striker’s base metal delaminates, allowing the door to separate from the latch mechanism entirely—a scenario tested in barrier crashes where dummy occupants were partially ejected.

Models in the Crosshairs

The recall spans 12,850 Altima sedans (built August-November 2025), 8,200 Sentras (September-December 2025), 4,100 Frontiers (July-October 2025-2026 models), and 1,282 Kicks (October-December 2025). Cars.com specified “Nissan is recalling more than 26,400 vehicles over an issue with the door that may cause it to open while the vehicle is moving” (Cars.com). These mid-tier trims dominate U.S. sales, targeting fleet buyers and families, amplifying the defect’s reach into rental lots and ride-share services.

Owners can check VINs on NHTSA’s website or Nissan’s portal, where recall 26V-012 has been posted. Early dealer feedback from Texas and California outlets indicates repair times under an hour, using pre-staged parts kits. However, winter weather in northern states may delay mobile service options, prompting Nissan to extend loaner-vehicle policies for affected customers.

Regulatory Scrutiny Intensifies

NHTSA’s investigation, launched after whistleblower tips from a Canton supplier, uncovered that Nissan identified the weld variance in October 2025 but delayed recall until field audits confirmed 100 failures in 2,000 test doors. ABC27 noted “The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced that more than 26,000 Nissan model vehicles have been recalled… because the striker on the front doors may have an improper weld” (ABC27). Penalties loom if auditors find systemic lapses, following Ford’s $1.2 billion fine in 2024 for door issues.

Posts on X from Fox Business amplified the alert: “Nissan recalling over 26,000 vehicles due to door issue that could increase risk of crash,” drawing 1,900 views within hours. NissanUSA has not tweeted directly but directs inquiries via DM, citing VIN verification protocols honed from prior recalls.

Broader Industry Echoes

This defect fits a pattern of welding woes plaguing Detroit rivals; General Motors recalled 700,000 trucks in 2025 for frame welds, while Toyota idled Tacoma lines over axle defects. Speedme.ru highlighted “Learn about the largest pickup truck recalls in US history, including Toyota Tacoma, Ford F-150, and Ram models, with safety risks and vehicle defects explained” (Speedme.ru). Nissan’s Frontier, a sales bright spot amid EV slumps, now faces scrutiny that could dent Q1 2026 volumes by 2-3%.

Insurers like Progressive and Geico are flagging VINs in databases, potentially hiking premiums 5-10% for unrepaired units. LiveNOW from FOX reported “More than 24.4 million vehicles were recalled by the nation’s largest automakers in 2025,” with Nissan climbing ranks (LiveNOW from FOX). Supply-chain fixes include ultrasonic weld monitors installed January 20 at Canton, per internal memos.

Repair Roadmap and Owner Actions

Nissan mandates striker replacement with reinforced units featuring dual welds and corrosion plating. FOX 35 Orlando detailed “Nissan’s new recall includes certain Altima, Sentra, Frontier model vehicles manufactured between 2025 and 2026” (FOX 35 Orlando). Interim advice: avoid hard cornering and secure passengers with lap belts doubled over. CARFAX warns of 1 million open LATCH recalls, underscoring child-safety overlaps (PR Newswire).

For insiders tracking OEM metrics, this recall underscores fragility in just-in-time manufacturing amid U.S. tariffs on steel. Nissan’s $2 billion Mississippi expansion now pivots to AI quality gates, but skeptics question timelines amid 2026’s 15% production ramp for electrified Frontiers.

Stakeholder Fallout

Dealership inventories hold 15% of recalled units, per Cox Automotive data, pressuring Q1 margins. Fleet operators like Hertz, with 5,000 Altimas in service, demand expedited fixes or rebates. KTVU FOX 2 echoed regional concerns: “Nissan’s new recall includes certain Altima, Sentra, Frontier model vehicles manufactured between 2025 and 2026” (KTVU FOX 2).

Investor eyes turn to Nissan’s February earnings, where recall reserves could hit $50 million. Yet, with no lawsuits filed and repairs underway, the episode may catalyze weld-tech upgrades across Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance plants globally.