Recall 21V138 affects 2,407 2020-2021 Nissan Altima vehicles for loose tie rod ball joint fasteners. Repair is free at any franchised Nissan dealer.
Nissan is recalling 2,407 2020-2021 Altima vehicles under recall 21V138 because the tie rod ball joint fastener was not tightened properly. If the joint detaches from the steering knuckle, the driver can lose steering control and face a higher crash risk; Nissan dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The tie rod assembly on a 2020-2021 Nissan Altima connects the steering rack to the front wheel knuckle. When you turn the steering wheel, the tie rod pushes or pulls the wheel so the car follows your input. A fastener and washer hold the tie rod ball joint tight against the steering knuckle, so that joint has to stay clamped in place.
On affected Altimas, a backup production process left the tie rod ball joint fastener without the required tightening. Because the fastener was not torqued correctly, it can loosen, fall off, and let the tie rod ball joint separate from the steering knuckle. Once that joint separates, the wheel no longer follows steering input the way it should.
The warning sign Nissan identified is steering wheel vibration. If you feel vibration in the steering wheel, treat it as a reason to have the vehicle inspected by a Nissan dealer.
Who's affected?
Covers the 2020 and 2021 Altima scopes through the same tie rod washer component.
| 2020 Nissan Altima | tie rod (steering linkage) |
|---|---|
| 2021 Nissan Altima | tie rod (steering linkage) |
| Units affected | 2,407 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific sedan is included.
What's the safety risk?
A detached tie rod ball joint can cause loss of steering control and increase the risk of a crash. Steering wheel vibration is the warning sign to take seriously: stop in a safe place and call the dealer before driving farther. Repair is free at any franchised Nissan dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2020-2021 Nissan Altima is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Nissan dealer to schedule the free tie rod ball joint fastener service that secures the joint to the steering knuckle.
- Bring the recall notice if Nissan mailed one. If not, reference recall number 21V138 when you call.
- Use the vehicle only as needed until the repair is complete, since a detached tie rod ball joint can cause loss of steering control.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Nissan technician tightens the left and right side tie rod ball joint fasteners and installs new fasteners when needed. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered by Nissan. Out of pocket repairs already paid are handled through the existing warranty, not through a separate reimbursement program, since the affected Altima vehicles are still under warranty. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| March 4, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 5, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| March 31, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
| March 31, 2021 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| March 31, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V138?
Recall 21V138 covers 2,407 2020-2021 Nissan Altima vehicles with tie rod ball joint fasteners that were not tightened properly. If a tie rod ball joint detaches from the steering knuckle, the driver can lose steering control, increasing crash risk. Nissan dealers will tighten or replace the fasteners for free.
What should I do if my 2020-2021 Nissan Altima is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Altima is included in recall 21V138. If it is, contact a franchised Nissan dealer to schedule the tie rod ball joint fastener repair. Reference recall 21V138 or Nissan recall PC795 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Nissan's remedy says dealers will tighten the left and right-side tie rod ball joint fasteners, or install new fasteners as necessary, free of charge.
What if I bought my Nissan Altima used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2020-2021 Altima is included, then call a franchised Nissan dealer and reference recall 21V138 or Nissan recall PC795.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V138000 |
|---|---|
| Nissan customer service | 1-800-867-7769 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V138 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V138000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →