Nissan Door Latch Recall, Over 26,000 Altima, Sentra, Frontier, And Kicks Models At Risk Of Doors Opening While Driving—Check If Your VIN Is Affected

Nissan has recalled 26,432 vehicles due to improperly welded door strikers that could crack and cause doors to open unexpectedly while driving or during a crash. The recall affects 2025 Altima and Sentra sedans, 2025-2026 Frontier pickups, and 2026 Kicks SUVs—and the NHTSA confirmed on January 23, 2026, that only 1% of recalled vehicles actually have the defect, but all need inspection because Nissan cannot isolate which specific doors are faulty.

What Is The Nissan Door Latch Recall?

On January 21, 2026, Nissan North America voluntarily recalled vehicles with defective door strikers manufactured between August and September 2025 at facilities in Canton, Mississippi and Aguascalientes, Mexico.

According to NHTSA Recall Numbers PD185 and PMA61, the door striker wire loop—the metal hook securing your door to the vehicle frame—may have insufficient strength due to improper welding by supplier MAGNA Winmex. If this component cracks and separates from the plate, the door latch cannot retain the door as intended.

This violates Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number 206, which governs door locks and door retention components. The safety risk is severe: doors could fly open at highway speeds, ejecting occupants or distracting drivers during critical moments.

For context, vehicle recalls due to manufacturing defects are common. Similar to the Ford Recall Of 119,000 Vehicles Over Engine Heater Fire Risk, Affected Models And Your Legal Rights 2026, Nissan’s recall addresses a supplier manufacturing error that escaped initial quality controls.

Which Nissan Models And How Many Vehicles Are Affected?

The recall covers exactly 26,432 Nissan vehicles:

• 12,850 units: 2025 Nissan Altima (built August–November 2025)
• 8,200 units: 2025 Nissan Sentra (built September–December 2025)
• 4,100 units: 2025-2026 Nissan Frontier (built July–October 2025)
• 1,282 units: 2026 Nissan Kicks (built October–December 2025)

Here’s what makes this recall particularly concerning: while only 26,432 vehicles are recalled, NHTSA documents reveal 375,212 door strikers are suspected to be defective. This means Nissan cannot identify which specific door on your vehicle is faulty—any or all four doors could potentially fail.

What Are The Safety Risks?

The door striker defect creates life-threatening scenarios. If the striker wire loop cracks on both sides, the door can open without warning while you’re driving. In a side-impact collision, a compromised door could separate entirely, increasing ejection risk.

NHTSA warns that drivers “may notice a rattling noise from the door striker if only one side of the striker wire is cracked; however, if both sides crack, there may be no warning prior to failure.”

This is especially dangerous for families with children. Child locks will not prevent doors from opening if the striker hardware completely fails.

As of January 2026, Nissan reports zero warranty claims, accidents, or injuries related to this defect—but the company chose to issue a voluntary recall after a technician discovered a separated striker wire during a routine door fit check in August 2025.

Who Initiated The Recall And What’s The Timeline?

August 2025: A technician performing quality checks on a 2025 Sentra noticed the door striker wire loop had separated from the plate.

September–October 2025: Supplier MAGNA Winmex investigated and confirmed the fracture was caused by an improper welding process during manufacturing.

January 2026: Nissan began evaluating whether the defect could cause doors to open while driving or during crashes. After determining the potential safety risk, Nissan conducted a voluntary recall.

January 23, 2026: NHTSA officially confirmed the recall and published campaign details.

January 28, 2026: VIN lookup tools became available on NHTSA.gov for vehicle owners to check recall status.

March 13, 2026: Owner notification letters will be mailed (this is the official timeline).

Just like vehicle owners affected by the More Than 72,000 Ram Trucks Recalled For Blank Instrument Displays—Is Yours Affected?, Nissan owners should act immediately to verify their vehicle status and schedule repairs.

How To Check If Your Vehicle Is Affected

Use your 17-character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to verify recall status:

1. Visit NHTSA.gov/recalls and enter your VIN
2. Call Nissan customer service at 800-647-7261 (reference recall numbers PD185 or PMA61)
3. Check the Nissan recalls page at NissanUSA.com/owners/recalls-vin.html

Your VIN is located on the driver’s side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver’s side door post, your insurance card, or your vehicle registration.

What Should You Do Next?

Schedule your free repair immediately. Nissan dealers will replace all door strikers with updated components featuring improved welds and corrosion resistance. The repair takes less than 30 minutes and is completely free—federal law requires manufacturers to cover all recall repairs at no cost.

Dealer notifications began January 28, 2026. Owner notification letters are scheduled for March 13, 2026, but you do not need to wait for a letter to schedule your repair.

In the meantime:

• Avoid aggressive cornering or high-speed lane changes
• Ensure all passengers wear seatbelts properly
• Listen for unusual rattling noises from doors
• Do not rely on child locks alone for safety

Frequently Asked Questions

What Exactly Is The Door Striker Issue?

The door striker is the metal hook that secures your door to the vehicle frame when closed. Improper welding caused the striker wire loop to have insufficient strength, allowing it to crack and separate, which means the door latch cannot hold the door shut.

How Many Nissan Vehicles Are Recalled?

26,432 vehicles are included in this recall across four models: 2025 Altima, 2025 Sentra, 2025-2026 Frontier, and 2026 Kicks.

Can My Door Open While I’m Driving?

Yes. If the striker wire cracks completely, the door may open unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion or during a crash, increasing injury risk to occupants.

Is There A Deadline To Get My Vehicle Repaired?

There is no legal deadline, but Nissan strongly urges owners to schedule repairs as soon as possible. The repair is free and takes under 30 minutes at any authorized Nissan dealer.

Where Can I Find Official Recall Information?

Check NHTSA.gov/recalls, visit NissanUSA.com/owners/recalls-vin.html, or call Nissan customer service at 800-647-7261.

Last Updated: February 6, 2026
Disclaimer: This article provides general information about the Nissan door latch recall. It is not legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney if you have been injured due to this defect.

Check your VIN today. Your doors should keep you safe—not put you at risk.

Stay informed, stay protected. — AllAboutLawyer.com

About the Author

Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
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