Following an internal investigation, Nissan North America has decided that a safety problem affecting certain 2013 Altima sedans will have 220,432 vehicle owners returning to a manufacturer approved repair facility to have the problem fixed.

According to the recall report filed with the NHTSA, an interference between the hood inner panel and the secondary latch lever, in combination with debris and corrosion, could cause the secondary hood latch to bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed. If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could open while driving, significantly increasing the chance of an accident.

Dealers will modify the bend angle of the hood lever to avoid the interference with the hood inner panel. They will also clean and lubricate the latch join. Nissan is continuing to investigate the defect and could expand the recall if necessary. Owners wanting more information about the problem are asked to contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. The NHTSA campaign number is 14V-565.