2021 Nissan Altima Tie Rod Assembly Recall (21V138)
Nissan North America, Inc. · 2,407 vehicles · Reported March 4, 2021
Nissan North America, Inc. is recalling 2,407 2021 Nissan Altima vehicles. The tie rod ball joint fastener was not tightened properly, which could result in the tie rod ball joint detaching from the steering knuckle. A detached tie rod ball joint can cause a loss of steering control, and increase the risk of a crash. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 21V138 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 21V138000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | PC795 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | March 4, 2021 |
| Manufacturer | Nissan North America, Inc. |
| Vehicles | 2021 Nissan Altima |
| Units affected | 2,407 |
| Component | Steering > Linkages > Tie Rod Assembly |
| Safety risk | A detached tie rod ball joint can cause a loss of steering control, and increase the risk of a crash. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021 Nissan Altima in recall 21V138?
The tie rod ball joint fastener was not tightened properly, which could result in the tie rod ball joint detaching from the steering knuckle.
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Nissan Altima vehicles. The tie rod ball joint fastener was not tightened properly, which could result in the tie rod ball joint detaching from the steering knuckle.
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Is it safe to drive a 2021 Altima with recall 21V138?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: A detached tie rod ball joint can cause a loss of steering control, and increase the risk of a crash.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: A detached tie rod ball joint can cause a loss of steering control, and increase the risk of a crash.
NHTSA has not issued a do-not-drive or park-outside warning for this recall. Still, get the repair done as soon as it is available, and stop driving if you notice symptoms related to the tie rod assembly.
Which vehicles are included in recall 21V138?
Recall 21V138 covers 2,407 vehicles: 2021 Nissan Altima.
NHTSA lists 2,407 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Nissan | Altima |
What is the fix for the Altima tie rod assembly recall?
Yes. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the left and right-side tie rod ball joint fasteners, or install new fasteners as necessary, free of charge.
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the left and right-side tie rod ball joint fasteners, or install new fasteners as necessary, free of charge. The began March 31, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7769. Nissan's number for this recall is PC795.
When was recall 21V138 announced?
Nissan North America, Inc. reported recall 21V138 to NHTSA on March 4, 2021.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| March 4, 2021 | Nissan North America, Inc. filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 21V138000. |
This recall was filed 67 months ago. If your Altima was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my Altima is part of recall 21V138?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 21V138 is open on your Altima, it will be listed there.
Look up your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls. If 21V138000 is open on your Altima, it will be listed there, along with Nissan recall number PC795. You can also ask any Nissan dealer to run the VIN. The VIN is printed on your registration and visible through the lower driver-side windshield.
What should Altima owners do about recall 21V138?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 21V138000 applies to your Altima.
- Call a Nissan dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
- Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
- Keep a simple log of any tie rod assembly symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.
What are Altima owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 70 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 7 of them about the steering.
Since recall 21V138 was reported on March 4, 2021, owners have filed 7 complaints with NHTSA about the steering on these vehicles. 0 of them (0%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt.
How we counted: we matched NHTSA owner complaints for the model years in this recall that list the steering and were received on or after March 4, 2021, then flagged narratives that describe a repeat failure or a problem returning after a dealer repair, recall service or software update. Data from NHTSA, accessed October 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports and may involve a related steering issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 70 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 7 of them involve the steering. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2021 Nissan Altima: 70 complaints in total, 7 about the steering
Here is what some owners told NHTSA, in their own words (excerpts, unverified):
When I make a turn, I hear a clicking noise and also when I come to a complete stop, I can a sound that sounds like a grunting noise. I had new brakes, rotors and brand new tires put on in 2025. I think my ball joints and tie rod is defective.
2021 Nissan Altima owner, PA, NHTSA complaint 11749536, filed July 10, 2026
First of all I know there is a break in period. The stering seems to be loose at times almost to loose when I’m turning , especially a more sharper turn. The brakes are loud at a stop almost like they are warped but it only has 300 miles.
2021 Nissan Altima owner, CA, NHTSA complaint 11439954, filed November 10, 2021
While driving home from work I experienced my fourth or fifth malfunction error flashing across my digital display. It scares me because this time is different.
2021 Nissan Altima owner, AZ, NHTSA complaint 11444993, filed December 26, 2021
Can recall 21V138 make my Altima a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
A recall by itself does not make a car a lemon. Under California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, what matters is whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs the vehicle's use, value or safety, and whether the manufacturer or its dealers fixed it within a reasonable number of attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).
Steering defects go straight to safety. Under California's lemon law, a defect likely to cause death or serious injury can create a presumption after just two repair attempts, if the manufacturer was also notified directly.
A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2021 Nissan Altima has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.
For the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, California presumes the manufacturer had enough chances if the Altima went in two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for the same defect, or spent more than 30 days in the shop (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Direct notice to the manufacturer is required for some of these. The presumption is a shortcut, not the only path to a claim.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your Altima been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Nissan Altima recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 21V138
Did the recall 21V138 fix work?
Since recall 21V138 was reported on March 4, 2021, owners have filed 7 complaints with NHTSA about the steering on these vehicles. 0 of them (0%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt. If your vehicle still has the problem after the recall repair, go back to the dealer, get a repair order, and talk to a lemon law attorney.
Is the 21V138000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my Altima is part of recall 21V138000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
What should I keep for a possible lemon law claim?
Keep every repair order, the recall owner letter, your purchase or lease contract, and notes on dates, mileage and symptoms. Make sure each dealer visit is written up, even when the dealer says it cannot find a problem.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 21V138000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Nissan. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.