NHTSA Complaint #11130858 — 2013 NISSAN MAXIMA

MY SON WAS DRIVING HOME 09/21/18 WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE TIE ROD BROKE. THE PIECE THAT BROKE SCREWS INTO THE RACK AND HAS A BALL SWIVEL IN IT AND THEN SCREWS INTO THE ACTUAL TIE ROD END. THE PIECE AT THE BREAK LOOKS AS IF IT WAS BROKEN PART WAY THROUGH DUE TO THE METAL BEING DARKER IN THAT AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND HAD JUST COMPLETED A LEFT HAND TURN ON A RUAL BLACKTOP ROAD. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE THIS IS A PART THAT JUST SHOULD NOT FAIL AS IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THEY ARE MADE FROM A CHROME VANADIUM ALLOY WHICH MAKES THEM JUST ABOUT INDESTRUCTIBLE UNDER NORMAL USE AND CONDITIONS. I HAVE TRIED TO FURNISH A PICTURE AND AM NOT SURE IF IT WAS SUCCESSFULLY UPLOADED TO YOU. IF NOT PLEASE CONTACT ME BY EMAIL AND I CAN ATTACH IT TO A RETURN EMAIL TO YOU. THE PICTURE SHOWS THE BROKEN PART STILL ON THE CAR. I REPAIRED THE CAR MYSELF AND HAVE THE BROKEN PART IN MY POSSESSION IF YOU NEED IT.