NHTSA Complaint #11349282 — 2012 NISSAN MAXIMA

WHILE MY SON WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY (STRAIGHT AND AT A STEADY SPEED) THE HOOD SUDDENLY OPENED COMPLETELY, MOSTLY BROKE OFF THE CAR, AND FLEW INTO THE WINDSHIELD. THE MECHANIC THAT INSPECTED THE CAR TOLD ME THAT THE MAIN HOOD LATCH WAS CORRODED AND NOT FUNCTIONAL, AND THAT THE SAFETY LATCH WAS COMPLETELY FROZEN IN THE OPEN POSITION. NISSAN CURRENTLY HAS A RECALL ON ALTIMAS FOR HOOD LATCH FAILURE. I CONTACTED THE COMPANY TO REQUEST THAT THE CAR BE INSPECTED, BUT WAS TOLD THAT THE WAIT WOULD BE 6 - 8 WEEKS, DURING WHICH WE SHOULD OF COURSE NOT HAVE THE CAR REPAIRED, AND WOULD NOT BE PROVIDED WITH AN ALTERNATE MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION. WHEN I OBJECTED, IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT WE COULD DRIVE THE CAR WHILE WAITING. WHEN I POINTED OUT THAT IT NOW HAD NO HOOD, I WAS TOLD THAT WHETHER OR NOT TO DRIVE IT WAS MY PERSONAL CHOICE. MY INABILITY TO WAIT 6 - 8 WEEKS WAS DEEMED A REFUSAL OF THE INSPECTION, AND THE CASE (NISSAN CASE #[XXX] WAS CLOSED. BECAUSE MY SON'S FRIEND WAS RECORDING A CAR DRIVING AHEAD OF THEM AT THE TIME, THE ENTIRE INCIDENT IS ON VIDEO. (I TRIED TO UPLOAD THE VIDEO BUT WAS UNABLE TO.*DT INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB