NHTSA Complaint #770711 — 1997 NISSAN ALTIMA

WHILE TAKING A RIGHT TURN FROM A STOP, THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILED TO ACTUATE. LUCKILY I WAS ONLY A FEW MILES FROM MY HOME AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE STILL WORKED IN THE HEAVY RAIN. AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION I FOUND THE LINK ASSEMBLY THAT CONNECTS THE LEFT WIPER TO THE RIGHT ONE WAS DISLODGED. THE PLASTIC "SNAP" KNUCKLE AND METAL BALL JOINT WERE WORN AND CAME APART THUS CAUSING THE RIGHT WIPER TO NOT MOVE. I REPLACED THE WIPER ACTUATING LINKAGES AND MOTOR ASSEMBLY. WHILE AT THE PARTS COUNTER AT DECORMIER NISSAN, I NOTICED TWO OTHER MECHANICS OBTAINING THE SAME PARTS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM ON CARS IN THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THE PARTS ATTENDANT SAYS THEY KEEP THESE ITEMS IN STOCK BECAUSE OF THEIR HIGH DEMAND. I AM SENDING THIS TO YOU BECAUSE OF THE POTENTIAL DANGERS INVOLVED IF THIS FAILURE HAD OCCURRED ON THE HIGHWAY AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. DT