2024 Nissan Altima

Component/System Failure: Front driver's seatback cover assembly (Nissan Part Number: 87650-9HB2B). The factory structural stitching on the center backrest panel is actively unraveling and separating. The component is available for inspection upon request. ​ Safety Risk: The seatback cover serves as the structural envelope for the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Side-Impact Airbag. Because the structural factory stitching has failed, the engineered tension of the airbag housing unit is compromised. A unravelling cover cannot ensure the precise breakaway path required for the side airbag to deploy correctly. This structural defect poses a severe safety liability, risking delayed deployment, non-deployment, or improper trajectory of a critical safety restraint during a collision. ​Inspections by Others & Dealer Confirmation: The physical separation of the stitching was presented to and verified by an authorized manufacturer dealership (Hubler Nissan) on April 21, 2026. The dealership acknowledged the physical failure of the stitching but refused to perform a factory-certified repair. Nissan's warranty claims the restraint system is covered for 60,000 miles, yet the dealership officially advised me to take the vehicle to a third-party, non-certified local shop ("Dr. Vinyl") to repair the structural housing of an active explosive device. This creates an unacceptable safety liability for both the vehicle occupants and Nissan. ​ Warning Lamps & Prior History: No active dashboard SRS warning lamps are illuminated, as the fault is a physical structural breakdown rather than an electrical failure. The issue first appeared prior to 36,000 miles and continues to progressively worsen.

The contact owns a 2024 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the contact received third-degree burns to the buttocks from the driver’s side seat warmer. The contact was in a wheelchair due to the burns, and medical attention was required. A dealer was contacted and requested to open the vehicle seats. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 15,073.

On [XXX] I purchased a brand-new 2024 Nissan Altima SR from Vaden Nissan located at 10421 Abercorn Street, Savannah, GA 31419, Phone 912-920-5600; with approximately 25 miles on the odometer. On the day of purchase, the vehicle emitted a noticeable mold odor inside the cabin. The vehicle was returned to the dealership on March 11, 2024, due to the mold odor. It was again returned on March 13, 2024, after water was discovered inside the trunk area of the vehicle. At the time of sale and shortly thereafter, water was present inside the trunk area, and the vehicle continued to exhibit water intrusion. The water intrusion appears to be associated with defective weatherstripping or sealing, which allowed moisture to enter the vehicle. On March 19, 2024, the dealership returned the vehicle to me with visible mold present inside the vehicle. The mold condition was observable at the time it was returned to consumer use. The vehicle was not professionally remediated for mold contaminated before being released back to consumer possession. A professional mold inspection later identified over 100,000 mold spores and at least ten (10) different types of mold inside the vehicle. Although the source of water intrusion was reportedly repaired on October 25, 2024, the vehicle remains inoperative and unsafe due to mold contamination. The mold condition persists despite repair attempts. I remain in possession of the vehicle, which cannot be safely driven or occupied. The manufacturer was notified of the water intrusion and mold contamination; however, the safety issue remains unresolved. I respectfully request that NHTSA review this matter to determine whether the water intrusion and resulting mold contamination present a broader safety concern and whether the handling and return of the vehicle to consumer use was appropriate given the visible mold condition.INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)