Nissan is recalling more than 238,000 Altima midsize cars worldwide because a secondary latch can fail and allow the hoods to fly open while the cars are in motion, a report said.

Only Altimas from the 2013 model year are covered by the recall so far, but Nissan is investigating whether other models could be involved, according to documents posted yesterday by US safety regulators, reported the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

 It appears the problem is limited to Altimas, but Nissan is checking other latches with similar designs, spokesman Steve Yaeger said.

On the Altima, Nissan's top-selling vehicle in the US, debris and rust can combine with interference between the secondary latch lever and the hood, causing the latches to bind. That could keep them unlatched when the hood is closed. If the primary latch is inadvertently released, the hood could open while the cars are being driven.

Nissan says dealers will modify the latch lever, as well as clean and lubricate the secondary latch joint. The latch assembly could be replaced. – TradeArabia News Service