CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2013 Nissan Altima has multiple problem trends including the CVT transmission, and now that this model is out of warranty, it earns our "Avoid Like The Plague" badge.

Owners complain about vibration and transmission failure related to the CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission), a whining noise from the power steering pump, and constant windshield problems that appear to be the result of poor design.

Be warned: the 2014 & 2015 Nissan Altima appears to share these same problems.

6.0

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
7,500 miles
Total Complaints:
5 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (3 reports)
  2. reprogrammed as per tsb (2 reports)
2013 Nissan Altima accessories - interior problems

accessories - interior problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2013 Nissan Altima:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2013 Nissan Altima Owner Comments

problem #5

Feb 022015

Altima SV 3.5L V6

  • CVT transmission
  • 11,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have taken the car to the Nissan dealer for this complain a couple of times. I explained to them that the emergency brake light on the instrument panel stays on. How hard is to understand this??

If I mess with the emergency brake pedals I can eventually make the light to go off. Regardless, the car drives and the brake releases the tires it just annoying that this light Intermittently stays on and the dealer ship do not care about it.They want the car all day, I spent money on a rental while they keep my car and fix nothing.

- pfsagm2005, Wichita, KS, US

problem #4

Sep 172013

Altima 3.5 SL V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,000 miles

Brake light randomly comes on every couple of months, this car is horrible.

- shamrockpub, Mendon, MA, US

problem #3

Mar 072014

Altima SV 2.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 17,000 miles

Happened a couple times, they just reset the computer, and updated software.

- Chaz B., East Bethel, MN, US

problem #2

Mar 302013

Altima SL 2.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 3,630 miles

Well I had my brake light coming on while driving and not using the brakes. They reprogrammed it as per a service bulletin and I have not seen it happen again yet.

- dynarider84, Reston, VA, US

problem #1

Nov 142012

Altima SV 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 700 miles

BRAKE LIGHT WILL NOT TURN OFF AFTER TAKING THE PARKING BRAKE OFF. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I'M TAKING IT IN. THE FIRST TIME THEY SAID THEY HAD TO RUN SOME NEW WIRES FOR THE PARKING BRAKE AND RESET THE CODE. WELL THAT DIDN'T WORK BECAUSE IT'S STILL DOING IT. WILL UPDATE AFTER I GET MY CAR BACK FROM THE DEALER.

- Nelson T., Montclair, CA, US

Not what you are looking for?